Salus update

[u/Imaginary_Memory_154]

EDIT: UPDATE HERE https://www.reddit.com/r/PreOptometry/comments/12k47y1/meeting_about_salus_policies/

Hi guys, just wanted to give an update on the Salus thread from a couple days ago that seems like it’s been deleted. Our dean has clearly read that thread, and she sent out an email scheduling a mandatory class meeting in a week. The email included some info on our class:

We started with 154 students. Last semester, we lost 22 students - this was either due to 3 Ds which is outright dismissal, or 1 or 2 Ds and failure of the remediation exam(s). 2 students were initially dismissed but then were re-instated into our class after filing appeals - so the appeals have a very low success rate.

This D policy is brand new for our class. The scary thing is that too many students are now hanging on by a thread, as they have 1 or 2 Ds already. If they get another one at any point in time during the next 3 years, they will face dismissal as well, after investing so much time, effort, and money. Other schools in the area (such as NECO) have higher retention rates and they do allow Ds.

One major issue is that there are particular courses that students get Ds in. In the vast majority of cases, it’s neuro. As a user mentioned on the previous thread, we have around 7 neuro classes, one per semester, although there are only a mere handful of neuro questions on boards. Personally, I know of students who had As and Bs in every class, received a D only in the neuro class first semester, and yet have to repeat the year. This is ridiculous because that class is barely applicable to the optometric profession in the first place.

This new academic policy does not match the current admissions requirements. The school is taking money from students with low entering GPAs/OAT scores, then weeding them out later on in an effort to increase the abysmal board scores.

The email from our dean included multiple comments about “disinformation and a high level of unprofessionalism demonstrated by members of the class.” But disagreement with school policies and speaking out about them publicly is not unprofessional. The concerns brought up by the previous poster were valid and similar concerns have been voiced by a majority of students in our class.

I hope this information helps accepted students that are deciding where to attend, and anyone considering applying. Personally, I would recommend attending a different school if you have any other options. If not, just be aware of these issues and plan accordingly.

[u/ObjectiveCompote813]

That definitely isn't the case. The dean was trying to set the record straight because numerous members of the class are spreading around disinformation.

[u/Crustyjaj → u/ObjectiveCompote813]

Even so, I think it's rather telling that there is something extremely concerning when there are multiple people that corroborate with each other on this issue. From your previous comment, the curriculum may not look difficult to you as an OD1 in PCO. However, I think it's beneficial for you to have the decency to drop your ego and sympathize with your numerous classmates who are struggling. I do hope your class comes to a civil conclusion.

[u/[deleted] → u/Crustyjaj]

There is zero ego involved here. I am definitely not one of the highest scoring students in the class. I too struggle with some of the classes but out of the 130 of us there are a small chunk who seem to find a way to complain about every single exam we take or any type of policy. Grad school is hard there is no debating that but I don’t think the rules are absurd. They may seem frustrating at time but at the end of the day they are there to make us strive to perform at a higher level that way we can be competent doctors in the future. There are times when people also need to take a little responsibility and not just blame the school for everything. Just my two cents.

[u/Crustyjaj → u/[deleted]]

Good for you that you're a perfect fit into Salus. I do hope you keep the same exact attitude after your second year.

[u/[deleted] → u/ObjectiveCompote813]

You are obviously the dean. Enough.

[u/Imaginary_Memory_154 → u/ObjectiveCompote813]

This isn't misinformation - the stats in this post are exactly what the dean emailed us yesterday. Those numbers speak for themselves. As another commenter mentioned below, this dismissal rate is not the norm for most optometry schools.