Summer is here, at last!

I hope the school year ended well for everyone, and for those of you who are going off to college in the fall, good luck and have fun!

For those of you who aren’t, here are a few (just a few) things you could consider doing in the summer that are college related:

1. Visit a couple of schools. There most likely won’t be a whole lot going on since it’s summer break for college students too, but most schools still offer tours in the summer and you have lots of free time to wander the campus now, right?

2. Take an SAT or ACT prep class, or check out a review book from the library. Practicing a couple problems a day (or week) can’t hurt!

3. Apply for scholarships, or start working on scholarship applications, that are due in the fall. When school starts up again you will thank yourself for having gotten some of them done over the summer. This way, you can work on them while you’re stress free and lounging around rather than when you have a full class schedule.

4. Sign up for some REALLY engaging extracurricular summer stuff, like volunteering for a nonprofit or a community organization. Or get a job! These are all things that will look great on your resume and they can be really fun.

Anyway, I’m going to be taking a break from the blog over the summer. However, still feel free to send in questions and I will answer them when we return in the fall.

Enjoy your summer,

Ali

Im a new CFES teacher just testing out your Ask Ali Blog before I let our Tech Club Students get into it.

They have just begun searching college websites. Any tips for them?

Brenda, Waipahu, Hawaii

Looking at colleges via their websites can be a really useful alternative to visiting TONS of colleges around the country/world.

However, I think it’s important to remember firstly that the college is using their website as a means of promoting their school, so don’t get too caught up, the photos are professional and the student testimonies have been carefully selected.

That being said, the website is still a GREAT tool for getting to know a school better. When I was applying to Middlebury I used the website a lot because I didn’t visit the college before applying. Here are some tips that I would offer students who are using the Internet to look at schools:

1.) Take advantage of the virtual tours/picture galleries that are available on the website. Obviously, a lot of the pictures will be taken by professional photographers who want the college to look its best. However, a lot of schools have virtual tours on their websites and those will generally give you a great idea of what the campus looks and feels like.

2.) Look at the department’s pages. If you know what field interests you (or even if you don’t) try and scope out some of the websites for the different departments. You can usually find a link to department websites under the list of majors and minors offered by the college. See what the departments are up to and what they have to offer.

3.) Definitely visit the “Admissions” and “Financial Aid” portion of the website. These are key spots. They are both generally VERY well constructed and informative, and will give you a list of all the dates, deadlines, and requirements that you must be aware of and meet! If you are really serious about a school, I would even bookmark them on your computer.

Finally, I would advise them to just peruse the website and see what it has to offer. Schools generally put quite a lot of effort into designing a pretty engaging website. I remember when Middlebury unveiled their newest website [HERE], it was really cool (I highly recommend checking it out). Having already offered a disclaimer about the advertising portion of the website, I would recommend that students enjoy looking into everything that is offered to let you get more acquainted with the school. It can be fun.

-Ali

How many people are in your College?

What year was your school founded?

Students of Washington Latin Public Charter School

Middlebury was founded in 1800, and it currently hosts around 2,350 undergraduate students.

How many classes do you need to graduate from college?

How do grades work in college?

How do the classes work in college?

How long are the classes, and what kind of classes are there?

How large are the classes?

Did they have the right class for you?

Students of Washington Latin Public Charter School

How many classes?

The number of classes that are required to graduate from college vary from school to school. Generally, schools use a system of “credits” to calculate the number and types of classes you need to take. Usually, each class is assigned a certain number of credits. In some cases, like at Middlebury, each class is only one credit, and you have to have 36 to graduate. However, at some schools the number of credits received for the class depends of the difficulty and/or type of class. For example, your Calculus class may be worth 4 credits, but your World Religions class worth 3 credits.

When you enroll in a college, they will tell you how many credits you need to accumulate in order to graduate. However, I wouldn’t worry about it, because even though each school may have a different system for calculating, you are going to end up with about the same amount of coursework.

Grades

At Middlebury, the grading system works on a scale similar to high schools, that generally looks like this:

A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = Below 60%

Some independent study projects are pass/fail, but most grades are determined based on the above scale.

When you graduate, all of your grades are factored together to give you your GPA, which is a number equivalent of the average of all your grades that looks something like this:

A = 4.00
A- = 3.67
B+ = 3.33
B = 3.00
B- = 2.67
C+ = 2.33
C = 2.00
C- = 1.67
D = 1.00
F = 0

At some colleges, grades are done based on evaluations by the teacher and they do not use a number scale to rank students. Also, some schools will allow you to take some classes Pass/Fail, which means you are not graded, it is just determined by your professor if your performance is worthy of passing or failing.

When you enroll in college you will be notified of the grading system, but if you really want to know how you are going to be evaluated by the school then ask them!

