<p>(I am a high school senior. These are general college questions, but I posted this in this forum because my goal is to transfer.)</p>
<p>So course rigor is an important factor in transfer admissions in top schools because it demonstrates whether one is good enough to study at a top school. The more course rigor, the less they focus on your high school studies. How do I consider this when this fall I am going to attend a school with little rigor? If I take the hardest classes possible (albeit not as competitive as those of other schools) at my school, would colleges see that, or would I just be in an unfortunate situation?</p>
<p>If there is some form of rigor, how can I tell which classes are easy/gen. ed. and which classes are hard and impressive? I've shown no leadership in high school and have bad grades (~3.3). If I end up taking basic, general ed. courses through inevitable circumstances, am I screwed? I honestly don't know how to be competitive when I don't have options.</p>
<p>As a fr, you are going to have to take a certain amount of gen ed courses, no matter what. So, if you can place out of some lower level classes, via AP credit or testing, you could fulfill your gen ed requirements with higher level coursework. Also, for electives, will you choose to take the equivalent of ‘underwater basketweaving’ or perhaps a foreign language or other academic course that is not necessarily a gen ed requirement or in your major to be? All of those choices accumulate to say something about the rigor of your coursework.</p>
<p>Does your school offer any seminar style courses for fr? If so, or if there’s any other way to take classes with fewer students, that’s a good way to participate more and really show instructors how much you are interested and invested in getting a great education.</p>
<p>Entomom, do you know how to search and establish extracurricular activities that are from the outside of the school?</p>
<p>I would study what interests you. Also, look out for smaller classes where you can get to know the professor/instructor/TA. It’s a lot easier to transfer credits that have an equivalent at your new school. Have you taken calculus? If not, it’s a good “standard” course that should transfer easily and show that you are ready for college level math. In college often times the prof determines the rigor of a course more than the nature of the course itself.</p>
<p>^I’m going to get a 5 on the AP Calc BC exam next month. If the school I attend accepts the AP credit and puts me in a higher level math class (?), but the school I transfer to does not, does that mean I have to retake the course before I transfer?</p>
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<p>How do the colleges determine whether I challenge myself if factors like these can’t be controlled? The head of the honors program said I will be able to take an honors course at the beginning of my sophomore year and get into the program by the end of it. This implies that I will be taking general courses in my freshman year just like everybody else with an SAT 700-800 points lower than mine, and that I will be behind those who were in honors since freshman year, who are still not as academic as I. I know that sounds cocky but I don’t know how else to say it. I can do good at a better school but I have to settle for a poor one. How will I satisfy my prereqs if the courses aren’t offered? I don’t think my plan (to take honors courses one semester) is enough and I don’t have faith in my school’s programs.</p>
<p>you can take summer math classes if your that worried about falling behind. if you get a 5 on bc calc, you should be able to get into calc III though, so i don’t see the problem.</p>
<p>You would probably get Calc III credit taken during college, but perhaps not Calc I and II credit at the school you transfer to. Your AP credit for Calc I and Calc II will presumably show up on the transcript of your current college, so you can always submit that if something you are applying for something that requires those classes. </p>
<p>What kinds of schools are you looking to transfer to? (For instance business schools seem to have certain prerequisites). </p>
<p>I don’t think a class of Calc III students is going to be “stupid.” Presumably your current college has (some) good professors. Take classes with them. During office hours ask questions that go above and beyond what is covered in class. You might want to investigate the possibility of independent study, although be aware that independent study credits might be hard to transfer.</p>