<p>Dean J,
How does one place out of the writing classes? I've heard that dual enrollement classes (high school/ community college) aren't accepted for frosh English. Does one need AP?</p>
<p>Just how bad are these teaching assistants?? I mean, I recognize that proffessors are obviously going to be better, but are classes taught by TAs doomed for failure?</p>
<p>doctorsboy, IMO, the quality of teaching by a TA probably depends on the TA himself/herself and the working relationship the TA has with the course's professor. Most large uni's have TA's. You might become one yourself one day! :)</p>
<p>You most likely won't have an actual lecture/class taught by a TA. Instead, you'll have a large lecture, but then you'll also have another "recitation" or "problem hour" or "lab" or "discussion hour" in which the group will be much smaller (10-30) and the TA will either help with homework, go over more examples that the professor couldn't cover in lecture, give quizzes to make sure you're on track, or hold a discussion on the topic at hand. So, you won't so much be "taught" by the TA, but more "helped". Their responsibility is to help you put what you've learned in lecture/reading into actual practice.</p>
<p>I'll tell you this much, I had a TA for ENWR 210, Italian 101-202, and Math131/132.</p>
<p>I thought they all were great. You don't need a fields medal winner to teach you how to do integrals, nor do you need a ph.d. in italian teaching you how to conjugate verbs. The TA teaching the ENWR class was in the middle of doing her doctoral dissertation--I think I can trust she knows how to instruct people in writing a decent 10 page paper. </p>
<p>I think the TAs are great because they're usually just a few years older then you (all of mine had just graduated the year before except the ENWR one) and are really chill. They also don't have many students so they are really easy to get into contact with.</p>
<p>Also theres always that off chance you see them out at bars, which is always amusing.</p>
<p>UVA vs. Amherst vs. Notre Dame </p>
<p>At UVA I'd be Echols, so I hear that gives it a wider range of opportunities/liberty, which is what I like about Amherst. </p>
<p>Notre Dame has a really good business school, and its about the right range of students (between the somewhat larger UVA and the slightly too small Amherst)</p>
<p>Also, I LOVE Charlottesville, but I don't want the town/weather to be my determining factor. </p>
<p>Academically, Socially, can I get some feedback?</p>
<p>I think, unless you're one of those people who is just obsessed with the "fighting irish" UVa is the better choice between the 2 schools. I'd venture to say nearly all of UVa's programs are equal or better than Notre Dame's, and at least with regards to academics, UVa is the more prestigious school (don't take someones opinion who only thinks of football). Its also coming it significantly cheaper, regardless of whether or not you're instate or out of state. </p>
<p>Amherst and UVa are so incredibly different its hard to say. Amherst is very liberal vs. UVa being more moderate. Amherst's entire student body is just over half the size of UVa's entering class. If you think you can handle being in a school thats smaller than many high schools for 4 years then thats also something to consider. Amherst is more prestigious. Also, you'll benefit from all classes being very small. However, I think you could run out of things to do at Amherst after 4 years, and you'll miss out on some fun things that only larger schools have, like D1 sports..</p>
<p>Dean J,
Unfortunate that UVA is utilizing the result of the awful writing portion of the SAT so heavily for placement. Look at Table 5 of <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/research/pdf/RN-32.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/research/pdf/RN-32.pdf</a>
Even with multiple fudge factors, the best correlation they could come up with from the essay section to grades in freshman English was 0.18, about half that of the correlation with high school GPA (0.35) which was also higher than for any of the SAT test sections.
Writing an essay in 20 minutes is not a real world task, except perhaps for a journalist on deadline.
Unfortunate that grades in dual enrollment courses are given a lower rating for placement than this awful test.
That said, can admitted students take the SAT again to raise the writing portion for placement purposes, or is portfolio review the better way to go?</p>
<p>My D got into Echols Scholars today but also got into Maryland's Gemstone Program with a $10,000 scholarship (she is In State). How does Echols compare and is it worth the extra money for UVA OOS?</p>
<p>UVA vs. VTech vs. Penn State vs Udel vs George Mason (vs Cornell)</p>
<p>Tech
-because tuition will only be 2k (before aid!)
-like the campus</p>
<p>Penn State
-because they have the best meteorology program in the world!<br>
-and the fact that i can go on a practically free ride!
-the EMS school is REALLY SMALL (800 kids) so loads of personal attention
-arguable one of the best career/research service places in the country (at least for EMS). they really push and help you with this</p>
<p>UDEL
-i love the feel of the campus
-close to Philly, B-more, DC, and NY
-generous OOS aid package
-i think has a concentration in atmospheric science (which is what i really wanna do, that or meteo.)</p>
<p>George Mason
-honors college (worth it?)
-sister goes there so I'd know people already
-I <3 NoVA and DC
-reputation is getting better
-inexpensive</p>
<p>Cornell- havent gotten in and probably wont so im not focusing on this</p>
<p>I havent narrowed down my list at all and i am FREAKING OUT!! UVA was my first choice for the longest time, but now im not so sure. I actually kind of hope i get rejected so itll make my decision easier, but I really wasnt to get in at the same time. All the schools have something to offer and I havent been able to limit anything out. PLEASE help me!</p>
<p>Okay, sorry, I hate to list so many schools, but I'm torn!</p>
<p>UVA vs. UCLA (honors program) vs Berkeley vs Michigan vs (potentially) Notre Dame vs Boston College.</p>
<p>Probably major in English/International Relations, or Public Policy...something along those lines.</p>
<p>Again, sorry! Any help (especially from people who were deciding between similar schools, but chose UVA for one reason or another), is appreciated!</p>
<p>CA resident, brother at Berkeley, if that helps anyone....thanks!</p>
<p>Wow, what excellent choices you have there, vc08! I'd say that if money isn't an issue for you, if you're more adventurous and don't mind cold weather, then UVA or Michigan.</p>
<p>haha thanks barboza, everyone says it's a good thing, but it's SO HARD to decide lol. I wish I could just reserve a spot at one other school for grad school!</p>
<p>anyone else?...</p>
<p>UVA Echols vs. Texas Business Honors</p>
<p>Business Major</p>
<p>UVA:
-Chance to see somewhere else
-Freedom from course requirements
-Great business school
-Awesome Campus</p>
<p>Texas BHP:
-In-state tuition + National Merit Scholarship (4 yrs is less than one at UVA)
-Very small program (150 per class)
-City atmosphere (It's Austin...)
-Easy to get to
-50+ kids of my class of 500 going
-In business school freshman year</p>
<p>This is going to be a really tough decision so any advice that you could give me would be great. I'd like to focus on international business and possibly consulting. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Vc08, what kind of experience are you looking for? Urban vs. suburban? Do you want to stay in Cali or do you want to try living in another state? Is money an issue for you? That will definitely affect if you choose between UCLA or UC Berkeley vs. UVA and Michigan. If you're able, you should try visiting UVA and Michigan. You'll get a sense which school is right for you after doing that.</p>
<p>Hpscot08, how much is money an issue for you?</p>
<p>Any thoughts on UVA versus Georgetown? I am into the business program at Georgetown and would want to be in it at UVA, I also live in MD like 30 mins from Georgetown now..</p>
<p>UVa vs. Purdue vs. UMCP
I'm doing Engineering...i have no idea where to go..all these are good universities in Engineering and all...any thoughts?</p>
<p>I believe it all boils down to which school can you give the best education at the lowest price. Since most of us will go onto graduate school (which offers little or no financial aid), we should try to be saving as much as we can before we get to graduate school--not waste all our money on a "dream" school when a "full ride" could have been just as good.</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents ;)</p>