Two Days in NOLA- Part 3

Over the past couple weeks we have been sharing our office's ideas for quick itineraries for your visit to Tulane and New Orleans. Whether you like to eat, stay active, or a combination of activities, we hope that one of our ideas will help you make the most of your trip. Next up we've got plans for your academic side.

The Literature Lover- Rachael Thompson Accavitti, Assistant Director

Start with brunch at Restaurant Stanley.

This restaurant, conveniently located right off of Jackson Square, serves its patrons updated versions of comfort foods and creole staples.  It’s the perfect place for a literature lover to start his or her tour of New Orleans, as it is named for Stanley Kowalski—a character made famous in Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire.  Order either the Eggs Stanley with cornmeal-crusted oysters or the Eggs Stella with softshell crab.  And if you just so happen to be visiting during the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, which takes place each spring, give your best shot at winning the “STELLA” shouting contest in the Square.

Eggs Stanley from Restaurant Stanley.

Next, visit 624 Pirate's Alley, the current site of Faulkner House Books and William Faulkner's former residence.

Just around the corner, opposite the Saint Louis Cathedral’s rear garden, is Faulkner House Books.  Designated a National Literary Landmark by the Friends of American Libraries, this building might appear to be simply a charming, albeit very charming, bookstore.  But it also happens to be one of the spots where William Faulkner lived (and made mischief) in New Orleans.  In addition to your average literature lover, famous writers such as Roy Blount Jr., Joan Williams, and Willie Morris have made the mecca to this site.

Grab a Lucky Dog, and check out the Ignatius J. Reilly statue at the 800 block of Canal by the Hyatt French Quarter.

It’s nearly impossible to walk through the French Quarter and not notice these hot dog food carts.  Most popular with late night patrons, literature lovers should also grab a snack from this stand which bears a striking resemblance to the Paradise Vendors that served as a key plot detail in John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces.  As you eat, venture to the 800 block of Canal to see statue of the novel’s main character Ignatius J. Reilly.

Ignatius J. Reilly of A Confederacy of Dunces

Take a walking tour of the Garden District to view Anne Rice’s residences and other places that inspired her works.

Hop on a streetcar at Canal, and ride to the Garden District.  Then, take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Uptown New Orleans, pausing to look at the various gothic homes and guest houses important to Anne Rice, author of such novels as Interview with the Vampire and Queen of the Damned.

See Tulane’s Law School

Next head over to Tulane’s campus to see the Law School where Darby Shaw of John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief was a student.

Tulane's beautiful Law School is right on our Uptown campus.

 Eat at Antoine's, inspiration for Frances Parkinson Keyes's Dinner at Antoine's.

At night, head back to the French Quarter for dinner at the New Orleans institution that is Antoine’s.  In addition to laying claim to the title “Oldest family run restaurant in the United States,” Antoine’s is also the setting for Francis Parkinson Keyes’s murder mystery Dinner at Antoine’s.  Try the Oysters Rockefeller, a dish which Antoine’s supposedly invented.

Cap off the night at Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar.

More than just a watering hole, the Carousel Bar at the beautiful Hotel Monteleone is a fitting last stop on any literature lover’s tour of New Orleans.  The hotel, founded in 1886, has long been a favorite haunt of notable authors including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, and John Grisham.  Some say the place is haunted.  Everyone says it is pretty darn cool.

The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone.

The History Buff- Nora Colman, Admission Counselor and 2015 Tulane Grad

One of the many wonderful things about New Orleans is its rich multicultural history. Whether paying homage to its French and Spanish past or learning about its war effort during WWII, there are lots of great destinations to check out to not only learn about the history of New Orleans, but also American history itself.  Here are some “must-sees”:

Oak Alley Plantation - 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA

Located only about an hour outside of New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation is a breathtaking rewind in history. Visitors can visit the mansion (with mostly original furniture), walk along the Mississippi, and walk through the old slave quarters and farms. Oak Alley Plantation (in typical New Orleans fashion) not only tells us a lot about New Orlean’s past in the Civil War, but is even featured in many Hollywood movies and music videos. The Plantation is famous for its “Oak Alley” – about a hundred oak trees line the path up to the house. It is a trip completely worth making! Bonus: Eat a traditional Louisiana lunch and a world-famous Mint Julep!

