<p>Hello all, sorry if I'm posting incorrectly. This is my first post and topic.</p>
<p>What would be a good college that does have the major for those on the route of an elementary school teacher (whatever that is, "liberal studies"?) while providing an adequate college life?
Sorry if that is too broad, as I am very new to this. For the longest time, I wanted to be a lawyer but I decided the hours of an elementary school teacher would be heaps better (considering my family is starting a business, so salary doesn't affect me much). I do not really care about tuition, but schools that do provide aid are a plus!</p>
<p>I live in southern California, and I don't mind moving out to another place (NorCal or out of state). That said, notable schools in California with elementary-school-teacher-majors are: CSULB, CSUF, SDSU. I wouldn't mind attending these schools, but I also want to know other options (such as, UCs? private schools?). Or... at least any slightly prestigious schools, or good schools for elementary school teachers in general? </p>
<p>I don't mean any offense but there are people at my high school admitted to, say, CSUF and did not take any AP classes (my school provides many). I somewhat feel my "hard work" in high school was a waste..</p>
<p>excuse my bad grammar, also!</p>
<p>my stats:
1980 on SAT I (def plan to retake)
not yet taken SAT subject tests, sadly (if I choose a CSU, I probably won't.. but I only have about 2 more months to decide)
3.7-3.8 UC GPA (I screwed up sophomore year, and junior year hasn't finished yet)</p>
<p>To become an elementary teacher, you major in Elem Education.</p>
<p>Since the profession doesn’t pay a lot of money - especially during the early years - be careful not to borrow much. Living in Calif is expensive enough without trying to pay back student loans on a teachers salary.</p>
<p>Can your parents afford to send you to the school of your choice? IF not, how much can they pay?</p>
<p>In truth, virtually any school with an Elem major is good enough. Just because some kids at your school didn’t take APs does NOT mean that CSUFullerton is not a good school. Many, many very good teachers have gotten their elem degrees from CSUF. I used to live near CSUF so I know that for a fact.</p>
<p>Your UC GPA is good enough, but try to score higher on your SAT… also take the ACT.</p>
<p>You may want to study somewhere near where you eventually want to teach, since many schools have good agreements with local school districts for student teaching placement, etc.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids,
I rather not speak of my family’s finances (it’s confusing and personal), but I’ll just say 3 of my siblings have graduated from USC Pharm school. That is how much we’re willing to pay. haha, excuse my unnecessary flippancy–as they did have loans and such (and are of wealthy stance to pay them off without parental assistance)</p>
<p>I also don’t mean to say CSUF isn’t a good school, but it’s a school I rather not attend because: the distance (15 minutes away from me, so I might as well live at home… for 4 more years, but that would be a plus on the financial aspect), and again, how some of my schoolmates who don’t have the best grades are choosing to attend there. Of course I have a biased perspective, since they have ridiculed me several times… haha
In all seriousness, some of my elementary school teachers attended CSUF as well, and they affected my life in many <em>positive</em> ways. It is of course a school I am considering. But (now, excuse my overconfidence) it is also a school I know I will for sure get into. Nonetheless I do believe it has a great program to prepare prospective elem school teachers, which I suppose is the most important point of all.
