ISU vs LSU??? No idea?

[whitefang2012]

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Hey, I have been accepted to Iowa State and Louisiana State for the upcoming year. I visited Iowa for my interview there in January and really loved the people there and the school. They are doing major expansions to the buildings they have there, getting new machines, and you can tell that the teachers and deans really care about the students there. All in all, I felt really at home and like I would be able to fit in right away. I loved the trailer park behind the school where alot of the vet students lived (and could own their own pets!) and not have to drive every day to school. Not to mention that it was all really safe. Oh yeah, and midwestern hospitality cannot be overrated.

I haven't seen Louisiana ever since out of staters (Florida resident althought I mostly grew up in CT/NY...) do not do interviews there. I am flying down there tomorrow to visit the school and the area.

Does anyone have any insights to tell me about either school? About the area/the school curriculum/opportunities at the schools?

Pretty much most of the people I know live in NY/CT so the distance is pretty much the same - no straight flight home from either location! I did really love the Iowa school, but I have a feeling that LSU is more well known/slightly more respected among the DVM crowd than Iowa - but perhaps I am mistaken? I guess with only 28 schools there isn't too much of a difference!

Also, I am slightly worried about LSU since I keep reading that there are lots of burglaries and aggravated assaults. Are there any people from the area or current students that can shed some light on the real situation? Is it as bad as it seems or is alot of it hype? I went to undergrad in Hempstead which isn't a nice city either so I am kind of used to it - but I always lived on campus where we had school security so I'm unsure if I'd like to live in a place where there are serial murder stories.

Pretty much I'm looking for anyone's advice/input on either school to help me make a more educated decision based on mostly the school's themselves (classes/getting internships and residencies/teachers and students) and the towns that they are located in (although kind of hard to compare a rural town and a city).

Appreciating all the help from the previous threads I've read...and everyone's moment to take time to write a response!!

 

[ferral]

Also, I am slightly worried about LSU since I keep reading that there are lots of burglaries and aggravated assaults. Are there any people from the area or current students that can shed some light on the real situation? Is it as bad as it seems or is alot of it hype? I went to undergrad in Hempstead which isn't a nice city either so I am kind of used to it - but I always lived on campus where we had school security so I'm unsure if I'd like to live in a place where there are serial murder stories.

Congratulations Whitefang!
So, I was just wondering about the same thing (regarding crime near LSU) while trying to finalize my list of schools to apply to...
got lots of good feedback:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=515098

Good luck!😀

 

[whitefang2012]

Thanks - I actually read that thread and it helped alot with deciding what my main factors would be to help make my decision! However, I am not as interested in the cities and town themselves as much as the schools...the only reason I even mention the towns is because I don't wanna be in an unsafe place for four years running. It was bad enough living in Hempstead with kids getting guns pulled on them when they went to the local bars on friday nights and decided to wander home alone!

Also, I was interested in peoples responses about Iowa - since there seems to be a few people who are going there.

Pretty much all the feed back I can get...I'd appreciate 😱 I'm so bad at making decisions!!!

 

[loo]

Trust your heart and intuition. If it "feels like home", then that is where you will be happy and most productive.

It's a tough decision and I wish you luck...

Congratulations on your acceptances!

 

[NoleDevil]

Personally, Iowa is my top choice of schools. Not only because of all the great reasons you mentioned, but they have a strong pathology dept. and I'm really interested in that field. I interviewed at Iowa, Illinois, and UF - out of all of them, I'd have to say that Iowa was my favorite (I could be a little biased, however, b/c it was the first school I visited!).

I don't know how much my personal bias toward the school helps you (probably not a lot!), but I think following loo's advice is right on the money - trust your intuition. I know you started this thread with the intention of trying to get some opinions from others to help make your decision, but in the end, you're the one who's attending the school and you're the one that has to be happy with the decision you make! Plus, I bet you have a gut feeling where you want to go already. 😛

I guess aside from all that, the most helpful thing I could tell you is not to choose Iowa over LSU just because you have a somewhat unfounded negative bias toward LSU. Don't go my hearsay and rumors about LSU - do some genuine research on the school and the community and formulate your own opinion about it (which it kinda sounds like you did a little already). Try to talk to professors and current students at the school - believe me, they're not all biased in a positive way! I had a current student at Illinois tell me she didn't like the program and asked her why. Also, poke around on the internet and find some demographics and such about the area that the school is in.

