Rush at OU

Munchkin03 · #1 12-04-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Because we have the HOPE grant which gives a full tuition scholarship to any kid who graduates from a Georgia public high school with a B average, as long as the kid maintains the B average in college, at some high schools a B is almost the default grade. However, there's no way that kids at some of those schools are really doing B level college preparatory work. So, from a high school perspective, you just want to respond to the complaining about the lack of preparation with, "yeah, you admitted that kid with the data about how other kids from that high school fared in your program; how can you possibly try to blame the high schools generally for your failure to make tough admissions decisions?"

I know in Florida, which has had a similar scholarship program for a long time, it's not just "get a 3.0, and you're golden." There's a corresponding SAT/ACT score, and there is a list of schools (based on performance) that are not qualified to take students into the scholarship program.

You know what? No one's ever surprised when a kid can't hack it in college and has to come home--unless there's an unforseen problem like homesickness or an illness. My HS teachers said that they could predict who was going to be home after a year.

KSUViolet06 · #2 12-04-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

You know what? No one's ever surprised when a kid can't hack it in college and has to come home--unless there's an unforseen problem like homesickness or an illness. My HS teachers said that they could predict who was going to be home after a year.

True. One of my English teachers was pretty good at this. An entire group of 5 girls in my class went away to UVA (after getting 4.0's all through our not too totally academically rigorous HS), and were back at home at U of Akron by spring semester. He predicted it. lol.

Blue Skies · #3 12-08-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

True. One of my English teachers was pretty good at this. An entire group of 5 girls in my class went away to UVA (after getting 4.0's all through our not too totally academically rigorous HS), and were back at home at U of Akron by spring semester. He predicted it. lol.

If you have good preparation in H.S., you're golden. I went to an academically demanding public H.S., a second-tier public university, and I sailed through. Grad school was likewise no problem. IMO, it often comes down to writing, the ability to research information, and work ethic.

I was stunned when colleagues at work told me that their professors did not require papers in their undergraduate courses.

I had to write at least one or two papers for every single undergraduate course. In grad school, I had to produce 60 pages on ten different topics (with footnotes!) within the first month.

IMO, where you go (either H.S. or college) does make a difference.

TriDeltaSallie · #4 12-08-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

If you have good preparation in H.S., you're golden. I went to an academically demanding public H.S., a second-tier public university, and I sailed through. Grad school was likewise no problem. IMO, it often comes down to writing, the ability to research information, and work ethic.

I was stunned when colleagues at work told me that their professors did not require papers in their undergraduate courses.

I had to write at least one or two papers for every single undergraduate course. In grad school, I had to produce 60 pages on ten different topics (with footnotes!) within the first month.

IMO, where you go (either H.S. or college) does make a difference.

I agree completely! I remember how scared I was to start college after hearing the standard "Look to your right and look to your left. Two of you won't be here next year." during orientation.

Yes, the work in college took effort, but it wasn't as overwhelming as I expected, even courses in the Honors College. I think it had a lot to do with how hard I was pushed by some really great teachers in high school. I also think having the ability to write well was key. I always chose the college class that had a final paper instead of a final exam if I had the choice. Writing a paper felt to me like you had total control over your grade. An exam - not so much. But writing a final paper? All the requirements are there for you to read and you can ask for help and guidance as you do it. How much easier can it be?

And don't even get me started on people who don't go to class. If all you do is show up and do the readings, you should be able to pull a 3.0 out of most classes.

oncegreek · #5 12-09-2008, 12:27 AM

Thank you, Tri Delta, Sallie! Your post was exactly what I needed to hear. I have been procrastinating,putting off completing my thesis proposal. I am in a Master's program, majoring in English, via distance learning. My grades have been great, and I am a strong writer. I've just had a block, you might say, about this proposal. Your common sense comments have removed my block, and I shall return to work!

TriDeltaSallie · #6 12-09-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oncegreek

Thank you, Tri Delta, Sallie! Your post was exactly what I needed to hear. I have been procrastinating,putting off completing my thesis proposal. I am in a Master's program, majoring in English, via distance learning. My grades have been great, and I am a strong writer. I've just had a block, you might say, about this proposal. Your common sense comments have removed my block, and I shall return to work!

Well, thank you and you're welcome! I'm glad what I said encouraged you. (Insert warm, fuzzy feeling here)

Sallie

FSUZeta · #7 12-05-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I know in Florida, which has had a similar scholarship program for a long time, it's not just "get a 3.0, and you're golden." There's a corresponding SAT/ACT score, and there is a list of schools (based on performance) that are not qualified to take students into the scholarship program.

in addition, they have to contribute a certain number of volunteer hours to charity.

Munchkin03 · #8 12-07-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

in addition, they have to contribute a certain number of volunteer hours to charity.

That's great. I did an IB program in high school, so the 200 CAS hours we had to fulfill were my top priority. I went to HS 10 years ago, and so they've probably changed the community service requirements. I don't think they had them when I was in school. Maybe they did, but since I knew I wasn't going to a Florida public school, it didn't matter.