[MitchF]

Anybody knows anything about the ULL accelerated option? I know they accept ten students a semester but what gpa's are needed?

[Peachy720]

Hi Mitch!

I'm going to UL right now, but plan to attend another accelerated nursing program.

You are right in that they accept 10 students. They SAY a 3.0 is sufficient, but a 3.7 was the lowest GPA of the most recent incoming class. The thing that I don't like about UL is that they do not look at the overall applicant: volunteer hours/work experience does not count, they will not consider letters of recommendation, they do not figure out your pre-req GPA, science GPA, or last 60 hours GPA..only overall.

One other thing that made me leery of staying at UL is that, while the recruiting office will tell you that they're ranked in the top 3 nursing schools of the nation (something I've never found evidence for), I've heard that the staff at Lourdes is said to dread new UL nurses because although they are so well-prepared bookwise, they have not been given the clinical exposure that they need.

I know there are some Ragin Cajun nurses on here. I hope I am not offending you guys. I know that the classes are hard (Alciatore and Antley have scarred me for life! ) and that you bust your butt. Rather, I have had 10-years experience with USL/UL, and have had nothing but headache, and it is them that my frustrations are directed.

Oh! Also, one of my friends has just been admitted to the accelerated program, yet she can't get into any of the classes she needs. Go figure!

Good luck! If you'd like a couple other opinions, PM me and I can put you in contact with several in the accelerated program, a couple in the traditional, and a couple waiting for admission (they don't find out until 2 weeks before school starts!)

[Pharmasuetical]

thank you peachy for confirming what i had already predicted about this program. oh and dont forget, you have to sign a 3 year contract with one of the hospitals if you do the accelerated program. i was also told by a secretary in the UL nursing dept that i would have to re-apply EVERY semester! (i think she was mistaken but either way this statement did not impress me.) i'm so glad i'm not wasting my time over there.

Originally Posted by Peachy720

Hi Mitch!

I'm going to UL right now, but plan to attend another accelerated nursing program.

You are right in that they accept 10 students. They SAY a 3.0 is sufficient, but a 3.7 was the lowest GPA of the most recent incoming class. The thing that I don't like about UL is that they do not look at the overall applicant: volunteer hours/work experience does not count, they will not consider letters of recommendation, they do not figure out your pre-req GPA, science GPA, or last 60 hours GPA..only overall.

One other thing that made me leery of staying at UL is that, while the recruiting office will tell you that they're ranked in the top 3 nursing schools of the nation (something I've never found evidence for), I've heard that the staff at Lourdes is said to dread new UL nurses because although they are so well-prepared bookwise, they have not been given the clinical exposure that they need.

I know there are some Ragin Cajun nurses on here. I hope I am not offending you guys. I know that the classes are hard (Alciatore and Antley have scarred me for life! ) and that you bust your butt. Rather, I have had 10-years experience with USL/UL, and have had nothing but headache, and it is them that my frustrations are directed.

Oh! Also, one of my friends has just been admitted to the accelerated program, yet she can't get into any of the classes she needs. Go figure!

Good luck! If you'd like a couple other opinions, PM me and I can put you in contact with several in the accelerated program, a couple in the traditional, and a couple waiting for admission (they don't find out until 2 weeks before school starts!)

[spicynolanurse2B]

Originally Posted by Peachy720

Hi Mitch!

I'm going to UL right now, but plan to attend another accelerated nursing program.

You are right in that they accept 10 students. They SAY a 3.0 is sufficient, but a 3.7 was the lowest GPA of the most recent incoming class. The thing that I don't like about UL is that they do not look at the overall applicant: volunteer hours/work experience does not count, they will not consider letters of recommendation, they do not figure out your pre-req GPA, science GPA, or last 60 hours GPA..only overall.

One other thing that made me leery of staying at UL is that, while the recruiting office will tell you that they're ranked in the top 3 nursing schools of the nation (something I've never found evidence for), I've heard that the staff at Lourdes is said to dread new UL nurses because although they are so well-prepared bookwise, they have not been given the clinical exposure that they need.