The beautiful and historic Oak Alley

Lafayette Cemetery and the Garden District –1427 Sixth street

Lafayette Cemetery, located right across the street from Commander’s Palace, is a great place to go to learn about the history of Voodoo in New Orleans. Not only will you learn about New Orleans culture, but also the history of its people. For example, many of the victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic were buried in this cemetery. During this epidemic, a few doctors got together to study the disease and their efforts helped found Tulane! I recommend taking a walking tour of the Garden District so that you can be guided through the cemetery and learn more about the houses in the Garden District. You’ll even get to see some local celebrity’s houses as well.

New Orleans cemeteries are unique due to our proximity to sea level.

Napoleon House – 500 Chartres street

The Napoleon House, located in the French Quarter, was offered to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821. A meal in the Napoleon House transports you straight back into the nineteenth century! Don’t miss out on their world-famous Pimm’s Cup as well. Their menu offers a blend of Italian and Cajun food with everything from Poboys to Gelato!

National World War II Museum – 945 Magazine street

The National WWII Museum here is hands down the best museum I’ve ever been to. It’s modern, informational, and encompasses all parts of the war. You can even take a tour of a Higgins boat (made in New Orleans in the 1940s) that actually brought American soldiers into the Mediterranean during the war. You could honestly spend three full days at the museum, but here are the must-sees:
-    Beyond All Boundaries 4D movie – 45 minutes narrated by Tom Hanks, amazing experience!
-    Road to Berlin exhibit – lots of great artifacts and oral histories!
-    USS Tang Submarine experience
-    Higgins boat tour

The exterior of the National WWII Museum. A truly amazing experience.

Being a history major (and history buff myself), I’ve loved exploring the city both within Tulane and on my own. If all you can manage to do is make it to campus, be sure to also check out the Amistad Research Center (located right next to Gibson Hall) – the nation’s oldest collection of African American historical documents and sources. While there are dozens of things that you can do in two days in New Orleans, here are just a few to kick off your historical interests. Happy exploring!

The Art Lover- Becca Greaves, Admission Counselor and 2015 Tulane Grad

New Orleans is home to some top notch galleries and art! As a graduate from Tulane's theater department, I've always enjoyed being able to hit a performance or opening to check out local artists and performers. Here are some of my quick tips to get your art fix in New Orleans!
  
Stroll down Julia Street
 Home to many galleries, spend some time popping in and out before heading to any of these great museums
- World War II Museum
-Contemporary Arts Center
-Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Check out the New Orleans Concert Line
 This website compiles all of the concerts, festivals, theater, and comedy in New Orleans. Many events are free, so take a look before you come down to visit campus!

Tipitina's, home to Free Concert Friday every summer.

Head to the Saenger Theater

 Home to Broadway-level theater, the Saenger is a historic venue that is actually on the National Register of Historic Places!

Two Days in NOLA- Part 2

Last week, we published the first installment in our "Two Days in NOLA" series. These posts are made up of themed itineraries for you and your family to use while you come down to New Orleans and visit us at Tulane! We've seen the Frugal Foodie and the Health Nut, and this week we're on to two more ideas brought to you by our Admissions team.

The Outdoorsy Family- Neill Aguiluz, Admission Counselor & 2009 Tulane Grad

Although New Orleans may not boast the hiking trails of New Hampshire or Colorado, there are still many ways to enjoy the outdoors! Here are some activities that you can take advantage of to get outside and burn off some of those unavoidable New Orleans calories.

1. Big Easy Bayou Tour – 2 hour kayaking tour of Bayou St. John

Take a leisurely paddle through some New Orleans neighborhoods and take in the various architecture. Bayou St. John is also home to the Bayou Boogaloo music festival in May

Taking a paddle though the neighborhoods on Bayou St. John

Bayou Boogaloo!

2. Crescent Park

 This recently-opened park offers unparalleled views of the New Orleans skyline, and is very close to some amazing restaurants like Elizabeth's and The Joint. The Bywater is quickly becoming a hotspot for food and culture in New Orleans.

The view from Crescent Park!

3. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve – Barataria Preserve in Marrero

Jean Lafitte offers a taste of Louisiana's ecosystems and is a great place to check out the swamps, critters, and gators that make Louisiana unique. Over 200 species of birds can be found in the Preserve, along with alligators, nutria, and other wildlife.

 They also have an info center in the Quarter that you could visit before or after Crescent Park. \

The Sports Addict- Adam Griego- Operations Manager and 2014 Tulane Grad

If you are a sports addict like me, there is a lot to do in the city of New Orleans to subdue any cravings you may have. In two days, you can venture to a number of sports related places all around the city that has hosted 10 Super Bowls(including 3 on Tulane’s campus in the 1970s!) For me, I separated my two day sports excursion into Recreation and Food.

Recreation:

City Putt

City Putt is a 36-hole putt-putt complex in the heart of City Park. The two courses themes will teach you a little bit about New Orleans’ streets and their origins or about the history of various parishes around the state of Louisiana. The facility opened up less than 3 years ago and is a great place to spend a few hours participating in some friendly competition.

Fair Grounds

When in season, the Fair Grounds is a great place to spend some free time enjoying some horse racing while also people watching. One night a year, the track hosts a series of exotic animal races including ostriches, zebras, and some of New Orleans’ favorite mascots.

Professional Sports Games

Between the Saints (NFL), Pelicans (NBA), Zephyrs (MiLB AAA-Marlins affiliate), and VooDoo (Arena Football), there is most likely a professional sporting event going on around the city while you are in town. You cannot go wrong going out to support any of these four teams when they are playing at home. If visiting during the summer months, check out the Zephyrs promotion schedule, and you might go home with some nice takeaways or some memories of their incredible Friday night firework shows.

It's hard to beat the atmosphere at a Saints game.

Rock N Bowl

A Tulane student and alumni favorite is a night spent at Rock N Bowl. Rock N Bowl is an 18 lane bowling alley located minutes away from Tulane’s campus. In addition to some family bowling, Rock N Bowl offers live music on various nights ranging from Cajun/Zydeco, Swing, Jazz, Blues, and many others. If you are trying to do anything on this list, Rock N Bowl is a must.

Zydeco Night at Rock N Bowl!

TPC/Audubon/City Park

If you are a golfer at heart and need to get a few swings in while visiting campus, visit TPC(host of the Zurich Classic), Audubon Park (directly across the street), or the City Park driving range/golf course. After every finals week at Tulane and in high school, I would visit the driving range at City Park to transition out of my nocturnal study habits.

Food:

Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon

Bobby Hebert(former Saints QB) has opened up a new restaurant in Metairie which is filled with sports memorabilia that he accumulated through his years in the NFL and the AFL. The menu has a number of items with a Cajun twist that will leave you wanting more.

Bruno’s

 Bruno’s Tavern is a 5 minute walk from campus and offers a great atmosphere to watch any sporting events going on around the country. If Tulane baseball is playing, you better believe Bruno’s will be playing it on the big screen. The tavern is popular among students and alumni, and students with meal plans can use their NolaBucks for some of the great food options. My go to is the Debris Fries. o

Domelise’s

This is not only one of the best po-boy shops in the city, but this is where Archie and Olivia Manning sent their boys for one of their first part-time jobs before making it big at Ole Miss, Tennessee, and the NFL. With a number of signed photos from Archie, Peyton, and Eli, Domelise’s is a great stop to enjoy a delicacy of our city while seeing some candid photos of the young Manning boys.

A delicious Domelise's po-boy

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & RestaurantL

ucy’s is a favorite spot of students and their parents when visiting the city. There is limited outdoor seating available for those traveling with people under 18, but this is one of my go-to places because of the number of Saints players and coaches who stop in for a post-victory drink or bite to eat. From Drew Brees to Rob Ryan, you may have a chance at a run-in with one of our boys in the Black and Gold.

Two Days in NOLA- Part 1

Here in 210 Gibson Hall, the question "what should we do in New Orleans?" is heard almost every day. We love pointing our visitors towards our favorite restaurants, sites, and activities, but we thought it would be fun to take it a step further.

