Menu
College Plan
Essential Question
What choices are out there for colleges and universities and what do they have to offer that can address how you learn and the skills you need to acquire to be successful?
(Bold = Interview Excerpts)
(Bold = Interview Excerpts)
I am a student who learns best with variety. A big priority for me is being able to take courses in a wide range of subjects and have a community with diverse interests. While I plan to major in a science, I want to make sure that a significant portion of my coursework is arts and humanities related. This is why I am considering minors to help me diversify my educational experience. I am energized by being able to make connections across areas of study, and cannot picture four years of just science or just humanities. I also hope that broadening my skill set will put me in a better position to enter careers that I may not have considered, or that haven't even been invented yet. According to Dell's "Emerging Technologies’ Impact on Society & Work in 2030", 85% of job that will be available when I enter the workforce don't currently exist. When looking at schools that will help fit my learning needs and the future job market, certain programs or policies are better matches than others.
Unfortunately, my Anglophillia does not fit into my plan to have a broad education. Schools in England do not have general education or double major programs. Having a minor is also not a widespread practice. Just like in the U.S., however, opportunities to get involved in areas outside of your major vary from college to college. I had the opportunity to interview the college representative from Bath Spa University, which is "the British equivalent of a liberal arts college". This university also has programs to help me acquire the skills I need for my career. I described my goals and he was able to recommend some possible majors. "There are a few options: Biology, Human Biology, and Zoology." They also have programs that make the college-to-career transition easier. Much like at High Tech High, internship is an integral part of preparing third-year students for the next phase of their lives. "We offer a work placement year in your area of study." Despite great programs like this at some British colleges, the American university system is generally more suited to my needs.
Although not quite as important as the academics, the culture of a school is also a major factor in the exposure to different subjects students receive. Some schools determine living quarters based on area of study. Chapman University, for example, has houses occupied by rotating groups of students depending on their majors. While this certainly has its benefits, it is not what I'm looking for. I hope to form a community with people in different programs. Some schools make a effort to put students together who have different backgrounds and goals. Others work to develop common experiences that everyone can share in. For example, Columbia has core reading that every student has been required to complete. This makes for an easy conversation starter and a strong sense of community.
As I continue my college search, these factors will help me determine which schools to apply to and, ultimately, attend. Outlined below are a selection of schools I am considering and a hypothetical plan for the next ten years of my educational journey.
Unfortunately, my Anglophillia does not fit into my plan to have a broad education. Schools in England do not have general education or double major programs. Having a minor is also not a widespread practice. Just like in the U.S., however, opportunities to get involved in areas outside of your major vary from college to college. I had the opportunity to interview the college representative from Bath Spa University, which is "the British equivalent of a liberal arts college". This university also has programs to help me acquire the skills I need for my career. I described my goals and he was able to recommend some possible majors. "There are a few options: Biology, Human Biology, and Zoology." They also have programs that make the college-to-career transition easier. Much like at High Tech High, internship is an integral part of preparing third-year students for the next phase of their lives. "We offer a work placement year in your area of study." Despite great programs like this at some British colleges, the American university system is generally more suited to my needs.
Although not quite as important as the academics, the culture of a school is also a major factor in the exposure to different subjects students receive. Some schools determine living quarters based on area of study. Chapman University, for example, has houses occupied by rotating groups of students depending on their majors. While this certainly has its benefits, it is not what I'm looking for. I hope to form a community with people in different programs. Some schools make a effort to put students together who have different backgrounds and goals. Others work to develop common experiences that everyone can share in. For example, Columbia has core reading that every student has been required to complete. This makes for an easy conversation starter and a strong sense of community.
As I continue my college search, these factors will help me determine which schools to apply to and, ultimately, attend. Outlined below are a selection of schools I am considering and a hypothetical plan for the next ten years of my educational journey.
Colleges
Three Schools I'm Considering
San Diego StateSafetySAT: 1190 GPA: 3.69
Positives
|
UC San DiegoMatchSAT: 1350 GPA: 4.14
Positives
|
Yale UniversityReachSAT: 1540 GPA: 4.19
Positives
|
Ten Year Plan
High School Junior Age 16
This year, I will be taking the SAT, SAT Subject Tests (Biology E/M, Literature, and Math 2), and the ACT. I will complete the internship project at the Salk Institute. Over the summer, I will be taking a math course at Palomar to prepare me for the SAT Subject Test and college math. I will start the college and scholarship application process. I will seek volunteer opportunities.
|
|
High School Senior Age 17I will complete college applications and take another Palomar math course in the first half of the year. The second half will be spent in internship at a biomedical organization, such as the Salk or Illumina. I will continue to participate in MUN and Robotics. I will decide on a college and begin to prepare.
College Sophomore Age 19I will apply to be a dorm Residence Assistant. By this year I should be involved in research. I also hope to participate in a summer study abroad program, such as French and European Studies at the UC Center in Paris, to help fulfill humanities, arts, and language requirements.
College Senior Age 21I will submit applications to graduate schools and make sure I have the financial aid to afford it. My dream graduate school is Yale.
Second Year Master's Age 23I will serve as a research or teaching fellow for one term. I will continue to seek training and support in creating my dissertation.
Fourth Year Master's Age 25The major focus of this year will be finishing my dissertation. I will consult the Office of Career Strategy to help me get a better sense of my career path and doctorate program goals. Because most Yale Master's degrees filter directly into PhD programs, I would likely be continuing at Yale.
|
College Freshman Age 18At UCSD, I would start working towards my degree in Microbiology. I hope that a broad education will lead to unique career opportunities, with the direction of biomedical research. I will join clubs such as the Undergraduate Research Journal. I hope to continue work with the Salk Institute.
College Junior Age 20This year I will be constantly communicating with advisers to keep me on track for graduation and graduate school. I will find an internship in Microbiology to help me advance a career in research. I will also start to seek scholarships for graduate school.
First Year Master's Age 22Beginning coursework and rotations, I will take training courses on research ethics and responsibility, which are mandatory for all students. This will prepare me to decide on a dissertation topic and conduct my own research.
Third Year Master's Age 24I will apply to become a graduate research assistant. If I am not able to do that, I will complete my second term as a research fellow. I will be spending a lot of time in Yale's beautiful libraries and in the Graduate Writer's Laboratory while writing my dissertation.
First Year PhD Age 26This year must be devoted to coursework before I can teach and conduct research in the coming years as a doctorate student.
|
|