Loyola University, New Orleans

  • Thread starter Thread starter lilred5
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lilred5

Guest
I live in Louisiana and I’m looking at colleges but I either need to stay in-state or really close to it. I’ve been seriously looking at Loyola in New Orleans, I have an upcoming tour there :), and would really like opinions on this school. If anyone’s attended it or heard good/bad things about it could you please share? Also, any other colleges around this area with good Catholic organizations or whatever the particular term would be. 👍
 
Dear Lilred,

I am in higher education administration. I believe Loyola has a very good reputation but I am unfamiliar with this particular university to say anymore than that.

However, I can give you some good tips for making sure a college or university is right for you. First, many students make their decision based on the campus visit. While this visit is very important, remember that this visit is only a picture of the college or university at one moment in time and likely will be one that is presented very favorably to you. There is nothing wrong with this because all colleges and universities compete for students now and they all want to put their best face forward. But please do not make your decision based solely on one campus visit.

Meanwhile, the campus visit is very crucial. If you can identify some areas of study that you might be interested in (and I would check out two or three even if you have your mind already made up because people OFTEN change their mind from their first choice as a major), please go to those departments on campus and speak with some of the faculty or the department chairs to find out what kinds of things study in this field means at this university or college and what kind of opportunities this university or college will offer you if you study in this field there. The number and value of internships and coop experiences, which help tremendously in landing a job after graduation, can vary greatly from school to school. In addition, let’s say you are interested in educational psychologist with a goal of becoming a school psychologist. You may find that the department of educational psychology at the school or college you visit is not really interested in producing clinical psychologists; they are only interested in producing research psychologists. You will be better off going to a school that pursues the things in your field of interest that you find interesting or challenging.

Be sure and talk with some of the students while you are there…not just the ones who are official guides…but the ones you see just walking around campus…ask them what their experiences are like there and most importantly if they had the chance to choose again, would they choose this particular school or college and why or why not?

Be sure you see if your credentials from your high school days match up with the area you want to study in at a particular college or university. Let us say that you are interested in a field that requires Calculus I and II in high school and you only studied Calculus I. This would not necessarily mean you should not choose this school but realize if you have to take any additional courses for any major, it will necessitate your spending more time and money on college. You may be able to take the course(s) you are missing at a local community college to defray costs and time spent.

Then, get a general feel for the campus. Does this look like a place you would feel comfortable in? Most students want to have experiences with diverse people and groups when they go to college but most also want to see students that are similar to them in some ways so that their comfort level is secure. You can visit some Catholic universities and colleges right now that are Catholic in name only and if your faith is very important to you you may find that you feel very uncomfortable on this campus because many of the instructors are non-Catholic and actually do not like the Catholic church all that much.
One of my colleagues’ sons did not want to go to an Ivy League school because at this particular Ivy League school in his chosen field of study a vast percentage of the students were from India. While he certainly had nothing against this people due to their background, he just wanted to go more places where there were more people of his ethnicity. In other words, he was not being racist, he just wanted to have more friends who shared some common cultural backgrounds with hiim.

You might visit some of the student support areas also and see how friendly and welcoming they are.

Finally, lilred, there are many fine colleges and universities and many fine Catholic organizations at many of these colleges and universities. I am sure you will find the place that is meant especially for you.

Symphonic
 
lilred5 said:
I live in Louisiana and I’m looking at colleges but I either need to stay in-state or really close to it. I’ve been seriously looking at Loyola in New Orleans, I have an upcoming tour there :), and would really like opinions on this school. If anyone’s attended it or heard good/bad things about it could you please share? Also, any other colleges around this area with good Catholic organizations or whatever the particular term would be. 👍
Click to expand...
My nephew who is 26, went there for his undergrad degree and now he teaches there as a professor, he went to a different college for his PhD. He received teacher of the year last year at Loyola! 👍 He is very picky academically speaking, and he loved attending this school–he loves New Orleans, in general. Good luck in your search, I think this would be a good choice.
 
lilred5,

This is my first post on the forum, but thought that I could add to this post as I have grown up in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and am aware of some of the problems with Loyola.

Let me start by saying that Loyola is academically a fine institution. However, it is terrible as a Catholic institution. Like many other so-called Catholic universities it has vered far from it’s Catholic roots. The Archbishop has pretty much all but said that it is Catholic in name only. Loyola’s Law school has presented honorary doctorates to some of the Landrieu family (prominent, liberal, pro-choice politicians). The president of NOW has been invited to speak on the campus on numerous occasions. The “V” Monologues were presented on campus (These may have been cancelled due to protests. I don’t remember exactly.) The theology department is non-existent and has been replaced by a “religious studies” department.

So my advice is that if you are looking for a CATHOLIC education stay far away. Save your money and go to a public institution where at least you won’t be taught heresy. However, if you do decide to attend Loyola or any of the other universities in the New Orleans area, know that there are many oppurtunities for young adult fellowship and that this Archdiocese has a rich spiritual heritage. Be sure to take advantage of it.

Peace and blessings,
JLC in NOLA
 
*Sadly, I agree with the above poster, as it relates to the Catholic-ity of this university. My nephew has fallen away from the faith, and thus, this is immaterial to him. 😦 But, for a good education, it’s quite good. *
 
Try to remember that if your looking for the perfect hardcore religious school, you might need to sacrafice academic standing. I attended a secular school, but in general tried to hang out with people who shared my values.

Keep that in mind.
 
Get in touch with FOCUS for schools that can provide a good Catholic environment.

I have heard that Texas A&M has a wonderful Neumann society.
 
Yea, I have heard that Loyola doesn’t uphold to its identity very well but it does have good education, in a good diocease, and presents the chance for some great opportunities. I went to a retreat held by LSU students before and it was great but I’d rather be known by my name and not a number before I reach my junior year :rolleyes:. Symphonic and JCL, thank you for your info! College searching is so bothersome ;).
 
Try looking at two orthodox Catholic schools next door in texas - the University of St. Thomas in Houston and the University of Dallas. Both have outstanding academic programs and are recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as authentically Catholic schools.
 
It’s a beautiful small campus in a fascinating but rather dangerous city. Tulane is right next door, and provides supplemental opportunities such as library, courses, campus space, etc.

But it all really comes down to what you want in a school. It isn’t cheap, by any means, and would not reasonably be thought of as orthodox in its Catholicity. It is far from the academic calibre of a Notre Dame or the Catholicity of a University of Dallas.

But as a physically attractive, rather expensive school of middling credentials in a city that can be fun for young people, it’s not bad at all.
 
Thank you all for your opinions.
I visited the college and frankly, I loved it. I really hope to be able to study abroad and do the summer camp programs in Jamaica.
In all actuality it comes down to the experience you make out of it.
I also have the chance to get a full ride scholarship :extrahappy: that I need to apply for in December so please pray for me!
 
lilred5 said:
Thank you all for your opinions.
I visited the college and frankly, I loved it. I really hope to be able to study abroad and do the summer camp programs in Jamaica.
In all actuality it comes down to the experience you make out of it.
I also have the chance to get a full ride scholarship :extrahappy: that I need to apply for in December so please pray for me!
Click to expand...
I doubt that Loyola would make a list of strictly “orthodox” Catholic universities. That said, I know quite a number of committed young Catholics (pro-life, faithful to Church teachings) who have attended Loyola for undergrad and grad programs and who are just as strong in their faith as ever.

New Orleans is a very Catholic city in its heritage; if you don’t find what you need at Loyola, you’re not far from numerous parishes.

Congratulations on what is evidently a stellar academic record, and best of luck for your full scholarship. I’ll keep your intention in my prayers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top