Since so many families come visit New Orleans for just a night or two, we've decided to put together some two-day itineraries for different types of travelers. From the Frugal Foodie to the Sports Addict to the History Buff, our Tulane Admission brain trust came together to provide y'all with different ideas of how to explore our favorite city. In total, we have 8 trips, and we've got the first two for you here today. And of course, they're all about the food!

Hop on the streetcar and go check out these great ideas from our Admission team. Photo by Don Chamblee.

The Frugal Foodie- Owen Knight, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

New Orleans is a food city, and an amazing one at that. However, it can quickly become expensive to try all of these great restaurants you’ve heard of. Fortunately, it is very possible to eat world class food here without breaking the bank. Saving money after flying your family of four down here? Broke college student visiting a friend? Take a look at these happy hour deals and cheap eats!

Lunch: Vietnamese at Lilly's Cafe
New Orleans is home to a large Vietnamese population and thus some great authentic Vietnamese restaurants. I’ve eaten at 7 of the Vietnamese places in New Orleans, and Lilly’s Is the leader of the pack. Definitely treat yourself to some spring rolls ($4/order) and then Vermicelli with Pork or Chicken ($7.95). The pho is also the best I’ve had in New Orleans, and is a bargain and a half at $8.50. Lilly’s location far down Magazine street will allow you to take a nice streetcar ride, or take a drive down one of the best shopping streets in New Orleans.

Pho from Lily's (Chris Granger, nola.com).

Dinner: Pizza Happy Hour at Domenica or Pizza Domenica
You’ve heard of John Besh. Everybody’s heard of John Besh. The charming southern chef owns six of the hottest restaurants in New Orleans. From August to Borgne, you can’t find a bad meal at a Besh restaurant. However, most of the meals ain’t cheap. Fortunately, Domenica has a happy hour that rivals the best. From 2-5pm, pizzas and libations are half price ($9 for a gourmet pizza). Try a couple pies for the table (my favorites include the clam and prosciutto), and you MUST order the cauliflower appetizer. Thank me later.

 Two pizzas and kale from Pizza Domenica (Ken S. on TripAdvisor).

Breakfast: Uptown’s own  Panola Street Cafe
Panola Street Cafe is one of my weekend staples. Just minutes from campus, this neighborhood joint serves up some of the best breakfast and iced coffee in town. It’s also very reasonably priced. You can’t deny a $6 bacon egg and cheese with hash browns, and the California Benedict is the way to go if you’re feeling fancy.

Lunch: America’s Best Fried Chicken at Willie Mae’s
Willie Mae’s Scotch House is a New Orleans staple. By something close to a miracle, they opened a second location just five minutes walking from Tulane’s Gibson Hall. Willie Mae’s Grocery and Deli offers the same amazing chicken and sides at a great price- $10 for a plate. While the tagline of “America’s Best” is often abused, Willie Mae’s certainly worthy of it. Go grab some before your tour!

Who else wants to eat their computer? (Craig Cavallo)

Happy Hour: 50 Cent Oysters at Superior Seafood
The title says it all. 50. Cent. Oysters. Superior Seafood has a great location right on Saint Charles at Napoleon, and Gulf Coast oysters are an absolute steal at this price.

So there you have it- two days of affordable meals that are still delicious. Just because you’re saving money doesn’t mean that you don’t get to treat yo self. Happy eating!

The Health Nut- Rachel Rosenberg, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

While I am in no way claiming to be a health nut myself, I know a lot of people come to New Orleans looking for good food that's not super heavy or fried. I'm here to point y'all in that direction!

Breakfast- Satusma
Popular amongst Tulane students- great salads, sandwiches, and a different “Pancake of the Day” every morning!

Lunch – Seed
A new vegan restaurant with great fresh options for vegans, vegetarians, or gluten free folks.

Raw Veggie Spaghetti (Seed on FB)

Snack – D’Juice
Fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices, all with fresh ingredients. Perfect for a snack, or add whey protein to a smoothie for a meal replacement

Dinner – Carmo
Vegan-friendly restaurant in the Warehouse District – I recommend the banana nut bread for dessert! 

The Rico Salad from Carmo (Lorin Gaudin)

Also make sure to take advantage of Audubon Park’s 2 mile track across the street from campus, or rent bikes or paddle boats at City Park if you’re looking for some activity between meals!

