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(Under)graduate studies around the world
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| Lira |
I've just talked to a friend of mine that came from France (he's studying in Nantes), and their universities seem to be very different from ours. I always thought the American system was a bit exotic too, and all this confusion left me wondering... how similar are (under)graduate studies around the world?
Here's how it works in Brazil:
1. You take the university's entrance test: Every university has a different test, and you have to be among the top ranked students in the chosen course in order to get in. You have to pick your course before taking this test (i.e. whether you want to study Engineering or Business Administration), and even if your grade is high enough to enter another course, you just can't change (there are ways of transferring to other courses, though, after a couple of years, but the bureaucracy is staggering). Most courses take 4~5 years.
2. There are core subjects and optional subjects (undergraduate only): However, these optional credits won't really count as a minor or anything. They just do this in order to get students out of their departments for a while :p
3. There's no standard way of evaluating the students. Most teachers give 2 or 3 tests during a semester, but this is far from being a rule.
What's the system like where you live? |
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| Silky Johnson |
Here you have to have meet the entrance requirements. More specifically, you have to have certain marks out of high school to get in. You also have to have taken the courses relevant to the program you're trying to get into.
So for me, I had to have a minimum 75% average in Math, English, Chem, and Bio to get into the nursing program.
We also have core (lol) subjects and elective subjects.
I dunno how it is with other programs or fields of study, but the evaluation process for nursing is pretty standard as there are very specific learning outcomes. I love it, because it means there's no favoritism or any like that. |
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| tubularbills |
Most universities have an "entrance" test....basically the SATs and ACTs...you take 'em like in your 11th grade of school...and based on your score, is where you can go.
you can apply to any school really, but if you only scored a 24 on your ACT (out of 36), then don't expect to get into Harvar.
after the tests come back and you see your results, then you actually start the application process. which, for public (state) universities (i.e. something like Illinois State, or University of Illinois), is mostly just an application and like a $40 fee.
the application is basic stuff....put a check box here, put a check box there, etc...
Private Universities or Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Valparaiso, etc...) require usually some sort of "essay" or written explanation of why you want to go there.
For public univerisities, after you get in, you have your "general ed requirements" and your "major/minor classes".
gen ed classes: arts and humanities, social sciences, etc... example: i had to take 12 credits (about 4 classes) of arts fartsy classes, and 9 of the social bullcrap classes. my meteorology classes fulfilled the science/math portion of the gen ed.
core classes (major/minor): the bulk of your field.
private universities usually don't make it mandatory for the gen ed classes...they kinda do their own thing.
Evaluation is on the 4.0 scale.
A = 4.0
A- = 3.6
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.6
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.6
D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0
D- = .6
F = 0
Each professor evaluates differently...so it's like 90% isn't always an A-. , in my meteor classes, sometimes a 50% was an A-. There's a whole weighted system, but in general, you can kinda average your classes' "number grade" to get your GPA (Grade Point Average). but the numbered grade point scale is standardized.
I managed to graduate with a 3.08 after 5 years. |
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| st3nc |
why do teachers feel the need to make students hate thier work somtimes?
would be the question i would pose to my Uni right now, and to my proffs and teachers from the past
wouldnt it be better if the students actually were experiencing pleasure while learning, like Pavlov or some
and i KNOW im not the only one in hell right now |
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| Frenchie |
| quote: | Originally posted by tubularbills
then don't expect to get into Harvar.
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Where is this school exactly? |
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| Silky Johnson |
| quote: | Originally posted by Frenchie
Where is this school exactly? |
In Bosto, dummy. :rolleyes: |
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| st3nc |
| quote: | Originally posted by Frenchie
Where is this school exactly? |
Right outside teh Devils from what i heard |
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| Frenchie |
| Oh, right *smacks head* |
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| tubularbills |
| quote: | Originally posted by Frenchie
Where is this school exactly? |
lol, clearly, i didn't quite score high enough. |
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| verndogs |
| quote: | Originally posted by tubularbills
Private Universities or Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Valparaiso, etc...) require usually some sort of "essay" or written explanation of why you want to go there.
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A number of private universities also ask for more than the SAT/ACT with their "entrance examination". They also require the applicants to take 3 standardized tests on specific subjects aka the SAT II. Applicants also have to write multiple essays on various topics. Some of the pickier unis here also require the applicant to be interviewed by an alum of the school you're applying to.
It's a complete pain in the ass. |
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| goodgreef |
as Jenny had already posted, it was the same for my History in Art program. I also got into College first and then did a transfer program to University (this is different than coming out of high school because i had to have 15 units of courses that transferred to that particular university, with an average of 75% or something).
Here's my school's pre-requisites per faculty:
http://registrar.uvic.ca/recruiting...l#programprereq
It is interesting to see European Universities in comparison to North American ones. In my university there are no entry-exams. The only thing that matters are your high school grades (which you can always upgrade and make better in evening schools). |
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| st3nc |
| quote: | Originally posted by tubularbills
Private Universities or Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Valparaiso, etc...) require usually some sort of "essay" or written explanation of why you want to go there. |
this is the orgin of all cock
writing cannot be judged fairly IMO (cept on the internets)
I go to Carolina (UNC)
got a 1520 on Mr. SAT
my writing styles anon
THATS ME!
THATS MY KREW!!
:thepirate
Enter Rikky Rukus |
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