REALLY ODD Responses From LImestone College

So I was kinda exploring their CS degree and I wrote the program director and asked these questions:

"Is there any reason for no discrete math? I was just curious because most programs I see include it. Also do you have any links to reviews, or opinions about your program? Is the program fairly well accepted? How would you compare it to say a more traditional ABET type program?

I appreciate your time

--Todd M. Wood"

This is the odd response I got back:

"Discrete math: I do not have an answer that I can provide. I know why, but I cannot provide it.

The college is regionally accredited as hopefully you expect. I cannot make a comparison to an ABET program, but you can.

I know of no reviews and do not expect that there are any.

Doug Hulsey"

What do you guys make of this?

I had heard some say this is a good school, but this response throws red flags at me.

 

Sounds bizarre, cryptic, evasive....definitely some red flags.

 

Would definitely give me pause. Maybe shoot another query and ask for clarity...

 

OKay I sent another email. I didn't ask about the discrete math again because I don't have military clearance or whatever I would have to get in order to get an answer to such a secret question so I sent this replay:

"No reviews because your such a small school? At the very least do you personally feel that your program produces competitive graduates in the workforce?

--Todd M. Wood"

His Response

" cannot tell you why there have not been any reviews.

To my knowledge, graduates of the programming concentration in general have not had any difficulty in qualifying for employment.

Doug Hulsey"

I am really disappointed, I liked this school but this has pretty much turned me off.

 

Who cares what he says? Send off a message to career services. The placement statistics should speak for themselves on whether the education is good and well respected.

 

Xarick,

Grad of Limestone here, If you are looking to take that math class, try the virtual campus office. These people I have met face to face and they are very helpful.

800.795.7151 ask for:

Dr. Karen Gainey- V.P of academic affairs ext. 4504
or
Diana Bedenbaugh- associate director of extended campus ext. 85

Tell them of your problem and the math class you are seeking to take, maybe ask them to give you a contact for a math professor who may offer the course.

As far as the school goes, I have never met a student who reached a dead end on job placement. Its not Harvard, however I have never been refused entry into any graduate program.

Here was one school: http://www.converse.edu/CoEdGrad/
The often dreaded US News and World Report had them ranked within the top ten of the southeast.

Now dont get me wrong, I'm not a paid pitchman for Limestone, I think they can help you, there are many helpful people there... you just need the right one. If there is anything I can do let me know!
atb,
Gavin

 

Let me compare contrast here:
A while back I was also looking at Troy because they have a BS in Applied Computer Science. Overall I don't like their program as much because it lacks more theory, but I sent this email to their advisor:

"I am not currently enrolled in troy. Right now my CS pursuits are between Troy and a college Known as Limestone ( http://quarry1.limestone.edu/Block//ComputerScience-Programming.htm ). There are a few concerns I have with troy, but mostly it was the lack of a computer architecture course. I say this because of the many graduate programs I have looked into Comp Arch seems to be a prerequ. I was also comparing your online degree with your onsite CS degree and noticed it was offered there. "

This was his response:
"Mr. Wood,

Thanks for the reply. Keep a copy of this as my assurance to you that we will give you an opportunity to take a Computer Architecture course under the CS 4495 course option. I will more than likely assign a special instructor to teach the class. I am obviously prepared, but think I may have others that could present the course in a manner that would be of interest to you.

Stay in touch and let me know when you have applied and of your progress.

Good luck with your decision to pursue a CS degree and hopefully you will choose TROY for your education.

Let me know of any other way I can be of service.

Dr. Shehane
"

So you see the guy from Limestone is the CS advisor and look at the way he responds vs Troys advisor. The difference is stark.

 

I do not see Doug Hulsey's name on the Limestone website - perhaps he is an overworked clerk, with no customer service training, filling in while most of the school is on summer break.

 

He is listed on the CS Faculty webpage.

 

He's probably receiving dozens of emails every day and needs to reply like that in order to respond all of them. From my impression looking at their website, it is probably a good place to study and I don't see any red flag. But, like Xarick, I find it strange that they don't have discrete math in their computer science curricula.

 

Click here to see the degrees that are offered at Limestone College. His email doesn't look cryptic or evasive to me.

 

The Limestone website is sorely in need of a redesign. The current design looks like it is from 1996!

- Tom

 

more from the troy guy. I really like this guy.. such a stark contrast to the limestone Guy. So I asked the troy guy this:

"Thanks Ron If it would be okay I have just a couple more questions.

Your program includes Programming I, II ; Advanced Programming I, II ; Business Programming All of which I would be interested in taking. I was wondering what languages are taught in those classes.

Also since Troy offers both a traditional CS and the applied CS I figure your department gets asked for a lot of advice on which to go for. So I was wondering what would make a person choose the applied CS over the traditional? What would be the advantages of the applied CS program? What would be the disadvantages of the applied CS program? In what instance would a student be better off in the traditional program?

Thanks,
Todd M. Wood"

His reply:

Mr. Wood,

Answers to your questions are below:

1. Programming I, II - C++
Advanced Programming I - JAVA
Advanced Programming II - Visual Basic
Business Programming - COBOL
We of course also cover SQL and web development languages

2. Applied CS versus CS - Our applied program is the more traditional program that emphasizes the application of CS to business and applications such as programming, DB management, network development and management. The applied program is the more popular program and offered TROY wide. The CS program is more oriented toward computer engineering and theory and is offered by our Montgomery campus. The choice between these two programs is obviously dependent upon ones personal goals. Both of them suffice for preparation for an advanced degree - many of my Applied CS students have obtained advanced degrees in CS and CIS from other universities and are now instructors themselves. The choice is based upon whether you prefer theory or practice - although both cover theory also - one just more than the other.

I hope this helps and let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Ron Shehane, Ph.D.
CS Program Coordinator
Troy University, Southeast Region "

 

They also need a spellchecker.

New Campain to Restore Winnie Davis Website

http://www.limestone.edu/newsandevents.htm

 

Limestone College Awesome School

Hello,

I am a graduate of Limestone College. I have obtained my AA in Business (2011)and BA in Liberal Studies(2012). I just think you need to reach out to someone in advising and let them direct you from there. I have never had a problem with the college. I also am currently in Graduate school at Montreat College. I'm actually considering going back to Limestone for the MBA program. Trust me you have misguided individuals at every college or university. Hope this helps you to proceed with trying Limestone again. Good luck.

 

I'm sure original poster "Xarick" would be glad to see this response. Alas, it has been nearly seven years since he was active in this forum.