<p>The problem is not with LSU it is with the Louisiana Public School system. From my own observation, the students who do really well most of the time come from states in Texas or elsewhere. Since Texas has a great education system those students do really well, especially when it comes to the engineering programs. You really see the difference, and there is a significant gap in the level of HS school there and HS here. A large gap at that. So much of a gap, that while the texas students will finish the engineering program in 4 years, it takes the louisiana students atleast 5-6 depending on what school they came from in Louisiana. I will say though, that the Baton Rouge area students seem significantly more prepared than the surrounding parishes. It shows up in the test scores.</p>