Live Chat with Tulane University President Scott Cowen
April 6th, 2009
President Cowen: As you know, the deposit deadline for Tulane is May 1. We have been busy here on campus welcoming accepted students to Destination Tulane. It's a great program that lets prospective students sit in on classes, explore campus and meet our students. If you haven’t attended a program yet, I encourage you to do so. The program goes through April 28. I'm here to answer your questions, so let's begin.
Catherine: Did you attend Tulane?
President Cowen: I did not have the good fortune of attending Tulane University but I have been here longer than most people. I am also an honorary alumnus of the University.
charmand: What is WTUL like? How difficult is it to start working there?
President Cowen: WTUL is our radio station, and it is very popular among students and the community at large. I've been on several of their shows over the years, and they always welcome having students who want to work there. I would encourage you to use that opportunity to come to Tulane. You can start as early as your freshman year.
Daryl: Have all scholarship notices been sent?
President Cowen: All merit scholarship notices have been sent out at this time. Most need-based scholarships have been sent out, although we continue to evaluate applications as they come in the door.
Dontknow: Hello. 2 questions, please. Why did I never hear one way or the other about either the DHS or the Comm Serv scholarships? I know that others got reject letters, but I got nothing. 2. Please convince me - why should I choose Tulane over Notre Dame? (my 2 top choices) I love both schools. Thanks!
President Cowen: Most students who have applied for those scholarships have been notified either way. If you have any questions regarding your status, you can contact your admissions advisor. There are three reasons you should choose Tulane - first is the character of the people at the university, as demonstrated by their civic engagement in making the world a better place. We are the only major research university in the country that integrates public service into its core curricula. Number two - we have the breadth and depth of academic programs consistent with most major research universities; however we provide undergraduate access to them and involvement with those programs. Likewise, we encourage students to take courses across all of our academic areas and we do not pigeonhole them into one particular field. Finally, New Orleans is the best college town in America and will provide opportunities you simply will not see at a rural institution or virtually any other urban university.
J: Does Tulane have a film program, and if so, can you please provide insight into the types of classes? Screenwriting, etc.?
President Cowen: Tulane has a Film Studies major and minor that gives students the opportunity to study aspects of film. From time to time, students have had the opportunity to write, film, edit, and screen their own short movies. Second to California, Louisiana provides more filming and movie shoots, providing opportunities to students if they wish to get involved.
sp88: What is student life like at Tulane?
President Cowen: We have a very robust student life environment because of the activities both on campus and in the city. Likewise, because of our public service commitment, a lot of students' time outside the classroom is devoted to interesting projects in the community. The university always gets noted for having an environment conducive to student learning inside and outside the community as a result of being at Tulane in New Orleans.
xandria: I don't understand why freshman are required to live on campus. Why is this the standard? What if the freshman lives in N.O.?
President Cowen: If a first year student lives in New Orleans, they can be exempt from the on- campus living requirement. However, we prefer our students live on campus for as long as they can while they're with us because they'll get more from the educational experience and the opportunities offered by the university.
tabitha: The economy being what it is, have you noticed a drop in enrollment for this coming fall?
President Cowen: No, quite the opposite. We have had close to 40,000 applications for the fall, and we anticipate both the quality and numbers of first year students will be quite high.
aplofchan: I know there is a GLBT organization on campus, but I would like to know your perceptions of how accepting everyone is. Do gay students have trouble acclimating?
President Cowen: Not at all. Both the city of New Orleans as well as the campus is a very inclusive community. We pride ourselves on our diversity and all that brings to student learning and our environment. I think you would find our campus and our city to be very diverse and welcoming.
caitlin noblitt: What kind of financial aid packages do you offer?
President Cowen: We have two kinds. One is merit aid, based on your academic record. If you were eligible for one, you would have been notified already. The other is need-based scholarships. To qualify for that, you would have had to fill out the government forms and the College Board Profile Application. Application information is found on the Financial Aid website at http://tulane.edu/financial-aid.cfm.
kbehnke: Some of the schools I’m looking at have severe grade deflation, does Tulane have any grade deflation policy?
President Cowen: We do not have a grade deflation policy.
Liz: How long have you been president of Tulane and what did you do before that?
