College Interviews
General Education Requirements (Getting In)
While you're evaluating the perfect college, this is one thing that you shouldn't overlook. General education requirements will follow you throughout your entire time in college. Some schools don't have general education requirements (sometimes called group requirements or breadth requirements) and others have very strong general education programs, indeed some feel that schools with a "great books" curriculum offer nothing but gen-ed. General education requirements are not a bad thing. However, depending on your interests and desired major they can greatly impact your academic program and more importantly the duration of your studies.
For schools that have made your short list, make this one of your questions in the interview and if you ever get the chance to talk to current students. Ask "how does the general education component impact your major?" or "what do students think about the general education requirements?"
This is especially important in fields including engineering and architecture where the required coursework already stretches bachelor's degrees out to often five years. Likewise the amount of general education coursework you must do can affect things like whether or not you choose to double major or take on that one more minor.
Gen ed has the ability to broaden your horizons intellectually. No lie. But it also has the ability to distract you from the field you're there to study and focus on. Know what you're getting into beforehand and make sure you ask the question! Besides, this is one field that many people don't ask about in their interviews, so be unique and be critical, they have to impress you too.
Tags: getting in, college interviews, engineering, college interview questions, general education, double majoring, gen ed, group requirements, minors, breadth requirements
Weighting Grades, Literally (Getting In)
Lincoln University near Oxford, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia) is going to require all students with a BMI exceeding 30 to take a physical education class. A recent article in the Lincolnian, the campus newspaper, begins to scratch the surface as to the controversy this has started as a result of this policy.
The school's administration argues that it is trying to improve the health of it's campus community. But the critics are vocally emerging from all corners with concerns that it will impact enrollment and that it is discrimination against the obese.
What we do know is the obesity is a serious issue in America and clearly we've struggled to find solutions as the problem is only a growing one, especially as people around the United States are having to make sacrifices and may not be able to afford to eat as healthy (it's true, fresh fruit and lean cuts of meat cost more than canned and fattier cuts). This is one school's approach to the problem and it is likely that while Lincoln is first, other schools will follow.
Indeed, right now many smaller schools do have a physical education and/or wellness requirements, but they are across the board requirements for all students. These programs manage with less controversy though because they are not targeted toward one particularly group meeting with one particular.
But when you're shopping around for the right college to go to, this is one area that you may want to ask questions in. Whether you're for or against physical education and wellness requirements it's something that could affect the entire four (hopefully!) years you'll be attending that school. When you're interviewing or even just talking with someone from the college the following questions may help you with a decision:
- What physical education or wellness requirements are there for students at your college?
- Are there specific situations where physical education or wellness courses are required for some students?
- If I play a sport am I still required to take physical education or wellness courses? (if they have requirements at all)
- How many students participate in sports and other physical activities at any level (varsity, club, intramural, and the like)?
Tags: getting in, obesity, weight, controversy, college interviews, physical education, health in college, college wellness, lincoln university, interviewing for college