#TulaneSummer

I loving seeing all the #TulaneSummer posts on Instagram. It makes me jealous of the days of good 'ole fashioned summer break. I checked in with a few of our students to see how they were spending their "lazy" days of summer, although you'll see that these students are being anything but lazy. Tulane affords our students all kinds of different opportunities and ways to spend their summers. From on-campus jobs, to internships around the country using the resources and alumni connections you'll find here, Tulane students seem to find some pretty incredible ways to spend their summer breaks! Let's check a few of them out:

Noah doing festival stuff, with a tractor, of course 

Noah Steinauer - Senior, Economics Major 
Where he is: Music Fests Everywhere 

"Since my sophomore year at Tulane, I have had the privilege of serving on the board of Crawfest, the largest, music festival run completely by students in the United States. Encouraged by fellow Crawfest board members, I also interned and am now working for the administration team at BUKU Music + Arts Project. This summer, as I enter my senior year, I am happy to be continuing my work in the entertainment industry and contributing to the production of various music festivals. From coordinating lodging and travel for festivals such as Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL, to working in the VIP camping operations of Firefly in Delaware, I have had some incredible opportunities to see first-hand the administration and production of the popular business of music events."

Team Tulane at Capital One 

(From left to right) Ian Athmann ’18, Lauryn Fulton ’18, Dan Iavarone ’18, William Wei ’19, Kristin Aria ‘18
Where they are: Capital One Commercial Bank in New York, NY; New Orleans, LA; Bethesda, MD

This summer, five Tulane students are part of Capital One’s Commercial Banking Program. The Commercial Banking Program is a ten-week long program that provides in-depth experience of life as an analyst within each intern’s specific focus. Ian is in New Orleans working with the Middle Market Underwriting team, Lauryn is in New York with Treasury Management, Dan is in New York with Credit Risk, Will is in New York with Capital Markets, and Kristin is in Bethesda with Human Resources.

Jenny at DREAM's black tie gala 

Jenny Ly - Sophomore, Political Science Major
Where she is: Interning at DREAM in NYC 

"This summer I've traded in the Big Easy for the Big Apple. I am currently working at DREAM (formerly known as Harlem RBI) in East Harlem as a Major Gifts Intern. Some of my responsibilities include assisting the Development team with special events and projects, researching prospective donors in the tri-state area who may contribute to our annual campaign, and maintaining relationships with current donors.

At DREAM, our mission is to provide inner-city youth with opportunities to learn, play, and grow through the power of baseball and softball. We are invested in ensuring our players' success on and off the field. In our after-school and summer programs, not only do DREAM youth learn how to play baseball and softball, they also learn to practice physical literacy, achieve academic success, and embody social-emotional competencies, all of which are critical to their development. My first couple of weeks at DREAM have been exciting to say the least. Before my official start, I assisted the Development team with one of our largest fundraising events of the year, Bids for Kids, a star-studded black tie gala. To wrap up the end of my first week, I, along with a couple of other interns, were given front-row tickets to the Yankees Orioles game, courtesy of a very generous donor. Although I know Yankees tickets won't be a reoccurring aspect of my internship, I am still excited and continue to look forward to the rest of my summer at DREAM."

Aileen at NVE

Aileen Harrison- Sophomore, Marketing and Digital Media Productions Major
Where she is: Event planning intern in Los Angeles 

"This summer, I am interning at NVE: The Experience Agency in Beverly Hills. NVE is a promotional event planning company that works with companies like Amazon, Pandora, and Red Bull (just to name a few) to plan events that raise awareness for their new products. As an intern, I research, plan, and coordinate all of the details that go into an event and help make the event a success. This includes calling potential venues and vendors, and thinking about what features truly make an event memorable. Everyone at NVE is inspired by our company slogan: “The right moment will transform someone forever,” and I am quickly learning that a lot of hard work goes in to making these events unforgettable experiences.

I got my internship at NVE through a Tulane alumni named Brett Hyman during the Tulane Takeover: Los Angeles networking event. Brett is the president of NVE and was the person that got me really excited about interning at NVE. He was super helpful through the whole process and it's been great to benefit from the amazing alumni connections that Tulane provides."

Katie at Indeed in Austin 

Katie Carlton- Senior, Management Major

What she's up to: Sales intern at Indeed in Austin 

"I am spending this summer in Austin, TX interning for the sales team at Indeed.com. Indeed is the #1 job search site in the world and it helps job seekers get excellent jobs every day. Indeed is an important resource for students at Tulane because it helps many of our students find their summer internships and post-grad jobs. Although I am an intern, I still get trained the same way all full-time Account Executives are meaning I have mine own book of clients to sell our products to. It's such a cool place to work because the work atmosphere and people are fantastic, I get to help people find jobs, and when you close a deal, you get to play your pump up song (mine is "What Dreams Are Made Of" from the Lizzie McGuire Movie)!"