To be honest (the ruminating anxious immature teenager side of me again), my peers are expecting to be admitted to Cal, UCLA, Stanford (well, just a few), Brown, Columbia, etc. so when I speak of attending a CSU, they all gape in flabbergastedness (is that a word?). I try to affirm to myself that I shouldn’t care what they think… but of course I have trouble…</p>
<p>Also, about my SAT score… I have many excuses up my sleeve, but I’ll own up to it this time ;P. kidding, of course
Thank you for your answer, I shall take the ACT (though I have no idea what to expect. I was never the science person)</p>
<p>MsTambourineMan: You really have to take your peers’ expectations with a grain of salt. I think they are the source of your overconfidence. The fact that they think you can get into elite universities does not, first of all, mean that it’s going to definitely happen, and second of all, mean that you’re “too good” for CSU schools. UCLA, Stanford, Brown, etc are all extremely difficult to get into – students with much stronger stats than you are commonly denied from them.</p>
<p>In my opinion, the best place to get a degree in education is the place where it is cheapest. I may be wrong, but education, at least up through high school level, would seem to be a field where your alma mater has very little bearing on employment potential. Especially at the undergraduate level, it’s hardly important. If your parents can pay full freight for four years at an expensive private, by all means shoot for the stars. Otherwise, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a CSU school for an education degree.</p>
<p>If your parents are willing to pay USC’s rates then feel free to apply to the best schools for education. However, if going to such schools require loans for you, then I would avoid them like the plague because you don’t know where your first teaching job will be and your rent may be quite high. </p>
<p>Do not listen to your friends. Who knows where they will get accepted to. Even if they have super stats 2350+ SAT, that doesn’t mean that they’ll get accepted to top choices either. And, they won’t be paying your loans back for you.</p>
<p>If I were you…I’d apply to…</p>
<p>LMU - if my parents were going to pay for it all
USD - same as above
Santa Clara - same as above
USF
SDSU
CSUF
CSULB
and a couple of reach schools.</p>
<p>nyyankees2012,
I am NOT confident in being able to attend aforementioned “elite universities”, as you can see from my SAT score and GPA… That is, with me trying my hardest as well. If I thought I could get into UCLA, I would apply there in a heartbeat. and that is just UCLA (where my siblings have attended), not even the highest tier schools… With that said, I also do not mean UCLA is a bad school!!! Ah now I feel like I am vomitting words all over the place, oh the woe of having feet in my mouth right now haha</p>
<p>I did not say they expect me to go to a “good university” (definitely not with their condescending nature), but they expected me to at least apply to higher-ranked schools–because they’re going to the research fields, of course they would apply to those. As for my “overconfidence”, I was just lampooning myself and the image I project. Again, excuse me being unnecessarily flippant! One shouldn’t take me seriously too often…
I am confident in being accepted into a CSU because of the stats of my classmates who have been admitted. I have better stats (grades, very great improvement from a 3.4 to a 4.5, & ECs), and in addition, I do have several sob stories haha
I was just hoping I could try out for other universities that do provide a good education for elem school teachers??? Again, I want to experience the “college life”, living on campus and what not. Which is why I’m willing to fork out the extra bucks.
Thank you for your response. Though I did think you were kind of mean for saying “students with much stronger stats than you are commonly denied from them”–since I never had such intentions to applying to those schools. I’m kidding; I admire honesty (and what you said is true). well, from a Yankees fan, I’m not sure… haha, kidding again…</p>
<p>And now I sound like a cocky prick who regards those attending a CSU as “stupid” or something (I do know people waitlisted at a CSU!). Oh my, I’m not having the greatest start on CC haha–note, must learn how to present self better before applying to college! :P</p>
<p>noimagination,
I certainly wouldn’t mind moving out… Sometimes I am sick of the sunlight haha</p>
<p>Also, before people start to think the students at my school are “cocky pricks”, we usually have students every year being accepted to Ivy Leagues, and a veeeery large handful going to UCLA or Cal. There are also people who’ll attend the other UCs, CSUs and community colleges next year, as well.</p>
<p>*Again, I want to experience the “college life”, living on campus and what not. *</p>
<p>Your siblings attended the UCs when there were cheaper. Right now, attending a UC and living on campus is costing about $28k per year. Is that fine with your parents? You don’t have to reveal intimate financial details, but if your parents aren’t going to pay $28k per year, then you really can’t consider private schools unless you get your scores up and get a scholarship.</p>
<p>Which is why I’m willing to fork out the extra bucks.</p>
<p>What does that mean? If that means borrowing a lot of money, please think again. You can have a fun college experience without spending more than you can afford. </p>