Good luck with your decision! Either way you choose, you're going to be a part of a great program!

 

[Starwrecker]

ISU all the way!!!! Okay, okay, I'm biased considering I'm currently here. I do think this is a great school and hope you decide to attend here in the fall.

However, like others have already said...trust your own gut instinct. (and come to ISU 😉)

Congrats and good luck with the decision. 😀

 

[winglessflight]

I chose to go to ISU over some other schools. Originally, I thought I liked another school better, but had an economic advantage to go to Iowa. However, when I actually sat down and listed the positives, Iowa won, even without taking money into account 🙂.

Here are some things I like about Iowa, keep in mind I didn't apply to LSU so I can't compare them:
-everyone was very nice there, both students and staff, and seemed to want everyone to succeed
-lots of brand new equipment
-there is a good variety of electives
-there seems to be a great surgical program
-you can park right outside the vet school, or there is housing close enough to walk
-the town seems to have a lot to offer, but isn't too busy
-the computers are pretty cool, not that you couldn't buy one on your own accord
-4 seasons- could be a plus or minus for you
-good cost of living

As for whether Iowa is less respected, I have never heard of a vet being turned away because of where they went to school. While this probably happens to some extent, I probably wouldn't want to work somewhere that took "namebrands" into account more than ones skills. Also, many of my professors are veterinarians, and they all said that Iowa was a great program.

Anyways, I think you just have to go with your gut. If it turns out you like both programs about the same, theres nothing wrong with choosing your school based on if you'd rather live in a city or town.

 

[chris03333]

but I have a feeling that LSU is more well known/slightly more respected among the DVM crowd than Iowa - but perhaps I am mistaken?

Yes you are mistaken. LSU and ISU are both good schools. LSU has a decent lab animal program. ISU really good for pigs.😀

 

[whitefang2012]

thanks so much everyone! actually, everyone's advice here has helped quite a bit!! im glad to know there are people coming next year to ISU who are so excited!

strangely, i am still leaning toward ISU after visiting LSU - but not for the reasons I imagined. What i loved about ISU was that everyone was friendly and willing to help you out, plus the students, staff, and faculty were so welcoming! Everything was so well organized when i went there, and everything is so close to campus - yet there seems to be enough to do onthe odd day out when you have time to relax. Not to mention, the school is expanding, they have alot of new equipment, and your right the laptops are sweet (even though i could buy my own its nice to have 90% of the notes of my computer for me where i cant misplace a paper).

I am orginally from NYC area so im used to the hustle and bustle of the city and thought that was what attracted me to Baton Rouge, LA...and that the school was very nice. The thing I was worried about was the living situation. When I went there, it actually seemed a rather safe place and in fact I bet I would love living there (although it is quite hot and humid even in April...which being from Russia and NY would take a bit of getting used to). The school has its reptuation made - but I felt like it was somewhat in a stalemate at the moment. I don't want to say anything negative about the school, but I really felt that the guy who gave me the tour wasn't well prepared (he wasnt a vet student or vet...) and he couldnt give me lots of answers about the classes/rotations/specific vet questions. He was however really nice, and I cant complain about everyones southern hospitality. Also, they had some new machines - but seemed to be lacking faculty to run certain rotaitons (oncology was down for 5 months because they couldnt find an attending). Or they are on limited accredation (still unsure what this is but am gonna look more into it tomorrow) because of a problem with the large animal isolation ward. The guy actually seemed happy about it saying that it would help the school get the funds from the government. I'm unsure if the lack of funds for their different projects (they also want to build a new wildlife area but lack funds for at least 7-8 years) is because of the LA economic situation after the hurricane, a slight decline in the school, a beaurocratic thing...or whatever. However, the area is really nice, New Orleans is about an hour away, the airport is larger, and in general it is more of the big city feel I am used to.

