Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Computer Support Specialists
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Baton Rouge Community College, Southeastern Louisiana University, LSU, and Bossier Parish Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider LSU Alexandria, Southeastern Louisiana University, Loyola University, and LSU Shreveport.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Delta School of Business and Technology and Our Lady of Holy Cross College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Southern University at New Orleans, Grambling State, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Southern University at Shreveport.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Loyola University, Louisiana Tech, Southern University at Shreveport, and Bossier Parish Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Tulane University of Louisiana, Grambling State, Loyola University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Dillard, Grambling State, Loyola University, and Tulane University of Louisiana.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Tulane University of Louisiana, Loyola University, and LSU.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Tulane University of Louisiana, Grambling State, Dillard, and Southeastern Louisiana University.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Dillard, Loyola University, Tulane University of Louisiana, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Northwestern State University Of Louisiana • Natchitoches, LA
Studying Mathematics, Physics (completion in 2006)
• 9/11/2011
"It was an experience never to be forgotten, the lessons have aided in every step of my life. I would trade nothing for my time at NSU nor could I ask for more than NSU offered in any way."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Why anyone would pursue a career in technical support is beyond me, but upon completing even a year of the Math and Physics curriculum at NSU, any student would feel that such work is beneath their skills. I would recommend a different university for direct study of Computer Science, but such is overkill for simple tech support. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | NSU is downright revered in this state for the amazing quality of work produced by students and faculty alike. NSU may not be a big name in physics nor math, but in the circles of higher-rated professionals, it is a household name. NSU has hosted more than its share of Nobel prize holders as compared to other universities using guests per students as a metric. |
| Program Quality | 10 | While studying Mathematics and Physics at NSU, proficiency with technology is encouraged (unlike many other universities). NSU recognizes that today's mathematicians and scientists have tools at their disposal the quality and power of which are unprecedented. It is their hope that field advancements will take place as a direct result of student innovations in technology. As a consequence, their students are extremely well-versed in the use of numerous technologies and acquire skills above and beyond their respective fields. |
| Instruction | 10 | The Mathematics and Physics programs at NSU are so small that it is not uncommon to find one or two students in an upper-level class, yet the faculty persists in providing support for the programs. Research opportunities are plentiful, and the work done by faculty and students is performed with a level of ethics and quality that I have not personally seen from anywhere else. Instruction is far above par due to the time allowed for one-on-one sessions with professors that it would be a wonder if any university could compete. |
| How Difficult | 10 | When I began, I was a Mathematics major specifically to address weaknesses in my own intellect. I could scarcely multiply without stopping to think about it. These programs were chosen precisely for their challenge, and they delivered. I worked very hard, and by the time I reached advanced courses, I was surprised to have made it so far. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | One would hope that in any physics curriculum, a proper mix of book and lab work is coupled with research. In mathematics, book work IS hands-on work. As for technology, it couldn't get any more hands-on, though book-learning for technology is left to the student to find and engage. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | With very few students receiving support from such a great faculty, it is only reasonable that considerations would be made for the instructors' schedules. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | NSU's science-related departments and facilities are terribly under-funded and it shows. |
| Social Life | 10 | Every opportunity is given for students to engage in absolutely every thing a student may wish to participate in to build a resume and acquire experience in their field. Again I stress the abundance of research opportunities. |
| Placement Services | 1 | Louisiana has what must be the poorest job market in the United States. Students are encouraged to leave the state upon graduation from their first day of class. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | In Louisiana, the job market is corrupt and broken. Alumni networks do very little to overcome nepotism, greed, and long-standing networks. For anyone not born and raised here, becoming more than an outsider to any employer is beyond difficult (with the medical industries as the one exception). |
McNeese State University • Lake Charles, LA
Studying Computer Science -> Basic Studies (completion in 2009)
• 9/26/2011
"I love my job, and am very thankful for the education I received. Looking back I wish I had taken more advantage of other things while I was there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Since the coursework has been revised since I graduated, I would not hesitate to recommend it to another person. Overall the instructors were caring and helpful and wanted you to succeed. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | McNeese is a small school. In the local community most everyone is a graduate from McNeese. |
| Program Quality | 4 | The program was originally too math intensive (this has been fixed). Education was trailing by a few years (not up to date on the latest technology). |
| Instruction | 5 | There was not much information on career opportunities. Information was relevant but not always up to date. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Before switching majors, the CompSci program at MSU was very math intensive. This has since been fixed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Some classes were great and the instructor challenged students in creative ways. Others involved reading straight from the book with little hands on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | McNeese had many courses available throughout the semesters. Some classes, however, specifically those senior level classes for majors, are normally taught only during the traditional Spring/Fall semesters during the day. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There were many computer labs in the CompSci building open from around 7a-12a daily (excluding Sundays). Most advisers had reasonable hours for meeting with students. |