Caroline gets the award for most challenging summer job—putting up with me all summer. 

Caroline Campbell, Senior Public Health Major 
What she's doing: Two great on-campus jobs 

"This summer I have been getting to know NOLA outside of the confines of the school term. During the weekdays, I work as an intern at Tulane’s very own Admissions Office giving tours and helping prospective students navigate the college admissions process. On the weekends, I split my time between lifeguarding at Reily, the student recreation center, and heading to my favorite spots around the city. Some of my favorite activities include watching the Mississippi River at the Fly, grabbing SnoBalls on Plum Street, and checking out all the new restaurants that popped up last semester!"

Antonio and the rest of the OTLs 

Antonio Milton, Sophomore Political Science and Philosophy Major 
What he's up to: Orientation Team Leader at Tulane

"This summer I have worked as an Orientation Team Leader for the Tulane Office of New Student and Leadership Programs at New Student Orientation. In the past month and a half, my team and I have welcomed over 1,500 incoming students to our campus as well as around 1,300 parents and family members. I am so thankful for having this experience over the past month and a half. Being able to assist others in making their transition to college as smooth as possible is highly rewarding. All I can say now, is that I wish I could start all over again, or at least have more sessions to staff. But I know that it isn’t over, my fellow OTLs and I have fall welcome and beyond to continue to assist the Class of 2021 in whatever needs they may have. This past month has been unforgettable, and I’m very excited for the start the new academic year!"

Ten NOLA Instagrams to Follow

kewonhunter9

One of the many great things about living in NOLA is that it's a photographer's mecca. Bright colors, incredible architecture, and some of the most Insta-worthy food in the world. If you are an incoming freshman, prepare yourself for some incredible sights to be shared.

I thought it might be neat to highlight out ten amazing NOLA Instagrammers to follow. Check them out!

OnlyatTulane: OK obviously we are going to start with a plug for the Office of Admission account. It's run by our student social media interns and if you ask me, it's pretty dope. Throw a like over to the main Tulane 'gram too! Our main man President Fitts has his own account as well.

Kewonhunter9: Some of the most incredible aerial photographs and videos I've ever seen of the city. Prepare yourself for some mesmerizing drone vids.

DavidNOLA: Gorgeous shots all over town by one of NOLA's best photographers.

Firewolf.e: Jaye Chestnut shares some colorful and incredible photos of life around our city.

NOLAfoodGals: The name says it all. Don't follow them if you're on a diet!

New Orleans Saints: No matter what NFL team you cheer for, a little bit of you will also cheer for the Saints if you live here. Unless you're from Atlanta.

Mixterdm: My buddy Mike Dalle who runs Good Wood NOLA (another great account to follow) posts some amazing shots of New Orleans' homes and architecture.

Lazyeye: If music and festivals are your thing (and it's NOLA, so...) this account is for you.

JoyTheBaker: Amazing food posts from this popular NOLA baker complete with recipes and a whole lotta nom.

dno.la: Defend New Orleans is one of NOLA's best shops (and movements) for local gear and t-shirts.

Drubui: Andrew Bui is one of the most incredible cinematographers in NOLA. Amazing videos and lots of neat drone stuff too.

Happy following!

Twelve Cool Classes

Your subject matter in TIDES 1175-01

Today may technically be the first day of summer, but with New Student Orientation in full swing, we're already looking forward to the fall semester. Class registration has begun for the incoming class of 2021 and they've got some cool ones to choose from this fall. I thought it might be neat to take a look at some of the coolest classes we're offering for freshmen this year. Some are new courses, some are golden oldies. These courses do not have any prerequisites at all and are are open to all Newcomb-Tulane College undergraduates. Thanks to my girl Dayna Gessler from academic advising for getting this great list together!

Speaking of first day of class, here is a #TBT to me on Tulane day 1. Puka shells were HOT back then.

TIDE-1175-01 Game of Thrones
Are you a Game of Thrones fan? Do you debate Jon Snows parentage in your spare time? Do you hum the show’s theme song without even realizing it? Do you want to get to know other Game of Thrones fans at Tulane? Then the Game of Thrones TIDES is for you. Topics covered include the role of violence and sexuality in the television series as well as the debate over George RR. Martin’s obligation to his fans to “write like the wind.” Students should be caught up on Seasons 1-5 of the television series before the course begins. Although it is not necessary to have read the novels in order to register for this course, students who are fans of Martin’s Songs of Fire and Ice Series (Game of Thrones and its sequels) are especially welcome.

