small colleges

[colt]

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I'm transfering to a small college of about 1000. Does the size of the school affect how your application is veiwed? I personally prefer a smaller school because of class size and student/teacher interaction, but I wanted to make sure.

 

[ISU_Steve]

I don't see why it would have negative consequences, so long as it is a 4 year accredited school.

 

[grant555]

Your undergraduate institution does play a role in admissions at some schools. I have seen faculty readily admit that it doesn't matter, but it does matter. In other words, the admissions committee would look at the prestigue or reputation of your undergraduate college and take into consideration how the applicant faired against arguably stiffer competition or a more challenging curriculum.

The problem with this thinking is that it almost always will hurt the disadvantaged student because not everyone can afford to attend a high-ranking school regardless of how good a student they are. Ironically, this very point was offered by the faculty member leading the discussion.

Personally, on this issue I have mixed feelings, namely because of the subjective nature of sizing up one school against another. Also, this seems to be inherit hypocrisy since dental schools themselves are not ranked and seemlingly don't want to be, but admissions' committees readily rank undergraduate insitutions.

I am not sure how the "size" of your school matters, but its academic reputation may factor in. How much or how little will most likely depend on the dental school, your DAT, and other parts of your application packet. At any rate, best of luck to you. Take care and GOD bless.

 

[cowsgomoo]

Your undergraduate institution does play a role in admissions at some schools. I have seen faculty readily admit that it doesn't matter, but it does matter. In other words, the admissions committee would look at the prestigue or reputation of your undergraduate college and take into consideration how the applicant faired against arguably stiffer competition or a more challenging curriculum.

The problem with this thinking is that it almost always will hurt the disadvantaged student because not everyone can afford to attend a high-ranking school regardless of how good a student they are. Ironically, this very point was offered by the faculty member leading the discussion.

Personally, on this issue I have mixed feelings, namely because of the subjective nature of sizing up one school against another. Also, this seems to be inherit hypocrisy since dental schools themselves are not ranked and seemlingly don't want to be, but admissions' committees readily rank undergraduate insitutions.

I am not sure how the "size" of your school matters, but its academic reputation may factor in. How much or how little will most likely depend on the dental school, your DAT, and other parts of your application packet. At any rate, best of luck to you. Take care and GOD bless.

Hopefully my DAT score will make up for my schools reputation.

 

[joonkimdds]

Hopefully my DAT score will make up for my schools reputation.

how did u possibly get 4.0 gpa if u didn't go to community college? it's hard to see 4.0 GPA even in community college... 🙁 i feel sad that i go to community college and don't have 4.0....i feel like a loser already.

 

[Sprgrover]

Hopefully my DAT score will make up for my schools reputation.

If you demonstrate good academic ability on your transcripts, perform well on the DAT, and present yourself in a professional and mature manner in interviews your undergraduate school will pale in importance compared to these other things and thus you'll be golden. And for what it's worth, the size of a school doesn't necessarily correlate to 'prestige' - go ahead and attend your school with little worry about what an adcom will think. 👍

 

[dentwannabe]

Hopefully my DAT score will make up for my schools reputation.

OHHH SMALL COLLEGES ROCK CUZ YOU GOT LESS STUDENTS, AND THUS WILL HAVE BETTER GPA THAN US BIG COLLEGE LOSERS WHO LOSE POINTS TO HARD PROFESSORS AND INTENSE COMPETITION!

i've always gone to a big college, i regret not choosing small as a predental! I mean really, all we're in college for is to take requirements for dental right? so just got for the school that lets u look better (get better gpa)?

 

[syn_apse]

Hopefully my DAT score will make up for my schools reputation.

cowsgomoo, I hate to call you out like this because you seem like a genuinely nice person, but really, you post this kind of stuff way too often. It seems like you either have low self-confidence or you enjoy fishing for compliments. Don't stress so much and enjoy the ride! 😛

 

[joonkimdds]

I'm transfering to a small college of about 1000. Does the size of the school affect how your application is veiwed? I personally prefer a smaller school because of class size and student/teacher interaction, but I wanted to make sure.

Some admissions officers will candidly admit that they have a formula, such as GPA × "school conversion factor" × DAT score. (from. kaptest.com)

 

[ElDienteLoco]

If you can hack it and afford it at a big-name competitive school...sure.

But if you can't...then don't...do well at your less recognized 4-year university and you'll be fine. There are about five kids in my class from no-name universities who did well 3.5 plus and no one on the admissions committee gave them a hard time because they came from North Dakota State College.

Very few people in this country go to a "big-name" school. If you do and you do well there, great. I went to a very competitive school and always thought in the back of my mind that admissions committees would think of my GPA + .5 because I went to such a difficult school. BS. No one cared. I probably would have been accepted earlier with exactly the same application and a 4.0 from NorthEastern Western State Missouri Bible University of Technology. It probably would have been cheaper there, but the ladies were hotter where I went.

 

[colt]

OHHH SMALL COLLEGES ROCK CUZ YOU GOT LESS STUDENTS, AND THUS WILL HAVE BETTER GPA THAN US BIG COLLEGE LOSERS WHO LOSE POINTS TO HARD PROFESSORS AND INTENSE COMPETITION!

