NOVA drop out rates

[optguy34]

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Hi everyone,

I've been accepted at NOVA which I'm really excited about. The only thing that is freaking me out is that I've heard NOVA is known for kicking people out. Also, I heard that you need to have an 80+% average to graduate. Is this true? and if it is, do many current NOVA students find it difficult to achieve this avg ... how many students drop out each year?

Thanks

 

[gochi]

Hi everyone,

I've been accepted at NOVA which I'm really excited about. The only thing that is freaking me out is that I've heard NOVA is known for kicking people out. Also, I heard that you need to have an 80+% average to graduate. Is this true? and if it is, do many current NOVA students find it difficult to achieve this avg ... how many students drop out each year?

Thanks

WTF! 80% AVG REQUIRED TO GRADUATE !!!

There's a thread on this exact same topic in the pre-opt forums. Go there and PM shaprshooter, he should be able to help you.

Can anyone please confirm the 80% avg....

 

[gochi]

That is NOT true. If you have less than an 80% you are put on academic probation. Fancy name, but meaningless. As long as you average at least 70% in everything you pass. Average less than a 70%, and they aren't always so nice...

But even 70% is not fair...correct me if I'm wrong, but don't other schools expect you to get >50% or >60% to pass ?

 

[JMU07]

70% is a C average. Why do you think that's so unreasonable? Maybe it's just me but if I only graduated OD school with a 50% average I wouldn't feel competent enough to be a doctor.

 

[vsarge0708]

It's not hard to have a 70 average. The classes aren't that hard (at least not yet).

 

[gochi]

I was assuming that 70% was a B average.

So what happens if you're below 70% ?

 

[vsarge0708]

I was assuming that 70% was a B average.

So what happens if you're below 70% ?

/

You only need a 70 to graduate--but an 80 to stay off of academic probation (if you are on academic probation you cannot attend school related e.c. activities, i.e. svosh, etc.). It's not hard at all to keep an 80+ average. Nova doesn't try to kick people out (doesn't make financial sense anyway), you just have to have a 70+ average in all classes. They are actually very fair with their academic policy. For example: If you fail a class, you are given an "internal retake" at the start of the next semester. This is your chance to prove you know your shtuff--most people for some reason or another, choose not to take it seriously and consequently fail the internal retake. If you are in this situation you have to meet with the academic committee to decide on a plan of action. If you pass the internal retake, you receive a 70r on your transcript, and I think you are allowed 4 70r's before you're s.o.l. Don't worry, it's not hard, just don't screw around.

 

[4Eyes]

At UMSL, the grades go A, B, C, F. There is no D, so anything less than 70% is failing. I know we're not talking UMSL here, but it seems that 70% is a common cut-off at the graduate level. But seriously, if you're applying yourself enough to learn the material enough to one day function as a decent doctor, a 70% average should not be a problem.

Edit: I didn't mean that in a rude way, so I hope it's not read as snarky. I'm just saying don't worry about it too much. 🙂

 

[prettygreeneyes]

But even 70% is not fair...correct me if I'm wrong, but don't other schools expect you to get >50% or >60% to pass ?

I'm afraid you might be wrong. I think every school requires at least a 70% to pass, if not more. Pacific is 75%, sounds like NOVA wants you to shoot for 80%. Would you want a doctor who only learned half of the material expected of him/her? No thank you.

 

[gochi]

I heard that most of the stuff you learn, you don't apply or you don't really need know in order to treat- and it's probably true...plus you're taking 10 courses/sem. How the hell am I supposed to get 80% in those 10 courses, especially if there upper division courses! Oh yea, don't forget the labs...

60% should be reasonable.

 

[hfpepperbean47]

I heard that most of the stuff you learn, you don't apply or you don't really need know in order to treat- and it's probably true...plus you're taking 10 courses/sem. How the hell am I supposed to get 80% in those 10 courses, especially if there upper division courses! Oh yea, don't forget the labs...

60% should be reasonable.

60% is failing. Simple as that.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I heard that most of the stuff you learn, you don't apply or you don't really need know in order to treat- and it's probably true...plus you're taking 10 courses/sem. How the hell am I supposed to get 80% in those 10 courses, especially if there upper division courses! Oh yea, don't forget the labs...

60% should be reasonable.

I know that it probably seems overwhelming, but if someone is unable to handle that amount of material, professional school isn't for them. I don't mean to sound callous when I say that, because believe me it is no walk in the park handling so many demanding classes at once - I know from personal experience. But, at the end of school, you alone will be responsible for the visual welfare of your patients. As such, asking that you master at least 70-75% of the material is not unreasonable.

I'll ask some attendings to chime in on the "don't really need to know in order to treat your patients" comment. I had that same opinion about a lot of the stuff I learned during my first year. But, had I not learned that material, I would have no basis for what I am learning now - which I'm quite sure I will be using when treating patients. You have to build a foundation of knowledge in order to understand the really important stuff. Also remember, you have to pass boards, which is where much of that seemingly useless information will apply.

 

[gochi]

This doesnt make sense at all.

The avg requirement to be admitted to optometry school is what 3.3. Let's assume thats a B average.

The avg requirement to be admitted to md school is 3.6. Let's assume thats an A average.

So, NOVA wants students who had a 3.3 (B) to average an A (3.6) when taking 10 classes/sem. WTF is up with that ?

If they want students to average 80's than perhaps making od school as competitive as md school would be a good idea. But, If 70% is as low as possible before failing, then I guess nothing can really be done unless <70%= D= pass.

I just don't see many students avg 80% while taking 10 courses/sem, unless the professors are generous and whatnot.