Western Technical College - La Crosse

Great hardware store, and the food at the cafeteria was excellent!

The school misuses its funds, and as a result, the students face negative consequences.

The program only accepts a maximum of 24 students at a time, possibly 40 if you are willing to travel over an hour to one of their other locations. Some of these slots go to re-entry students who have failed a class and had to reapply, which further delays your chances. Expect to wait around two years after completing your prerequisites just to gain entry, as the petition system is so disorganized and non-competitive that all you need to do is fulfill the easy prerequisites and bide your time. If you are genuinely passionate about pursuing nursing—and not just looking for a quick two-year degree leading to a $60k salary—consider Western Washington University (WSU) or even Viterbo, where your hard work will be acknowledged and your grades truly matter. On the positive side, the courses offered are as rigorous as those at UWL, WSU, and Viterbo, and the instructors are generally excellent, knowledgeable, and supportive. Overall, I found the courses challenging and felt well-prepared for exams, retaining a significant amount of information. Some classes, such as Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, are definitely challenging and at a university level. While the trimester system feels fast-paced if you're accustomed to a semester system, you do adapt. Many of the programs, like the CNA program, are excellent and worth the investment, despite the chaos surrounding the nursing program.

Awesome programs, great faculty, great resources for getting you through school and starting your career.

Western is the best school I have been to! I wish it would be possible to get a bachelor's from Western. The trimester system is fantastic, the teachers are amazing, and the school is nice.