I know there are some Ragin Cajun nurses on here. I hope I am not offending you guys. I know that the classes are hard (Alciatore and Antley have scarred me for life! ) and that you bust your butt. Rather, I have had 10-years experience with USL/UL, and have had nothing but headache, and it is them that my frustrations are directed.

Oh! Also, one of my friends has just been admitted to the accelerated program, yet she can't get into any of the classes she needs. Go figure!

Good luck! If you'd like a couple other opinions, PM me and I can put you in contact with several in the accelerated program, a couple in the traditional, and a couple waiting for admission (they don't find out until 2 weeks before school starts!)

Which program are you planning to attend?

[hmn4999]

hi, I will finish my biology degree in this coming december. Can some one give me some advice about any nursing school that offer the same accelerated program? My over all GPA is around 3.5 but I heard the lowest accepted GPA was 3.7, make me feel little nervous.

[lizzieB05]

Hey guys!

I was just accepted into UL's accelerated program for 2005. My GPA is a 3.5...not a 3.7! You have to have certain pre-reqs to apply. I was lacking CHEM 125 so I am taking that this semester along with two nursing classes that the department already put me into. I didnt have to schedule anything but CHEM....the others I was automatically added to.

They do only accept 10 students each semester which is scary if you dont have a good GPA. You also have to sign a 3 year contract with one of the four hospitals around Lafayette. The hospital pays for eveything and there is usually a little left over after tuition and books. If you are planning to stay in the area it is a great way to get school paid for and have a job waiting for you when you are done. They also have a program to help you pay back old student loans once you are officially an employee.

I am excited about it all. I know it will be work but it will also be worth it for me. I have two years to go and I will have a great job, which is something my BS couldnt offer me.

I hope you all find what you are looking for though. Good Luck to you all!!

If my optomistism changes I will be the first to let you know.

[gosaints]

count the total number that graduate from this program bsn at ULL vs how many first applied. They will weed out as many as possible, then some, on their walls, count the number of students that graduated each sem. great program but similiar to the movie "Topgun" the best of the best will finish and the rest will quit or move on to another Nursing School. Make no doubts about it, The instructors will not give you the time of the day if they think you cannot perform your duties or cannot pass the State Exam. Several of my friends left this school to attend here in New Orleans.

[hmn4999]

I don't know what happen in the last semester, but this semester 3 out of 10 students I know had a background major in biology .

[Peachy720]

Let me give you a little example of the problems with UL.

One of the pre-reqs of almost every nursing school is Nutrition, right? At UL, they guard this class so heavily that it's ridiculous.

For the last two semesters, I have put my name on "the list." There are two pre-reqs for the class: A&P I and the Nursing Chemistry (Organic/Inorgan/BioChem). The first semester, they told me I needed to take their Chem, even though I already took the Chemistry Major's Chem. Keep in mind, I TOLD them at this time that I wouldn't be staying at UL, I'd be applying to JHU.

Fine. So last semester, I took the full 20 hours. A&P II, and the Chemistry included. Got all A's. Go to put my name on the list. NOW they say since I'm not planning on staying at UL, they can't possibly put my name on the list. After a bit, they let me "write a note" to attach to the list in case there are any openings.

So first day of classes today. I didn't get into JHU, so I am trying to decide between UL (free room and board and close to family) or Univ. of South Alabama (1 year, and not sure how they are, but know they're not as bad as UL). I call to find out if there are any openings for the Nutrition class. I explain that I'm not going to Maryland, and Nutrition is my last pre-req and I could start UL in the fall if I'm accepted. NOW they're telling me I can't take the class because I'm not an official nursing student (I'm getting my degree in Psych this semester). How in the ---- can you call it a pre-req if you won't let any non-nursing students take it??!?!??!?!

I am so mad/frustrated I can spit nails. I've had almost 10 years of experience with UL, and this is the final straw. My decision of where to go has just been made for me!

(the good thing is USA doesn't require Nutrition, but it would have been nice to have it out the way, so I could spend more time on my other classes and more time at home with my dog)

Ugh, what a way to start the first day of classes!!