So there you have it, our first two specialized itineraries! Check back soon for the next two. We hope to see you in New Orleans soon!

Five Things You’ll Learn Only at Tulane, Only in New Orleans

Christopher Halbohn

            Your college experience will undoubtedly be the most amusing, most terrifying, and most clarity-producing four years of your existence. It’s a time of loving, learning, and growing that life and your parents have allotted so that you can become a responsible, productive member of society. Further, it’s a time that could not be better spent anywhere else but Tulane. Four years ago, I found myself in your exact place—high school senior, good grades, involved in loads of extracurricular activities—wondering where it would be that I spend the (arguably) most important years of my young life. I know what a harrowing process this situation truly is, so let me provide you with some wise words from the perspective of a Tulane senior. The following five adages are a collection of things I learned over the course of my time here that each of you could look forward to.

    1)   There is such a thing as a free lunch.

I’m sure your parents have told you numerous times that “nothing in life is free.” I grew up hearing that ominous phrase almost daily as my mom and dad worked hard to prepare me for the “harsh realities” of the real world. One of my proudest moments as a Tulanian was stumbling upon a lunch hosted by Tulane’s Latin American Studies department, staying for the delicious quesadillas and nachos that seemed to be never-ending, then calling my parents right after to inform them that they were indeed wrong—free lunches do exist! You’ll learn quickly that the amount of opportunities for free items at Tulane is limitless. From your first day on campus, you’ll be inundated with ice cream socials, t-shirts, pizza, water bottles, hats, sunglasses, and really any other random item adorned with the words “Tulane University” that crosses your mind. College kids love free things, especially food. Know those opportunities exist in every corner of campus and seek them out.

 Serving beet burgers during Finals Week my sophomore year at Cram Jam, when Bruff serves free food to all Tulane students!

    2)   Using “y’all” is cool.

You don’t need to be from the South to start using the conjunction “y’all.” First off, it’s super convenient. It’s the English equivalent to the French “vous” and allows your speech to be a little clearer. When you ask a group of friends, “What are you doing tonight?” who are you actually referring to? It’s a bit unclear. “What are y’all doing tonight?” makes your question a little clearer. Fewer people will be confused! Second, it allows you to further embrace the Southern culture. Leaving New York, I knew I wanted an experience different than the one I had growing up in the Northeast. Almost immediately, I embraced the Southern lifestyle. Now, don’t get me wrong—I was no impostor by any means. But I slowed my pace down a bit and appreciated life’s little things. This wasn’t something that I found New Yorkers to be particularly good at doing. Little by little, the South will creep into your soul just as quickly as the humidity in New Orleans forces you to sweat. And that leads us to the next thing:

Nothing says Louisiana more than holding a baby alligator; you'll have plenty of chances to do this! 

   3)   Everyone sweats. Some people do it a little prettier than others.

Face it: you’re considering (or have already decided) that Tulane is the perfect fit for you, so you’re well aware of Tulane’s location in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the heart of the Deep South. Simply said, it gets warm here, but mainly in the summer months. The humidity acts as a blanket that keeps you a little too warm even when you don’t want it. The climate will probably be most shocking for those from drier parts, those unfamiliar with the idea of constant moisture in the air. As a Long Islander, the summer weather here was not all that surprising; summers on Long Island are often hot and humid too! No matter what your experience is though, everyone is going to sweat. Some glisten; others drip. That’s just the way it is. I was (and still am) a dripper. But a little sweat never hurt anyone and plus, the heat breaks in October and you’ll have eight glorious months of unbeatable weather. Think about those amazing Snapchats you can send your friends in Boston or Chicago, who are freezing as they walk to class, while you study on the LBC quad in a bathing suit. The weather here makes everyone a little more cheery and a whole lot more willing to celebrate life! The warmer months are the months that see the most outdoor festivals in New Orleans: Ponchatoula Strawberry Fest, Freret Street Festival, and Jazzfest are just three examples of celebrations that get New Orleanians outside to soak up the sun!

Check out Oak Alley Plantation about 40 minutes from New Orleans and escape the heat under the oak trees that line the walkway to the front door! 