TIDE 1025-01 Karate: Art & Philosophy
Originating in Okinawa, Japan, traditional karate offers its practitioners self-defense skills, while providing them with a balanced fitness system, which includes aerobics, strength, and flexibility training. The concentration required during training, together with the physical exercise, are an excellent way to stress relief and healthy fun. Students will have the opportunity to know people of the New Orleans karate community through guest lectures of high-level, instructors and through their own visits to local karate clubs. Totally inexperienced students as well as those who have karate expertise will benefit from and will enjoy this class.

ANTH 3200 Magic, Witchcraft and Religion
This course is an exploration into religion and the occult. We will examine a wide range of topics, such as hauntings, spirit possession, the role of evil in the moral imagination, and the construction of symbols as well as various practices associated healing, witchcraft (or sorcery) accusations, and the experience of suffering and death. Anthropological approaches challenge the categories of "religion" and "witchcraft", which stem from Western conceptions of reality, Christianity, and ethnocentric views of the "other".

CRDV-1090-01 Majors, Internships and Jobs
CRDV 1090 helps students to clarify their strengths, values and goals in order to maximize student potential. Students connect collegiate academic and extracurricular experiences to professional pursuits. Students create and refine professional documents, evaluate decision making processes and learn to utilize professional social media in order to network more effectively. Students are guided through the career development process through various assignments. (Side note, I've previously blogged about this awesome class!)

MCGS 2000 Introduction to Musical Cultures of the Gulf South
An introduction to the culture of the Gulf South region with an emphasis on New Orleans music, history, ritual, dance, and cultural geography. Explores the musical relationship of the Gulf South region to the Caribbean and African diaspora. Introduces critical tools for analysis of the relationship of music and place. Themes of the course include ethnic migrations, social diversity, vernacular architecture, and slavery. Field trips to second-line parades, Mississippi River access points, diverse neighborhoods and historical slave markets.

CELL 2220 Career in Cell & Molecular Biology
Get acquainted with a variety of careers available to professionals with a science degree: medical professionals, research, science writing, technology transfer, government policy. Learn not to meets professionals in the field, write a CV and cover letter in order to have it passed on to potential research and clinical opportunities.

COMM 2812 Media and Reproductive Rights
This course focuses on the relationships between reproductive politics, popular and social media, and movements for reproductive rights in the United States.

Cities of the Dead! (from ghostcitytours.com)

TIDE 1000-01 New Orleans Cities of the Dead: Cemetery Architecture & Its Cultural Legacy
Heather Knight.  Students will be introduced to the history and cultural folkways of New Orleans through the study of historic figures, cemetery architecture, monument construction and funerary symbolism reflected in stone and iron.  Why are above-ground tombs more prevalent in New Orleans?  What are the different tomb types and their architectural styles?  Why do families in Louisiana visit cemeteries on All Saints Day?  What symbolism does funerary art in stone and iron reveal?  This TIDE will provide five informative field sessions to local cemeteries and five class lectures.

SISE 4820 Taylor your Life
Learn how to tackle the “wicked” problem of what to do with your life by applying methods and mindsets of design thinking to career development. Students will learn how to ideate multiple life paths, clarify their interests, focus and target their search, prototype and test elements of careers that interest them, market and brand themselves to stand out from the crowd, and map their community to effectively network with other changemakers around the world. By invoking curiosity, ideating multiple possibilities, prototyping and testing different pathways, and remaining centered on human relationships and communities, students will engage in a series of interactive, dynamic activities and learn how to design a life that makes a positive difference in the world and is “TAYLORed” to their unique life and personality.

TIDE 1370-01 Adventure, Discipline, Obsession:  A Running Conversation
Like to have class outside? Want to get off campus and see the city? Like to learn in unconventional ways? And, oh yes, do you run?  Then run with us in the early evening or early morning while we discuss a variety of aspects of life in motion, from the mythical (or not) "runner's high" to running as a metaphor for life. (Why did Forrest Gump run? Why did he stop running?) Most run will go off campus, in locations such as Audubon Park, City Park, and the French Quarter, and end with refueling (i.e., a meal, procured from Whole Foods Grocery).

SISE 2010 Introduction to Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
The introductory class gives students an appreciation for the field of social entrepreneurship and introduces students to several helpful frameworks that will be used in subsequent classes. Students will examine key concepts and the historical context, understand current theories and debates about social change, and discuss case studies of social entrepreneurs. The class will address two overarching tenets of SISE: Social impact can best be created by moving away from the current divisive approach of separate sectors and towards blended models that connect and combine sectors in new ways Social mission and social impact are the primary focus - understanding what your mission is, and how you create the greatest social impact, is key.
This course has a service learning component that goes with it.




