GET ME TO COLLEGE Part 2 Academic Readiness
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Here is "Part 2: Academic Readiness" of a comprehensive guide to college readiness: Get Me To College: A College Readiness Primer Written by Dr. Rebecca Joseph Please use this but cite me. I provide free or low-cost consulting to those working with under-represented students and also lead workshops to schools and community groups around the country and Canada. [email protected]
Transcript of GET ME TO COLLEGE Part 2 Academic Readiness
Email [email protected] [email protected]
Phone 323-646-5759
Facebook Getmetocollege Freeadvice
Twitter @getmetocollege
Online Getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation
and under-represented students)
TO LEARN MORE
HOW DO WE BEGIN TO PREPARE?
Grades Academic Rigor Standardized Test Scores Strong applications Great essays Counselor Reports Extracurricular Activities Teacher Letters of
Recommendation Other Unique Features
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN MATCH STUDENTS-NACAC 2009
GRADES
Colleges look for students who demonstrate Continuous strong performance Upward progression Particular academic strengths Exceeding basic admissions
requirements. For example, in California, going beyond
the A-G requirements required by the UC and CSU systems.
For top privates, taking advanced classes in and out of high school.
UCS
The UCS have nine campuses. They require the successful completion of
the A-G requirements. They accept the top 9% of each high
school. Students must meet UC admissions requirements.
They require a 3.0 minimum GPA but are much more rigorous for top five.
They only look at 10 and 11th grades. They count AP and honors classes in 12th grade.
They require no grade lower than a C in each A-G course.
UCS REWARD GRADES IN RIGOROUS CLASSES
UCs award extra points for honors and AP classes.
A maximum of four semesters of honors courses taken in grade 10 are assigned honors grade points.
None in 9th grade receive points, yet they count as initiative and rigor.
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/freshman/advising/admission/scholarshipr.html
A. History/Social Science – 2 years requiredTwo years of history/social science, including
one year of world history, cultures and geography, one year of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
B. English – 4 years requiredFour years of college-preparatory English. No more than one year of high ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.
C. Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended.
Algebra 2 is minimum for Cal States and UCs.
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.
A-G Requirements
D. Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 years recommendedTwo years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement, as may the final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects.
E. Language Other than English – 2 years required, 3 years recommendedTwo years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses. Foreign students who receive 800 on SAT II foreign language or approved AP score can test out of language requirement. One year of sign language at a community college also can count.
MORE A-G REQUIREMENTS
F. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year requiredA single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art. dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.
G. College-Preparatory Electives – 1 year requiredOne year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: engineering, technology, visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).
MORE A-G REQUIREMENTS
ACADEMIC RIGOR
Colleges look at How difficult each student’s course load
is compared to academic options offered at school
Whether students keep up rigorous schedules and/or drop too many core classes.
Academic reputation of school Particular strength and exploration in
particular content areas
ACADEMIC RIGOR
PRIVATES and OTHER PUBLICS
Each have their own admissions requirements.
Most count 9th-12th grade grades. They have GPA requirements that widely
vary and differ by school Students must try to do what they can to
maximize their grades and to retake classes when necessary.
SO…
Take the most challenging courses possible while keeping grades as high as possible.
Make a four year plan and make sure all your classes count.
Take honors and AP classes in stronger content areas if planning to apply to top colleges
Continue to increase rigor in higher grades. Remember many high school schools accepts Ds
to graduate. Most colleges, including the UCs and Cal States, do not accept Ds in any A-G classes.
Do not drop core content in junior or senior year Use summers for advancement and enrichment,
not just for fulfilling high school graduation requirements.
Understand that colleges will compare student academic choices to those offered at school.
If foreign language is a struggle, consider sign language. One year at community college equals two years for CSU and UCs and many colleges.
Take Courses Outside of High School If you run out of classes at your high school, take
classes at your local community colleges. High school students get AP credit for these classes. Taking advanced classes impresses colleges, and they are free (except for fees and books). If you have time, also take community college classes in areas that interest you such as Psychology or Art History. Consider taking English 101 to enhance your reading and writing skills.
Note community colleges are cutting back so sign up as early as you can or look to take classes at local four year university.
Find other academic programs, such the UC Cosmos program for science, to advance, deepen, or expand your academic interests. For example, here is a list of programs for students interested in math
http://www.ams.org/employment/mathcamps.htmlhttp://www.petersons.com/summerop/specnote.asp If you need to retake a class because of a low
grade, consider Brigham Young online. Please clear low grades early. Don't wait until your senior year. Get this approved from your school first.
http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/highschool.cfm
Email [email protected] [email protected]
Phone 323-646-5759
Facebook Getmetocollege Freeadvice
Twitter @getmetocollege
Online Getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation
and under-represented students)
TO LEARN MORE