President Cowen: I have been president for 11 years. Prior to that, I was a Dean and professor at a university in Cleveland, OH for 23 years.
kbehnke: Are there enough internship opportunities for the amount of pre-med students at the school? Is it difficult to get one?
President Cowen: If you're talking about research opportunities, there are opportunities on the uptown campus in the basic sciences as well as opportunities in the medical school. I have not heard of students not finding the research opportunities they would like. In terms of internships, we partner with a variety of different schools in providing a database of a wide array of internships. I encourage you to either stop by the Career Services Center or visit their website to get a sense of the kind of opportunities.
dmom: What can you tell me about spending a 5th year at Tulane and earning an MBA? 4+1 program?
President Cowen: The program you're talking about is a joint degree program. Students complete their core within the first 3 years then apply to the professional school, in this case the business school. That first year of course work in the MBA program would count as the final year of elective credit for the undergraduate degree. They would complete the two degrees at the end of five years. Similar programs are available for law, medicine, and public health.
Max Mahan: Hello, how difficult is it to utilize the different colleges? That is to say I am enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts but am interested in engineering. Would it be possible for me to change colleges once enrolled?
President Cowen: It's very easy. All students are involved in Newcomb-Tulane College. It is easy to select courses, programs, and majors from any of the undergraduate schools. In the example you quote, you would choose Engineering as your primary major and then complete courses in another school for a secondary major.
kbehnke: How much of the campus is wireless?
President Cowen: The entire campus is wireless.
cassie: Is there going to be a freeze put on freshman tuition?
President Cowen: We are exploring options for tuition starting in the fall of 2010 and have not made a determination yet as to what tuition will be that year and the year after.
Darren: What percentage of students that apply to medical school from Tulane get accepted?
President Cowen: Students who graduate Tulane with at least a 3.3 GPA and at least a 30 on MCATs have an 88 percent chance of being admitted to medical school. If they graduate with a 3.8 GPA and score at least a 31 on the MCATs, their chance of being admitted to medical school is 100%.
Emma: Why is the mascot 'Green Wave'?
President Cowen: History suggests to us that the Green Wave comes from a student who was lying on the lawn one day, and noticing how the grass moved with the breeze. He noticed it looked like a green wave, and he actually wrote an article for the student newspaper describing this. And the name stuck. Now the name of the mascot is Riptide. That name was voted on by the students.
Rebecca: Will I be able to purchase a laptop through the school, or does the school suggest certain types over others?
President Cowen: Yes you can purchase your laptop at the bookstore. Any kind would be compatible with our IT system. You could also bring your own laptop.
Nicole Sessions: Is there an opportunity for students to have year-round housing, for those who live far away?
President Cowen: You can stay in a residence hall all year-round, as long as you are registered and taking classes during that time period. However there are certain times during the year when the residence halls close, for example between Christmas and New Year.
Max Mahan: I am visiting Tulane Sunday through Monday, what would you recommend I do to get the best experience? And finally, I received an academic scholarship but was not offered admittance into the Honors program. Is there any way I can still participate this coming fall?
President Cowen: During your visit, other than participating in the Tulane Days program, I encourage you to stop by Cudd Hall to chat with academic advisors and college staff. Students who are not in the Honors Program in their first semester can petition to enroll in an Honors class and can attend many of the Honors programming events which are open. Based upon academic performance, they will be invited to join the program in the spring semester.
dannyboy: Are there a lot of opportunities to play music around Tulane without having to try out for a school ensemble?
President Cowen: Yes. Many students who come to Tulane have musical interests, and play in informal groups but we also have formal groups they can join. Remember - New Orleans is a very musical town and it's easy to find someone to join you to play music. The Tulane Jazz Orchestra is playing in the New Orleans Jazz Fest this year. Our marching band marches in Mardi Gras parades.
travtrc: If we did not receive a merit scholarship for a freshman year, is it possible to receive one after freshman year?
President Cowen: Not at the present time. But it is possible to get a grant from the school where your specific major is held.
dannyboy: What does a student in the Honors program gain access to?
President Cowen: Honor students gain access to a variety of courses tailored to their specific interest, along with interdisciplinary colloquia. The Honors residence hall, Butler Hall, has a rich and vibrant academic co-curricular life. In addition, staff in the Honors office are there to help students realize their goals that include research opportunities and consideration for national fellowships and scholarships.
dannyboy: What kind of reputation does Tulane have among graduate schools?
