How important is class size?

[ematt768]

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Hey current vet students.

I am currently trying to make a choice between three schools. I was wondering how much class size contributes to the education. The school told me that because of their small size I would get much more hands on expereince and groups in clinics would be about three to four people.

Does that really make as big a difference as they claimed it does?

Thanks for your help.

 

[svendenhowser]

I believe it makes a huge difference. Mostly in practical situations, lectures it doesn't really matter. For instance with a group of 3 or 4 you would each have your own animal to work on and possibly a tutor for the small group, in a group of 20 you may have 1 animal between 6 or 7 people. (I'm talking live animals here, not ones for dissection if people are worried 😛).

Also it is soo much easier to ask questions and get the help you need in small groups, in a large group you would be lucky to find the tutor let alone get help from them.

 

[Emio]

Hey current vet students.

I am currently trying to make a choice between three schools. I was wondering how much class size contributes to the education. The school told me that because of their small size I would get much more hands on expereince and groups in clinics would be about three to four people.

Does that really make as big a difference as they claimed it does?

Thanks for your help.

granted, i don't REALLY know what i'm talking about here, because i've only ever attended one school and can't compare different class sizes 😉

however... my class is about 113, but we don't "suffer" during clinics because a school that accepts a large class usually has a large caseload. as such, during fourth year, each student will have 3-4 cases on their hands at one time. last summer, i talked to several students at the large animal hospital, and they often had up to 6 (!) cases each.

for labs during the first few years, it's a big school, so there are loads of professors, residents, etc milling around to answer questions.

for lectures, i don't think it matters a hoot.

 

[Bill59]

I agree with Emio. When it comes to clinics, it's not class size it's the ratio between class size and case numbers.

 

[ri23]

granted, i don't REALLY know what i'm talking about here, because i've only ever attended one school and can't compare different class sizes 😉

however... my class is about 113, but we don't "suffer" during clinics because a school that accepts a large class usually has a large caseload. as such, during fourth year, each student will have 3-4 cases on their hands at one time. last summer, i talked to several students at the large animal hospital, and they often had up to 6 (!) cases each.

for labs during the first few years, it's a big school, so there are loads of professors, residents, etc milling around to answer questions.

for lectures, i don't think it matters a hoot.

Emio - will we be seeing you at SAVMA Symposium?