Science Careers: IntroductionJanuary 16, 2012
High School• You need to take as many AP (advanced
placement) classes as possible. Period.• You need a competitive GPA (grade point
average).• Get involved!– Pick a club/sport and stick with it.– Stay in the club/sport for at least 3 years
Grade Point Average (GPA)• The 2010 accepted students at UCLA:– 93% had HS GPA of 3.75 and higher– 4% had HS GPA between 3.5 and 3.74– 2% had HS GPA between 3.25 and 3.49– 1% had HS GPA between 3.0 and 3.24
What do Colleges Look At for Admissions?
• Grade Point Average• Class Standing (ex: top 10%)• The rigor of classes took (AP)• Your SAT/ACT score• Continued participation in clubs and sports• Community activism• Personal Statement• Personal/teacher recommendations
Standardized Exams
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
• More vocabulary• More “Big Picture”• More sections• Max score: 2400• Sections:
– Verbal Reasoning– Math– Writing
ACT (American College Testing)
• Science section• More advanced math• Writing test is not required• Max Score: 36• Sections:
– English– Math– Reading– Science
Undergraduate University
• Takes about 4 years to earn your Bachelor Degree– Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): psychology, sociology,
English, music– Bachelor of Science (B.S.): biology, chemistry,
physics
Undergraduate University
Public• Lower “sticker price”, and
adequate financial aid.• Priority given to in-state
residents– 91% of UCLA are CA residents
Private• High “sticker price”, but lots
of financial aid• Higher 4-year graduation
rates• Usually, smaller• Find your niche
– Women’s college– Historic Black Colleges
Graduate University
• After you earn your Bachelor degree, you can go on to earn the following:– Masters – Ph. D (doctor of philosophy)• Requires a dissertation (a very long research paper)
– Ed. D (doctor of education)• Also requires a dissertation
Professional Schools• Here, you can earn a variety of degrees:– M.D. (Doctor of Medicine)– D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental medicine)– J.D. (Juris Doctor) Lawyer– D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary medicine)– M.B.A. (Masters of Business Administration)– Pharm. D (Doctor of Pharmacy)
