<p>I thought I loved the University of Montana: the town, the DDS department, everything. However, their grad rate (6 year) is only 44%! That's not good... at all. What's wrong with this school? Why do the students hate it? Why do they fail? The only possible explanation besides the school sucks at advising, party school, etc., is that the school also incorporates a tech school (2 year type thing). However, even that can't explain it away for me. I now don't want to go there; I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure by doing so. Thoughts? (My parents refuse to let me apply to other schools at this point, so I'm stuck with what I have now.)</p>
<p>i think a school, to some extent, is what you make of it. if you go to your classes and study and do all this and that, you'll graduate in 4 or so years it's just a large portion of people don't do that.. for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Montana is in many areas economically depressed, and outside economic factors play a huge role in student success. A low graduation rate doesn't mean students hate the school; it often means they either aren't entering university prepared for the academics, and/or they cannot afford to finish. </p>
<p>If you know going in that many students don't finish, then you also have the knowledge to make sure you do. If that's where you are going to be, go in with the idea of making the best experience you can out of it, and it will be great. Montana is a good school - I am sure you will do very well there. And graduate!</p>
<p>At large public school like Montana, you're going to have some students who are intent on succeeding and getting a degree, and some students who don't care, don't have direction, underestimate the work required, party too hard, get too homesick, alter their aspirations, or whatever. And then you've also got students who successfully transfer, who take associates degrees, who stop to work and earn money, and various otehr things that can keep directed, successful students from showing up in the 6-year grad rate.</p>
<p>I suspect Montana has resources to keep the first type of student on the right track, and there's no reason to fear that merely by attending Montana, you'll turn into the second type. </p>
<p>All the things that you liked about Montana are still true--it's just that now you're more fully aware that there will also be people there who may not value the same things or stick around to enjoy them. That doesn't mean the school can't be a great place for you.</p>
<p>The single factor most closely associated with low graduation rates is low-income. Compare public schools with similar percentages of Pell Grant recipients and you are better able to tell whether there really is a problem or not.</p>
<p>Now is the time to listen to your heart and keep your head focused on what You will do in those 4 years and in that setting. As others have pointed out, grad rates are statistics, not individuals-- and many variables, like size and especially economic factors, impact grad rates. Smaller, well-endowed schools have more resources (and oversight) to keep a larger proportion of students in school and on track. But at this stage, if you trust your own capacity to stay the course, that is the relevant matter. There will be plenty of bright, talented students at U of M that will be right on track with you. Your own intuition at this choice-making stage is a much better guide than any set of rankings or statistics.</p>
<p>Most large state schools have a certain "sink or swim" component. If you're a "swimmer" it's not a problem. If you are worried that you'll fall in with some "sinkers" who will drag you down, you may want to rethink your plans. At Montana, 20% graduate in 4 years. Are you one of those students? If so, it's not a problem. I think that low graduation rates are more a factor of state schools giving students a chance who are not prepared to succeed rather than placing a barrier in the way of those who are ready to do so. Don't let it bother you if you think you are ready.</p>
<p>Quick anecdote: my nephew goes to U. Montana. He was a so-so student, not very motivated in HS. He chose U.Montana for the beautiful setting and the outdoor activities - he is definitely the kind of person one might expect would drop out. His brothers go to top LACs in CA but his father was telling me that U Montana is the place that has impressed him most. He feels that his son's advisors have worked very closely with him, steering him, monitoring him, in short -'turning him around.' So I don't think the advising necessarily 'sucks.' Wolfpiper, you are so obviously highly motivated, you have conducted your college search so thoroughly - I really don't think you have to worry about 'setting yourself up for failure. I think you're going to succeed wherever you go.</p>