   4)   Expect all of your beliefs to be challenged. ALL.

In short, this is how you learn best. I’m sure each one of you has your own opinion about anything and everything. That’s wonderful; however, you will take classes at Tulane across numerous different departments that will teach you concepts you’ve never covered before. If you identify as Republican, take James Carville’s class. Learn about democracy and the political climate of the United States from one of the foremost Democratic strategists in the entire nation. Or, if you have covered those topics before, you will discover certain nuances about them that redefine your paradigm. If the classes at Tulane don’t challenge your set of beliefs, then your newly-made friends sure will. One of my best friends at Tulane admitted to me after months of knowing me that he assumed Long Island was just another name for Manhattan. Of course, I was shocked about this! I thought everyone knew New York. I thought everyone knew Long Island. But I was wrong. That’s a small example, but a very representative one at that. You will meet people from all walks of life: children of celebrities, students who’ve been on television shows, students who are the first in their families to attend college, and more. You’ll also meet people from all fifty, incredibly unique states. Breaking down the mental blinders you may have placed on yourselves over the years is the only way to truly understand people. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!

Canoeing through the creeks of southern Mississippi during my freshman year was not something I'd ever imagine doing!

   5)   Not four years, for life.

The friends you will inevitably make during your time here will be your best friends for the rest of your life. Four years may seem like a short amount of time, but the relationships you build will not disappear and become void when you leave Tulane. The thought of graduating in merely two weeks is sobering and mildly horrifying; it would be even scarier if I did not meet the people I did when I came here. When I arrived at Tulane a week before classes started in 2011 (wow, I’m old) for the Explore program, I was alone. I came without knowing anyone from home and quickly realized, wow, I’m 1300 miles from Long Island. A few hours later, I found myself in rural Mississippi on a campsite where I was unknowingly hanging out with my two best friends in the entire world. Yes, it’s scary. And yes, we all think that. BUT DO NOT WORRY. Surviving awkward encounters at the Boot, rallying through the marathon that is Mardi Gras, eating pizza at weird hours of the night, and simply exploring the city of New Orleans will undoubtedly bring you closer to whoever it is you meet. It’s not just the relationships that you’ll keep when you leave Tulane. You’ll also maintain a love for service, the network of alumni, and each of the lessons you learned that will define who you become.

Samantha and Lauren, my two best friends since Day 1 of freshman year, during Voodoo Experience music festival!

And that’s that. Upon arrival, you will know that Tulane was the perfect choice. From the city of New Orleans to the people who comprise this university, your life here will be the most exciting life you’d ever dream of having. I promise you that. Be prepared to change, though. College will do that to you. 

Pico Picks: Festivals to Know in NOLA

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

According to the website, the spirit of Jazz Fest was born in 1970 when Mahalia Jackson, the famous gospel singer, spontaneously began singing along with a crowd of second-line revelers during the Louisiana Heritage Fair.  It was a meeting of “jazz and heritage,” a fusion emblematic of New Orleans and its unique culture. Today, the festival boasts over ten stages, genres including zydeco, gospel, and blues, and acts ranging from international legend, Elton John, to local favorites, 610 Stompers. It is a globally renowned gathering of musicians and artists that in my opinion, is unparalleled.

The essence of Jazz Fest is wandering. Yes, you can build your day around a legendary headliner, but the real joy is in discovery. The gospel tent is always a sure bet, and I’ll never forget stumbling upon Brushy One String slaying on his single-string guitar at the Jazz and Heritage stage freshman year. I also recommend being equally adventurous with the food. There are six different food areas, and even a dedicated Food Heritage Stage where chefs and cooks display Louisiana’s culinary traditions. At Jazz Fest, I try to never eat the same food twice, but I can’t help going back to Panorama for Crawfish Bread, WWOZ for their Mango Freeze, and then getting a Plum St. Sno-Ball for dessert.

As a Tulane student, I have come to love Jazz Fest because it is a great opportunity to enjoy diverse music with friends new and old, and celebrate the end of the finals. The university makes it easy for students to attend as well, by offering discounted tickets through the bookstore, and providing shuttles to City Park. Overall, JF is a singularly New Orleanian experience – the best memories arise from the most unexpected stages, acts, and people, and I can guarantee that if you keep an open mind and ear, you will fall in love with this one-of-a-kind festival!

