College Advice?

[gprime]

Well, as though of you who recall me from the old board, you may also remember that coming this August, I'll be starting college. After considering the options available to me, I narrowed it down to two schools: Babson and Case Western. In the end, I opted for the latter. In the decision making process, and since, I've been reading various things regarding college and advice for it. But I would guess many, if not all of you, went to college. I would therefore like any advice regarding it that you might all have.

[apocalypticdreamer]

I'm going to be a junior in college in the fall, and all I'll tell you is to have a healthy balance of fun and class.

[gprime]

I'm going to be a junior in college in the fall, and all I'll tell you is to have a healthy balance of fun and class.

Thanks. However, that may be a little hard, as Case is ranked 18th unhappiest, and is noted for being virtually devoid of fun, focused only on academics. Moreover, my hope is to graduate in three years, so that carries with it certain implications.

[apocalypticdreamer]

Thanks. However, that may be a little hard, as Case is ranked 18th unhappiest, and is noted for being virtually devoid of fun, focused only on academics. Moreover, my hope is to graduate in three years, so that carries with it certain implications.
Sounds depressing. I go to a party school myself. :D

[gprime]

Sounds depressing. I go to a party school myself. :D

:arf: That is the least of my concerns. More pressing, at least in the social sense, is that the undergrad population is only 40% female, and CWRU is often said to stand for 'Case Women (A)r(e) Ugly'. But I suppose it's worth it, as the school has good grad placement should I be stuck there, and good transfer prospects, which I hope to take advantage of.

[swivel]

gprime, follow these very important rules and your future self will love you for it:

1. Get every textbook as early as possible for every class. Track down the professors if you have to, many of them wait until a week prior before listing the required textbook. Start reading them before class starts. You should always be a chapter ahead of the class. This way, everything you hear in class will be review, and the second time around you will learn it better and understand it more fully. Trust me on this one, it sounds like a pain, but it actually saves you time. I rarely took notes in college and aced all of my tests with minimal studying. The Lecture > Notes > Read > Cram cycle is bullshit. Stick with the Read > Lecture > Review cycle.

2. Do assignments the DAY THEY ARE ASSIGNED. Forget about the due dates. Seriously, forget about them. When you get an assignment, you have to feel a compulsion to perform that thing. If you get 4 assignments from 4 different classes on the same day, and they aren't due for weeks, it doesn't matter. You start planning and working on them all that night. You spend that entire weekend working on them. You get them done early and let them sit on your hard-drive or in your bag until the due date. This sounds like a pain too, but again, it will actually save you time. Most students spend more time stressing about assignments than they spend performing them. You are saving yourself that time.

3.Spend at least an hour a day in the library. If you have nothing to research, spend this time doing your homework. I liked doing this first thing in the morning, and another hour after classes.

4.Don't waste your time chasing women, getting drunk, and trying to be cool. The cool kids are the ones with the jobs at graduation who can afford a home and a real family. Any woman you meet in a bar is going to meet the guy she cheats on you with in a bar. Meet women in the library (see above).

5.Do the exercises that your teacher DOESN'T assign. These are usually the even problems. And if you have a problem with these, do not bring this up in class, go to your teacher's office during their posted hours. Your professors all have mandatory office hours. Learn where each professor's office is located and keep those hours in the front of you textbook. Most of them are bored out of their minds at this time, catching up with grading, but mostly having to deal with problem students looking for an extension, or coming with excuses for missing class. They will LOVE a student like yourself who is coming to talk to them about their favorite subject. You don't need to kiss-up, you just need to be a willing learner.

6.Most important is the internal culture you foster in your head. Why are you in school? What is your attitude towards learning? Here's what my feelings were: I was a professional student. Learning was my JOB. I went to every single class, I hated missing a single session. I didn't just want a good grade, I wanted to know everything in every book that I spent $100 on. I wore a tie to class almost every single day, a coat and/or overcoat on the rare cold Charleston days. Your attendance and your dress will change how you approach class. A tie makes you feel serious and it makes you act serious.

7. Finally, learn how to schedule your classes. My favorite technique was to schedule all of my classes on either Tue/Thu or Mon/Wed/Fri. My Tue/Thu semesters were the best. It meant being in class from 7 in the morning until 7 or so at night on those two days, and it is rare that you can get the classes you need like this, but you go to class for two days and have 5 days to handle everything else. Don't try to spread everything evenly, and don't avoid the early classes. And if you can afford to do so, take a full load every summer. You learn more in summer classes, and they go by very quickly. The best courses I ever took were during summer sessions.