ARST-1170-01 Foundations of Art: Glass (Glass Blowing)
This course focuses on the history and theory of glass art, and also introduces basic techniques with attention given to issues of composition, perception, communication, and expression. Emphasis also will be placed on the relationships between glass art, other art mediums, and the history of art. See my previous blog about the time I sneaked back into the glass studio! Oh and by the way, just a few days after I got dropped off at Tulane, I took glassblowing!
me.

Ten Things to do as a Junior

It's hard to believe it, high school classes of 2019, but you're halfway done! With summer kicking off, the second half of high school is just a few months away. You're probably new to this whole "college application" thing, so in the spirit of first time experiences, this blog is for you. Have a look at these helpful hints to get your college search off the ground in the best way possible.

Here are my ten tips for you future (college) class of 2023-ers!

Tour a college in your hometown! 

1) Your coursework and grades matter the most in this process. Stellar ACT and SAT scores can give you a nice boost, but at the end of the day, the grades you earn in your high school classes are king. We look for a balance in your schoolwork: taking the most challenging courses that you can that still allow you to maintain a strong GPA. And yes, your freshman and sophomore year grades matter. Big time. Take challenging courses but don't overdo it, leaving you with a sub-par GPA. Again, it is all about finding that balance. Easier said than done, I know. We love to see that Spanish or French or Mandarin or whatever class continue into senior year. Office aide? Not so much.

2) Think about taking both the ACT and the SAT. Tulane will look at both and have a conversion chart that shows us that XXXX on the SAT is worth roughly XX on the ACT. But we only look at the higher of the two. Some students do better at one test over the other. Taking both may end up helping you out. The ACT was the more popular of the two for the first time last year.

3) Build your brand at your high school. First step, get to know your guidance/college counselor. Even if you are at a big public school, get to know them. They know what they are doing and can be your best advocate in this process. For all of you at smaller, independent schools, these people are experts too, and we know it. Next, really get to know your teachers. Invest your time in the classroom. Wow them. Make yourself missed when you leave. Become indispensable to your school.

4) Be open to a wide range of schools. Big, small, public, private, local, international, research universities and small liberal arts colleges. Explore them all, this is your time to do so. Keep an open mind! Just because you haven't heard of it or if it's not a "bumper sticker" college, don't rule it out. Seriously. There are over 3,000 colleges and universities out there; take the time to give some of them a shot. Found a few that strike your fancy? Here are some great questions to ask your admission rep to get to know the school better.

5) Use your summers wisely. We think that the programs to foreign countries or exotic service trips are great. But we also think working at Subway as a sandwich artist all summer is great. So is coaching a local youth sports team. Summers might mean taking a class at a community college. Don't worry if you can't take an amazing trip or do service work in Costa Rica. Trust me when I say some of the best summers are spent in some of the most humble ways. We love that.

6) Read books. Read the news online. Watch documentaries. Read more books. Listen to podcasts. Know current events. Know what is going on in the world. Be a conversationalist.

7) Participate in a few extra-curricular things you love. We don't like the seven page resume laundry lists here at Tulane. We like the one page of passion—the two or three most important things to you. Find your passion and stick with it. You can read all my resume tips here.

8) Stay out of trouble. I was in high school once, too. Be smart, guys. Academic dishonesty, drinking at Homecoming, etc., we are going to hear about it if it happens. Just be smart and make good decisions. I don't know when I turned into my dad, but just please don't make bad choices that will wreck your future. This mostly applies to how you act on Snapchat and other social media channels. Trust me, it matters. Just ask these people.

9) Start visiting colleges soon! Take spring break or a few days off to do so. Summer is fine, but not it's not the best time to see a college when most of the student body is away from campus. Take a road trip to a school close by to you to get a feel for college campuses. Even better, come visit Tulane! Shoot us an email and we'll enlighten you to all kinds of great hotels with Tulane discounts, great places to eat, great festivals to check out, and oh, yeah maybe take a tour of Tulane, too. You can read all my tips for a great campus visit here. Also, visit a college near your hometown, even if you don't think you'll apply there. Just start to get a feel for what college tours (and college in general) is like. I've got tips for visiting colleges here.

10) Meditate. Trust me on this one. It's a superpower that will pay you back in dividends over the next two (somewhat stressful) years. I help you get started here.

Good luck, 2019!

Dear Freshman Me

And there you have it, Class of 2017. Just like that, your college career has come to an end. Commencement 2017 was an epic day for us here at Tulane. Commencement was filled with amazing music, fantastic speeches, and the very memorable Helen Mirren. You can catch a wrap up video here.

