How long does it normally take, and what are the benefits of getting a high score? Is it just taking more advanced math courses?
The higher score you get, the higher math class you test into. If you require Calculus for your major but your score places you in Math 4, then you will have more math classes to take as pre requisites before you can take calculus. There really isn’t a way to study for the ALEKS though. You either know it or you don’t.
@jlhpsu do we take the tests even if you have AP calculus BC? Also i wanted to know if there are living communities for non alcoholic students? I am a little worried and nervous regarding the party culture at Penn state and would really like to hear about how students work around it?. Also is there any statistics to show how many freshmen were able to get the major of their choice. Thanks much
There are dry living communities, @ppxyz123 here is the link to learn more: https://housing.psu.edu/special-living-options#living. When you fill out your housing contract you get to select a SLO (special living option) if you so desire. I imagine that with the tens of thousands of undergrads that many don’t partake in the party culture, you will find your group of friends that share your values and shouldn’t really have an issue, especially if you are in the LIFE SLO.
As for the ALEKS from what I understand, you still take the tests regardless of any courses you may have completed, as the exam is a test of what level you are on/what you know, calculus was just an example that may be a course requirement for a major, if it is required for your major your AP credit may transfer. All students entering must take ALEKS.
Hope I helped, you also may get better answers/more of them if you make a separate discussion dedicated to any questions you have.
@LM3232 thanks. Really helps
My D is also looking for non-alcohol socializing. She’s an Engineering major - will be going to accepted student day late April. maybe you can get in contact somehow.
You have to take the ALEKS even if you have AP credit for Calc BC. Doesn’t make sense, but my kid still had to take it even though she has AP credit for all her math requirements (Calc BC, Stat).
The sooner you take the ALEKS, the better. You can’t register for NSO until it is taken.
@HelenH Has your D looked into WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) house? It is an SLO and is in West (I think?). Would be a very supportive environment (I would imagine) for her. There is a separate application for that - I would look into it if she is interested.
@lucyvanpelt I would love that for her BUT she is intent on living in a new or renovated building. I believe WISE is housed in a building that isn’t renovated? Agree is would be a supportive environment for her. Will look into it further and visit West when we go to accepted students day in April.
@HelenH I hear your D, however, in this case, the people might outweigh the surroundings. If you are going for an accepted student day, could you meet with an officer or find out more? I feel like it would have a few benefits for her:
- higher probably of non-drinkers (no proof, just a guess)
- close to classes for engineers in West
- support of kids in similar classes around her (helpful for studying/group projects, etc)
If she is dead set on renovated, what about North? Closer than East to her classes…
@HelenH ach, I misspoke. Looks like WISE is in Pollock, not West. Yes, unrenovated. Great location though (so close to downtown and central campus).
I would look into North as an option. Lots of the Architecture kids seem to live there. Close to the Arboretum (which looks like an amazing place to study)
@lucyvanpelt thank you. Most likely she won’t agree to Pollock but I was also thinking North could be an option. I feel East may be party city with less of a chance of ending up with roommate of similar interests (could be wrong but just a feeling). Wil check out Arboretum while we’re there - thanks!
@ppxyz123 Be assured, there are 50,000 students at Penn State. They do not all party. The party culture thing is overblown in my opinion. My kids enjoy a party here and there but aren’t BIG partiers by any stretch. My daughter and her friends watched a lot of movies in their dorm room in east. My niece is not a partier AT ALL. As in, has never had a drink. She also lived in East and did just fine with it. She made friends in her church group and other events who were likeminded - though not all were and they still got along fine. Live and let live and all that.
Like ANYWHERE, it is what you make it. My friends son just came home from college with alcohol poisoning and he goes to a very small christian liberal arts college. Anyplace can be a party place, and any place can not be.
@jlhpsu thanks for that info. For freshmen esp pre major Computer science which residence hall is better. i.e recently renovated one? Is there a residence hall closer to college of engineering?
@ppxyz123, the renovated dorms that freshmen can gain access to include Robinson in North and several renovated/new dorms in East, which is the main housing area for freshmen. South has renovated dorms, but they are reserved primarily for upperclassmen or earmarked as sorority floors. Honestly, first year students have so many gen eds to take, which are located all over campus. As a result, it’s not necessary that a computer science student be right near that area of campus.
Just my two cents, but I’d encourage freshmen to live in East simply so they can surround themselves with as many freshmen as possible so they can build their social network and support system. My daughter lived in Earle (East) and it was surprisingly quiet. Not the loud/noisy experience we had heard about. Robinson in North is great, too – but North tends to be smaller and quiet.
can the ALEKS exam be taken more than once? - update: just found answer.
@HelenH yes. minimum of 24 hours in-between (or something like that?). limit … maybe 3 times total? Don’t remember the exact details, but yes, to the original question.