Does Size Matter? (class size that is)

windmill182 · Apr 8, 2011

9 People? My class starts this fall with 32. I've heard of classes having 100+, so this question interests me...

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 8, 2011

Closer contact with your peers, more attention from the instructors, easier to get into clinicals. I graduated with 14 and loved it.

caliotter3 · Apr 8, 2011

We had about 70, give or take. I would assume, with 9 students, there will be less chance to fade into the background and snooze during lecture, or disappear altogether like some students do.

elkpark · Apr 8, 2011

Closer contact with your peers, more attention from the instructors, easier to get into clinicals. I graduated with 14 and loved it.

All that. On the other hand, in a class that small, there's no such thing as coming to class unprepared, sitting in the back, and keeping your head down (so as not to get called on) ...

I much prefer small classes.

blueyesue · Apr 8, 2011

There are two potential issues I see with a small class, and let me know what you think:

1. With fewer people you are limited to who you can turn to. Whether it is for study group, friendship, or for support the choices are few.

2. If you have personality conflicts with anyone in your class the problem may be intensified.

Judging by the previous responses, the good probably outshines the bad.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 8, 2011

Like anything else, there will be positives and negatives.

1 negative to add to the list. A school that small probably has far fewer resources -- and faculty members are forced to teach content that they are not experts in. In a large school, peds is taught by a peds expert ... Psych is taught by a psych expert ... care of the cardiac patient is taught by someone with experience in cardiac ... etc. etc. etc.

At a small school, you may get lots of personal attention from the faculty ... but the faculty may not have a high level of expertise in the topics they are teaching.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 8, 2011

There are two potential issues I see with a small class, and let me know what you think:
1. With fewer people you are limited to who you can turn to. Whether it is for study group, friendship, or for support the choices are few.
2. If you have personality conflicts with anyone in your class the problem may be intensified.
Judging by the previous responses, the good probably outshines the bad.

But even then with the fewer people, you are closer so you really can turn to them. I was very close to my class, and there were a few cliques but that happens no matter where you go.

Like anything else, there will be positives and negatives.
1 negative to add to the list. A school that small probably has far fewer resources -- and faculty members are forced to teach content that they are not experts in. In a large school, peds is taught by a peds expert ... Psych is taught by a psych expert ... care of the cardiac patient is taught by someone with experience in cardiac ... etc. etc. etc.
At a small school, you may get lots of personal attention from the faculty ... but the faculty may not have a high level of expertise in the topics they are teaching.

All my teachers had extensive experience with the areas they taught, so that might not always be an issue. Then again I know just cause it happened at my school, doesnt mean its the rule :up:

TheCareerStudent · Apr 8, 2011

We started with 30. I would be happy with 9, lots of time with the professors and they will be accessible to you.