LSU New Orleans vs. LSU Shreveport

[kfusil3]

Hi,

I've recently been accepted to LSU New Orleans as well as LSU Shreveport. I would like information from current medical students concerning the pros and cons of each school. Any information will help! This is a tough decision so far.

I'm from Baton Rouge, LA. I'm currently undecided as to what type of doctor I would like to be.

Thanks!

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[themule]

I don't go to either but really you are deciding between Shreveport and NOLA. Regardless of what kind of doctor you want to be that seems to be a no brainer.

 

[revelation4185]

?

 

[metallica81788]

Like someone else said, you're deciding between New Orleans and Shreveport. Unless you like boringness and casinos, the choice is obvious here.

New Orleans wins the location battle, plus I'm sure it will have a more diverse and interesting patient population when it comes time for clinicals.

I just could NOT live in Shreveport for 4 years, so I didn't even apply.

 

[carps513]

I'm a student at LSU NO so I can only speak about New Orleans which has been nothing but awesome. The facilities are nice and modern, technology is top of the line, professors are awesome, a Starbucks is in the medical building (what more could you ask for), there are always so many things going on in New Orleans. We constantly get emails announcing different events that we can get involved in for community service and/or medical experience. Also, the restaurants in New Orleans are incredible. Hope this helps.

 

[ksmi117]

I'm a student at LSU NO so I can only speak about New Orleans which has been nothing but awesome. The facilities are nice and modern, technology is top of the line, professors are awesome, a Starbucks is in the medical building (what more could you ask for), there are always so many things going on in New Orleans. We constantly get emails announcing different events that we can get involved in for community service and/or medical experience. Also, the restaurants in New Orleans are incredible. Hope this helps.

What a great reason to pick a school.

I interviewed at both. I liked NO better because of the location and the students seemed happier there (overall). Shreveport's just a little too bland. Everyone at my Shreveport interview kept telling me that it didn't matter because I'd be studying all the time anyway. Horrible selling point, IMO.

 

[psipsina]

I'm a 3rd year at LSU-NO, who was accepted at both years ago. My reasons were 1) I love New Orleans - cultural shmorgasbord (sp??) 2) Shreveport seemed really really boring 3) At my Shreveport interview multiple people were making false negative statements about LSU-NO and Tulane, in my opinion if you need to sell yourself by disparaging others you don't have alot of positives to talk about 4) Shreveport had required attendance during the preclinical years (I'm not an auditory learner)

Having been at LSU-NO I can say there are very few things that I don't like about the school. Faculty is incredibly supportive and a good 85% of the preclinical peeps actually enjoy teaching and are good at it. Facilities are great and modern (sim labs etc). Pre-clinically you have a good mix of free time to study and small group required stuff. The hospitals see an amazing breadth of pathology. You get to do ALOT as a third year (and earlier if you're a go getter) because they need you to be functional so they teach you to be a productive member of the medical team.

The bad:
1) tech people make you buy a laptop that sucks and will break constantly
2) you have to do some rotations in BR and Laffy during third year
3) the nurses in the Charity system can be downright toxic to medstudents (there is an upside which is that it forces you to become assertive but still)

 

[themule]

The bad:
1) tech people make you buy a laptop that sucks and will break constantly
2) you have to do some rotations in BR and Laffy during third year
3) the nurses in the Charity system can be downright toxic to medstudents (there is an upside which is that it forces you to become assertive but still)

By Laffy do you mean Lafayette? If so you should give Lafayette a chance it's got some great cultural and culinary areas and food that easily rivals Nola.

 

[Climberak]

I'm a student at LSU NO so I can only speak about New Orleans which has been nothing but awesome. The facilities are nice and modern, technology is top of the line, professors are awesome, a Starbucks is in the medical building (what more could you ask for), there are always so many things going on in New Orleans. We constantly get emails announcing different events that we can get involved in for community service and/or medical experience. Also, the restaurants in New Orleans are incredible. Hope this helps.