President Cowen: Excellent. The success rate of our students who want to go on to graduate and professional schools is outstanding. We have students at all the leading universities in the United States and beyond.
GreenWaver: Is it possible to appeal the financial aid award and reduce the expected family contribution?
President Cowen: Indeed if there have been changes in the family's financial situation from the time the financial aid applications were filed, we would like you to share that information with us and we would be glad to reevaluate.
lb: My son graduated from Tulane last year and my daughter is planning to attend next year. My biggest concern is about the crime situation. What has Tulane done in the last year or two to focus on crime???
President Cowen: The protection of the Tulane community is one of our highest priorities. In fact, if you go online you will see that my message that I sent to the community last Friday focused on crime and all the things we're doing. I believe the university has taken appropriate measures to ensure the protection of the community and that the statistics for our campus compare favorably with other urban institutions.
surfmb70: What engineering programs are offered?
President Cowen: There are three engineering programs - Engineering Physics, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering. There are additional joint programs in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical with Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt.
Chris Carter: What can you tell me about the early admission into Tulane's medical school?
President Cowen: The Creative Premedical Scholars program allows students to apply to Tulane med school at the end of their sophomore year, as long as they have taken all prerequisites for med school at that time. They will meet with our premedical advisor for help in applying to this program.
Rebecca: Is there transportation to and from the airport if I am flying in?
President Cowen: Yes. We typically have shuttle service that goes back and forth, and it's always convenient to get a cab.
dannyboy: What is generally the political atmosphere of the school? Are there often strongly voiced opposing political opinions?
President Cowen: Our students are very interested in political issues, but debates are constructive in a civilized way. We try to provide different points of view. For example, James Carville is one of our faculty members, and we just had Newt Gingrich on campus.
GreenWaver: Is Tulane at a good place financially?
President Cowen: Yes, we are constantly considered one of the best values among private institutions in the country every year. The university also has one of the highest bond ratings you can have. It is considered very strong financially.
Rebecca: Do I purchase/rent the micro-fridge from Tulane?
President Cowen: You rent them from the university.
ndkid1991: What is the majority of religious affiliation at Tulane University?
President Cowen: We have students from across the spectrum of all religious affiliations you can think of.
dannyboy: How is the food in Tulane's cafeterias rated?
President Cowen: Superb! It's very good and very diversified. Our students often rave about the food, and their current favorite is the slushy machine!
Cassy: What will actually take place at Destination Tulane?
President Cowen: Students have an opportunity to take a campus tour, sit in on a current student panel, eat in our dining hall with professors, attend a class, and meet with administrators.
kbehnke: I have heard rumors that you may change the school calendar by a few weeks to avoid hurricane season. What is the likelihood of this occurring, and how will it affect the calendar overall?
President Cowen: There is no intention to have any significant change to the school calendar. The rumor is false.
lmkaplan: What is the student/professor relationship like at Tulane? What are the extra hours like for professors?
President Cowen: The relationship is excellent between the students and the faculty. As a matter of fact, a couple of years ago we were ranked as number 2 in the country regarding accessibility of faculty to students. Our faculty always make themselves available to students outside the classroom.
Katie: What is the School of Continuing Studies?
President Cowen: That is our school that appeals to people locally in New Orleans to take courses on a part-time basis.
Sam M: Would you say that Tulane puts an emphasis on a comprehensive liberal arts education for everyone, rather than individual departments and majors?
President Cowen: I think we do both. I think we have a strong emphasis on a core liberal arts education that includes civic engagement, as well as giving you ample opportunity to focus on one or more majors.
Maureen Hunter: After being admitted to Tulane University, does each college have specific requirements and timing for admission to the specific colleges within the university?
President Cowen: No. Every student will join Newcomb-Tulane College and then pick courses and majors selected by the schools. Some degrees have additional course requirements and your advisor can give you further information when you meet with them.
haley: I am a prospective IR major. What types of opportunities exist in NOLA for this program of study (such as internships)?
President Cowen: I assume you're talking about International Relations, which is a track within the Political Science major. There are opportunities for internships, although they would mostly be outside of New Orleans. To get a sense of opportunities, I encourage you to visit the Career Services website.
sgdennis09: What year are you allowed to have a car on campus?