Class size, type, and length

The size of your class will depend on two things, 1. the size of your school, and 2. the type of class you are taking. At a small schools like Middlebury, classes range anywhere from 4 to 80 students. However, in a larger schools, it’s possible to have a class with hundreds of kids in a lecture hall. However, generally, the larger classes are introduction classes on various subjects. When you start taking more specific classes for your major, the class size will generally drop.

With regard to class length, it can also vary. At Middlebury, classes are most commonly between 1 to 2 hours. However, if your class meets only once  week, it could be 3 hours long. The more frequently your class meets the shorter the class tends to be. Also, the style of the class will affect the time. For example, some classes meet for three hours in the evening to screen a movie, some meet just for 50 minutes each morning if they are language classes, and some meet for a 1 to 2 hour lecture twice a week and then have a 1 hour discussion section once a week.

>>For answers to the rest of your questions, see this post: Scheduling Classes as a Freshman.

Hello, and thank you for all of your questions!

I am going to answer them all in the next few posts, but don’t worry if you don’t see your question in the heading because I have grouped several together in each post to make it easier to navigate them all.

Also, some of the questions asked have already been answered, so here is a list of the questions I have already answered with links to the prior blog posts:

Where do you buy your books?

When is the right time to start thinking about college?/What can we do outside class to prepare for college?

-Ali

Do you know what’s a good college for somebody trying to be a veterinarian?

Marie, Millville, New Jersey

If you eventually want to apply to veterinary school (graduate school), I would highly recommend that as an undergraduate you major in science, such as biology, chemistry or animal/wildlife sciences. During your undergraduate career, keep in mind that most veterinary schools require the successful completion of various specific courses for acceptance. This will most likely include math, biology, physics, chemistry, etc. Also, some undergraduate schools have pre-veterinary programs, which will really help you in preparing for veterinary school. However, many don’t, which is okay because you can still take lots of science classes and still be accepted. Be sure and check the course requirements of the veterinary schools you want to apply to and make sure that you are able to get all of the credits that are required.

Similarly, most veterinary schools require that you take a standardized test in order to be accepted, much like how you have to take the ACT/SAT to be accepted into college. Some schools require the GRE and some require the MCAT. However, these tests are not something you need to worry about until you are well into your undergraduate college career, and you can find out which test you need to take when it comes time to apply to veterinary school by asking the school. Usually you can register in advance to take the tests and pay the fees on the website, like the ACT/SAT.

With regard to veterinary schools, there are not a lot in the United States. In order to get accepted, it’s true that you need to have a competitive application. I would recommend that you really apply yourself in college and also try and get involved in extracurricular activities that will give you experience with animals and veterinarians. Start now! Try to get an internship or shadow at a local veterinarian’s office.

According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, there are 28 Veterinary schools in the United States where you can apply. This is why it can be so competitive. You should check the AAVMC’s website HERE to see the list of schools and learn more about them and their admission requirements.

I know this is a lot of steps, but for now I think you should focus on doing well in high school and taking lots of science courses, and doing well in a science major in college. Also, try and get involved with animal or veterinary related activities such as internships or volunteer work as soon as possible!

-Ali

How do you choose your majors when you get in college?

Macarena, Honolulu, Hawaii

Different schools have different requirements before you declare a major in college.

Some universities have a set of prerequisites that you have to take, such as basic math, science, English writing, etc. before you declare a major. At most liberal arts colleges like Middlebury, the school encourages students to take a variety of classes during their first year in order to explore different subjects before declaring a major during your second year.

When it comes time to declare a major, there are a couple things to keep in mind.

Most college students change their major at least once in their college career. It’s okay if you’re not absolutely positive about what you want to do, and even if you are, you ideas may change after taking just one class in another field that really inspires you.

In addition to your major, you can declare a minor, which allows you a secondary specialty, with less course requirements.

Nobody can/is going to force you to major in anything you don’t want to. It’s up to you completely, and your own personal interests. Declare something you’re passionate about, because you’re going to be taking A LOT of classes in that topic. Don’t let someone else tell you what to major in.

You generally don’t declare a major until your second year. Therefore, ideas about majors and minors are generally going to start developing for you after you have spent a year on campus taking different kinds of classes, meeting different professors, and engaging in different topics.

-Ali

If I want to be a photographer as a career what is the best college to go to?

Patricia, Oahu, Hawaii

If you are interested in photography, you can take photography classes at almost any school!

However, if you are serious about photography as a career, there are several different options for schools.

1.) You can apply to an art and design school. That way, you we be in a completely creative environment with other people who are studying the arts, and get an education in photography at a school that specializes in it.

2.) You can be a photography major at a non-art college as well. Many different schools and universities have fine arts programs as well as other non-arts programs.

3.) You can minor in photography at a non-art college. That way, you can have plenty of time to explore the fine arts, and take photography classes, but also major in something academic. That way, you can specialize in both an academic and artistic discipline.

-Ali

To get scholarships do u have to join lots of clubs, play a lot of sports etc.

