Who would want to continue going to school for another 4-5
years? Remember that college is very different from what you are accustomed to
at your high school. It’s not the Mon.-Fri., 8am-3pm (35 hrs) schedule anymore.
An average college schedule is 15-17hrs a week and you don’t necessarily meet
every day. You can fit your courses to your personal or work schedule. There are
2 major universities throughout the state of California, State Universities and
UC Colleges. The major difference between them is that it is the eligibility
requirements are higher for UC schools.
The California State Universities & Universities of
California require specific high school courses in order to apply. This is why
you do need to decide if you would like to attend a university early enough to
take the right high school courses. As you can see from the chart below, there
are only 15 courses that will need to take. Remember that you need to work hard
at these classes to earn the highest possible grade. The universities will look
at your grades in these classes when they review the application. It is a good
idea to retake a previous course with a bad grade. Check with your counselor to
verify that you have taken the right courses. University applications need to be
submitted by November 31 of your senior year.
The California State Universities developed an excellent
website that have all the answers for those that plan on applying. Log on to
CSUMentor for additional help.
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State & UC University
Course Requirements for 2003 |
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Course Description |
1Year |
2 Years |
3 Years |
4 Years |
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History/Social Science |
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English (College Preparatory) |
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Mathematics (Basic Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II) |
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Laboratory Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) |
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Language other than English |
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Visual & Performing (Dance, drama, music, art) |
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College |
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Click here
to see a map of all the State & UC schools in California.
College Admissions Tests
Universities also require that you take at least 2 College
Admission Tests. The schools use these test scores as an indication of your
knowledge in subject areas such as English, math, reading & science. The good
thing about these exams is that they increase your chances of being accepted to
a university if you receive a good score. There are 3 different types of Tests:
ACT: UC & State Universities required.
SAT I: UC & State Universities required.
SAT II: UC school required
Choosing a school is a
very important decision- a decision to be made with care. You can choose to
enroll in a community college, university, technical school, art school,
military or take vocational courses. However, you do not
have to give "your final answer" today and you do not have to do this without a
"lifeline." Your immediate task is to generate a list of schools (somewhere
between 3 and 10) that range from schools that will accept you easily to schools
for which you will have to "stretch." Numerous educational and
training opportunities are available to youth. Programs vary in length,
location, cost, size, eligibility requirements, and career focus. You need to be
resourceful and creative in discovering information. Search the Internet, skim
the Yellow Pages, visit career centers, network with family/friends, and seek
the help from counselors, case managers, ACE counselor or teachers.
1.
Different
educational options you have after high school.
2.
Take the
right high school courses to apply to a university.
3.
The average salaries
for the various degrees/certificates
4.
All the
options that exist at the Imperial Valley College.
In the meantime, here are some helpful
guidelines that will help you get started in choosing between various schools.
Three basic principles in your search:
1. Focus on you.
2. Get organized.
3. Get help (that lifeline is important.)
Curriculum: Does the college offer a
program in your field of interest? Even though many college students start as an
"undeclared" and change their "major," you will want to have a general idea of
your career or life interests. For example, if you like engineering, mathematics
and "things," a small liberal arts college may not have courses that you would
like or need.
Location: Do you want to attend
college near home, or do you want to go to another section of the country, such
as New England? Do you want to go to college in a city or in the country?
Size: Do you want to go to a small,
medium-size or large college? Are you the kind of person who can succeed in
competition with lots of other good students, as in larger colleges? Or would
you do your best work in the more relaxed, informal environment found in most
smaller colleges?
Housing: Do you want to live in a dorm
or would you rather live with a few people?
Religious Affiliation: Do you want to
attend a college administered by a particular religious denomination?
Cost: Do you have specific plans for
financing your college education? Have you identified and started working with
your high school's scholarship advisor and your parents? Most financial aid is
based on need, not academic performance. Are you willing to earn part of your
way through college? Are you doing sufficiently good work to qualify for
financial aid?
Selectivity: How difficult is it to
get accepted? What kinds of students are they looking for?
Campus Life: Is it a diverse student
body? What are the key clubs, organizations, or events? Does an engineering and
mining school offer enough social activities for a humanities major?
