Canadians upgrading in the states before applying

[dgundy]

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Has anyone heard of Canadians heading to the states to finish undergrad before applying? We have a pretty steady stream of students leaving alberta with their 3.0-3.4 hoping to get a 3.8+ at BYU, Weber State, etc before applying to US dental schools. One of the dentists I have shadowed did this before going to Louisville (His undergrad stats: 2 years Alberta 3.1, 2 years Weber State 3.9). Any comments?

 

[Ital91]

Are you implying that it is easier to get a higher GPA at some american schools?

 

[dgundy]

Are you implying that it is easier to get a higher GPA at some american schools?

I think it is abundantly clear what my post was implying. Please take note that my dentist made the suggestion and there are others that are transferring down to the states as we speak. I have no personal experience with the matter and I am only looking for feedback.

 

[Ital91]

I agree with your original post. I think there are certain schools in the US where the quality of students is lower and as a result it is easier to attain a higher GPA. Aside from the premier american schools, the entrance statistics are lower than at virtually all canadian universities.

 

[diane07]

some state schools may require pre-requisites to have been done at a US college/university (example: UIC)

but canadians usually apply to private schools so then it doesn't matter where you did your pre-requisites

 

[NewMexDent]

Has anyone heard of Canadians heading to the states to finish undergrad before applying? We have a pretty steady stream of students leaving alberta with their 3.0-3.4 hoping to get a 3.8+ at BYU, Weber State, etc before applying to US dental schools. One of the dentists I have shadowed did this before going to Louisville (His undergrad stats: 2 years Alberta 3.1, 2 years Weber State 3.9). Any comments?

I think the increase in GPA probably has less to do with the school and more to do with the student. Most people, regardless of where they attend, have a better GPA towards the end of their education. I go to BYU and my GPA from the first two years is around a 3.2, but the last the years it's around a 3.9 - and I didn't transfer down from Canada - what does that mean? Did the school get easier or did I improve my study habits?

I would think that the decision to attend BYU or Weber State has a lot more to do with other factors then to improve one's GPA.

 

[ColdFish]

I am a canadian who transfered to BYU. I went to Mount royal for 1 semester. I didn't leave because I thought it would be easier but I was told by the college advisors at MRC that that my chances were better getting into a US dental school over a Canadian school. And they said that attending a US undergrad woiuld improve my chances even more.

In my opinion there are much easier schools than BYU, it is a tough program. However in general, the main differences between the US and Canada seem to be:
1 Grading on a curve is not as common in the US and if a teacher chooses to use it, it is as a help to the student. In Canada it is to own you and show how stupid you are in comparison to the teacher.
2. The US is all about multiple choice. Even for classes you wouldn't expect. And if you know how to take a M.C. test that could be an advantage.

Remember this is only one persons experiance at one Canadian and one US school

 

[jazzyb]

I am a canadian who transfered to BYU. I went to Mount royal for 1 semester. I didn't leave because I thought it would be easier but I was told by the college advisors at MRC that that my chances were better getting into a US dental school over a Canadian school. And they said that attending a US undergrad woiuld improve my chances even more.

In my opinion there are much easier schools than BYU, it is a tough program. However in general, the main differences between the US and Canada seem to be:
1 Grading on a curve is not as common in the US and if a teacher chooses to use it, it is as a help to the student. In Canada it is to own you and show how stupid you are in comparison to the teacher.
2. The US is all about multiple choice. Even for classes you wouldn't expect. And if you know how to take a M.C. test that could be an advantage.

Remember this is only one persons experiance at one Canadian and one US school

I definitely agree with your first point. I know a prof who actually told me that even if the prof says they dont scale, they do scale. Also they are only allowed to have ~5-10% of the class have 90+. So they either scale or they make the test hard. Furthermore, im doing a biochem major and in 2nd yr we had 150 kids in the program and they only allow 130 to continue on. So 20 ppl have to b failed/left behind.