[ps2cho]

Hey guys,

After doing some serious consideration about my future i have come to the plan that i want to go into teaching(History+Psychology teacher) or a social psychologist. I want to major in History and Psychology obviously. I dont want to go to a community college...and im "planning" if i can keep up my GPA, to head to UCI(University of California Irvine). I think this is a good route to take as i enjoy history and psychology. Now, firstly i'll just let you guys know my deal.

I took the SAT Reasoning Test (or ex SAT1) and i got a 1560 first try and i havnt even finished geometry in school yet so i expect to bring it up to at least a 1650 in the fall. What worries me is that my Average GPA is 2.8. I moved from England to Cali and it took a while to settle in and understand how important college is. Once i got my act together, (Start of Junior Year) i have pulled my GPA up to a nice 3.57. Now, i was told by admissions officers that in the personal essay/note to include my situation and how i improved. Do you think that AGPA will be my downfall? I mean by the end of my Senior year the AGPA should be over 3.0, but thats still too low...

What do you think my chances are at getting into college?

And my main question...what path do i take to become a teacher? Do i get my Masters/Bach/Phd..etc... before i get a teaching credential or do i get it while i am getting the degree?

Thanks, ps2cho

If you have any comments, feel free to speak up as this will pretty much define what happens to me financially for hte rest of my life!

[Kevin007]

According to my dad's GF it only really matters in your senior year. hmm I think teaching would be an interesting job.

[ps2cho]

I really enjoy the idea that you are (kinda of) left alone the day. Although everything you do is watched by the students, im talking like no bosses watching your every move. I understand there are rules, you are observed. But unlike lets say, a supermarket bagger where you are watched all the damn time, its a little more independent.

Not to mention i am giving something back to the community.

One last thing i want to say is that i feel i can really make students enjoy school(i bet every single teacher says that, but i personally think majority do not) Making learning fun is the most important thing i think. If it is fun, you learn 10x better and it sticks.

[Kevin007]

Just don't be so leniant that they disrepect you, try and get them to respect you... Oh and ya I bet every teacher says that . But that is a long way off isn't it heh.

[TalRW]

I'm at UC Irvine right now, although I'm studying chem but I have a book that gives all the stats for Irvine.

(this was for like 2004 or 2005 I think)
Admits 18501
Applicans 34,385
California Residents (% of admits) 96.7
Averages:
High School GPA: 3.89
SAT I score 1236 (back when it was out of 1600)
SATII Math score 636
SAT II Writing score 605

Just FYI the UC system application process is a total crapshoot. My roommate got into schools I didn't with a lower GPA than I did and about 200 points lower on the SATs than I did. A lot of students from my high school also got into schools I didn't. Another example is I got into UCI and not UCSB but I know a girl who didn't get into UCI but did get into UCSB so there is a level of kinda randomness too it.

Another thing is I disagree they don't seriously look at your senior year. They may look at the classes you are taking to make sure you arne't just taking it super easy your senior year but they don't weigh your senior grades as heavily because they expect to see people go down. Either way good luck.

Also if you do have more questions about UCI you can just PM me and I can answer them. I also have the general catalogue so I can answer questions about majors classes and anything else.

[ps2cho]

Yeh i was looking at the majors on collegeboard as it has all the stats for UCI. This is what i got:
* 45% had h.s. GPA of 3.75 and higher
* 36% had h.s. GPA between 3.5 and 3.74
* 16% had h.s. GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
* 3% had h.s. GPA between 3.0 and 3.24

Middle 50% of
First-Year Students Percent Who
Submitted Scores
SAT Reasoning Verbal: 540 - 630 100%
SAT Reasoning Math: 570 - 680 100%

So looks like im on the bottom end of the SAT scores....better pull them up

[DeepScience]

My undergrad major was psychology, most of the rest was science, masters in philosophy and theology. Here in NZ you then have to do a one year diploma of teaching which includes practise placements in schools. In city schools you teach your favourite topic. In rural schools you can end up teaching anything. And at the highschool level it's all easy. I personally like science and physics so that's what I do now. Depending on school policy you might end up teaching just seniors in your subject, just juniors, or as here (in NZ) you have to teach both juniors and seniors.