Whhaaaat?! I hope you LSU folks won't mind if some of us up the street came down for some coffee.

 

[carps513]

ksmi117 What a great reason to pick a school.

Did I say that was the only deciding factor? There's also a Starbuck's in the library.

 

[Dr McSexy]

Once again, I'll say it must be a bunch of LA southies dishing all the hate to Shreveport. (I'm from North LA btw).

TO me, Shreveport = Baton Rouge without Tigers football and more casinos in terms of what there is to do.

FWIW, I did feel like the NO students seemed to be around the school more (at the time of interview) and seemed to be happier in general. I actually like the fact that the hospital isn't directly intertwined with the school. The facilities are nicer (although Shreveport does video and audio record their lectures). I also think I'd do better in a more traditional lecture style as opposed to systems based. And I'm hoping to catch some of the hornets game while I'm there. Plus, I know more people going to NO than Shreveport currently.

It is my assumption, that the *majority*(for sure not all) of people who go to Shreveport probably didn't get into New Orleans or didn't apply there. There was a girl there who chose Shreveport over New Orleans for safety concerns. And there probably are people who choose Shreveport to be away from all the stuff that makes New Orleans what it is, so that they can actually focus on being a student.

With that said, it's not like New Orleans is leap and bounds above Shreveport in terms of education. And neither one of them are prestigious. At the end of day, you'll be a doctor at whichever one you decide to go to.

 

[metallica81788]

It is so mother f&^%ing lame that LSU-NO doesn't record their lectures. That really pisses me off. What is this, the 1970s?

 

[Dr McSexy]

A current NO student can correct if I'm wrong, but I think that they technically do audio record the lectures. But the only person who gets the recording is the person making/transcribing the notes for that lecture.

If that's right, I don't know why they don't release the audio recording to everyone.

 

[bonesmd]

A current NO student can correct if I'm wrong, but I think that they technically do audio record the lectures. But the only person who gets the recording is the person making/transcribing the notes for that lecture.

If that's right, I don't know why they don't release the audio recording to everyone.

Most professors cite copyright issues from what I recall. A good noteset tends to be much better than having an audio copy. It eliminates the useless information and wild tangents.

 

[sleepy425]

are there any plans to start recording the lectures? Recorded lectures are such a valuable resource. Not only are they good for people who want a quick review of a lecture or who miss class, but they also make it so that when something hilarious happens in class, you can watch it over and over and over again. and there are hilarious moments all the time in med school.

oh, and OP, I happen to prefer New Orleans for basically all the reasons mentioned. Plus, I remember liking the environment at NO better. At least, the admissions staff seemed more professional and organized (although that's not always the best way to judge a school). And I just didn't like Kennedy. And this is my 504th post, so since that's the New Orleans area code, you must go there. juuuuust kidding, you'll be fine wherever you go, good luck!

 

[Dr McSexy]

It'd be nice just to have the audio so that I could listen to it in car rides or work outs or similar situations.

Dr. Kennedy pimped an awesome bowtie, so what's not to like? lol

 

[Tchopper]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I am applying to medical school this year using EDP. I applied to one of the two schools using it and was wondering about Step 1 scores. If I get an interview can I found out about Step 1 score average at the school at the interview or is that a secret? I know that these two schools have different curriculums, so I wanted to know the average score or pass/fail rate to help me in one of the factors of my decision.
Thanks!

 

[Dr McSexy]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I am applying to medical school this year using EDP. I applied to one of the two schools using it and was wondering about Step 1 scores. If I get an interview can I found out about Step 1 score average at the school at the interview or is that a secret? I know that these two schools have different curriculums, so I wanted to know the average score or pass/fail rate to help me in one of the factors of my decision.
Thanks!

They'll both tell you the Step scores. Shreveport for sure does. I'm pretty sure New Orleans told us as well. They'll tell you the average and the pass rate percentage. They both "report" that their scores are above national average and each pass rate percentage is above 95% I think.

