Importance of Ranking

[seaturtlegirl]

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Congrats to all again!

Now that decision time is fast approaching, I was looking for some input about school rank. Namely, just how important is it? Will a school with a better ranking necessarily provide a "better" education???

I know just how fortunate I am to actually have a choice - should school rank have any impact on decisions?

For example, I loved it at Mississippi, and I don't even think it made the ranking list! What does that really mean? Would I be better off at Minnesota just because it has a good ranking?? Help!! 😕

 

[ri23]

you should read the private vs public school thread. It focused a lot on ranking.

Overall I think the general consensus is go to the school that fits your needs and is strong in your area of interest, or the one you feel the most comfortable with. If a school isn't on the ranking list (I'm assuming US News?) that isn't bad. UCDavis wasn't on the list and it is generally considered the top US vet school. Good luck with your decision!

 

[mtrl1]

RANKINGS ARE BS.

I'm going to say it again.

RANKINGS ARE BS.

The best school is the one where you feel like you will get the best education. Here are some factors to consider:

class size
class clubs
class/faculty ratio
teaching hospital caseload and student involvement before year 4
tracking vs. nontracking
species/tracks, (i.e. wildlife, zoo/exotics, avian/raptors, research, public health), some schools are better for equine or food just because of caseload
location: is it a separate vet school, or is it attached/on top of a major research university
problem-based learning vs. more traditional classroom
computer integration in the classroom
research opportunities if you're not doing a joint program
joint programs if you want that
international vet med opportunities if you're interested in that

I can't emphasize enough that you should make a list of what you want in a vet school, and if you're lucky enough to have a choice, to carefully consider strengths and weaknesses. I always asked people what their favorite things about the school were, and also asked what they didn't like/the weaknesses. As a vet student said: it's a mortgage on your life, you need to go somewhere where you'll be happy for 4 years, because you'll have the best learning experience that way.

 

[Bill59]

Veterinary school rankings are meaningless.

 

[KittenKiller]

species/tracks, (i.e. wildlife, zoo/exotics, avian/raptors, research, public health), some schools are better for equine or food just because of

I totally wanna be a raptor vet just so I can say I'm a raptor vet. Where can I do that?

 

[CookieBear]

I totally wanna be a raptor vet just so I can say I'm a raptor vet. Where can I do that?

I'm definitely not 'all up' on who offers what where, but I do recall Auburn having information on their website about a raptor rehab hospital - part of Auburn, and I know that Tufts has a wildlife (I believe raptors specifically, or included as part of) rehab clinic at their school too.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me!

 

[sisiut1]

I totally wanna be a raptor vet just so I can say I'm a raptor vet. Where can I do that?

I work at a raptor center and according to the director there the University of Minnesota's raptor center is one of the premier raptor center's in the country so I would definately check them out. Washington State University also does a lot of work with raptors.

 

[Sassygirl]

you should read the private vs public school thread. It focused a lot on ranking.

Overall I think the general consensus is go to the school that fits your needs and is strong in your area of interest, or the one you feel the most comfortable with. If a school isn't on the ranking list (I'm assuming US News?) that isn't bad. UCDavis wasn't on the list and it is generally considered the top US vet school. Good luck with your decision!

From what I hear, Davis is not on the rankings list because they just recently regained full accreditation from the AVMA in 2005. The school was placed on limited accreditation in "1998, when the AVMA cited it for inadequate facilities for teaching, research and clinical care." The previous year, Davis was ranked the #1 vet school in the country by US News and report... Which is why I don't put much stock in their ratings...

(Absolutely not trying to bash Davis btw, they have apparently made great improvements.)

 

[Habibti]

Also regarding ranking: The rankings (US News) haven't been done since 2003 and there are only 30 schools, making this entirely different from Med Schools (100+ schools ranked based on both their quality of research and primary care). I personally don't think ranking is important and its rather arbitrary.

 

[kate_g]

I work at a raptor center and according to the director there the University of Minnesota's raptor center is one of the premier raptor center's in the country so I would definately check them out.

According to the tour leader at the MN raptor center, a gravely injured California condor was crated up and shipped to MN for treatment. I believe Davis has a raptor rehab center, so the fact that this bird was shipped all the way to MN instead is evidence that at least the researchers running the condor project think highly of it...

But I just can't shake the feeling that KittenKiller was joking. Something in the choice of words suggested irony, despite the lack of a smiley to indicate the fact...

 

[kate_g]

yOverall I think the general consensus is go to the school that fits your needs and is strong in your area of interest, or the one you feel the most comfortable with.

That (bolded) is the tricky one... Seems like it would be pretty important (oppportunities to get involved early and also to make connections that will be helpful for jobs/internships/etc.), but also pretty hard to judge. You can get some sense from what seems to be emphasized during an interview program or what the school particularly brags about, and if you've got access like sisiut to a specialist in your intended field then their opinion will be helpful, but otherwise... Anybody know of any resources or have suggestions for figuring this out short of just calling and asking to speak to someone at the school who can tell you about their strength in your field?

 

[msmrtrthnyllb]

What are the current rankings anyway? I search and search, but find nothing.

 

[cyrille104]

What are the current rankings anyway? I search and search, but find nothing.

They've been posted here before, search the forum for rankings. They're old, though. Supposedly they will be doing a new ranking this spring for the 2008 ranking edition of USNWR (which usually comes out in the summer I think, right when people are just starting to apply to schools).

 

[drmtk]

The 2008 grad school ranking will be published by USNWR on March 30, 2007 (print and premium online versions).
Someone on this board commented that the VET School ranking will be updated this year. The last ranking for Vet Schools was in 2003.