CSU vs. Cornell: Academic Program

[boxerluvr]

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So I've been doing a bit of researching lately on which vet schools I'd like to apply to, and it's really driving me nuts. There are so many elements to look at (location, tuition, programs, etc.), not to mention that I live in NJ and don't have an in-state school. I visited Cornell and love the idea of problem-based learning; it really appealed to me, as I enjoy sitting down and working through problems. I also like the fact that it's closer to home than most of the schools. My other top choice would be CSU, but I have yet to visit the campus and get an idea of what their academics are like. At the moment both would cost me OOS, but I'm considering living in CO for a year before applying and working for a vet my family's connected with, which would get me IS tuition for CSU, as well as a ton of great experience.

Anyone have any personal experience with CSU and have a taste of what their teaching style is like? I can't seem to find this sort of thing in other threads. Is it more lecture-based and independent, or does it have a flair of group-based things such as Cornell's PBL? Any other pros/cons would be appreciated as well, though I know that that can be found on other forums. Thanks!

 

[hai1983]

Anyone have any personal experience with CSU and have a taste of what their teaching style is like? I can't seem to find this sort of thing in other threads. Is it more lecture-based and independent, or does it have a flair of group-based things such as Cornell's PBL? Any other pros/cons would be appreciated as well, though I know that that can be found on other forums. Thanks!

First, the official links:
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ns/_docs/students/dvm_term_schedule.pdf
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ns/students/future_students/dvm_degree_program.aspx

My personal experience is limited to one visit, which included a tour of the first year facilities and the hospital, as well as a meeting in admissions, so take all of this with a huge grain of salt.

I think the Foundations class may include some PBL. PBL is not the focus of the program, though. Personally, I don't want to learn through PBL, and I like that CSU isn't focused on it.

My tour guides were very happy with the faculty, and they made it sound like the school makes a real effort to respond to student feedback. There's a new exam room in the first year building where students can practice doing physical exams. You have to BYOP (bring your own pet 🙂), but the room exists because students wanted to be able to actually lay hands on animals during the first year. Their anatomy software is really cool, too.

If you are serious about CSU, I think moving there to establish residency makes a lot of sense. It'll save you $20,000+/year, plus your chances of getting in go way up. I think in the past 3 years they've accepted ~3% of OOS (my math could be wrong, feel free to correct me).

Again, all of this is based on website reading and one visit, and I'm sure someone who goes to CSU will be able to answer your questions far better than I can.

 

[orcagirl]

I have visited only once as well. I think there is a little bit of problem based learning. I actually attended a couple of classes (1st, 2nd, and 3rd year). The first year class I attended was more didactic. The second year class was a little of both, I guess you could say. The information was presented and then cases were given within the same class to reinforce the material. It was pretty similar in the third year class, though the class I sat in on they were given cases and had to figure out what might be going on. It was guided, but pretty fun.

I do also have a friend going to Cornell. She started last year. She was telling me that their classes are done in blocks. Like there can be three weeks in one block and six in the next. It seemed a little less routine than the semesters at CSU. Personally I know that would bother me, but it's really up to you.

 

[j5k]

Also a NJ native, I went through Cornell's DVM program. We complained about PBL a bit, but that was a while ago. I feel that PBL is great - it gets you to think like a clinician early on, and helps you to find information.

One of my friends went to CSU for undergrad and then Cornell for DVM. He has glowing things to say about both. As far as universities, you can't go wrong with either it sounds like.

For me, Cornell was an amazing experience - I highly recommend it, but then again, I don't know any other programs as well as I do Cornell's.