Advising Prospective Freshmen

High School Preparation for University Work

A carefully planned program of high school courses provides students with the best preparation for University work. It can give them a definite edge in their undergraduate studies and the opportunity to do advanced preparation for their chosen field of study. Most important, students who master certain basic subjects and skills in high school substantially increase their chances of success at the University.

Prospective University students should give priority to completing the high school courses required for admission — the "a-g" Subject Requirements. Students should understand, however, that the "a-g" requirements represent minimum admission standards. Demonstrating proficiency in these subjects will not automatically prepare them for freshman work in every subject, much less in their major or program of study. The University strongly recommends, but does not require, that students complete additional coursework in many of the "a-g" subjects.

A student who is well-prepared for University work will have mastered the equivalent of four years of English; four years of mathematics, including a course in the senior year; two to three years of a language other than English; two to three years of laboratory science; two or more years of history and social sciences; and one or more years of visual and performing arts.

Students should also give careful thought to the general field of study, and perhaps the specific major, they want to pursue at the University. If they are able to make this decision in advance, they can plan to take additional courses in high school related to the field.

Students should be advised to take courses beyond the minimum levels in reading, writing and mathematics in order to be adequately prepared for basic University courses, such as English composition and calculus, that they will be expected to take in the freshman year. A lack of basic preparation can cause problems for students who do not choose a major until after they enroll or for those who prepare for one major and decide subsequently to change to another.

Good study habits and skills are also essential for success at the University. These are developed in the more advanced courses in high school, but can also be gained in self-directed learning methods. University students are expected to know how to read a textbook effectively and master background material, how to take notes and how to plan a proper study schedule.

Senior-Year Program

The more challenging the student's high school program, the better prepared he or she will be for University work. Prospective students should take particular care in planning the senior-year program. The senior year should be used to prepare students for their first year at the University and should include honors and advanced courses as well as courses that will strengthen their overall preparation. A challenging senior year program successfully completed is a natural bridge between high school and University coursework in the intended major. A strong senior program will also strengthen students’ chances for admission to the campus and program of choice.

Reading

Prospective University students need to develop the ability to read and understand scholarly publications. They will have to do more reading and more writing than in high school and will be required to learn more material in shorter periods of time. Students should be able to analyze what they read and question themselves about an author’s intentions, viewpoint, arguments and conclusions. Students should have experience reading commentaries and essays as well as textbooks. They should read a wide variety of other material — including literature, biography, nonfiction and criticism — in addition to what they are required to read in class. They should become familiar and comfortable with the conventions of standard English and with various writing strategies and techniques.

Writing

Prospective students must learn to write clearly and skillfully. They will be expected to write papers for English and many other University classes, and many examinations will include essays. Students will have to think critically and analyze what they learn in class and in their outside reading, and present their ideas in a clear and persuasive manner. By University standards, a student proficient in composition is able to understand the assigned topic, select and develop a themeby argument and example, use words and sentences that clearly and precisely express what he or she means, demonstrate an understanding of the rules of standard English, and punctuate and spell correctly.

Students who plan to attend the University must take English courses in high school that require the development and practice of these skills. They must take at least four years of English composition and literature that stress expository writing — the development of persuasive critical thinking on the written page.

Mathematics

Many students are unaware of the large number of fields that require preparation in mathematics beyond the three years necessary for admission to the University. Courses in calculus are included in all majors in engineering and the physical, mathematical and life sciences, as well as in programs leading to professional degrees in fields such as medicine, dentistry, optometry and pharmacy.

Moreover, many majors in the social sciences, business and agriculture require statistics or calculus, and sometimes both.

Most students take calculus or statistics, if required, during the freshman year. The University strongly recommends that students take four years of mathematics in high school, including pre-calculus in the senior year. Courses in mathematics should include basic operations with numerical and algebraic functions; operations with exponents and radicals; linear equations and inequalities; polynomials and polynomial equations; functions and their graphs; trigonometry, logarithms and exponential functions; and applications and word problems. Students who are not prepared to take calculus or statistics during the freshman year will have to take one or more preparatory mathematics classes at the University. This could affect their success in other courses and delay their entire undergraduate program.

Laboratory Science

The University requires two years of laboratory science in high school, but many majors require additional science courses. Programs in the biological sciences and some natural resource fields require high school biology, chemistry and physics. Programs in the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, agriculture and the health sciences require chemistry and physics, and recommend biology.