Commencement is always the best time to reflect back on your Tulane experience. Four years goes by in a flash. For us in admission, we love to see our "kids" who we recruited years ago walk across that Superdome stage. Now, the cycle's started all over again as we are about to kick off New Student Orientation for our incoming freshman next week.

That got me thinking. With one class leaving and another class arriving in a few short months, perhaps there were some parting words of wisdom that the Class of 2017 could leave for the Class of 2021. Better yet, if you had the chance, what would you say to your freshman self if you had four years of college wisdom to bestow? What letter would you write to your freshman you if you could? I asked eight students just that. Here's what they had to say.

As you'll see in their letters, Tulane isn't perfect—no college is. And no college experience is without its ups and downs. That's what college is for. And when it's over, you can look back and reflect taking what you learned to start something. That's what commencement really means: the beginning.

Dear Freshman Nate,

Experience everything, but remember that the world is not designed to just be an experience. This means that you should be adventurous, stay out late across town, take in a new culture and talk with different people about foreign things. But when you go out exploring, remember that society doesn't exist solely for you to develop as a person. You should help develop it. My experiences have shaped me, I have loved my time in New Orleans and at Tulane, they have given me so much. It makes me proud to be able to say that I have given back as well, that's the best advice I can give.


Best,

Nate

Dear Freshman Me,

WAKE. UP. You live in an incredible place, it's time to make it your own! You can hear what your parents say while still doing what's authentic to you. Try new things—especially dope upper-level classes about specific topics—that is the name of the game in college. It's easy to get swept away at the activities expo, which makes balancing school, clubs/orgs, work, and a social life the ultimate feat. Messing up is gonna happen, but finding your people and taking care of yourself can get you through. You can determine who you are, what you care about, how you can be better AND how Tulane fits into all of of this! Ultimately, you have to live all your mistakes. Only you can figure it out. I believe in you. Don't stop doin' you!

Love,
@Rinnney

Dearest Yung A. Silb.,

We made it this far, and it's only going to get better from here. As you progress through college, keep on keeping on with what made us so successful.

• Always remember to find time to relax. It's easy to get caught up in school, work, and extra currics, but you live in New Orleans. Take advantage of the city's homier offerings. Streetcar downtown just for beignets, take a blanket to the fly, enjoy 70 degree weather year-round. School will always be there, and it will always be challenging, find time to chill.
• Clean as you go. This mantra first met me in the kitchen, but it can be applied to all aspects of life. Everyday has its own little struggles, if you address them daily, life goes on much more smoothly than if you wait for your problems to pile up. Keep your room, kitchen, and life tidy. 
• Have fun wherever you go. Be a tourist, make friends with strangers, and never be "too cool" for anything. 
• No matter what, do not wear Mardi Gras beads outside of Carnival season. 

Cheerz,
Aaron

Dear Ches,

Welcome to Tulane! You have a long five years ahead of you, but they will be over before you have enough time to enjoy your 100th beignet. You’ve chosen to study architecture, which from my perspective was the best decision you’ve ever made next to attending Tulane, so stick to it! The hours will be long but be patient with yourself, your professors, and your peers, and know that all of the hard work will absolutely pay off. Take risks, stay caffeinated, and stay focused on a few priorities and projects instead of trying to get involved with everything all at once—you’ve got time to grow, explore, and discover yourself and your strengths. Over these next five years, be sure to fully explore New Orleans and remind yourself that it’s okay to take a full Saturday off to see a show with your friends and relax outside! Running is a great way to explore the urban fabric of New Orleans, while also getting a break and providing some inspiration. Another great way to explore the city is by eating at as many restaurants as possible—be sure to keep a running tab of all the places you have visited, and try your best to never eat at the same place more than once!

Best of luck - you’re going to love it!!
Chesley

Dear Freshman Me,

I so vividly remember move-in day freshman year. The nervous energy as everyone looked each other up and down, wondering if they were staring into the eyes of a future friend, as we all tried to embrace our first encounter with the beast that is NOLA in August. As I decorated my dorm with pictures of my friends and family from home I couldn’t help but question whether I would ever be able to make as strong connections in just a short four years. College is going to be everything you think it will be and nothing all at the same time. It’s great to have a dream of what these four years might look like but just know that it’s not all going to turn out how you planned…and that’s okay because if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. Tulane will challenge you and certainly change you (for the better I can confidently say now). Savor every moment you have as an undergrad and please believe people when they say these four years will fly by.

- Maddie

Dear Freshman Me,

     You don't know me, but I know you. You're a newbie. You've just left the comforts of home and can't wait to start your New Orleans adventure. From exploring the French Quarter to kayaking through City Park, there is simply so much for you to do. There are however, some tips/rules that you should know before you decide to hop on the streetcar.

