High school coursework - Revision history

Vipul: /* The basics */

2013-11-25T07:01:41Z

The basics

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:01, 25 November 2013
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	* One year of visual or performing arts.		* One year of visual or performing arts.

	In order to get into prestigious colleges, you'll almost certainly have to take more demanding courses than the minimal requirements for University of California admission. The courses that you take, and the grades that you get in them, are said to be the '''most important input''' into college admissions decisions. As such, if you want to ~~[http://learntothrive.subwiki.org/wiki/College_selection#The_prestige_of_the_college_that_you_attend_matters~~ go to a prestigious college], you should give '''heavy weight''' to getting good grades in challenging high school courses. ~~See our page on [[~~college statements on the importance of grades and coursework~~]] for supporting evidence.~~		In order to get into prestigious colleges, you'll almost certainly have to take more demanding courses than the minimal requirements for University of California admission. The courses that you take, and the grades that you get in them, are said to be the '''most important input''' into college admissions decisions. As such, if you want to go to a prestigious college, you should give '''heavy weight''' to getting good grades in challenging high school courses. {{supporting evidence\|college statements on the importance of grades and coursework}}

	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew by overloading your schedule with challenging courses. If you take more challenging courses than you can handle, you run the risk of performing worse across the board.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew by overloading your schedule with challenging courses. If you take more challenging courses than you can handle, you run the risk of performing worse across the board.}}

Vipul: /* Good study habits */

2013-11-25T06:47:11Z

Good study habits

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:47, 25 November 2013
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	== Good study habits ==		== Good study habits ==

	~~Some study habits work better than others. See our page on~~ [[~~good~~ study habits]].		{{further\|[[Good study habits]]}}

	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Working as much as possible often isn't the key to success. How efficiently you study can matter more than how much you study.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Working as much as possible often isn't the key to success. How efficiently you study can matter more than how much you study.}}

Vipul: /* The importance of learning math well */

2013-11-25T06:44:48Z

The importance of learning math well

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:44, 25 November 2013
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	== The importance of learning math well ==		== The importance of learning math well ==

			{{further\|[[Learn math well]]}}

	Out of the subjects that you'll study in high school, it's unusually important to learn math well. You should think about learning math well beyond what's necessary to get an A in a course.		Out of the subjects that you'll study in high school, it's unusually important to learn math well. You should think about learning math well beyond what's necessary to get an A in a course.

Jsinick: /* Key takeaways */

2013-10-25T18:25:35Z

Key takeaways

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	* Coursework and grades appear to be the most important input into college admissions. If you want to get into a prestigious college, you should give very high priority to getting high grades in challenging courses.		* Coursework and grades appear to be the most important input into college admissions. If you want to get into a prestigious college, you should give very high priority to getting high grades in challenging courses.
	* Your study habits play a major role in determining how well and quickly you learn course material. You'll learn better and more efficiently if you think about how the material that you're learning relates to other things, rather than practicing rote memorization.		* Your study habits play a major role in determining how well and quickly you learn course material. You'll learn better and more efficiently if you think about how the material that you're learning relates to other things, rather than practicing rote memorization.
	* ~~You should give serious consideration to~~ spending more time and energy on your math courses than you do on your other courses.		* Seriously consider spending more time and energy on your math courses than you do on your other courses.
	* Plan ahead for SAT subject tests, and place high emphasis on learning the material that will be tested on them well.		* Plan ahead for SAT subject tests, and place high emphasis on learning the material that will be tested on them well.
	* When you choose courses, consider both about how they'll affect your college admissions prospects and how much they'll help you grow.		* When you choose courses, consider both about how they'll affect your college admissions prospects and how much they'll help you grow.