Jakejon, Honolulu, Hawaii

The resumes that you will send to scholarship committees are going to be similar to the resume you send to the college in your application.

Therefore, I would recommend that you read THIS POST.

Also, different scholarships are looking for different things. Generally, you will send a scholarship committee your full resume. However, some scholarships are looking for specific talents. For example, if you are applying for a basketball scholarship, then you will need to be a basketball player with a resume of your experience playing basketball. The same goes for the various other themes that scholarships can take.

The best advice I can give you is to thoroughly read the guidelines and requested materials for each scholarship you apply for. They almost always vary slightly depending on the organization.

-Ali

What kind of questions do they ask in college interviews?

Janine, Honolulu, Hawaii

Generally, there is absolutely no need to be nervous before a college interview. The purpose of the interview is, like the rest of the application process, to help the college admissions team get to know you better. They want to put a face and personality to your essays, test scores, transcripts, etc.

The kinds of questions you are going to be asked are things like: “Why do you want to go to this college?”, “What do you like to do in your spare time?”, “What are you interested in studying?” and questions about your experiences in life and what kinds of things are important to you.

The best advice I would give anyone before a college interview is not to be nervous, and not to try and prepare answers ahead of time to questions they think may be asked. The interviewer is going to be more impressed and comfortable with you if they feel that you are being honest and genuine in your answers, and you will feel better about yourself, too.

Think of your interview more as a conversation, rather than an interrogation. Enjoy yourself, and engage with the person who is interviewing you! Take advantage of being able to sit down with someone who knows a LOT about the college you want to go to! Ask them questions, too!

-Ali

P.S. Dress well! Look the part; brush your hair and tie your shoelaces. You want to represent yourself well and convince them that getting accepted to their school is something you really want.

Why are college books so much more expensive than regular books?

Divina, Honolulu, Hawaii

The main reason it seems that college books are more expensive than ‘regular’ books (the ones you buy at the Barnes & Noble or Borders), is because, generally, the books you buy for your college classes are textbooks. This expense can be really overwhelming for a lot of students because we are used to being loaned a copy of all our textbooks in highschool, rather than having to pay for our own in college. Most textbooks can run anywhere from 40 to 200 dollars. It depends on the size, amount of materials included, and type of book.

However, there are several options for saving money on purchasing books for school:

1.) Some scholarships can be used to pay for books. Find them and apply!

2.) You don’t have to immediately buy all your books at the college bookstore. Look into different sources before you pay full price. Try Amazon, small bookstores, and a website called Chegg.com, where you can rent your textbook for a lower cost if the website has it available.

3.) Some college bookstores sell used books in addition to the brand new ones. They can often be up to 50% cheaper. Buy those! You DON’T need a brand new book just ‘because’!

4.) Sell back your books when you’re done with the class. Unless you really feel compelled to keep your textbooks, don’t. Often you can sell them back to the college bookstore for up to 50% of the original cost, or you can try and get even more money for them by selling them to other students who are taking the same class the next semester, etc.

-Ali

How much the tuition to Yale University and what are the requirement to go there?

Jessica, Honolulu, Hawaii

Yale is a really wonderful school! However, it is also very difficult to get accepted into, so I would like to recommend firstly that you don’t apply only to Yale.

However, to answer your question:

Currently, the tuition for Yale is $47,500/year (including room & board). However, if you are able to get accepted, they offer wonderful financial aid depending on your parents financial situation! Look HERE for more information.

There is also a great section on the website entitled: What does Yale look for? (in an applicant).

Here is also link to the application/information on the application materials/requirements/deadlines.

I have been getting a lot of questions about getting financial aid for college, which is a very important question!

However, I have already answered it HERE!

Please read this post if you have questions about financial aid, and then if you still have a questions that I did not answer there feel free to ask me!

Thanks,

Ali

Do I have to join a lot of activities and clubs to improve my chances of going to college?

Sinapi, Honolulu, Hawaii

Yes, it’s true that colleges appreciate and value an interesting résumé as a part of your application. However, most schools are looking for quality, not quantity. Meaning, they want to see that on your résumé of extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, volunteer work, etc.) you are significantly involved in things that really matter to you (like CFES!), rather than joining a ton of clubs just to have a longer résumé or seem ‘busier’. Don’t show them a long list of clubs that you spent 15 minutes a week going to meetings for. Give them a description of the things that you have put a lot of energy into and matter to you.

Your résumé is an opportunity for a college to see that you have been exhibiting leadership skills, creativity, interest in your school and/or community’s welfare, and that you are passionate about something. If you feel like you aren’t involved enough, don’t worry. It’s never too late and there are plenty of causes out there. And if you don’t see something, start your own club or organization!

Find what you are passionate about, and involve yourself in it thoroughly. After all, the application process is just the college trying to get to know you better and understand what’s important to you.

-Ali