Colleges and universities have
individual
application requirements. Some list their minimum requirements for
college-bound students. Most stress the importance of beginning to plan
early in high school in order to ensure you take recommended courses
and achieve the required grade point average. Students should research
entrance standards long before beginning their senior years.
Top
Schools
Many
Ivy League and other top-rated colleges only accept students with an
"A" average (3.5 to 4.0 GPA). Schools also take other factors into
account when reviewing applications for admission. Students with
well-rounded experiences in high school tend to do better in college.
Courses taken and extracurricular activities are considered.
Other
Universities
The
less competitive schools will sometimes choose students with a "B"
average (2.6 to 3.4) or even lower. Depending upon your intended major
and the requirements for the various departments, courses taken in high
school may play a key role in the selection process. The math and
science departments look for a transcript with higher grades in those
subjects rather than just the overall average, especially if you intend
to major in one of these subjects.
Community
and Technical Colleges
The
majority of community and technical colleges are not as selective as
four-year colleges, but usually require at least a 2.0 GPA, which is
what students probably must have to graduate from high school. The
two-year program can be a good place for some students to begin their
college careers. Many community colleges offer remedial classes for
students with low GPAs in math or English classes in high school.
February 2011
For high
school
students on a semester system it is time to start fresh: New courses,
new electives, new classes and new teachers.
