Презентация "College life"

College Life in the United States

Ivanova N.V.

Choosing colleges and universities

• College guides, internet research
• College visits
• Emphasis on finding the “right fit”

Applying to College

• Several components

• SAT/ACT scores High school G.P.A Personal statement essay Teacher recommendation Extracurricular activities
• SAT/ACT scores
• High school G.P.A
• Personal statement essay
• Teacher recommendation
• Extracurricular activities
• Applications usually due in December or January of senior year

Acceptance into College

• Students are notified of acceptance in March or April of their senior year of high school
• Must decide by May 1
• Acceptance rates vary depending on the size and selectivity of the school

• Stanford University – 5.7%
• Harvard University – 5.8%
• Yale University – 6.9%
• Middlebury College – 17.5%
• University of Hawaii – 81.2%
• Bismark State College – 100%

Cost of higher education

• College tuition costs have increased by 500 percent since 1985
• Average community college - $3,131
• Average four-year private institution - $29,056
• Sarah Lawrence College – total cost of $61,236
• However, many colleges offer financial aid – a mixture of grants and loans
• About 40 percent of students receive financial aid
• Average student debt at the time of graduation - $29,400

Living at a residential college

• Majority of students live in college dorms
• Proximity to friends and points of interest
• Abundance of social spaces and activities
• Meal plan for students

American academic culture

• Emphasis on independent research
• Plagiarism – a grave offense
• Honor code
• Group work encourage
• Professor is often a facilitator instead of an authority
• Participation encouraged in classes – students share their own opinions

Differences from Russian system

• Ability to change major after entering college
• Students choose their own courses, design their own schedules
• Generally less time in class, but more work done outside of classroom

Class schedule

Classes typically 50-70 minutes long

Time in class generally decreases as you progress in your studies

More independent research in later years.

Homework Assignments

• Substantial reading done outside of class – 100-300 pages per class per week
• Students are expected to know and engage with material
• Response papers on reading
• Analytical essays
• Longer research papers

Extracurricular Activities

• Activities done outside of school work
• Some are supported by the college, others are not
• Students at Middlebury tend to be very passionate about their extracurricular activities

Sports

• 27 percent of Middlebury students participate in varsity sports
• Competitions against other universities
• Many more students watch sports events
• Sports are a large time commitment for student-athletes

Clubs and Organizations

• Middlebury provides support for more than 170 student clubs and organizations
• Here are a few:

• African American Alliance Campus Student Newspaper Ceramics Club Cycling Club College Democrats Middlebury College Organic Farm Mountain Club Middlebrow Student Improvisational Society RIDDIM World Dance Troupe Sputnik Russian and East European Society WRMC – 91.1 FM
• African American Alliance
• Campus Student Newspaper
• Ceramics Club
• Cycling Club
• College Democrats
• Middlebury College Organic Farm
• Mountain Club
• Middlebrow Student Improvisational Society
• RIDDIM World Dance Troupe
• Sputnik Russian and East European Society
• WRMC – 91.1 FM

Seasonal Recreation

• Apple picking
• Maple sugaring
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Hiking
• Barbequing

Student Art and Music

• Theater department puts on two plays a semester
• Student art is put on display
• Performances by student musicians
• A number of musicians on campus collaborate with other students to form bands
• Show Alpenglow video

Student Activism

• American universities are breeding grounds where students mobilize for political change
• Historical example of Vietnam War protests
• Contemporary causes

• Divestment Keystone Pipeline protests
• Divestment
• Keystone Pipeline protests

Parties!

• Many different kinds of parties on campus
• Some small and intimate, with friends
• Others are large and “sloppier”
• A fun way to get to know your classmates better
• Word hard, play hard mentality

The Hookup Culture

• Substantial numbers of casual romantic encounters between college students
• No commitment
• Myth or reality?
• Many students complain about the difficulty of having a relationship on college campuses

Study Abroad

• More than 50 percent of the junior class studies abroad in over 40 different countries
• Cultural enrichment and language immersion
• Many American universities offer such programs
• Many students claim that study abroad was their most stimulating experience in college
• Growth and change of perspective

Student Research

• Many students conduct independent research projects under the guidance of professors
• Senior thesis – large writing assignment, completed during the last year of study
• Many students present their research at the Spring Student Symposium

Senior Week

• A week of activities planned for graduating seniors in May
• Fun time with fellow classmates before graduation

Student Awards

• Many students are recognized for their achievements in the baccalaureate ceremony
• A moment to celebrate the accomplishments of our classmates

Graduation

• Culminating moment of college experience
• Family and friends come to support the graduates
• Each student goes up to stage to receive diploma
• Student speaker and keynote speaker
• College songs

Takeaway

• College in the US is a phenomenal experience but very expensive
• Many college alums feel a strong connection to their alma mater
• Despite the cost, college is a worthwhile investment and a first step towards future career success
• The friendships from college can last a lifetime