So I remember sitting down freshmen year in algebra not learning anything because our teacher was a FOOTBALL coach not qualified for teaching math. I passed first semester with a a B and second semester a D, sadly. What worries me so much is that how the heck am I suppose to go to a CSU or UC if they only accept C’s or higher? Let me just set this straight, I am an above average student. I have never gotten anything below a C since then (besties in geometry second semester). I participate in many extra curriculars and I take honors and many ap courses. I heard someone say something about validation. They said that if I receive a C or higher in an upper level math like algebra 2 (which I’m in right now) that it validates the D from algebra one? Is this true ? How does this even work? Can I still go to a UC or CSU because I’ve been working my butt off and don’t want to go to a community college since I’ve made it this far. Please help.
Yes, the UC’s and CSU’s use grade validation for Math and Foreign Language courses only. If you receive a D or F 2nd semester of a Math course and you take the next higher level Math class (Geometry/Algebra2/Pre-Calc etc) and pass with a C or higher, it validates the D in Algebra. The D grade is still reported on your CSU/UC application and since it was in 9th grade, it is not calculated into your UC/CSU GPA (only 10-11th grades). It also means that you meet the a-g course requirement for Math.
The a-g subject requirements:
History/social science (“a”) – Two years, including one year of world history, cultures and historical geography and one year of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of American government or civics.
English (“b”) – Four years of college preparatory English that integrates reading of classic and modern literature, frequent and regular writing, and practice listening and speaking.
Mathematics (“c”) –Three years of college-preparatory math, including or integrating the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.
Laboratory science (“d”) – Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of the three disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
Language other than English (“e”) – Two years of the same language other than English or equivalent to the second level of high school instruction.
Visual and performing arts (“f”) – One year chosen from dance, music, theater or the visual arts.
College-preparatory elective (“g”) – One year chosen from the “a-f” courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely in the elective area.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/csu-uc-a-g-comparison-matrix.pdf
This is such a relief !!! Thank you so much! ? But also, do colleges care that I’m going to take four years of a foreign langaue? Like it gives me this bilingual seal on my diploma but how do they know I received this ?
See page 17 and 18 of http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/quick-reference-2018.pdf for math validation for fulfilling subject requirements for UC admission purposes.
If you earned a D in second semester algebra 1, a C or higher grade in algebra 2, precalculus, trigonometry, statistics, or calculus will validate it.
If you earned a D in second semester geometry, a C or higher grade in precalculus, trigonometry, or calculus will validate it.
Note: geometry does not validate algebra 1, algebra 2 does not validate geometry unless trigonometry is included, and missing geometry (as opposed to D or F in geometry) cannot be validated.
However, D grades earned in 10th-11th grade are still counted in your GPA for UC frosh admission purposes, unless replaced by repeating the same course.
Many top colleges want 4 years of FL. UC’s require 2 years but recommend 3 years. CSU’s only require 2 years. Take the HS classes that interest you as long as you complete the a-g course requirements for the CSU’s and UC’s if you plan to apply.
So I’m currently a junior in high school and not very good at math. I was just wondering, since I’m in algebra 2 this year, what math should I take senior year? I know it’s not required to take a math but I want to stand out as much as possible and I want to practice what I’m not good at. Also, I want to be something in the medical field but I don’t know what. If I major in biology what jobs can I apply to? Or what if I major in health? Gow much amount of math is required in a biology major ? Is it extremely rigorous? What other major could I obtain to get a medical filed related job? I know college is going to be a lot of work but I want to set myself up for success as much as possible and I don’t want to take a lot of math courses in college because I can’t excel and show what I’m good at in them? What would you guys recommend me ?
The next logical level of Math to take is Pre-Calculus. You will probably have to take some Calculus in college so having some exposure to the material in Pre-Calc will definitely help you.
A Biology major is great if you want to apply to Medical school, Physician Assistant school, Dental school etc… As a stand alone major, not very marketable without some graduate degree. Biology can be rigorous depending upon the curriculum and area of concentration along with your interests and your strength in science based courses.
Biology related jobs: https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/best-jobs-biology-majors-0317
Microbiology, Public Health, Kinesiology, Speech Pathology, Nursing, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Biology are other majors to consider.