1) Don't be afraid to travel by yourself. Be cautious, but don't let the need to travel in a group prevent you from having your own adventures.
2) Be open to (almost) anything. You will only regret the things that you did not do.
3) Enjoy yourself. You have four years at Tulane, so make the most of them!
4) Do not let one bad grade or experience get in your way.

When it is all said and done, you won't remember the grade you got on an exam. Instead, you'll remember the friendships you made, the adventures you took, and the joy that came with being a part of the Green Wave. Also, the diploma is pretty great! So, freshman me, take my advice for once in your life. Have fun, dance, and don't forget to call your parents!

XO,

Jennifer

Dear Freshman Me:

I want you to know that you don't have everything figured out, and that is ok. Stay open minded and say yes to every opportunity you can. Say yes to joining a sorority even if you swore you never would, and then become its president. Say yes to adding two new majors because of inspiring professors and late night conversations with floor mates. Say yes to Halloween on Frenchman Street, afternoons at the fly and anytime someone offers you food. Say yes to extracurricular projects with peers, and then file patents, start companies and pitch on local and international stages. Keep your heart and mind open, practice empathy, never be afraid to ask for help and remember to breathe.
So, no, the next four years will not go as planned, they are going to be so much more than you could have ever imagined.

-Perri

Dear Freshman Kelsey-

As you anxiously but excitedly get ready to attend Tulane University, everyone fed into your excitement telling you to get ready for the best four years of my life. And the first year went just like that. You fell in love with the city of New Orleans, biking around to find second lines on Sundays or biking at midnight to get beignets at Café du Monde. You met some of your best friends that you graduated with just a few days ago and you even decided to stay that summer after your freshman year to work at Upward Bound, where you found your love for education and working with youth. However, no one prepared you for some moments to come. The anxiety that would hit, the broken heart, the sudden passing of your father, the tears that would stay with you until graduation. It wasn’t until you asked for help from your Posse mentor (which you are very lucky to have) that you learned it’s okay to not always be okay. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to feel sad sometimes when everyone around you is smiling. It’s okay to see a therapist AND a mentor (yes both) once a week. It’s okay to email that professor asking for help. It’s okay to take a deep breath and stop. It’s okay to tell your friends you need help. It’s okay to take care of YOU.

Before attending college, you didn’t even know what mental health was. There was no stopping you. Coming to college you felt things you didn’t know you could. But after your father passed, you remembered something he always used to tell you when we went to the beach (grew up in LA)…. When a big wave comes, take a deep breath, dive all the way under and grab the sand. It will pass right over. So that’s what you did. Sometimes the waves were huge. Sometimes they were small. But you learned to take a deep breath and let the feelings pass. Tulane’s Green Wave came with more than you had planned for—laughter, fun, love, tears, books, food and more—but you'll come out on the other side still breathing. Still smiling. Still biking. Still working at Upward Bound. Staying in New Orleans. Living with your best friend. So get ready to pack your bags. But don’t forget to grab the sand. And something Dad never told you, but I would have told my freshman self, open your eyes while you’re down there. You’ll never know what you’ll discover. On the campus you choose. The city it resides in. Or within yourself.

-Kelsey


Amazing stuff, Class of 2017. Here's to the beginning!

Gap Year

May 1st has come and gone and our class of 2021 has started to take its final shape! Later on this summer, I'll be blogging all about the incoming freshman class. We're really excited about 2021.

14 members of the class of 2021 will be coming to NOLA fresh off a Gap Year. We've seen a growing number of students opting to take a Gap Year before they start at Tulane. We are very supportive of a Gap Year if that is something that interests you. All you need to do is read this info, send us an additional deposit, and then you're on your way. Members of the class of 2020 are coming back from gap years studying cuisine in Paris, learning Spanish in Honduras while researching in the Mayan Highlands, while some will have spent time interning to save money for college or participating in public service projects.

I reached out to four former Gap Year students to get their take on it. Let's meet some of our former gappers here. Take it away, guys!

Sarah Cook, Class of 2018

For my Gap Year, I took two 3 month long trips with an organization called Rustic Pathways which focuses on community service in other countries.  With Rustic Pathways I visited Thailand, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Tanzania, Morocco, and Ghana.  I was with a small group of other students taking Gap Years and every month some people would leave and some would join our group so the number of friends I was traveling with fluctuated.   In Thailand I took a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course and am now a certified WFR, which means that I am equipped to help in any emergency situation.  Using our newly learned skills, we opened up health clinics in small villages without access to health care and we gave them physicals as well as tested their blood type and sugar levels.  We also dedicated a lot of time in Southeast Asia to animal care.  We took a crash course in first aid care for cats and dogs, watched a dog undergo surgery to remove a tumor, vaccinated various domestic animals, worked at a night safari in the nursery with baby tigers, and learned how to be a mahout (elephant caretaker) at an elephant conservation camp.  I learned so many new skills in Southeast Asia, while exploring some incredible countries with vibrant cultures.