Vipul at 03:28, 20 October 2013

2013-10-20T03:28:49Z

Jsinick: /* Balancing personal growth and looking good to colleges in course selection */

2013-10-18T23:52:59Z

Balancing personal growth and looking good to colleges in course selection

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	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': You'll be faced with the problem of simultaneously achieving two different goals throughout your life. The earlier you develop skills to do this well, the better.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': You'll be faced with the problem of simultaneously achieving two different goals throughout your life. The earlier you develop skills to do this well, the better.}}

	In general, when balancing, you should try to make the smallest sacrifices possible. ~~Some specific points:~~		In general, when balancing, you should try to make the smallest sacrifices possible. You should place high priority on personal growth when it comes to taking classes on subjects that you're interested in, or that you'll use in the future. If you're not interested in United States history, and don't plan on doing anything that requires knowledge of it, then it might be good to take it with the easiest grader possible, even if he or she isn't the best teacher. Similarly, if you're planning on becoming a historian, it might be good to take US history with the best teacher possible, even if he or she isn't the easiest grader.

	* You should place high priority on personal growth when it comes to taking classes on subjects that you're interested in, or that you'll use in the future. If you're not interested in United States history, and don't plan on doing anything that requires knowledge of it, then it might be good to take it with the easiest grader possible, even if he or she isn't the best teacher. Similarly, if you're planning on becoming a historian, it might be good to take US history with the best teacher possible, even if he or she isn't the easiest grader.
	* While colleges view AP courses favorably, at least some prestigious colleges don't have a special preference for applicants who have taken the most AP courses possible over other applicants. For example, Stanford University's admissions department [http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/prepare.html says] ''We want to be clear that this is not a case of "whoever has the most APs wins." Instead, we look for thoughtful, eager and highly engaged students who will make a difference at Stanford and the world beyond, and we expect that they have taken high school course loads of reasonable and appropriate challenge in the context of their schools.''

	Our page on [[course selection]] offers more guidance on the relevant considerations, and how to weigh them.		Our page on [[course selection]] offers more guidance on the relevant considerations, and how to weigh them.

Jsinick: /* The basics */

2013-10-18T23:23:54Z

The basics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:23, 18 October 2013
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	* One year of visual or performing arts.		* One year of visual or performing arts.

	In order to get into prestigious colleges, you'll almost certainly have to take more demanding courses than the minimal requirements for University of California admission. ~~For example, Stanford University's department of admissions [http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/evaluate.html says]:~~		In order to get into prestigious colleges, you'll almost certainly have to take more demanding courses than the minimal requirements for University of California admission. The courses that you take, and the grades that you get in them, are said to be the '''most important input''' into college admissions decisions. As such, if you want to [http://learntothrive.subwiki.org/wiki/College_selection#The_prestige_of_the_college_that_you_attend_matters go to a prestigious college], you should give '''heavy weight''' to getting good grades in challenging high school courses. See our page on [[college statements on the importance of grades and coursework]] for supporting evidence.

	''We expect freshman applicants have engaged in a rigorous curriculum and chosen from among the most demanding courses available in secondary school. It is not necessary to have loaded your schedule with every advanced course offered; but if such courses are available to you, we expect you have taken advantage of many of them. Our most competitive freshman applicants often have four years (grades 9-12) of English, four years of math (including calculus), four years of social studies, four years of science (including biology, chemistry and physics) and four years of a foreign language.''

	The courses that you take, and the grades that you get in them, are said to be the '''most important input''' into college admissions decisions. ~~For example~~, ~~Yale University's admissions department~~ [http://~~admissions~~.~~yale~~.~~edu~~/~~what-yale-looks-for says]:~~

	''Yale is above all an academic institution. This means academic strength is our first consideration in evaluating any candidate. The single most important document in your application is your high school transcript, which tells us a great deal about your academic drive and performance over time.''

	~~As such, if you want to~~ go to a prestigious college, you should give '''heavy weight''' to getting good grades in challenging high school courses.

	On our [[college ~~selection~~]] ~~page, we give reasons~~ for ~~going to a prestigious college if you can~~.

	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew by overloading your schedule with challenging courses. If you take more challenging courses than you can handle, you run the risk of performing worse across the board.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew by overloading your schedule with challenging courses. If you take more challenging courses than you can handle, you run the risk of performing worse across the board.}}

Jsinick at 23:15, 18 October 2013

2013-10-18T23:15:22Z

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	==Key takeaways==		===Key takeaways===

	* Coursework and grades appear to be the most important input into college admissions. If you want to get into a prestigious college, you should give very high priority to getting high grades in challenging courses.		* Coursework and grades appear to be the most important input into college admissions. If you want to get into a prestigious college, you should give very high priority to getting high grades in challenging courses.

