Jennifermov, not to be negative of anything, the admissions process at LSU-NO is wack. Don't be surprised if you don't hear a peep out of them for a while. Here's my story of my one and only dealing with LSU-NO.
Received request to interview in early January 2004.
Interviewed early January 2004. First interviewer was over 15 minutes late. Sat alone in waiting room thinking up every possible horrible scenario that would leave me with a less than favorable interview. Interview sucked.
Interviewed at WVU SOM in late January 2004, really, really wanted to go to LSU-NO so I just acted laid back and nonchalant about everything and had a great time (a.k.a. being myself).
Got first letter from LSU-NO in February. "Congrats, you're on the 'Acceptable List'"
Got 3 more letters from LSU-NO after each round of adcom meetings stating, "We didn't make a decision on you, you're still on the 'Acceptable List'"
Got a phone call from WVU SOM saying I was accepted. Less than 25% out of state acceptance rate. Mixed feelings. I still want to stay in LA and New Orleans.
Next, received rejection letter from LSU-NO. Called next day to set up "exit interview."
Exit interview dialogue (from what I remember):
Adcom chair: So, let's look at your file. Those MCAT scores... oh wait, those are actually pretty competitive. Community service experience... no that's not it either, you had quite a few hours volunteering at East Jefferson General. Clinical experience... geez, a pharm tech for 2 years. Ah Ha, what was your GPA from you senior year at UNO?
Me: Umm, a 4.0 sir, while working in a genetics lab at UNO.
Him: ...... Oh, hmm, I see. Well every year we have about 50 outstanding students who are just head and shoulders above the rest who we just about have to take. Then there is about 200 middle of the pack students where we just have to pick and choose which to accept. You, unfortunately, weren't one of the ones selected.
Me: So after those 50 top students, selection is completely arbitrary? (I really did say this)
Him: Yes, yes it is.
Me: Well thanks for your time, I have packing to do since I'll be moving to West Virginia to attend school there.
Him: Ah so you've been accepted elsewhere.
Me: Yes, I have.
Him: Well I have a friend up there who does....... (I kind of glazed over at this point) Be sure to look her up.
Me: Yeah, sure.
Moved to WV without waiting to hear back from LSU-Shreveport (they take FOREVER, I must've been the last person on the waitlist). Receive a forwarded letter from them while attending med school orientation in WV postmarked early August, telling me that I wasn't accepted.
I also have another friend who has all the tools to be a good doctor and great GPA, community service, etc, just struggled with the MCAT (not horrible or anything, I know people who got into LSU-NO with worse). She has applied for 2 straight years, not so much as even an interview. A damn shame.
Anyways, I hope things work out for you, sorry this post wasn't very positive but I just wanted to share a real life experience with the LSU-NO admissions process. I had to uproot my life in LA (I lived there my entire life, in the greater New Orleans area) and come up to a town and state I knew 0 about. Things are going great now, but my heart is still in New Orleans. Here's to hoping your process ends up better than mine did. Good luck, and my best advice, when you do get in, enjoy the summer before classes start, don't do anything except sleep late, eat lots of ice cream, and watch TV until it hurts to close your eyes... PLEASE. 🙂
Ciao,
Fif