Enjoy.

[ZombieBabe]

But I would guess many, if not all of you, went to college.Sadly, no. Even though I am fairly adept at writing fluid, well-spelled and punctuated posts, I'm egregiously uneducated.

I would therefore like any advice regarding it that you might all have.Give it your all. NEVER underestimate the value of a college education. It is my biggest regret. I will go to my grave deftly kicking myself in the ass for that shit.

[brokenandtwisted]

The stuff I said.

Rep points...you pretty much covered everything.

Although I'd like to add...nearly all of the time when one says that your degree is in high demand upon entrance to university, by the time you get out of university/college it likely won't be unless you're doing a trade (huge shortage on these, although I don't believe you need post secondary education anyway). Why? Because the people 1-8 years ahead of you may already be well underway toward that 'in demand' career path...do what you want to do instead of what others want.

Oh...and 2AM = EARLY time to go to bed.

Sadly, no. Even though I am fairly adept at writing fluid, well-spelled and punctuated posts, I'm egregiously uneducated.

*Tumbleweed blows by...*

[Killroy]

Wish someone had given me the advice swivel gave. My brother went to college, and then to law school. I went the sex, drugs and rock-and-roll route. Wouldn't change a thing, but if it had not been for my instant liking and ability to understand the computer, I would have been screwed.

My son, on the other hand, is being raised with college in his future.

[gprime]

Thanks Swivel, that is absolutely excellent advice, as always. That first idea is one that hadn't occured to me, but makes quite a bit of sense. Given that I, like you, take it quite seriously, and intend to get the most out of my education, I'll certainly put that, and others, into practice.

Now, while I too would try and avoid missing class unless doing so was absolutely unavoidable, dressing up in a formal attire strikes me as a little excessive. If anything, I'd merely be physically uncomfortable, and therefore distracted. But that's just me. And beyond that, the advice was great. I really appreciate it.

[apocalypticdreamer]

dressing up in a formal attire strikes me as a little excessive. If anything, I'd merely be physically uncomfortable, and therefore distracted.

Unless your giving a presentation, or something that requires dressy attire, I dont really feel thats its necessary. Although my professors frown upon sweat pants and the like.

[CPL CHUD]

My best advice would be to participate in class. It shows the professors that you are actually interested in the topic and willing to be there, it'll earn you leaniancy when it comes time for them to grade you, and it fights off boredom. Don't be a kiss ass either. If you disagree with something the professor is saying let them know in an educated, polite manner. I used to really get into it with several of my professors but we always kept it professional and they seemed to have been appreciative of it in the end.

[gprime]

My best advice would be to participate in class. It shows the professors that you are actually interested in the topic and willing to be there, it'll earn you leaniancy when it comes time for them to grade you, and it fights off boredom. Don't be a kiss ass either. If you disagree with something the professor is saying let them know in an educated, polite manner. I used to really get into it with several of my professors but we always kept it professional and they seemed to have been appreciative of it in the end.

As much as my school claims to be big on grade deflation, you bring up a valid point. This is especially true because, grades aside, if I wish to transfer, I'll need a strong letter of recomendation from one of them. And as for challenging that, that is something I fully anticipate doing. I've done so throughout high school, to mixed reaction. Some teachers have attempted to get me thrown out, while others have told me I made their class better than ever before.

[Doc]

Swivel pretty much covered it. The most important thing is being in class every session, and being active in said class. If the professor is aware that you are active, then you're putting yourself in a better position.

[brokenandtwisted]

Swivel pretty much covered it. The most important thing is being in class every session, and being active in said class. If the professor is aware that you are active, then you're putting yourself in a better position.

Hmmm. Are you in a private school? My classes have about 200 people...so I doubt activity is...allowed.

[apocalypticdreamer]

Hmmm. Are you in a private school? My classes have about 200 people...so I doubt activity is...allowed.
It all depends on the size of the school, not whether or not its private. My college is state funded and I usually only have about 25 people in most of my classes. I had one class with around 100, and I hated it.

[Doc]

Hmmm. Are you in a private school? My classes have about 200 people...so I doubt activity is...allowed.

No, not at all, just a small school. Only a couple thousand students. My largest classes (Low Level Anthro. and Sociology classes) had at most 65 students.