FWIW, I haven't seen a medical school, anywhere, report that their scores were below the national average. Since reporting scores aren't required and isn't standardized, many schools can fiddle with the numbers a bit to make their scores seem better. As in, including people who retake or didn't retake, not including people who dropped out, or other such incidences. Basically, while it's a indicator, I wouldn't rest your decision solely on step scores.

 

[Tchopper]

Thanks Dr, I had people in my bio classes tell me that the curriculum at Shreveport had caused many people to fail but was hoping that if I received an interview at either of these two schools I could get some real information other than word of mouth from my classmates in BR.
I assume from looking at some of the Step 1 posts in other forums, people are now getting their scores back. Anyone from either of these two schools, know how they are doing?

Also, I'm probably going to need to take out loans if accepted to either, and was wondering about things like cost of living in NOLA versus Shreveport. Can anyone help me on that?

What is the average commute time to school?

Thanks again anyone who can help me.

 

[metallica81788]

Thanks Dr, I had people in my bio classes tell me that the curriculum at Shreveport had caused many people to fail but was hoping that if I received an interview at either of these two schools I could get some real information other than word of mouth from my classmates in BR.
I assume from looking at some of the Step 1 posts in other forums, people are now getting their scores back. Anyone from either of these two schools, know how they are doing?

Also, I'm probably going to need to take out loans if accepted to either, and was wondering about things like cost of living in NOLA versus Shreveport. Can anyone help me on that?

What is the average commute time to school?

Thanks again anyone who can help me.

NOLA housing would cost waaay more than Shreveport I would think. There are definitely deals to be found in NOLA, but you can pay a lot for stuff depending on where you live. It's not like NOLA housing is expensive relative to anywhere in the country, but it varies. You can pay anywhere from $450 to >$1000 in rent per month depending on the location. Most people choose to live about 10 minute's drive from school in either direction in NOLA.

 

[kavorca]

Thanks Dr, I had people in my bio classes tell me that the curriculum at Shreveport had caused many people to fail but was hoping that if I received an interview at either of these two schools I could get some real information other than word of mouth from my classmates in BR.
I assume from looking at some of the Step 1 posts in other forums, people are now getting their scores back. Anyone from either of these two schools, know how they are doing?

Also, I'm probably going to need to take out loans if accepted to either, and was wondering about things like cost of living in NOLA versus Shreveport. Can anyone help me on that?

What is the average commute time to school?

Thanks again anyone who can help me.

I don't know what the Step scores for Shreveport are like, but NO has been having some trouble the last couple years. It is probably just a blip, but who knows. Shreveport makes a certain portion of the students take a Step I prep course (Falcon, etc) using an arcane formula factoring in GPA, class rank, MCAT et al. New Orleans doesn't do that yet, but who knows what is down the road. Shreveport is a fine school, and I know people who choose it over NO. You might have to go to Monroe or Alexandria for a rotation, but you probably will have to go to BR or Lafayette if you go to NO. I have 10 weeks in BR myself this year.

As far as housing, Shreveport is much cheaper than NO. It is a different housing market as well. New Orleans has little in the way of traditional apartment complexes, while Shreveport has tons. Besides rent, cost of living is much the same either place (except car insurance is sky high in Orleans parish).

 

[Dr McSexy]

What is the average commute time to school?

Depends on where you live obviously. For NOLA, the majority of students live in uptown which is probably about a 15-20 min. commute on most days.

Don't know about Shreve, since I don't where the students typically tend to live. But, iirc, the Shreve students have to park in a lot and then take a short trip via bus/tram to the school if they don't want to walk. I doubt it takes long, just a minor inconvenience.

 

[kavorca]

Depends on where you live obviously. For NOLA, the majority of students live in uptown which is probably about a 15-20 min. commute on most days.

Don't know about Shreve, since I don't where the students typically tend to live. But, iirc, the Shreve students have to park in a lot and then take a short trip via bus/tram to the school if they don't want to walk. I doubt it takes long, just a minor inconvenience.