By: Justin Picard

Photo Credit: 

http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2015/04/new_orleans_jazz_fest_2015_jim.html

http://www.biteandbooze.com/2012/05/wonder-where-crawfish-bread-at-jazzfest.html

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/f9d78c8b994790075715b6fcca8ab215d5168d65/c=35-0-566-400&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/WWL/WWL/2014/09/10/1410371471001-10-banana-foster-cream-plum-st.jpg

Top 10 Reasons Why Tulane was the Right School for Me

Top 10 Reasons Why Tulane was the Right School for Me

Nora Colman

Here we are - crunch time. Only 5 days until everyone has to deposit and decide where to enroll - and less than 3 weeks until Graduation. While I can't say that Tulane is the right or best school for everyone, I can without a doubt say that choosing Tulane was the best thing I've ever done. 4 years later, I am completely grateful and in awe of how fast everything has gone. Here's why Tulane was the best school for me (and maybe you too!):

1. Freshman year is the most exciting and welcoming time of your life

Let’s face it – the first week of college anywhere can be terrifying in a new city, with new people and new roommates. But the minute you step on Tulane’s campus, you’ll be greeted by students handing you free t-shirts, free food (snowballs!) and usually lots of hugs. Why? Because Tulane students are genuinely excited to have you here and can’t wait to welcome you into our community.  We can’t wait to show you around to our favorite restaurants, teach you how to make cheese fries at Bruff, bring you to Fridays at the Quad and take you to Boot happy hour. Your RAs, Explore leaders, OTLs and OCs are committed to helping you love Tulane just as much as we do, and are ready to help you transition into college. Whether it’s a pizza party so you can meet the students living on your floor or taking you to Audubon Park, they will always be there during Fall Welcome to answer all of your questions.  You will get more free t-shirts, food and new phone numbers than you’ll ever be prepared for. After all, Fall Welcome is really like the beginning of camp.

At Parkway Tavern during the Nola Experience - freshman year

2. Academics, Professors and Classes

Even though it’s sometimes easy to forget, the reason you’re coming to Tulane is to get a college degree. In my freshman year, I had no idea what I wanted to study. Luckily, Tulane gives you two full years to decide what to major in, and it’s easy to change afterwards. I took a variety of classes in my freshman and sophomore years to try and figure out what interested me – Sociology, Psychology, Biology, History and English. I ended up being a Spanish and History double major, and am fortunate to have taken classes with outstanding professors that not only care about your classwork, but also how you’re doing. Professors at Tulane urge you to stop by their office hours so that they can get to know you better and help in any way possible. If ever you’re struggling in a class, professors reach out to offer their own assistance, as well as direct you to our tutoring center. Professors also incorporate New Orleans into their classes – whether it’s bringing District Donuts to class, field trips around the city, or even dedicating an entire day to the history of Mardi Gras. I’ve been lucky to have some close relationships with my professors, and have used their help to get internships in New Orleans.

Interning at the National WWII Museum - junior/senior year

3. The weather

No snow, no freezing temperatures and lots of sun – what else could you ask for? Our beautiful weather has students in a constant good mood. Tulane even has an outdoor “social pool” at Reily (our gym) for students to sit outside and sunbathe. Professors also love holding class on warm spring days. Year round, Tulane students love spending time outdoors – whether at crawfish boils at the Fly, going for walks in Audubon Park, walking around on Magazine street, or even just sitting out on the LBC Quad to study!

Crawfest - sophomore year

4. New Orleans' food

This city, hands down, has the best food I’ve ever had. While I still can’t pick an all time favorite, some of my go-to’s include Domenica (Italian), Satsuma (brunch), Salu (Spanish), and Jacques Imo’s (Creole). You can head to Parkway Tavern for one of the best sandwiches (poboys) you’ll ever have for under $10, or dress up in your new favorite outfit and head out to a swanky dinner at Redfish Grill. Even the fanciest restaurants have great happy hour deals – including 25 cent martinis at Commander’s Palace or 75 cent oysters at Lüke! I currently have a list on my phone of the 35 restaurants I want (need) to try here – and the list doesn’t even include all of the wonderful places I’ve already been to. 