President Cowen: Your second year. But you don't really need a car in New Orleans. There is a very effective transportation system.
Lisa: I will be attending Destination Tulane in a few days. How many students usually go on a given day? It would be nice to meet many other admitted students.
President Cowen: It depends on the day you're here, but if you come on a Friday or Saturday, there will likely be between 100-200 students there.
Rashon: Even with the scholarship I'm thrilled to have, I will need to work at least one part-time job while attending Tulane. Is there part-time employment available for undergraduates, either on or off-campus?
President Cowen: Yes, there are lots of opportunities. There is an Office of Student Employment that has a presence during orientation, and will be able to advise you about options for employment on and off campus.
Emma: What items do you suggest we bring, things not offered by the university?
President Cowen: We assume from your question that you are definitely coming to Tulane. Go on the Tulane housing website at http://housing.tulane.edu/arrive/bring.html It has a long list of what you should bring to campus, as well as suggestions as to what not to bring. Number one - don't forget your flip-flops! Every month is flip-flop month :-)
Ted: What are the opportunities for studying abroad?
President Cowen: There are a lot of opportunities for studying abroad, and about 20 percent of the eligible juniors go abroad. We have 80 programs in all continents except Antarctica, and the length of time includes semester study abroad, year study abroad, or summer study abroad.
Dennis Sisco: Please talk a bit about career counseling and give some examples of companies that recruit on campus.
President Cowen: The Office of Career Services provides services from freshman year to graduation and beyond for students, including things such as resume writing, practice interviews, and assistance in looking for jobs and internships. Many companies come to the New Orleans area to recruit students. We partner with the other universities in town working in consort with other universities to assist students in their search for jobs. There are a variety of companies that recruit on the Tulane campus, such as government agencies, Fortune 100 and entrepreneurial companies. Last month's Mardi Gras Career Fair brought 180 employers to our students.
Liz: How are students selected for the NOLA program before school starts?
President Cowen: There is an application process for the NOLA programs, and it will become available shortly after May 1. We encourage all students to apply.
Darren: What are the odds of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina happening again? And what precautions has the school taken to lessen the impact in the case of such an event?
President Cowen: The odds of another disaster of the proportions of Hurricane Katrina are very very low. As a matter of fact, we don't ever anticipate something like this again. Our school has a very effective hurricane emergency plan in place that has been tested and improved every year and has proven itself to be effective.
Art: Do faculty ever participate in clubs, or is it just the students?
President Cowen: Faculty get involved in a lot of the extracurricular activities, including clubs. Most clubs have a faculty advisor. There are clubs that have students, staff, and faculty as members.
cann: I'm sorry I can't be here for all the answers. Will there be a summary available online or by email?
President Cowen: Yes, there will be one available online. It should be ready sometime in the next two days.
ltaylorcoley: Do scholarships and grants apply to semesters spent studying abroad?
President Cowen: Yes, students studying abroad can transfer their Tulane grants and scholarships (and any Federal aid as well) to that program.
JNagelberg: How developed is the Asian Studies program?
President Cowen: The Asian Studies program covers both language and culture in Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese. You can study that as one of your majors. The program also offers some excellent study abroad opportunities.
Ruth Pool: What are the forms of tutoring offered?
President Cowen: There is a tutoring center that provides tutoring for most of the common core courses, such as English, physics, chemistry and foreign languages. They are open until about 8pm most days.
Lisa: Are students still being accepted off the waitlist?
President Cowen: Once we determine if there are any spaces left available, we may go to the waitlist but we can't anticipate it at this point. Students have until May 1 to deposit.
Amar Shivdasani: In terms of housing, is there any benefit to putting my deposit in early?
President Cowen: No, we do not do housing on a first-come/first-served basis. All housing applications are reviewed together after May 1.
President Cowen: I want to thank you all for joining me for this live chat which is my last one for this semester. I hope for all of you who have been accepted but not yet decided where you want to go to school that you come and visit us if you can. I am sure the more you learn about us and our city, the more you will want to come to Tulane University. Once again, I want to thank LiveWorld, Inc. for sponsoring this live chat and for being such a good friend to Tulane University. Good night.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