[CPL CHUD]

I think the largest class I had in college was about 30 students. I went to a pretty small school.

[Alphonsus di Ligouri]

pretty much the same deal w/me. I will say. Make SURE u invest in a good voice actuated tape recorder. I can't count the # of times it saved my bacon and helped my studies to be able to recount a specific lecture as well as get down the questions others asked that passed me by. Helped me a hell of a lot in Accounting.

Also if possible, take a class in short hand or speed hand. saves on paper and notes. speed hand's easier and becomes almost automatic. Also, keep a good dayplanner and write every frigging appt. test time. assignment in it. If i hadn't done that I would've lost track of things quickly.

And, get as many of ur important classes as you can during the summer semesters. class sizes are smaller resulting in better attention, and more detailed studies.

[gprime]

And, get as many of ur important classes as you can during the summer semesters. class sizes are smaller resulting in better attention, and more detailed studies.

Typically, at least at my school, the summer selection is quite limited, and the courses most people take then are to fullfil non-major requirements, like taking Calc II or a humanities class.

[brokenandtwisted]

It all depends on the size of the school, not whether or not its private.

Ah. Well we don't have 'the private system' here, I believe. I assumed there'd be a difference. Now really...the private system is ridiculous after all...

You don't have 40K+ students in your schools? My oh my...

[swivel]

Typically, at least at my school, the summer selection is quite limited, and the courses most people take then are to fullfil non-major requirements, like taking Calc II or a humanities class.

That stinks. I was able to get a lot of my 400-level courses over the summer, and it made them both easier and more rewarding. I remember every summer course I ever took, and all of the fall/spring courses just blend together.

[apocalypticdreamer]

Ah. Well we don't have 'the private system' here, I believe. I assumed there'd be a difference. Now really...the private system is ridiculous after all...

You don't have 40K+ students in your schools? My oh my...

I'm sure theres some schools that have that many students. Mine only has around 12,000. My largest class had around 200 people in it, damn biology, and I hated it, and my grade suffered as well.

[gprime]

I'm sure theres some schools that have that many students. Mine only has around 12,000. My largest class had around 200 people in it, damn biology, and I hated it, and my grade suffered as well.

Definitely a few of them. Michigan State, my last resort school, has over 45,000 students and is the 7th largest school in the country. There are at least 10 schools with upwards of 40,000, with 4 schools having more than 50,000.

[brokenandtwisted]

In comparison to other university systems, do you favour the American system? (I guess this is directed at Americans...)

[gprime]

In comparison to other university systems, do you favour the American system? (I guess this is directed at Americans...)

I'd say I do. I looked into, and to placate my parents, applied to a few Canadian ones. And I similarly researched schools in the UK, as I was tempted to apply to LSE and the Scottish Ivies. With the Canadian systems, a holistic approach is seemingly non-existent. I noticed that the only time I saw minimum SAT scores or GPA's were for Canadian schools. Not even the most elite American institutions, Harvard included, do that. The applications are more substantive, often requiring multiple letters of recommendation, an essay, an interview, and other supporting material. This allows schools to get a sense of a student in a way the Canadian and British schools don't.

Similarly, Canadian schools seem far more uptight regarding students who enroll. Most top American schools recognize that a decline during the final semester of senior year is natural, and ignore grades. I got into a few top schools, and the one I opted to go to could care less that I got a D+ in an AP science lab class I had. Conversely, the Canadian schools that I was admitted to spelled out quite clearly the expected minimum GPA to keep my place. The grades I got for my last semester would have lost me my spot at some of them.

And the variety cannot be matched. In Canada, it is all too common to just go to whatever reasonably close university has a decent program for your intended major. In the US, you can find a school that does what you want well, but also matches your personality. We can choose from private to public, religious to secular, liberal arts to research, associate to bachelors, and so forth. And even therein a vast array options exist. Our system allows for the creation of several excellent, unique institutions like Cooper Union, Reed, and the University of Chicago, that could not exist in the system seem elsewhere. The freedom continues once you get there. Though not universally true, it is usually easier to switch majors, departments, or even colleges within a university as your interests change. This is because you apply to a university, rather than to a specific program. You aren't boxed into an option from the start, which takes off alot of pressure for some people.