<p>If you haven’t already done this, please ask your parents how much they will spend each year on your education. That will probably have a large influence on where you should apply.</p>
<p>hey, that happened at my school too. In my graduating class, we had 4 people go to Harvard, 6 people go to Brown, 4 to MIT, 6 to Cornell, 3 to Duke etc…</p>
<p>I was ranked in the bottom half of my high school class despite a 3.1 GPA (3.8 weighted) and felt like I was stupid or something since I was applying to schools that people considered “not that great” for someone taking honors and AP classes. The truth is that there’s no pressure to go to a top college. It’s all about getting the best education for yourself at a place where you will feel comfortable at. If you feel you would do your best at a CSU school, go for it!</p>
<p>It sounds like some of the lower UC schools are great (Riverside, Irvine) for education as well as San Diego State and CSU-Long Beach. There are lots of options in terms of schools in California. </p>
<p>I would echo mom2collegekids advice. With the number of outstanding public schools in California, it would be foolish to go to a school that you can’t afford (or have to take out significant loans to go to)</p>
<p>mom2collegekids,
What I meant was my parents are not rich at all. In fact, they are able to hold up thanks to food stamps/welfare while working endlessly (no political talks please). My siblings are the ones willing to pay for my education. They, on the other hand, are rich (one is a millionaire, which is pretty darn rich to me, and no, they will not support my parents.) As you can see, I’m very uncomfortable talking about financial matters, haha</p>
<p>“You can have a fun college experience”
That’s what I’m hoping for! :)</p>
<p>…And I just realized I didn’t even answer your question. It depends, really… They didn’t mind NYU’s tuition (which I doubt I can get into lol)</p>
<p>wow I’m sorry to change the subject for a second, but if your siblings are millionaires and they are unwilling to support your parents (who are living on food stamps/welfare)…I’m just in shock to here that. I really feel bad for your parents here to have children that are ungrateful for what their parents have done for them.</p>
<p>I hope that one day if you get a good job after college that you will help support your parents (even a little helps I’m sure!) unlike any of your siblings have done :)</p>
<p>pierre0913,
I agree… but yes my family is dramatic. I love my parents but sadly I’m not going to be the rich one of the family :(</p>
<p>Anyway, thank you all for your responses. They help a lot. Now I’m thinking about taking community college courses next year just so I can graduate college a bit early. I’m not sure if those units are transferable though :/</p>
<p>Teaching is a passion, which comes from the heart. There are literally hundreds of schools big and small, public and private which are excellent preparation for becoming a teacher. Pick the school which best suits your skills and interests, and then which has a strong education department. Pay ZERO attention to USNWR rankings.</p>
<p>Look, if you have family members who are ready to pay for school, then get the best education you can. Not just with elementary ed courses, but with a true liberal education. The world needs well-educated teachers, not just ones who can take classes cheaply.</p>
<p>MsTambourineMan: My apologies. I misread your comment regarding your peers’ ability to get into those top schools. You can definitely get into a CSU. I still don’t think I was being mean with my comment… just being realistic. I wasn’t calling you dumb or anything. Only on CC are your SAT scores and GPA considered below par. In the real world, your a superb student. But the fact of the matter is that getting into top schools is simply ridiculous these days in terms of competition – this isn’t just Ivies, but Top 20, 30 and even Top 50 universities.</p>
<p>Regarding where to go: it really does not matter where you get a degree in teaching. It’s really about your personality and student teaching experiences. It may sound cliche, but go where you will be happy. Make sure you can afford it too, without outrageous amounts of debt.</p>
<p>It may be irrelevant, but all of the best teachers I had growing up were from lesser known schools.</p>
There are four main routes to teaching.
[ul][<em>]1) Major in education and get teaching certification simultaneously.
[</em>]2) Major in a random liberal arts subject and get teaching certification simultaneously. (This is reasonably common for high school education, less so for elementary education.)
[<em>]3) Major in a random liberal arts subject, obtain a teaching job, and get teaching certification while teaching. (This is sort of how Teach for America works.)
[</em>]4) Major in either education or a random liberal arts subject and then obtain a master’s in education or MAT.[/ul] </p>
<p>I suggest figuring out which route sounds most appealing to you. The various options will cost differing amounts of money. </p>
<p>If you choose route #3 or #4, you will have a much wider range of options available (from community college to Harvard, as the previous poster phrased it.)</p>
<p>If you choose route #1 or #2, be careful when selecting colleges outside of California - make sure that they offer reciprocity with California. I would also check the reciprocity of the colleges within California to see which other states accept that accreditation.</p>