Chocolate pecan pie at Galatoire's - senior year

5. New Orleans' festivals

In addition to all of the amazing restaurants are some of the best festivals you’ll ever go to – Poboy fest, with over 50 options of different poboys including sushi poboy, fried lobster and smores, French Quarter Fest (as you can tell from the picture, I ate very well) and the Ponchatoula strawberry fest, where you can go pick strawberries yourself! Head down to Champion Square for King cake festival during Mardi Gras, go see some amazing performances during Jazz Fest (so far, I’ve seen Billy Joel, Zac Brown Band, Maroon 5, and Billy Joel, and this year I’m seeing Pitbull and Elton John!), or even Art for Art’s Sake on Magazine street. And we even get festivals on our own turf at Tulane – Crawfest happens every spring, with 20,000 pounds of crawfish, food trucks, giveaways and live music.

French Quarter Fest - senior year

6. The Tulane community

Tulane students really are unique. Everyone is genuinely happy to be here – and they show it. People smile and say hello, they hold doors open, and greet you with hugs and warmth. One of the benefits of a medium sized school is that no matter where on campus I go, I know there will be at least one person who knows me and one person who doesn’t. It feels comforting to have a close support system, but the student body is large and diverse enough that it doesn’t feel suffocating. We all genuinely love Tulane and New Orleans, and whether it’s throwing beads on the Mardi Gras tree on the Academic Quad, sharing a blanket at Fridays at the Quad, tailgating on the LBC quad or even cheese day at Bruff, Tulane students prove the work hard, play hard mentality to be true. We even have our own Snapchat geotag for those late nights at the library (“on a date with Howie T”). 

On vacation in Alabama with friends - junior year

7. Internship & employment opportunities

I’ve been fortunate enough to work at Tulane’s Office of Admission since my sophomore year, and it has been such a great experience. I get to give tours, answer phone calls and emails, and brag about how wonderful Tulane is on a daily basis. There are plenty of job opportunities both on and off campus that students can take advantage of, even if you aren’t granted work/study.  I also utilized our Center for Public Studies to get an internship at the National World War II Museum downtown last summer, and actually received class credit towards my history major! Lastly, our Career Center on campus offers a plethora of services including free business cards, resume editing, practice interviews and a massive database of job opportunities, both in and out of the city. 

The wonderful Admissions interns - senior year

8. Wonderful friends

I have been lucky enough to make an extraordinary group of friends who I consider family. They’ve turned Tulane into my home-away-from-home, my go-to’s for all festivals and dinner dates, and happy hour buddies. Being in a sorority has also given me the opportunity to have a great group and support system – both within my sorority and in the Greek community as a whole. The Tulane family is strong, fun, hard working, kind, generous, and knows how to have a good time!

Bid day - sophomore year

9. Study abroad

As hard as it was for me to leave Tulane, I am so glad I went abroad. I spent the fall semester of my junior year in Granada, Spain – living, learning, eating, breathing and even dreaming all in Spanish. I took classes all in Spanish and lived with a host family that spoke no English. While abroad, I also travelled to France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Denmark, Ireland and all over Spain. I learned so much about myself and about the world, and I came back to Tulane a better, stronger and wiser person. Even if you’re not interested in learning a language, Tulane offers programs all over the world so that you can find one that matches the major(s) and country of your choice! 

Lagos, Portugal - junior year

10. Not wanting to graduate

Here’s where it gets real. It took me over a week to write this because I wasn’t emotionally ready to handle this paragraph – but here it goes. Going to Tulane has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I can’t imagine spending these past 4 years anywhere else, and know that I wouldn’t have gotten the same experience elsewhere.  No other place or experience has brought me more laughter, dancing in the streets, festivals, study dates, true friendship, and more academic and personal growth than and I ever could’ve asked for. I won’t say that Tulane is the right or best school for everyone. But it was the best school for me. Graduation (or the “g word” as I’ve been calling it) is coming up sooner than I’d like to admit, and although I have to say I am ready, Tulane and New Orleans will always hold a special place in my heart.

Reily rocks - first week of freshman year

Saints game - first week of senior year