Preparing for University

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If you are considering applying directly from high school to a university or 4-year college in the United States, your post-secondary planning process should begin early. University and college--or particular programs within an institution--can be competitive; therefore, it's important to plan your high school courses accordingly. Your area of interest will determine what you should take. If you are considering a science or technology-based program, you should load up on courses in math, chemistry, physics and computers to ensure that you are well prepared for the schools that make your list. Communication skills are always important, in virtually every field, so don't forget your English! In general, English and math are the most-often required courses for all fields of university and college study. If you are going into a more general program--or don't know yet what you plan to study--then go for breadth: take courses across the curriculum in science, social science, humanities, creative arts and technology. Find out what the university's policy is on pre-requisites, because if you are missing a required course, some institutions will offer specific courses to help you complete what's needed.

Taking the required courses, though, isn't necessarily enough; you should also be sure to keep your grades up. Most universities and 4-year colleges in the US have a minimum cut-off average for general admission, which is usually between 60-70%. This required GPA varies according to the type of school you are applying to (public versus private, for instance). Quota or other highly competitive programs may require a competitive grade point average (GPA) of up to 85%. The competitive GPA can change from year to year as it is based on the quality of the applicant pool and space available in the specific program.

In addition to your academics, there are several additional things you can do to prepare for success in your university application:

Undertake to read and study independently. This is a good way to develop interests, expand your knowledge and improve the vocabulary and reading comprehension skills needed for your program. This will also help you if admission requirements include an interview, since you will be able to impress the interviewer or admissions committee with the knowledge you have built up of terms and issues specific to your area or program of interest.

Since lots of students have excellent grades, many university admissions committees base their decision partly on a student's personal qualities. These qualities can be developed through participating in extracurricular activities. Consider joining or even starting school clubs, whether related to your area of interest or not (of course if it is related to your proposed field of study, all the better!). This is also a good way to develop demonstrated leadership skills, which are also an important aspect of any competitive application.

Prove your work ethic. University study takes a lot of commitment and plain old hard work. Therefore, work experience -- paid or volunteer -- is an achievement often regarded highly by admissions committees. Any work experience related to your chosen field is extremely beneficial: university programs are competitive, and being able to show the admissions committee that you have some experience in the field will be a definite plus.

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Featured Schools

Federico Beauty Institute

Get started on your career in cosmetology or esthetics at Federico Beauty Institute.

Programs Offered:

Esthetics
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Campus Locations:

Sacramento, CA

Daymar Institute

We Change Lives... One Person At A Time®.

Programs Offered:

Website Design
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Campus Locations:

Clarksville, TN

Virginia School of Massage

Prepare for a Career That You Will Love … in Massage Therapy!

Programs Offered:

Professional Massage Therapy Program

Campus Locations:

Charlottesville, VA

American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty

Boost your career with training from the American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty.

Programs Offered:

Cosmetology
Massage Therapy

Campus Locations:

Pompano Beach, FL

Health Training Center

Advance your career with Health Training Center.

Programs Offered:

Cardio-Phlebotomy
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Campus Locations:

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National School of Dental Assisting - NorthDallas

Take your career to the next level with National School of Dental Assisting - North Dallas.

Programs Offered:

Texas RDA course
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Campus Locations:

Frisco, TX

Albertus Magnus College

Earn your degree and advance your career with Albertus Magnus College.

Programs Offered:

Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Education
Master of Business Administration Online
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Campus Locations:

East Hartford, CT

Ferrari Driving School

Get your career on the right track with Ferrari Driving School.

Programs Offered:

CDL Class A Commercial Tractor-Trailer Driver Training
CDL Class BP Commercial Bus/Truck Driver Training
CDL Class B Commercial Truck Driver Training
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Campus Locations:

Astoria, NY

Rutgers Business School

Advance your career with a degree from Rutgers Business School

Programs Offered:

Full-Time MBA
Part-Time MBA

Campus Locations:

Piscataway, NJ

Hunter Business School

Hunter Business School offers a wide variety of courses to earn your degree or diploma in computer training, medical engineering, and business related courses.

Hunter offers you all the amenities of a large school, but in a small environment close to home for the Long Island resident.

Programs Offered:

Computer Repair With Networking

Campus Locations:

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Universities and Colleges

Clarkson University	Colorado School of Mines	Dalhousie University
Oral Roberts University	Penn State Harrisburg	Temple University
The University of Houston	Thompson Rivers University	UNB Saint John
University of Alabama	University of Arkansas	University of British Columbia
University of Iowa	University of New Brunswick	University of Oregon
University of Ottawa	York University



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	Agriculture and Bio-resources \| Allied Health and Health Sciences \| Applied Business Technology \| Architecture Business Administration \| Computer Science \| Cosmetology and Esthetics \| Culinary, Travel &Hospitality \| Dance Engineering Technology & Applied Technology \| Engineering \| Film \| Fine Arts and Design \| Humanities and Liberal Arts \| Justice and Security Music \| Natural and Applied Sciences \| Naturopathic and Holistic Medicine \| Nursing \| Public Administration & Policy \| Religious and Theological Studies Sport Sciences and Physical Education \| Teacher Education \| Theatre

	Articles \| College News \| Videos \| Feedback \| Career Search Home \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Terms of Use \| Policy Statement \| Site Map \| Cities Site Map

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