My commute is about 6 minutes door to door with no traffic, 10-15 minutes with traffic. Shreveport's HSC is easy and fast to get to since it is so close to the interstate. I doubt most people's commutes would be longer than 10-15 minutes if you lived in the city limits. The Shreveport M lot is like 3 or 4 blocks away from the hospital. The trams run a lot, but I would just walk it in the daytime.

 

[Tchopper]

I don't know what the Step scores for Shreveport are like, but NO has been having some trouble the last couple years. It is probably just a blip, but who knows. Shreveport makes a certain portion of the students take a Step I prep course (Falcon, etc) using an arcane formula factoring in GPA, class rank, MCAT et al. New Orleans doesn't do that yet, but who knows what is down the road. Shreveport is a fine school, and I know people who choose it over NO. You might have to go to Monroe or Alexandria for a rotation, but you probably will have to go to BR or Lafayette if you go to NO. I have 10 weeks in BR myself this year.

As far as housing, Shreveport is much cheaper than NO. It is a different housing market as well. New Orleans has little in the way of traditional apartment complexes, while Shreveport has tons. Besides rent, cost of living is much the same either place (except car insurance is sky high in Orleans parish).

Thanks, I was going to ask about away rotations. I had talked to first years at both schools and was told that for Shreveport during my third year I would have to go to Monroe for 2 weeks when I was on OB. I also talked to someone in NOLA who like you said would have to go to BR or Lafayette.

I have been looking around for places to live at and you are right that the cost of living is pretty much the same in both places but that you are more limited in apartment complexes in NOLA. There is a chance that I would live with my grandparents in NOLA the first year anyway to cut down on my costs. They live uptown and would be close enough to drive to school without a problem.

Also, I haven't heard about Step 1 prep courses in Shreveport yet but will definitely ask about that when I receive an interview up there. I would be curious to know what students thought about them that went. I am also curious about the blip in NOLA's scores the past two years because of what a 2nd year there told me. He told me currently less than 90% of the class passed Step 1 this year. I am trying to find out what Shreveport is at now because I know that a few years ago they also had less than 90% pass. I know that I seem to obsess over Step 1 scores but I would like to do something competitive and know that I would need to do well on Step 1 to do so, making this a big factor.

 

[mfrizzo3]

Thanks, I was going to ask about away rotations. I had talked to first years at both schools and was told that for Shreveport during my third year I would have to go to Monroe for 2 weeks when I was on OB. I also talked to someone in NOLA who like you said would have to go to BR or Lafayette.

I have been looking around for places to live at and you are right that the cost of living is pretty much the same in both places but that you are more limited in apartment complexes in NOLA. There is a chance that I would live with my grandparents in NOLA the first year anyway to cut down on my costs. They live uptown and would be close enough to drive to school without a problem.

Also, I haven't heard about Step 1 prep courses in Shreveport yet but will definitely ask about that when I receive an interview up there. I would be curious to know what students thought about them that went. I am also curious about the blip in NOLA's scores the past two years because of what a 2nd year there told me. He told me currently less than 90% of the class passed Step 1 this year. I am trying to find out what Shreveport is at now because I know that a few years ago they also had less than 90% pass. I know that I seem to obsess over Step 1 scores but I would like to do something competitive and know that I would need to do well on Step 1 to do so, making this a big factor.

I am pretty sure that your STEP 1 score will be due to your individual effort. There are some pretty solid study strategies throughout SDN that will be handy once your STEP 1 rolls around. Also, when choosing between NOLA and S'Port make sure you put heavy emphasis on where you will be happiest. I am from S'Port and chose NOLA because I could not fathom another four years there. Others will be the exact opposite.

 

[bonesmd]

My class was supposed to be the rejects (post-k) and we have had the best step scores recently. It is all about personal effort in my opinion. The last 2 years apparently ppl have been taking a prep couse and those are the ones not passing. I am not sure how true that is, but I know if you study hard on your own for a couple weeks you will do more than fine on step 1.