Tulane
Tulane sits Uptown on St. Charles Avenue, where the streetcar rattles past oak-lined mansions and Audubon Park is right across the street. First-years are required to live on campus, most in one of six first-year halls tied to residential learning communities. Move-in lands in early August — deep in New Orleans heat, humidity, and hurricane season — so pack for storms and sun, and know the city itself is half the education.
What to wear in New Orleans, month by month
The national lists assume everyone needs a winter coat. Here the real questions are heat, sun, and rain — plus clothes for buildings kept ice-cold against it.
| Move-in (Aug) | 78–92°F | Brutal heat and humidity, and peak hurricane season. Light breathable clothes and a strong umbrella. |
| Sept–Oct | 68–88°F | Still hot and stormy, easing slowly; hurricane season runs into fall. Shorts, tees, a rain shell. |
| Nov–Dec | 48–70°F | Mild and pleasant with the odd cold snap. A jacket and a few sweaters. |
| Jan–Feb | 43–65°F | Short, damp winter — a real coat for a handful of cold days and chilly Mardi Gras nights. |
| Mar–May | 62–85°F | Warm, humid spring with thunderstorms and festival season. A rain jacket and layers. |
What Tulane lets you bring
- A rain jacket and a sturdy umbrella — New Orleans gets frequent, heavy afternoon storms
- Light, breathable clothes for the long, humid heat
- A power strip with surge protection
- Twin XL bedding (confirm your specific hall)
- UL/ETL power strip with a built-in circuit breaker — not a bare extension cord
- Damage-free wall hangings like Command strips — no nails or screws
- Low-draw LED desk and task lamps
- A fan, a reusable water bottle, and UL-listed electronics
- Open-coil / open-flame cooking: toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, hot plates, electric grills, sandwich makers
- Candles, incense, wax warmers, and anything with an open flame
- Halogen lamps
- Extension cords without a breaker; outlet splitters and multi-plug adapters
- Space heaters and personal A/C units (unless your school provides/approves them)
- Hoverboards, e-scooters, e-bikes, and other e-mobility devices
- Weapons of any kind — including decorative — and fireworks
- Your own refrigerator, microwave, or toaster shipped to campus — use an approved unit or a rented MicroFridge
- Toaster ovens, hot plates, and other open-coil cooking appliances
- Candles, incense, and any open flame
- Personal air-conditioner units — every hall is already air-conditioned
These come from Tulane's official housing pages and cover the essentials plus the genuinely local rules. Double-check the current official guidance before you buy — policies and renovations change every year.
Getting your room at Tulane
- 01Spring
Submit the housing application
After you commit, complete the housing application and sign the housing agreement. First-years are required to live on campus for their first three years, and you rank hall and RLC preferences.
- 02May
Get your assignment and move-in slot
Housing emails your assignment, roommate, four-digit mail code, and a randomly assigned 30-minute move-in time slot for August 9, 10, or 11.
- 03Summer
Sort mail and a MicroFridge
Your mail packet explains how to address packages. Rent a MicroFridge or arrange an approved fridge, and ship only move-in essentials — grab the rest in the city after.
- 04Aug 9–11
Move in
Arrive at your assigned 30-minute slot. It's hot and humid with a real chance of storms, so hydrate and keep a rain shell handy.
Where you'll live at Tulane
First-year residence halls
First-years live on the Uptown campus in one of six halls, most tied to a Residential Learning Community (RLC) — a themed community around the outdoors, entrepreneurship, global New Orleans, and more. All halls are air-conditioned for the Gulf Coast heat, and you rank preferences on your housing application.
One of the largest first-year halls — double rooms with community-style bathrooms, central to campus.
Doubles with community baths; home to the Explore RLC, focused on outdoor recreation across the Gulf South.
An eight-story hall of doubles with community baths; home to the Ignite RLC for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Suite-style first-year housing, home to the Gender Affirming Housing cluster.
Singles and doubles with community baths in one of the original Newcomb-campus buildings.
A first-year community home to the 1963 Collective RLC; the Mail Services pickup counter is on its first floor.
The Tulane move-in checklist
The “Shop” links are Amazon affiliate links — a purchase may earn AllDorms a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Bedding6
Bath5
Laundry4
Storage & organization6
Desk & study4
Electronics6
Cleaning5
Kitchen — within the rules5
Health & meds4
Clothing — see the seasonal guide7
Move-in day go-bag5
Your items
Anything you add gets its own Shop link, and saves on this device.
New Orleans logistics, sorted
How to send a package to a Tulane student
[4-DIGIT MAIL CODE]
6823 ST CHARLES AVE
NEW ORLEANS LA 70118
Approved fridges and MicroFridges only
Hurricane season and the three-year rule
New Orleans & around
Audubon Park & the streetcar
The 350-acre park with live oaks and a lagoon sits right across St. Charles, where the historic streetcar runs to downtown.
Magazine Street
Six miles of boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants — the Uptown go-to for a family meal or dorm finds.
The French Quarter & downtown
A short streetcar ride to the Quarter, the Warehouse District museums, and the heart of New Orleans.
Uptown shopping
Target and groceries on Tchoupitoulas and around Uptown for dorm supply runs.
Where to stay near Tulane
Park View Guest House
WalkableA Victorian guesthouse on St. Charles facing Audubon Park — charming and steps from campus.
The Columns Hotel
~1.5 miA restored 1883 St. Charles mansion on the streetcar line — iconic and full of New Orleans character.
The Pontchartrain Hotel
~3 miA grand, restored Garden District hotel with a rooftop bar — a special-occasion stay on the streetcar route.
Tulane gear & gifts
Tulane — links & contacts
- Housing & Residence Life: Visit page
- Mail Services: Visit page