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Opinion Summary
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Proud to Be A Mastodon
by scmrak | Nov 07 '07
Pros: small classes, economically sound, convenient, great for part-timers
Cons: fewer chances to drink oneself insensate as a freshman
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OVERALL RATING
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Re: Hello... (Reply to this comment)
by scmrak
You said, "...you haven't attended this school in quite awhile, which makes me question your ability to review such things as teaching quality that can change easily..."
Couple of thoughts on that, Jon:
In any institution of higher education larger than Bartlesville Wesleyan (total student population 960), a current student has very limited exposure to "teaching quality" outside of his or her major. In fact, in popular majors - e.g. Education or Business - many students have first-hand experience with but a fraction of the faculty. Any claim that a graduate, recent or otherwise, could make a blanket statement about the quality of instruction at an institution the size of the university where I now sit (total student population 31,400 undergraduates plus 11,300 graduate students) is highly doubtful.
In point of fact, I don't cite any level of excellence: what I do claim - and what is independently verifiable - is that IPFW has a small average class size and does not use doctoral students (they have none) as instructors in lower-level classes. An average class size of 24 compares rather favorably with your alma mater (CU, I'm assuming); which, like most large institutions, dances around the question (see "class size" at http://www.colorado.edu/prospective/freshman/faq/faq-academics.html), though they seem inordinately proud of having only 16% of their classes with more than 50 students enrolled.
Too, I'd be very interested to learn where you come by the impression that "teaching quality can change easily" in an institution of higher learning. I'd be most interested in examples of universities that have so little regard for their students that they do not strive to maintain academic excellence.
Cheers,
R
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Nov 09 '07
8:14 am PST
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Well, gee... (Reply to this comment)
by scmrak
Let's see:
• Alumnus. Not saying how long ago I graduated, though it was more than five and less than fifty years.
• Family members have graduated within the past five years.
• Member of alumni association.
• Financial supporter.
• "Career consultant" to students in old major.
• Best friend of thirty years is past president of the faculty senate (bet you can't say that about B. U., Jo - although my wife's cousin [S. H.] is head of that university's alumni association).
As one who has attended six different campuses of four different education institutions over the years, and who at this moment is sitting on the campus of a major university; I believe that a long-distance appraisal of how well an education gained at this institution has stood the test of time will be valuable in helping prospective students decide whether or not to attend IPFW. If, however, you find the thoughts of someone with limited exposure to real life and competition in the workplace - i.e., a recent graduate - more helpful, that's certainly your call.
R
PS: Lest you assume that my statements are based on "outdated" experience, I assure you that any factual statement made in the body of my work is verifiable from the website of IPFW, IU, or Purdue.
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Nov 09 '07
6:07 am PST
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Hi, I really do have to (Reply to this comment)
by jo.com
agree with Jon. At epinions people are sticklers (most everyone) for things like "When did you last use that product?" I went to B.U. a long time ago and in fact have had more recent experiences since my daughter thought of going to medical school there but I still don't feel qualified to review it. I'll check back as well. Jo
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Nov 09 '07
5:20 am PST
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Hello... (Reply to this comment)
by jvandegr,  in Education
You have a great writing style and I enjoyed reading your review. However, you mentioned that you haven't attended this school in quite awhile, which makes me question your ability to review such things as teaching quality that can change easily. Are you still affiliated with this school in some way and therefore have some current insights in addition to your prior experience? I couldn't tell that from reading your review. I'll check back later and update my rating if you get a chance to clarify.
Thanks,
Jon
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Nov 08 '07
7:55 pm PST
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