Mmmm, actually the Y13 class I taught in Maori and Samoan wasn't that easy.... but the kids were nice!

[ckj]

I go to UCI as well as a chemical enigneering major. I'm not sure a school like UCI is necessary to be a high school teacher, afaik something like Cal State Fullerton would be fine.

It's very difficult to be a history teacher as there are quite a few of them, while a math or a science teacher would be hired must quicker at the high school level.

As for your chances of getting into the school. I'd say it would depend on how well you wrote your personal statement and if and how much extra curricular activities you had.

If you aren't admitted to UCI though, and you still want to go there, don't discount community colleges. You would only be there for your lower division courses, the education is really the same thing and you would save money too. Transfering to a UC isn't hard either as long as you keep a B or better in every class.

Good luck with admission, hope that helps.

[Xenocide]

Originally Posted by Kevin007

According to my dad's GF it only really matters in your senior year. hmm I think teaching would be an interesting job.

not true, junior year matters alot, but it was even too late for me.

i had a 2.8 just like he did, but i had it up to a 3.1 by junior year. still didn't help me get into the college i wanted.

senior year i had a 4.6 for the year, but when you apply to colleges they don't see your senior year, because you apply right at the start of it!

[Frodo Baggins]

Originally Posted by DeepScience

My undergrad major was psychology, most of the rest was science, masters in philosophy and theology. Here in NZ you then have to do a one year diploma of teaching which includes practise placements in schools. In city schools you teach your favourite topic. In rural schools you can end up teaching anything. And at the highschool level it's all easy. I personally like science and physics so that's what I do now. Depending on school policy you might end up teaching just seniors in your subject, just juniors, or as here (in NZ) you have to teach both juniors and seniors.

Mmmm, actually the Y13 class I taught in Maori and Samoan wasn't that easy.... but the kids were nice!

What the hell? You did a master's in philosophy, but an undergrad in psychology? How does that work out? Usually, to do a master's in a certain subject, you should have done the undergrad in nearly the same subject.

[Captain Newbie]

Originally Posted by Frodo Baggins

What the hell? You did a master's in philosophy, but an undergrad in psychology? How does that work out? Usually, to do a master's in a certain subject, you should have done the undergrad in nearly the same subject.

One would hope, but it's not required.

For instance...of the graduate programs I've looked at, not a lot of them actually de jure require you to have a BS/BA/... in that subject field. Although it would seem a little silly to try to get an MS/PhD in computer science without a BS or at least substantial experience in that field.

[perfectturmoil]

Originally Posted by Captain Newbie

One would hope, but it's not required.

For instance...of the graduate programs I've looked at, not a lot of them actually de jure require you to have a BS/BA/... in that subject field. Although it would seem a little silly to try to get an MS/PhD in computer science without a BS or at least substantial experience in that field.

Yeah they really don't matter.. LOTS of people have MBA's, and did NOT go to business school for undergrad.. I'd actually venture that its an even split.. but I really don't know.

And many people at my work have jumped from science to science. My friends boss has a BS in Electrical, and a masters in physics and mechanical. And hes doing chemical work, go figure ;- ]

I'd say psych and philosophy are close enough to make a switch.



RE: going to college. To be a highschool teacher in MY area, after 5 years you need a masters degree. Most will get a bachelors in history or math, and then get a job, and while teaching they will complete a masters in education.

For teaching at college, you (pretty much) need a Ph.D.

[DeepScience]

Originally Posted by Frodo Baggins

What the hell? You did a master's in philosophy, but an undergrad in psychology? How does that work out? Usually, to do a master's in a certain subject, you should have done the undergrad in nearly the same subject.

Bachelor of Science (4yrs). Master of Divinity (3yrs GPA 3.420) focussing in Christian apologetics, worldviews, philosophy. Dip Tech (1yr).
Starting a PhD in a cross over subject between all three - Intelligent Design in Education.

The pre-requisite for the masters is the undergrad degree proving you can study at that level. Science and engineering are the preferred ones.