| Social Life | 1 | I did not participate in social activities while in school. The community was there but I did not use it. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There was very little information provided about job placement. There was a career services department but I never could catch them when someone was in the office. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The alumni network for MSU is very active. I have not personally done anything with the alumni. |
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana • Natchitoches, LA
Studying Math And Physics (Two Programs) (completion in 2006)
• 1/26/2012
"Throughout the course of this survey, I have provided many examples to explain my rating."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | You do not need a degree to be a computer support specialist. The only relation of a degree to that field is that the field provides jobs to people who don't get to use their degrees. I would not recommend coming to Louisiana for any reason whatsoever. |
| Program Reputation | The Physics program no longer exists at NSULA. The Mathematics program has an extremely good reputation for having produced outstanding research. | |
| Program Quality | 10 | It was great before the governor decided to destroy the Chemistry and Physics programs because he feels they conflict with the message of the Church. Yay Louisiana! |
| Instruction | 10 | One of my professors was an understudy on a Nobel. I got to do research in a NASA program. I met Murray Gel-Mann. This shows how much the scientific community was reaching out to Louisiana, but whoops! Some governor (I know his name but he doesn't deserve mention) decided without any knowledge of science that it conflicts with his beliefs. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Level of difficulty on this scale would be 5 + 5/S where S is a metric indicating the amount of effort put into study. In other words, if you put the work into it that is due the field, then it is not so bad. If you are lazy, you will fail. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Classwork and lab work were well-balanced, as they are at any university. Combine this with independent research, interdisciplinary research, and student research opportunity organizations, and we had plenty of time with books and hands on work to research the research we researched. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Neither program boasted a large number of students. Consequently, classes were usually offered on one schedule only. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I can remember ordering a paper from the University of Romania, and I got it the next day -- translated to English for me. It's not the number of computers that makes the difference; it's the people around to network with. |
| Social Life | 10 | The social experience was outstanding without the need for artificial socialization through such things as "school spirit," athletics, etc. People would get together and have intelligent conversations; that is, would speak in such a manner as to accomplish more with their words than throaty grunts or random combinations of words. It was an excellent opportunity to experience a phenomenon that will likely cease to be witnessed in the wild, the way things seem to be going these days. |
| Placement Services | 1 | This is Louisiana. You see, first there would have to be jobs that hire learned folk before a university could place graduates there. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | My old professors still contact me from time to time. I still write to the faculty. Students, though, don't keep in touch. The smart ones leave the state and forget they were ever here as best they can. |
Delgado Community College • New Orleans, LA
Studying IT Services (completion in 2005)
• 3/26/2012
"It was a dead end. Very little information was useful as on the job training and motivation to continue working while at home kept me advancing more than their curriculum allowed."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | The current leader in IT service training and computer specialist training is the University of New Orleans, and it provides better workflow/creative social environments to meet the needs of the technical developer. Delgado was meant to be a go between school. |
| Program Reputation | 2 | The school's website boasts learning and technical training but like every good sales pitch, the attitude and environment change once your tuition is paid. I found the teachers mispronouncing basic words, which led me to believe the teachers are filling a spot and simply taking a check rather than promoting the critical thinking process. |
| Program Quality | 4 | Delgado Community College is limited in Developmental Programming due to the level of equipment available. I relocated for a time to Los Angeles area to pursue more focused training in post production for audio and video. |
| Instruction | 3 | The school provided a basic understanding of simple programs and programming. It wasn't until I worked in Los Angeles that I was exposed to a higher level of a technical social environment and cutting edge proprietary software used in post production due to the cost of living and economical differences between Los Angeles and New Orleans. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I took classes amidst a day work schedule as an IT specialist and found the curriculum less than challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Hands on work was a joke. I have heard that it has been upgraded significantly but my main memory was the constant system failures when trying to learn Visual Basic. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | They made classes available for most people's schedules. Applying to the widest schedules and average work hours allowed them to gain the most students to increase revenue. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | A computer lab was available at the time of my attendance but was lacking in computing power and systems seemed to not have the versatility of the basic home consumer systems. |
| Social Life | 2 | I went to school in the evening. I made a few friends and some acquaintances who I would build towers for, as it was cheaper to assemble a computer than to purchase at retail prices. |
| Placement Services | 2 | Delgado is used by most primarily as a stepping stone to another scholastic program and/or university. Its evening courses are taught and attended by people who don't want to be there. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | The school is a community college. Most people there are using it as a stepping stone or a way to attain a basic degree between family and work obligations. Most people I met were not overly social but more adept at completing the tasks and then going home. |
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