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High
School Students
- I
am interested in science as a possible career. How can I best prepare
for college?
- Remember
that anything worth doing is worth doing well. It also usually
means that anything worth doing comes with its own set of obstacles
or barriers to overcome. This is especially true for deaf students
who want to go into science, technology, or math. Be prepared
to work hard and also be prepared to face a variety of attitudes
among professors and advisors.
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High
school students who plan to study math, science, or technology
in college should take as many preparatory courses as available
in your high school. Talk to your advisor/counselor. Tell them
of your interest in one of these fields, and ask for advice
to plan your years of high school to fit in as many courses
as possible.
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This
does not mean overloading yourself. You can still have fun in
extracurricular activities. The rules for acceptance into many
colleges and universities are changing. Along with your grades
and scores from SAT or ACT tests, extracurricular activities
on your transcripts from high school are important. Many postsecondary
institutions will look for such things as volunteer work, belonging
to various organizations within the schools, completion of Eagle
Scout or Gold Award requirements, etc. If you are planning on
going into science or math, choose your volunteer activities
and jobs during high school years carefully. Try to relate some
to science and math. This can include participation in science
fairs and exhibitions, working in science museums or aviaries
or zoos, working at a veterinarian's office, in a nursing home
environment, or a hospital. If you are involved in Scouting
make sure you do all the requirements for badges that involve
science and math. Also if you go for an Eagle Scout award, make
your final project something involving science or math if possible.
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Take the opportunity to involve yourself in "career days"
at your high school or local colleges. If there are opportunities
to visit corporations in your area that deal with science or
math such as pharmaceutical companies (Bayer), computer technology
or software (Microsoft, Apple, etc.), or engineering companies.
The best source for all the varieties of engineering is at the
American Council of Engineering
Companies. Also learn about national organizations such
as National Geographic. Take the opportunity to visit as many
of these places as possible to get an idea of your interests
and the possibilities.
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Prepare
for taking your SAT/ACT tests by using books on these tests
that are available at all bookstores such as Borders or Waldenbooks.
You will find these books in the reference sections. There are
also several good computer-based preparation software programs
available as well as information and preparatory tests available
for free on the Web. You can also sign up with such preparatory
programs as Princeton Review. Remember the higher the scores
you achieve on the SATs, the more choices will be available
to you for top science and math programs in the United States.
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Do
not forget to READ. Reading is a source of preparation as well
as personal enjoyment for high school students intending to
go into science and math. Make sure that your reading covers
as many topics as possible. Reading in science and math (including
biographies of great scientists and mathematicians) is absolutely
necessary. But you must also be able to write and you will be
required to take English and social science courses in college.
So it is a good idea to read in all available fields and categories.
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I am interested
in going to college to major in something related to science or
mathematics or computers. Do you have any advice?
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