Thursday, October 7, 2010

What Do Colleges Expect

College can be the best years of your life. Those years are also challenging and demanding. Each college or university has strict guidelines when it comes to academic and student life. Any student who cannot live up to his responsibilities will be punished accordingly and maybe even be kicked out of school.


Considerations








There are two main things that will determine whether or not you get into a college. These are grade point average (GPA) and standardized test scores. Depending on the size of the college or university you're applying to, your GPA should be between 2.5 and 3.5. Practically every college wants a SAT score from an incoming student. Any SAT score over 1000 should get you into college, but it's a good idea to contact university admissions to learn the specific entrance score for that particular school.








Time Frame


Many colleges will place you under academic probation if you have an overall GPA of under 2.0 after your freshman year. You must pick a major after your sophomore year, although you can change your major in the future. You may not be accepted into a major if your overall GPA is under either 2.5 or 3.0 (depending on the college and the major). Courses for a major should be completed within 5 years or else you run the risk of losing some of your credits.


Warning


Colleges will not hesitate to expel you from a major or the entire school if it is believed that you are not taking your academic responsibilities seriously. Pay close attention to your grades in each class and approach the professor or teaching assistant in any class in which you are struggling. These individuals will help you bring your grades up and even advise you on whether or not you should drop a class. Remember that dropping a class is ten times better than failing it.


Misconceptions


Many students believe that colleges turn a blind eye toward partying. This could not be further than the truth. Any student who receives an underage, public drunkenness or any other similar citation on campus (such as a dorm room party) will be punished both by local law enforcement and the school. Some schools will place you on academic probation, while others may even make you take school-sanctioned rehab classes.


Expert Insight


Speak to your academic advisor before beginning your college experience. This person can help you map out your college future, including which classes you should take and what majors you should consider. You don't have to stick to this plan during your years of school, but it's smart to have an idea regarding your academic future.


Make smart decisions in your personal life. You'll want to party with fellow students and there's nothing wrong with that. Putting your school work ahead of your social life is a must in college, though. Otherwise, you may find yourself out of school without a diploma.

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