[Frodo Baggins]

Originally Posted by DeepScience

Bachelor of Science (4yrs). Master of Divinity (3yrs GPA 3.420) focussing in Christian apologetics, worldviews, philosophy. Dip Tech (1yr).
Starting a PhD in a cross over subject between all three - Intelligent Design in Education.

The pre-requisite for the masters is the undergrad degree proving you can study at that level. Science and engineering are the preferred ones.

Oh, a B.Sc. in Psychology...makes more sense. I was thinking a BA in Psych, which, no offence to the thousands of pretty ladies at my school, is about as good as spending four years watching grass grow.

[Aslan]

Originally Posted by perfectturmoil

Yeah they really don't matter.. LOTS of people have MBA's, and did NOT go to business school for undergrad.. I'd actually venture that its an even split.. but I really don't know.

Indeed, basically you can get any degree you want for your Bachelor's prior to going for a MBA. From what I've heard, some companies feel that it's beneficial to do something other than Business for your Bachelor's as it means you have other types of educational experience.

[DeepScience]

Originally Posted by Frodo Baggins

Oh, a B.Sc. in Psychology...makes more sense. I was thinking a BA in Psych, which, no offence to the thousands of pretty ladies at my school, is about as good as spending four years watching grass grow.

I only did the non-counselling ones like testing, ergonomics, and neuro. I think a science based degree would give you much more job opportunities in teaching.

[perfectturmoil]

Originally Posted by Aslan

...do something other than Business for your Bachelor's as it means you have other types of educational experience.

Well, from where I stand, it means you got SOME type of educational experience :- p SOOOO many students drop out of science because its 'too hard' or 'too much work' or 'not worth it' and then go coast through business school. I'm sure there are a handful of hardworking students who went into business with intentions of actually working at it to get themselves a place IN business.. But seriously.. If I owned a company, I would be VERY weary of hiring an undergrad business major, unless it was from a GREAT school. Only because I've seen how lax their classes can be, and how generally 'lazy' the population is.

Dislaimer: I'm not trying to talk down anyone. If YOU went to business school because you have a plan, and are working hard at achieving it, then thats great. However, if you're just there coasting through easy classes because you just 'need a degree in something', then... maybe you should take another look at your education ;- ]

[drenader]

Originally Posted by perfectturmoil

Well, from where I stand, it means you got SOME type of educational experience :- p SOOOO many students drop out of science because its 'too hard' or 'too much work' or 'not worth it' and then go coast through business school. I'm sure there are a handful of hardworking students who went into business with intentions of actually working at it to get themselves a place IN business.. But seriously.. If I owned a company, I would be VERY weary of hiring an undergrad business major, unless it was from a GREAT school. Only because I've seen how lax their classes can be, and how generally 'lazy' the population is.

Dislaimer: I'm not trying to talk down anyone. If YOU went to business school because you have a plan, and are working hard at achieving it, then thats great. However, if you're just there coasting through easy classes because you just 'need a degree in something', then... maybe you should take another look at your education ;- ]

I dunno but biz school in Austin is one of the heardest schools at the university. I have nothing but respect for biz majors.

[Captain Newbie]

Originally Posted by Frodo Baggins

Oh, a B.Sc. in Psychology...makes more sense. I was thinking a BA in Psych, which, no offence to the thousands of pretty ladies at my school, is about as good as spending four years watching grass grow.

Yay! Now just tell all the pretty ladies at my school that, too, and we'll cut down on the BA Psych epidemic! Although I actually dislike business-school people more...since at my Uni, it seems like they go to school two days a week and spend the rest of the week at the freakin' beach and walk away with a degree that is suppoesd to be of equal value compared to both my professional aeronautics and computer science/math degrees...

[Captain Helghas]

Degree value is in the eyes of the HR rep.

Back OT, Teaching is an extremely difficult job to do well, and you are constantly monitored. You have to be lax enough so the students feel comfortable talking to you, strict enough so they will respect you and the rules, tough enough that they learn and try hard, but soft enough that everyone passes. I hated the few weeks I interned at a high school.