For the most part you're right. I was thinking along the same lines because the school I'm going to has around 25 people in general science classes and 7-12 in upper level classes. During my visit to the school, I talked to one of the professors and a student jokingly commented that he hadn't given an "A" in cell biology since 1985. The teacher said "not true (insert name) got an A in my class......he later said the guy had a photographic memory--I was like, 😱 my chances aren't too good 😀

 

[mikester2]

Go where you will excel both academically and socially.

I'm transfering to a small college of about 1000. Does the size of the school affect how your application is veiwed? I personally prefer a smaller school because of class size and student/teacher interaction, but I wanted to make sure.

 

[colt]

Some admissions officers will candidly admit that they have a formula, such as GPA × "school conversion factor" × DAT score. (from. kaptest.com)

You have what? one--two B's?....such a Loser 😉

 

[Sprgrover]

Some admissions officers will candidly admit that they have a formula, such as GPA × "school conversion factor" × DAT score. (from. kaptest.com)

Formulas do exist, no doubt about it. As a candidate you have control over the grades and scores you earn, unlike your school's reputation which is highly subjective and arbitrary. If a dental school does indeed weigh something as intangible as a reputation when making admissions decisions, and overlooks your potential as a person and future professional, then you shouldn't waste your time with them.

 

[cowsgomoo]

cowsgomoo, I hate to call you out like this because you seem like a genuinely nice person, but really, you post this kind of stuff way too often. It seems like you either have low self-confidence or you enjoy fishing for compliments. Don't stress so much and enjoy the ride! 😛

Its not that I am fishing for compliments but its just I have heard way too often that my GPA is nothing compared to those of people from other schools in my state. It’s not like I was forced to go to the school I am attending as it was my choice out of like 4 so I take full responsibility for my decision. By the way I don’t attend a community college but a 4 year institution, GSU. It’s just disheartening to think that no matter how hard I work at GSU at the moment it won't matter. I know I am in a better position then most people but in the back of your mind you are always thinking what if... what if I had gone to one of the other schools I was accepted to. I guess I am just a ****** for worrying but at least I can vent my frustrations on this forum. Ahhhhhh feel much better now. 😀 😀

 

[joonkimdds]

Its not that I am fishing for compliments but its just I have heard way too often that my GPA is nothing compared to those of people from other schools in my state.

what do u mean ur gpa is nothing compared to others. u have 4.0!!! that's the highest it can possibly go up!

 

[grant555]

Formulas do exist, no doubt about it. As a candidate you have control over the grades and scores you earn, unlike your school's reputation which is highly subjective and arbitrary. If a dental school does indeed weigh something as intangible as a reputation when making admissions decisions, and overlooks your potential as a person and future professional, then you shouldn't waste your time with them.

I agree with you a 100% here and found it disturbing that the faculty member giving the aforementioned presentation was from Baylor, one of the more respected schools. This goes to show that rankings or prestigue are not the end all be all because there is no test for intolerance no matter how high the applicant stats are at a particular school. Having said that, I thought the school was great, and would still encourage others to apply since no school's admissions policies are perfect. Take care and GOD Bless.

 

[fancymylotus]

Its not that I am fishing for compliments but its just I have heard way too often that my GPA is nothing compared to those of people from other schools in my state. It’s not like I was forced to go to the school I am attending as it was my choice out of like 4 so I take full responsibility for my decision. By the way I don’t attend a community college but a 4 year institution, GSU. It’s just disheartening to think that no matter how hard I work at GSU at the moment it won't matter. I know I am in a better position then most people but in the back of your mind you are always thinking what if... what if I had gone to one of the other schools I was accepted to. I guess I am just a ****** for worrying but at least I can vent my frustrations on this forum. Ahhhhhh feel much better now. 😀 😀

So,the people you're comparing yourself to have 5.0's? Or maybe you're one of those SDN people who like to (for some odd reason) lie about their grades. Whatever.

 

[cowsgomoo]

So,the people you're comparing yourself to have 5.0's? Or maybe you're one of those SDN people who like to (for some odd reason) lie about their grades. Whatever.

No what I mean is that my 4.0 will equate to like a 3.0 at a more prestigious school (and I don’t just mean Ivy League), or so I have heard. I totally disagree with that. I truly believe that there are teachers at the "lesser schools" that bust you butt just as much as those at the better schools. From the posts above I seem to be annoying people and that was not my intention. I think the issue of the differences in GPA's between schools is a valid one and there are many people who are faced with this same problem. Hope this clears things up and again I am sorry if I am annoying anyone.

 

[fancymylotus]

No what I mean is that my 4.0 will equate to like a 3.0 at a more prestigious school (and I don’t just mean Ivy League), or so I have heard. I totally disagree with that. I truly believe that there are teachers at the "lesser schools" that bust you butt just as much as those at the better schools. From the posts above I seem to be annoying people and that was not my intention. I think the issue of the differences in GPA's between schools is a valid one and there are many people who are faced with this same problem. Hope this clears things up and again I am sorry if I am annoying anyone.

Probably cause you say silly things and yet have your big fat 4.0 as your signature.