However, when comparing the two schools - I am still leaning to ISU (if not more so!) because they seem to be getting better and trying hard as a school to get students to excel, and get the best students who will try harder as opposed to just accepting that someone will take their place (giving me packets and packets of information vs. me having to find my own little booklet on LSU's vet school). Also, I enjoy southern hospitality - but I am from the North and used to "doing my own thing" and its sometimes hard for me to stop rushing. In Iowa I felt everyone was warm and friendly, but less intrusive in a sense and I really liked that. The only downside to ISU is that its a bit of a much smaller town, and that there is less of a Jewish population (and although everyone is very accepting there...itd be nice to find a place to at least spend the holidays nearby instead of flying to NY).

I will be looking more into the limited accredation as well as the different rotation both schools have to offer to make my final decision but I am about 65% sure that I will probably be going to ISU in the fall. I just loved the people, the school, and the enviornment there.

I'll update you guys with what I find and tell you my final decision. Thanks again for everyones input. And btw, all you guys are right, all the schools are pretty much the same - its just the concentrations differ somewhat from school to school...but you can always compensate with rotations and I dont mind doing an internship/residency.

 

[DocW2012]

Or they are on limited accredation (still unsure what this is but am gonna look more into it tomorrow) because of a problem with the large animal isolation ward. The guy actually seemed happy about it saying that it would help the school get the funds from the government.

This situation really worried me at first when the admissions director brought it up to me during my tour there about 3 weeks ago. However, I was able to speak with the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs that same day about it, since the admissions director had limited information about it and did not want to give me misleading information. I will say speaking with him made me feel a lot more comfortable about the situation and also understand how being on limited accredidation will actually help them get more funding. He was also able to explain to me worse case scenarios (though highly unlikely scenarios), etc. He was very upfront and honest about everything. I would suggest calling and trying to speak with him about it, although it sounds as if you are already leaning towards ISU....good luck!

 

[VAgirl]

Or they are on limited accredation (still unsure what this is but am gonna look more into it tomorrow) because of a problem with the large animal isolation ward. The guy actually seemed happy about it saying that it would help the school get the funds from the government.

Just wanted to add that ISU had this issue a few years back (or some similar accreditation issue). And when I was there, they told me the exact same thing...that it was actually a good thing that it had happened, because folks at the school knew it needed renovation, but they couldn't convince the people "holding the purse strings." But the loss of accreditation/probation really woke up the money people and they started pouring funding in. They got their accreditation back and you can really see the benefit that it has had in new facilities, etc.!

That being said (and caveating this with the fact that I know nothing about LSU, so big grain of salt)... If I had to chose between a school that had experienced the growing pains associated with accreditation issues several years ago (ISU had issues in 2003, I think) versus one having issues with it now (I don't know if this is true for LSU, I'm just taking you at your word), I'd take the one where they had had the issues a while ago. My reason is that I feel if the issues were a while ago, the school has had time to plan, improve, and make great changes which will be in effect during your time at the school.

I'll also admit that I'm probably biased. I also loved ISU. Their excitement was contagious! If I hadn't gotten into Davis, I probably would have gone to Iowa...I was leaning towards it.

Good luck!!

 

[whitefang2012]

Thanks guys...I'm doing my final leg of research today and probably gonna call and cancel my admission to LSU (yey for people on the alternate list though!). I just really love the ISU school, the people, and all in all it just seems a better fit for me...

I just wanna make sure that they will offer all the rotations and so on and so forth that I want (not sure if going into food production but def. considering horses). Also, just a few other things I am curious about.

Mostly I sat and agnozied all day yesterday but realized that what I liked about LSU was that it was in a city - but that I didnt even want to be in a city!! 😱 Made my decision a whole lot easier!

 

[flokemahe]

Hooray!!!
Congrats on your decision! ISU really is an awesome school, and the faculty is fan-flippin-tastic. Ames isn't a bad little town, it has a lot going for it, as long as we don't discuss winter😛 (this from a native Californian). Of course, I may be a *tad* biased.
Can't wait to see you in the fall!

 

[whitefang2012]

🙂 I'm really excited. I liked Ames too...I actually lived for a few months in a MUCH smaller town in FL (all we had was a walmart 2 grocery stores 3 chinese restaurants and a sonic...actually all that was in the nearby larger town). I'm excited too...and I will be seeing you around!

 

[Starwrecker]

Yay!!! Go State!!! Look forward to seeing you this fall. 😀

Enjoy your summer!!!

And flokemahe is exaggerating about the winters. They're really not that bad. 😛 (this coming from someone who loves the snow)