I strongly recommend taking the previous advice to call Student Affairs. As a graduate of Tulane (med. school), I can tell you we received tons of emails regarding this very topic. Just be nice, and the ladies in the office will be happy to help...just give them adequate advance notice. Most students are completly OK with this sort of thing...Just put a 12-pack in the fridge every now and then. The dorms are totally sterile, though convenient to the hospitals. However, they are nowhere near grocery stores, dry cleaners, etc. Plus, downtown is a bit of a dump. There are some really cool places to live in the Big Easy...it would be a shame to spend your time downtown, trying not to step on half-eaten chicken wings on the sidewalk. If you live elsewhere, you'll have plenty of opportunities to visit the Quarter. Another thing, parking is a bitch downtown. PM me if you want more specific advice.