[jeagle82]

Yeah, I think commuting every day would be a pain in the ass. I know I wouldn't want to do it. I have a friend that lives in Metairie, which is still close, that got into LSU Medical School and starts this fall, and even he is relocating to somewhere closer to downtown or uptown.

I believe each class is comprised of 60 people, but I'm not 100% positive. I think that is what Stephanie (a nice woman in the CARE program admissions office that I spoke with prior to applying) said. It IS a lot larger than I had picture. I would have thought it would be closer to 25-30 max.

Our orientation is August 10 or 11 right? Is that with all of the regular undergraduates or with the graduate level students? I know there are 2 different orientation dates for each, just not sure which one ours is.

[altbsn2010]

I'm not sure when orientation is. I haven't heard anything from them yet, other than my admission letter. Are you getting this information from the website? I would imagine we would be with the regular undergrads whenever theirs is, since we'll pretty much be starting at the same time as them, at least for the first semester before things get completely crazy.

I was thinking the class would be more like 30, too. I'm surprised to hear it'll be as high as 60, but it'll still be great either way.

[rpgtr2bRN]

I am currently in the CARE program right now, near finishing up the first class of Block III.

The program is working out the kinks, as we were the first large group. We had 44 starting in the fall of last year, and we are down to about 33 right now. I anticipate the end of this course (Adult Health Nursing I) we will lose a few more.

You will have your first semester with the traditional students and move at a regular semester pace. Be prepared to move at a very fast pace starting in mid-December, right after anatomy and physiology complete. If you need advice on physiology or any course thereafter let me know.

In any case, good luck to the new CARE class. I'll be in ICU
(Adult Health II) when you guys start in the fall. Don't hesitate to contact me here or at rprege@lsuhsc.edu

-Ray

[jeagle82]

Hey Ray,

Thanks for the run-down. It's nice to hear from those that are currently in the CARE program or have already completed it. I was surprised to hear that you only started with 44 students, as I was told from a woman named Stephanie that 60 students were accepted every year. Even more surprising is that you are now down to 33 (10 less) only after 2 semesters. Are people just quitting?

Anyways, I'm anxious to get going in the program. Do you know if you take A&P with the 1st year medical students? I have a few friends entering LSU med school as 1st years this fall, and it would be great if we all could take a couple of classes together.

-Justin

[Chapookie]

Bit off topic here, but how much is your GPA from your first bachelor's weighted in admission? I graduated with a 3.12 but that was only because I wasn't focused, motivated, nor interested - I was just excpected to go to college and just wanted to graduate! 10 years later, I am fully focused, have a 4.0 on all the pre-reqs I've taken, and am thinking of the CARE program. Will that low GPA, hinder me, or should I just explain in my essays and/or interviews why it is what it is?

Thanks

[jeagle82]

Originally Posted by Chapookie

Bit off topic here, but how much is your GPA from your first bachelor's weighted in admission? I graduated with a 3.12 but that was only because I wasn't focused, motivated, nor interested - I was just excpected to go to college and just wanted to graduate! 10 years later, I am fully focused, have a 4.0 on all the pre-reqs I've taken, and am thinking of the CARE program. Will that low GPA, hinder me, or should I just explain in my essays and/or interviews why it is what it is?

Thanks

They actually just take your pre-req GPA (i.e. the GPA of all the pre-req courses for the CARE program). So, my overall GPA was 3.5. I slacked Freshman year and first half of my Sophomore year (partied too much!) but got 4.0 the last 2 1/2 years. However, they took my pre-req GPA and it ended up being 3.8 or something like that, and that is what they go by.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll post them to the best of my ability!

-Justin

[UDTony]

hey everyone....

I just discovered this website. I too am starting the CARE program this fall (Aug 08) and just wanted to connect with some of you before hand.

jeagle and altbsn....are you from NOLA? where are you going to live during the program? I am moving from out of state - way out of state - Utah and am a bit anxious about pulling into town and looking for a place. Anyone have an inside scoop on the housing situation in and around New Orleans? Any one thinking of living on campus in Stanislaus or Residence? Any suggestions as to which neighborhoods to live in? or ones to avoid?

Like I said, I have lived in UT for the past few years leading outdoor wilderness trips. My interest in wilderness medicine has sparked my desire to apply for the CARE program. I am originally from Ohio and have lived in San Diego and Phoenix since graduating college.

I am pretty revved up for the program to start...I am pretty pumped this next phase of my life is almost here! Any feedback would be cool from anyone starting the program or even currently in the program...

