Hitting the Books in NOLA
When my husband and I were in Barbados we decided to visit Codrington College on an extremely hot day. Remember, this island is only 900 miles from the equator so when it's hot one really feels it. That said, as soon as we saw the long driveway lined with stately palms that ended with the institution itself – we knew we had made the right decision to visit this college that has been around for 276 years. The overall atmosphere is serene, quiet, dramatic and breathtaking: it was one of the best things we did during our three-week stay on the lovely British island of Barbados.
This adventure gave me the idea of looking at the universities and colleges in New Orleans. I did the research and found seven that really appealed to me. Along the way, I made a few discoveries: five out of the seven had under 4,000 students – this surprised me. Of these, three were historically black institutions: Dillard, Xavier and the Southern University at New Orleans.
Then I discovered that the seven institutions were founded over a period of 125 years: namely Tulane in 1834 and the Southern University at New Orleans in 1959. This is why I like numbers and statistics – they give a quick snapshot of the entire picture. I also silently reprimanded myself for being so obsessed by the size of the student population. Then I realized that I compared all of them to Columbia, where I went: 31,455 students.
Now, let’s take a brief look at all seven. For each one I tried to focus on what made them different or unique. After going through my research I decided on this order:
Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Avenue
This private, nonprofit, four-year institution is considered “a party school” much to the dismay of some and to the delight of others. Syracuse University ranks as the #1 party school in the United States. WHY? I couldn’t find a nailed-down answer anywhere – except for this: “It has a lot of school spirit.” Or spirits. No pun intended.
Tulane offers undergraduate, graduate and research programs in the fields of business, social sciences, law, medicine and public affairs. It also has a 110-acre campus plus 14 varsity teams that include football, basketball and baseball. Most important: it’s 16 minutes from the French Quarter.
University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive
This is a four-year research university that sports a lakefront campus bordered by beautiful Lake Pontchartrain. It offers a park-like setting where students can relax and get some fresh air. The spacious, tree-studded campus is in one of the finest residential areas of New Orleans. And, it is only minutes from the French Quarter and the Central Business District.
Loyola University New Orleans, 6363 St. Charles
This school is a private, four-year Jesuit university that was founded in 1912. There are 29 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States and a whopping 189 throughout the world. Loyola provides law, nursing and fine arts education programs in an urban setting that includes a 26-acre campus with lots of trees and grass. Students can enjoy the great outdoors while attending an excellent institution.
Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Boulevard
Historically, this is a black, private liberal arts institution that was founded in 1930. It offers a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science plus a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is associated with the United Methodist Church. Its liberal arts-based curriculum focuses on African American history and culture. It is located on 55 acres in Gentilly, a residential area in New Orleans. It was Louisiana’s first black university. The campus sports handsome white buildings, stately oak trees and open green spaces.
Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive
Despite its small size (3,321 students) this institution produces more African American students who graduate from medical school each year than any other university in the United States. It is also among the top 10% of “best colleges for the money” in Louisiana. This Catholic institution is NOT a party school – drinking alcoholic beverages on its 63-acre campus is strongly discouraged.
University of Holy Cross, 4123 Woodland Drive
Holy Cross maintains that “it delivers private-college quality – without all the debt” or said differently, they state, “You’ll get a top caliber, career-ready education at the most affordable private university in the region.” There are nine Holy Cross colleges and universities in the United States. It urges its students to get involved in clubs, intramural sports and honor societies – to round out their college experience. This is a Jesuit institution where students can choose from more than 100 clubs and organizations.
Southern University at NOLA, 6400 Press Drive
This is a 4-year public university where one can earn an Associate, BA or Masters degree – plus it’s one of six public universities in Louisiana with an engineering program – go for it!!!
When choosing a college…several important factors come into play. Millions of students are looking for schools that have successful graduates, amazing athletic programs, and comprehensive financial aid packages, but they rarely consider the size of the college that they are applying to. While large enrollment numbers do not guarantee that a particular school will be right for you, they can give you a better idea of what your ideal college would be.
WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? When searching for the right college, parents and their offspring often pay on-site visits to various institutions. The older folks may also visit again after their child is enrolled and/or when graduation day finally arrives. Parents who decide to stay overnight – or a couple of days – should consider staying in one of Rathbone Mansions’ two antebellum mansions. We offer gracious lodgings, parking facilities and prices that won’t bust the family budget. Best of all, you’ll have easy access to the French Quarter for fine dining, great shopping and terrific sightseeing.
PLEASE PHONE, USE EMAIL OR CHECK THE WEB for the current status of whatever college or university you are interested in or want to attend.
Shaun Nelson-Henrick