Pass/Fail Dental Schools

[papichulo]

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Hey,

I was wondering about these schools who have pass/fail systems. I know schools such as Harvard, Columbia, UConn, and UCSF all do this. Does this mean there is no class ranking, or is there? It might seem like a dumb question, but I heard one individual say to another that they were under the impression that at some schools, they have pass/fail systems but still have a class ranking. Does anyone know if this is true, and if it's true, is it true at all of the dental schools using this system?

 

[desert]

This is a very good question, but you need to post this in the dental forum.

 

[in her drawer]

Neither Harvard nor UCSF rank their students.

 

[papichulo]

Neither Harvard nor UCSF rank their students.

Thanks for the info-it does make sense!

 

[dddsmack]

Case is pass fail and they rank they students.

 

[yahoogoogle]

how do these students apply to speciality programs if there's no class ranking? so just board scores right?

 

[54807]

how do these students apply to speciality programs if there's no class ranking? so just board scores right?

I've got the answer regarding UConn from one of admission's folks:

No Class Ranking
No Grades

Tests:
You get a P or an F (only 6 per year).
You are told where your score is ranked within the class (percentile wise)

Ranking for specialty:
Dean's Letter contains an evaluation of the individual test scores you have
Only the dean's office has access to the scores.
Therefore...you get a quasi ranking based upon those tests. Not sure if it 1,2,3 or Top 5, middle 10...you know.

 

[Lemming]

Just interviewed at UCSF yesterday, and talked to two D3's about the pass/fail. They said they loved it, and it took off a lot of pressure, and made more time for them to do other stuff b/c they didn't have to study as hard for grades. I was convinced it was a good thing. Also, ~30% of their class is accepted to a specialty program according to the assistant dean of admissions, and average board scores are ~87, so it must work.

 

[in her drawer]

Just interviewed at UCSF yesterday, and talked to two D3's about the pass/fail. They said they loved it, and it took off a lot of pressure, and made more time for them to do other stuff b/c they didn't have to study as hard for grades. I was convinced it was a good thing. Also, ~30% of their class is accepted to a specialty program according to the assistant dean of admissions, and average board scores are ~87, so it must work.

Yeah, I really liked the system they have at UCSF.

 

[SRW26]

I adore UCSF! 👍 The students seemed very relaxed and collegial, and the p/f system for the first two years probably helps encourage that cooperativity and group work and such. 🙂 Definitely seemed the same at Harvard, as well. And also at UConn, though the students still emphasized that the curriculum is crazy hard, hehe.

 

[tissy]

So what is it with ucsf? I remember around 2 years ago predents didn't want to go there...and now everyone wants too..

 

[jrstephe]

I've got the answer regarding UConn from one of admission's folks:

No Class Ranking
No Grades

Tests:
You get a P or an F (only 6 per year).
You are told where your score is ranked within the class (percentile wise)

Ranking for specialty:
Dean's Letter contains an evaluation of the individual test scores you have
Only the dean's office has access to the scores.
Therefore...you get a quasi ranking based upon those tests. Not sure if it 1,2,3 or Top 5, middle 10...you know.

No grades? I don't know how i'm gonna handle that. I am that person who wants to know how they did as soon as the test is finished.

 

[utahdentist2be]

At Case, you receive your actual test scores and the mean/standard deviation of the class, but then your transcript simply states Pass or Fail. There is no overall class ranking, but there is a ranking for each course individually. So, for example, if you end up doing really well in your endo courses and you really take a liking to it, your letter from the committee will emphasize your outstanding performance in endo courses to improve your chances of getting a residency somewhere. This way, poor performance in meaningless classes like epidemiology won't hurt as bad, and more emphasis is placed on NDBE Part I scores.

 

[harvarddent]

All the ivy leagues except Penn are pass fail now. also Uconn