In Africa, we participated in a lot of construction projects, and in Ghana we taught middle schoolers how to use computers.  Their national exams require them to have basic computer knowledge and they need to show proficiency in Word, Excel and Powerpoint.  However, when we arrived with the laptops, none of the students had ever seen a computer. It was so incredible to be a part of their enthusiasm and happiness at being able to work a computer, and made me realize how many of the electronics at my house I take advantage of. Other than our service projects, we were also able to explore as tourists.  I summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, scuba dived off the coast of Zanzibar, went on a safari in the Serengeti, and rode camels in the Sahara Desert.  Overall, I had an extraordinary time on my Gap Year, and highly recommend that everyone consider taking a Gap Year.  The places I visited were beautiful, the service I did was very meaningful, the people I met were AMAZING, and after spending the past 12 years in a classroom learning traditional subjects it was fantastic to make the world my classroom.

People often ask if it was hard for me to jump back into a traditional classroom setting after taking a year off.  In terms of academics, I took an online precalculus course over the summer before I came to Tulane to refresh my memory (as I hadn’t taken precalculus in 2 years), but otherwise my academic transition was no different from my friends who did not take a gap years.  In fact, I feel like I am no longer burnt out from my 12 years of previous schooling, and being refreshed has definitely improved my transition process.  After seeing countries where many people don’t have the opportunity to graduate high school, let alone attend college, I am so much more grateful of all of the I am so much more appreciative that I have the chance to go to college.  I am so much more confident now than I was when I graduated high school, and I’ve found that I make the most out of everyday at Tulane.

Tamar Arenson, Class of 2020

My name is Tamar Arenson and I am a freshman, majoring in Political Science and International Relations. When I was a senior in high school, I applied to colleges just like the rest of my friends, but I knew my path would look a little different. I had decided to take a gap year. I had grown up in the Young Judaea community; attending their summer camps, year round programing and travel programs. Young Judaea also offers a gap year in Israel called Year Course. Since I was 10 years old, I knew that before I went to college, I too would go on Year Course.

During my year, I spent the first half working at an elementary school in an inner city as an english teacher. I developed incredible bonds with my students and was able to watch them grow and learn a new language. For the second half of my year, I took classes through my program which ranged from history to art and culture. We also traveled the entire country, exploring different landscapes, communities and religions. Finally, I traveled to Rwanda for 5 weeks where I lived and worked at youth village for orphans in Rwanda that was founded by a Year Course alumna.

Throughout all of these experiences I was also living in an apartment with roommates, ostensibly on my own for the first time. I had to learn to budget my spending, navigate new areas, make new friends and be far away from my parents. I came to college feeling so much more prepared than I would have right out of high school. I had already experienced a transition before, and was excited to do it again! Both my academics and social life soared because I felt so comfortable and excited by my new experience. My gap year not only opened my eyes culturally, through my travels and experiences, but also taught me how to live alone, be in a new place and make the most of every opportunity. I have tried to carry this same mentality through my freshman year of college and can honestly say the two best decisions I ever made in my life were going on Year Course and coming to Tulane.

Kira Farley, class of 2020

Taking a gap year was the best decision I could have made! Get ready for me to sound like I am writing in clichés and coming straight out of a Disney movie, because my experience was a dream. I cannot imagine how my life might have turned out differently had I not spent time outside of the academic world. I spent my gap year living in Paris, France on a CIEE program. My year was chocked full of taking cool classes to learn about the culture of my new home (art history taught INSIDE Le Louvre, anyone??), volunteering in a café where the majority of customers were immigrants (Learning how to make un café crème while simultaneously hearing about someone’s life story was pretty amazing!) and traveling to as many towns, cities and countries as I could! I was only 18 years-old and here I was, traveling to Italy, Spain, London and Germany in one month and the flights cost a total of 50 euros.

I enjoyed high school and was excited for college…who wouldn’t be when you’re going to Tulane! However, I wanted to step outside of the academic setting to learn about myself and the world around me. Did I have apprehensions about being a year behind? Of course, but Tulane made my transition as smooth as butter both academically and socially. I never once felt like an outsider or like I couldn’t handle whatever situation I found myself in. In fact, everyone that I meet tells me that they WISH they had taken a gap year. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my incredible host family, food, friends and experiences in France. I know that taking a gap year helped shape who I want to represent in my years at Tulane and my life beyond. If you find yourself wondering whether or not a gap year is for you, say YES!