Jsinick: /* Online coursework */

2013-10-18T21:25:25Z

Online coursework

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 18 October 2013
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	=== Online coursework ===		=== Online coursework ===

	Aside from taking courses at your high school, you can also take courses online. You may be able to find more challenging versions of your high school's courses online. In such instances, your high school may allow you to substitute online courses for the courses offered at your high school.		Aside from taking courses at your high school, you can also take courses online. You may be able to find more challenging versions of your high school's courses online. In such instances, your high school may allow you to substitute online courses for the courses offered at your high school. You may be able to find online courses that you're interested in taking, that your high school doesn't offer.

	~~You may be able~~ to ~~find online~~ courses ~~that you~~'~~re interested in taking~~, ~~that~~ your high school ~~doesn~~'t ~~offer~~.		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': High school staff sometimes claim that they're not allowed to give students credit for courses taken elsewhere, even when it's not true, because they don't want you to take fewer courses at your high school. Don't be discouraged too easily – if a teacher or your parents advocate for you, your school may allow you to, even if it's initially resistant.}}

	Some organizations that offer online courses are:		Some organizations that offer online courses are:

Jsinick: /* Art of Problem Solving */

2013-10-18T21:21:00Z

Art of Problem Solving

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:21, 18 October 2013
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	Any students may sign up for courses with Art of Problem Solving. The courses are considerably less expensive than Stanford Online High School's courses: the most expensive of them run no more than $600.		Any students may sign up for courses with Art of Problem Solving. The courses are considerably less expensive than Stanford Online High School's courses: the most expensive of them run no more than $600.

	I'm currently teaching an online course for Art of Problem Solving.		Disclosure: I'm currently teaching an online course for Art of Problem Solving.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:28, 20 October 2013
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	===Key takeaways===		==Key takeaways==

	* Coursework and grades appear to be the most important input into college admissions. If you want to get into a prestigious college, you should give very high priority to getting high grades in challenging courses.		* Coursework and grades appear to be the most important input into college admissions. If you want to get into a prestigious college, you should give very high priority to getting high grades in challenging courses.
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	* If your school's courses are inadequate, consider online coursework.		* If your school's courses are inadequate, consider online coursework.

	=== The basics ===		== The basics ==

	High schools have graduation requirements. Depending on your high school's requirements and your future ambitions, your coursework will likely include at least the courses [http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/a-g-requirements/ required for admission] by the University of California:		High schools have graduation requirements. Depending on your high school's requirements and your future ambitions, your coursework will likely include at least the courses [http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/a-g-requirements/ required for admission] by the University of California:
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	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew by overloading your schedule with challenging courses. If you take more challenging courses than you can handle, you run the risk of performing worse across the board.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew by overloading your schedule with challenging courses. If you take more challenging courses than you can handle, you run the risk of performing worse across the board.}}

	=== Good study habits ===		== Good study habits ==

	Some study habits work better than others. See our page on [[good study habits]].		Some study habits work better than others. See our page on [[good study habits]].
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	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Working as much as possible often isn't the key to success. How efficiently you study can matter more than how much you study.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Working as much as possible often isn't the key to success. How efficiently you study can matter more than how much you study.}}

	=== The importance of learning math well ===		== The importance of learning math well ==

	Out of the subjects that you'll study in high school, it's unusually important to learn math well. You should think about learning math well beyond what's necessary to get an A in a course.		Out of the subjects that you'll study in high school, it's unusually important to learn math well. You should think about learning math well beyond what's necessary to get an A in a course.
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	Of high school math courses, ''geometry'' is the least important to learn well. The material taught in high school geometry shows up less in other contexts than the material taught in algebra, trigonometry, and calculus does.		Of high school math courses, ''geometry'' is the least important to learn well. The material taught in high school geometry shows up less in other contexts than the material taught in algebra, trigonometry, and calculus does.