If you are looking at the CSU’s and UC’s, then probably 1-2 semesters of Calculus and 1-2 semesters of Statistics could be required for a Biology major and this probably true for most science related majors.
Most college websites list a 4 year plan for each major so you can do some research to see how Math heavy any of these majors can be.
Here is a link for SDSU’s 4 year major maps. Just select year: 2018 and major: Biology, Microbiology etc…
Would a health degree be marketable ? How well does it do as a stand alone degree? How much math would be in this? What jobs could I apply to with this degree? would the courses in this degree cover the prereq’s for a physicians assistent?
You would need to still get a graduate degree with a Public Health degree but yes it is marketable. Some types of jobs available:
https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/587/what-can-i-become-with-a-masters-in-public-health.html
The amount of Math depends upon the college curriculum.
For a Cal state like Cal State LA, you only need 1 Statistics class for the major.
For a UC like UC Irvine, you need 1 Statistics class and 2 Calculus classes for the major.
For PA school, it will depend upon the school you are applying but most programs will require at least:
One year of chemistry with labs*
One course each of human anatomy and physiology with labs
One course in microbiology with lab
One course in statistics
One course in psychology
A degree in Public Health should cover all these courses either through major requirements and/or electives. Again it depends upon which school you attend and their major curriculum.
You also have to realize that PA is very competitive, so you will need to get a High GPA at any school you attend.
You do not have to major in Science to apply to Medical school, PA school etc… but it does make it easier to meet the school requirements. You need to go with your strengths.
So me along with other students have always wondered what the true difference is between the UC and CSU systems. Why are their criteria for accepting different? How come csu’s don’t care about extra curriculars ? What’s the difference amoung education ? Is there a “harder” system ? Also for a pa school, how could I stand out as an applicant other then a high gpa and experience? Also what do you mean by I would still need to get a graduate degree if I get a healthcare degree ?
CSU’s were originally setup to educate local students (in-service area) and get them out into the workforce.
UC’s were setup to educate students that would go onto graduate and professional degrees so more research going on at UC’s vs. CSU’s. The line between UC’s and CSU’s have blurred over the years since many CSU’s offer graduate studies and research opportunities.
One is not better than the other. You need to figure which would fit you best. In general, the majority of the UC’s are harder to be accepted into than the CSU’s with a few exceptions such as Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, CSU Long Beach etc…
I had one son graduate from a CSU and one son for a UC. Both attended schools they felt fit them academically, financially and socially.
Regarding EC’s, I cannot answer why EC’s are not considered at the CSU’s (except Cal Poly SLO) vs. a UC but many state schools thoughout the US will admit applicants just based on academic stats only (GPA/Test scores).
PA school not only has course requirements, High GPA required to apply, but they also upwards of 2000 hours of paid patient care contact prior to applying.
https://www.aapa.org/what-is-a-pa/
What Healthcare degree are you interested in obtaining? Public Health requires a Masters for good job prospects. A Physical therapist a doctorate degree to work in the field. Depending upon which health care field you are targeting, many do require an advanced degree.
CSU’s accept students strictly on the basis of A to G gpa and SAT or ACT scores (combined formula). You either make the cut off or not. Math can be re-learned in college. UC vs CSUs in terms of education. The teaching isn’t better at one or the other but the students at UC may be sharper as a whole. Think the difference in playing Varsity vs. Junior Varsity. That being said, a degree is a degree. Grad school matters more in choice of school.
Regarding why CSUs don’t examine EC records, perhaps it is because there can be opportunity gaps varying by family income with respect to who gets involved in sports, music, or has time for other ECs. Could be part of the egalitarian aspect of the CSUs.
In the moderately selective range that CSU applicants and admits mostly populate, there is enough differentiation between applicants based on easily calculated academic criteria that the CSUs are mostly not concerned with trying to differentiate between an overabundance of applicants pressed up against the top of the scales. Adding consideration of subjectively graded criteria like extracurriculars, essays, etc. would add considerable amounts of work in the admission office for only minimal changes in who gets admitted at the margins, assuming that academic criteria remain the most important factors.