Kelsey Williams, class of 2019

Taking a gap year was the best decision I have ever made, and I could not recommend the experience more highly to anyone finishing high school. It allowed me to grow into an independent young adult beyond my refined ability to study for AP exams and write personal statements. Don’t get me wrong – these skills were extremely valuable to me, and are the reason I am able to be studying on a scholarship at a Tulane. However I honestly believe I am a happier, more well-rounded person because I took some time off from school.

I first began thinking about taking a gap year in November of my senior year of high school but finished the college application process. When May rolled around, I accepted my spot at Tulane but requested a deferral of both my admission and scholarship until the following year. I left for 9 months of traveling in late August.

First I went to South Africa and Botswana, for a month each, and completed a course called EcoTraining, which certified me to be a Safari guide. In practice, this was a long, educational camping trip among the lions and elephants.  It was a wonderful way to start the year abroad, because it was a fairly structured environment with a small group of people that became close friends. It was also a completely foreign experience with many new challenges, but everyone spoke my language, so it was navigable. I had limited access to technology and connection to home, which helped me build my confidence. I also developed a new passion for the environment, which I will carry for the rest of my life.

In late October, I flew from Johannesburg to Arusha, Tanzania. For three months I lived with a host family, shadowed doctors in a community hospital, and volunteered at a local orphanage. This was the most challenging segment of my year. There were very few other westerners, so I frequently felt culturally and linguistically isolated. It took concerted effort to step outside my comfort zone and make connections with local people. However, these experiences allowed me to grow significantly as a person, helping me check my privilege and develop a broader worldview. Additionally, this experience solidified for me that I want to pursue medicine and public health. I returned to Arusha last summer on a State Department Critical Language Scholarship to learn Swahili, and I hope to continue working in East Africa throughout my career.

The final stop of my gap year was New Zealand, where I arrived in early February. I stayed the first few nights in hostels while I explored the city and found an apartment and job, and then settled into life in Wellington. I worked as a waitress and barista in a small restaurant downtown, and part-time as a caterer for a larger company. Through my jobs and housemates, I made great friends and thoroughly enjoyed spending three months as an independent adult in the city. By the beginning of May, I had saved enough money to quit my jobs, rent a car, and road trip the entirety of the country for 5 weeks. This was the happiest time of my life. Now, as I write this reflection amidst cramming for organic chemistry and physics finals, it keeps me grounded to have learned that fullness of my life depends on more than higher education and my grades.

Kira and crew 

Sarah on her Gap Year

Kelsey on her gap year

Tamar on her gap year.

Class of 2021

May 1st has come and gone, which means we finally have a good sense of how the class of 2021 will shape up here at Tulane. Things will shift a bit this summer and we'll have a final picture of the class before move-in day when I'll post a full profile of our incoming freshmen. For now, my boss, Satyajit Dattagupta, VP of Enrollment Management, is taking over the blog today to give you a quick synopsis of the class of 2021.

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The Class of 2021 is a tremendously talented and cosmopolitan group of students who come from homes all over the United States and the globe. In short, it is incredibly academically accomplished, truly diverse, and globally-oriented. It is one of the most extraordinary classes Tulane has ever welcomed to campus.

Tulane had more than 35,000 applications this year, but we were only able to accept 21% of applicants, making this the most selective class in history.

This is also the most academically strong class Tulane has enrolled. This promising group of well-rounded students will accomplish great things in the coming years, both during their time at Tulane and their lives beyond our campus. Our average SAT scores went up 14 points as well.

The Class of 2021 is also the most diverse group of students Tulane has ever enrolled. The incoming class has 22% students of color and 5% international students. This marks a change that Tulane University welcomes, as it is more representative of both our nation and the world. I am very confident the campus experience of students with such a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and life experiences will be extraordinarily positive. The breadth and depth of the Class of 2021 is reflected not only in their academic successes but in the various ways they see and understand the world. Learning, working, sharing, and living with people unlike yourself is one of the ways we grow as human beings. This enriches our understanding of our differences and our strengths, builds strong bonds, and greatly benefits our community.

This class is also the most global in Tulane’s history. Bringing more international students to Tulane provides a unique dimension to the classroom and campus experience that is incredibly important. The world is getting smaller, and we are more connected to the people of all nations than ever before. An informed global outlook is so crucial to personal and professional success for international and domestic students alike.

We're also excited to welcome our first class of Spring Scholars in January of 2018. 77 students will be a part of this group. We had so many qualified students apply for admission this year, but sadly we could only offer a limited number of spots. Because of this, we will not be admitting students from the waitlist.

I look forward to welcoming the class of 2021 in just a few short months. Roll Wave!