If you would prefer to email me directly, that is cool too....

anthonyowatkins@hotmail.com

-Anthony

[jeagle82]

Originally Posted by UDTony

hey everyone....

I just discovered this website. I too am starting the CARE program this fall (Aug 08) and just wanted to connect with some of you before hand.

jeagle and altbsn....are you from NOLA? where are you going to live during the program? I am moving from out of state - way out of state - Utah and am a bit anxious about pulling into town and looking for a place. Anyone have an inside scoop on the housing situation in and around New Orleans? Any one thinking of living on campus in Stanislaus or Residence? Any suggestions as to which neighborhoods to live in? or ones to avoid?

Like I said, I have lived in UT for the past few years leading outdoor wilderness trips. My interest in wilderness medicine has sparked my desire to apply for the CARE program. I am originally from Ohio and have lived in San Diego and Phoenix since graduating college.

I am pretty revved up for the program to start...I am pretty pumped this next phase of my life is almost here! Any feedback would be cool from anyone starting the program or even currently in the program...

If you would prefer to email me directly, that is cool too....

anthonyowatkins@hotmail.com

-Anthony

Hey Anthony!

Congrats on getting into the program for this Fall 2008! I am actually not from New Orleans originally, but my wife is, and I lived down there for 5-6 years before the storm and know the city very well. You're definitely making a HUGE trek across the country to attend LSU. Mind if I ask what drew you to the CARE program? I find most people look for options closer to them, typically, or at least in cities that they are somewhat familiar with.

My wife and I are in the process of buying a house in Uptown New Orleans (one of the most desirable places to live), and I'm actually flying down there tomorrow for the inspection. Assuming that goes well, the house is ours!

Not sure if you're looking to rent or to buy, but the market for both of those in New Orleans is great right now. Post-Katrina, many investors bought up houses, duplexes, etc and rennovated them and are now looking to rent them out. Even previous owners who no longer live there, and are unable to sell are resorting to renting their houses out. So, your options will be plentiful. I suggest getting in touch with rental agencies (i.e. Latter and Blum) and also check out NewOrleans.CraigsList.com and click on rental properties.

Places I would avoid are New Orleans East (got hit VERY hard by the storm and is still fairly desolate), certain areas of the West Bank (on the other side of the river from New Orleans) and areas near Carrollton that are too far north (S. Claiborne and higher). Obviously Uptown is the most desirable. It is made up of Tchoupitoulas on the south side, Carrollton on the West Side, Fontainebleau on the north side and Jackson on the east side. If Uptown is out of your budget, decent alternatives are River Ridge/Harahan (about 7-10 miles west), Metairie (10 miles north/north west), Algiers Point (quick ferry ride across the river from downtown).

If you're looking to buy, let me know and I can get you in touch with our Agent. She is super sweet, very efficient and has MANY connections all over the city and can get you the best deal on everything!

I'm glad to see people from all over the country coming to New Orleans. It's a city that my wife and I just love and we're excited to be a part of the rebuilding process over the next few years!

Anthony, feel free to e-mail me (jeagle82@gmail.com) or even give me a call if you have any more questions about the city (e-mail me for my phone number).

Again, congrats on getting into the CARE program. I'm super excited to get started and having the whole FALL 2008 class over to our house for a Crawfish Boil and Cook Out!

-Justin

[UDTony]

Justin,

Thanks for the congrats...I am pretty stoked about it all. For the first time (I think ever), I am actually excited for school to start!

I looked at a bunch of programs and after all the applications were sent the CARE program just seemed like the best fit. From what I read and hear, the city is still rebuilding in the health care field so in some ways it is an honor to be apart of that rebirth.

I have only been to the NOLA area once and enjoyed it so I am ready for the new adventures in that respect as well.

I am definitely looking to just rent for now until I get down there and check things out. I keep hearing about the market down there though. I might get a bit more serious about it once I am there.

Thanks for the heads up on the neighborhoods. I think I am going to focus on uptown and mid-city. That area seems like my kind of crowd. Unfortunately, I think I am just going to wait until I arrive in NOLA in early August and scramble about looking for a place. Hopefully all those undergrads at Tulane won't beat me to the good deals! It might be a bit stressful this way but I don't want to agree to something over the web and end up stuck in a nightmare of a lease. I have been scouting out craigslist pretty avidly the past few weeks. It is great to see that craigslist is active and popular down there!

Congrats to you as well and I am gonna go ahead and RVSP in advance for that cook out!

I look forward to meeting you in the fall.

Anthony