	=== Coursework and SAT subject tests ===		== Coursework and SAT subject tests ==

	If you're applying to selective colleges, you'll probably need to take a couple of SAT subject tests. In preparation for these, you should pick out two tests early on, and commit to learning the material in the corresponding courses ''really well'' (possibly beyond the level of mastery needed for A's in the courses), and take the SAT subject tests immediately after completing the courses.		If you're applying to selective colleges, you'll probably need to take a couple of SAT subject tests. In preparation for these, you should pick out two tests early on, and commit to learning the material in the corresponding courses ''really well'' (possibly beyond the level of mastery needed for A's in the courses), and take the SAT subject tests immediately after completing the courses.
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	For example, if your favorite subjects are history and science, you could pick US history and chemistry to be your two SAT subject tests, and then them like the back of your hand. This would maximize your chances of getting outstanding scores on the SAT subject tests in US history and chemistry.		For example, if your favorite subjects are history and science, you could pick US history and chemistry to be your two SAT subject tests, and then them like the back of your hand. This would maximize your chances of getting outstanding scores on the SAT subject tests in US history and chemistry.

	=== Balancing personal growth and looking good to colleges in course selection===		== Balancing personal growth and looking good to colleges in course selection==

	Some courses help you grow more than others. Some courses look better to colleges than others. In an ideal world, the courses that help you grow the most would be the same as the courses that look best to colleges. Unfortunately, this is not the world that we live in. A couple of examples of this are:		Some courses help you grow more than others. Some courses look better to colleges than others. In an ideal world, the courses that help you grow the most would be the same as the courses that look best to colleges. Unfortunately, this is not the world that we live in. A couple of examples of this are:
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	Our page on [[course selection]] offers more guidance on the relevant considerations, and how to weigh them.		Our page on [[course selection]] offers more guidance on the relevant considerations, and how to weigh them.

	=== Selecting good teachers ===		== Selecting good teachers ==

	In choosing courses, you should give careful consideration to who's teaching them. Teachers differ significantly from one another in terms of their quality of teaching and ease of grading. Teachers are also candidates for writing recommendations for colleges, scholarships and summer programs.		In choosing courses, you should give careful consideration to who's teaching them. Teachers differ significantly from one another in terms of their quality of teaching and ease of grading. Teachers are also candidates for writing recommendations for colleges, scholarships and summer programs.
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	* Give more weight to reviews from students who have already taken the class than reviews from students who are currently taking the class. Students who took the course one or more years ago know whether the teacher prepared them well for subsequent courses. Similarly, students who have already completed a given course are better able to assess whether the teacher is an easy grader or a hard grader, because they've received their final grade.		* Give more weight to reviews from students who have already taken the class than reviews from students who are currently taking the class. Students who took the course one or more years ago know whether the teacher prepared them well for subsequent courses. Similarly, students who have already completed a given course are better able to assess whether the teacher is an easy grader or a hard grader, because they've received their final grade.

	=== Online coursework ===		== Online coursework ==

	Aside from taking courses at your high school, you can also take courses online. You may be able to find more challenging versions of your high school's courses online. In such instances, your high school may allow you to substitute online courses for the courses offered at your high school. You may be able to find online courses that you're interested in taking, that your high school doesn't offer.		Aside from taking courses at your high school, you can also take courses online. You may be able to find more challenging versions of your high school's courses online. In such instances, your high school may allow you to substitute online courses for the courses offered at your high school. You may be able to find online courses that you're interested in taking, that your high school doesn't offer.
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	Some organizations that offer online courses are:		Some organizations that offer online courses are:

	==== Stanford University Online High School ====		=== Stanford University Online High School ===

	[http://ohs.stanford.edu/ Stanford University Online High School] is an accredited online school situated at Stanford University.		[http://ohs.stanford.edu/ Stanford University Online High School] is an accredited online school situated at Stanford University.
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	In order to take classes there, you have to apply and be admitted. The cost of the program is high: ~$3500 for single course enrollment.		In order to take classes there, you have to apply and be admitted. The cost of the program is high: ~$3500 for single course enrollment.

	==== Art of Problem Solving ====		=== Art of Problem Solving ===

	[http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/ Art of Problem Solving] is a company that serves high performing math students. It's accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It offers challenging versions of courses in the standard high school curriculum. It also offers math contest preparation courses.		[http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/ Art of Problem Solving] is a company that serves high performing math students. It's accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It offers challenging versions of courses in the standard high school curriculum. It also offers math contest preparation courses.