Admissions for top schools here is competitive, perhaps more so than anywhere else in the world. Harvard had almost as many applicants as the University of Michigan this past year, but has an acceptance rate in the single digits. And I can tell you, having been rejected from Harvard, and knowing several others that suffered the same fate, that as good as the school is, they could easily have chosen an entirely different batch of applicants and still come away with an equally excellent incoming class. Competition brings out the best in students. But not everybody is cut out for a top 40 program. That is why the American system is so great. Colleges for all types exist.

[swivel]

Do you guys know how the French universities work? It is horrifying. Students can't choose which state-sponsored school to go to, they have to go to the one near them. The universities can't compete for good professors. Tuition is almost free, and you get what you pay for, there isn't a single French univeristy in the top 50. I'm not even sure if there is one in the top 100.

They are attempting some gradual reforms, but they have a long, long way to go.

[brokenandtwisted]

I never saw 'the huge thing' Harvard has going for it. :neutral: I know of two people who go there and they're both pretentious cunts, so that's saying something about the personality statement. :wink2: I also have the (misconception?) idea that Harvard is for those with heavy wallets.

gprime, did you apply to any of the "Canadian Ivy Schools" (Queen's, University of Toronto and University of British Columbia)?

[gprime]

I never saw 'the huge thing' Harvard has going for it. :neutral: I know of two people who go there and they're both pretentious cunts, so that's saying something about the personality statement. :wink2: I also have the (misconception?) idea that Harvard is for those with heavy wallets.

Well, I like Harvard because of what they have to offer. I'll be honest in admitting that my concern is building a nice resume, not learning in college. This is especially true as it is graduate school that matters more. So a name like Harvard can be useful for that. Also, I've always had a soft spot for Harvard because I know so many people affiliated with it. My dad won a teacher of the year award at Harvard Medical School, and I had recommendation letter from a Harvard faculty member.

gprime, did you apply to any of the "Canadian Ivy Schools" (Queen's, University of Toronto and University of British Columbia)?

I applied to all three of them, McGill, Western Ontario, and York. I got in to all of them except for McGill, where I was offered a spot on the waitlist, which I didn't take.

[brokenandtwisted]

Do you guys know how the French universities work? It is horrifying. Students can't choose which state-sponsored school to go to, they have to go to the one near them. The universities can't compete for good professors. Tuition is almost free, and you get what you pay for, there isn't a single French univeristy in the top 50. I'm not even sure if there is one in the top 100.

They are attempting some gradual reforms, but they have a long, long way to go.

Hmmm. I believe Paris 6 is in the top fifty somewhere.

[gprime]

Hmmm. I believe Paris 6 is in the top fifty somewhere.

The most commonly used global list, the one from IHE/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, puts Paris 6 at 46. But that list is not at all credible. It places the University of Washington (Seattle) above NYU, Duke, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie Mellon.

[brokenandtwisted]

The most commonly used global list, the one from IHE/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, puts Paris 6 at 46. But that list is not at all credible. It places the University of Washington (Seattle) above NYU, Duke, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie Mellon.

I've never seen an accurate list before...I don't think there is one, really. This one (http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2006/top_200_universities/)is decent...but I wouldn't put McGill above U of T.

I applied to all three of them, McGill, Western Ontario, and York. I got in to all of them except for McGill, where I was offered a spot on the waitlist, which I didn't take.

:lol: Why in the blue Hell would you go to York University? :lol: Wow...I'll never let go of that...

Anywho, McGill would have been a safe bet, either that or Waterloo in knowing they have that Microsoft deal now. Do you have a decided major?

[gprime]

I've never seen an accurate list before...I don't think there is one, really. This one (http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2006/top_200_universities/)is decent...but I wouldn't put McGill above U of T.


:lol: Why in the blue Hell would you go to York University? :lol: Wow...I'll never let go of that...

Anywho, McGill would have been a safe bet, either that or Waterloo in knowing they have that Microsoft deal now. Do you have a decided major?

The list you linked to is better than the commonly used one. But I would still take major issue with it. It puts McGill above Penn, Brown, and Dartmouth. I think that most all ranking systems are flawed, as the much of the criteria considered, such as acceptance rate and alumni donations are in no way relevant.

I applied to York to placate my parents, who thought it had a good business program. Much like the other Canadian schools, I had no real interest in it.

As for a major, it depends. I know the school last year offered a 5-year joint BA/MA in Economics, but the website seems not to list it. If they offer that, I'd complete it in four years as an econ major. If not, then I'll be majoring in management.