What questions should I ask on a Tulane campus tour as a prospective student?

On a Tulane campus tour, the most useful questions are the ones that get you past the brochure version of the school and into daily student life. Ask about how students actually balance academics, service, and social life, since Tulane is known for its strong New Orleans connection and a big emphasis on community engagement through programs like service learning and the Center for Public Service. You should also ask about what makes the core academic experience feel different, because Tulane students often talk about smaller class settings, accessible professors, and the way research and internships connect to the city.

A few especially good questions are: How easy is it to get involved in service projects right away? What do students do on weekends, and how active is campus versus the city? Are there classes or departments where it’s especially easy to do research or build relationships with professors? What support exists for internships in New Orleans? If you’re considering a specific major, ask how students in that area spend their time outside class and whether there are signature opportunities tied to the city, hospitals, nonprofits, business community, or arts scene.

It also helps to ask about fit in a more practical way: Where do first-year students usually live, how social are the residence halls, and what do students wish they had known before arriving?