Course Try-outs

[LkptTiger 1]

As some of you may or may not know, I'm a freshman in college. A couple weeks back, I got an e-mail from the professor of a class for which I had registered - English 397 (Literary Journalism). The message essentially said that the course was to be an extremely intensive one and was not for people who had weak-to-mediocre writing skills. He asked everyone to bring a writing assignment that we had done the past semester to the first class (last night) - he would then read the papers and determine who would able to handle the class and who wouldn't (he was, apparently, planning on shaving a percentage of the initial class roster).

I have to admit: When I walked into the class room last night, I was actually pretty nervous; I think I was probably the only freshman there (those of you that have been in college know how upperclassmen just have that different "look" to them, you know?). Apparently, the editor for one of the school papers/magazines is taking the course, as well as a number of students who I overheard talking about their internships at various (larger) publications. O wasn't sure if I was out-of-place as a freshman, or if these othere people were "below themselves." Walking-out, I was pretty sure I was fucked.

Anyways, I just got an e-mail from the professor informing me that I have been admitted. I don't know whether to feel lucky, grateful or proud.

Now, I've been trying-out for hockey teams since I was eight years old - and I know that there is always that doubt or worry in the back of your mind, even when you're clearly the best player on the ice; I know I was always afraid that the coaches would be turned-off by my size (or lack thereof). I've never, however, even heard of "trying-out" for an academic course, and I can't say that I was ever as worried about getting "cut" as I was last night/most of today.

I was wondering if any of you have ever been 'evaluated' before taking a college course for which you were already enrolled. Is this common practice?

[G60 0]

yeah it's very common. most common either by pre or co-requesites or placement tests.

[mack 44]

It appears to be common as well. My freshman year I had to take courses for math and English competency even though my schedule had been planned.

[hockeymom 2]

I would say it is uncommon once you are paid and enrolled in a course. There are a few courses where we try to scare people... er, counsel, people out of it if we don't feel they have the right stuff. Ultimately, I think they probably could say get stuffed and continue in the course... because they HAVE been enrolled in it fair and square. But then you'd have to want it fairly bad to press on "in spite of" the pressure to drop out.

The prof certainly has your full attention! Sounds like a great experience.

[mack 44]

PS Lkpt good on you, writing classes were probably the most fun I've had in school.

[LkptTiger 1]

Yeah, it sounds like it's going to be a blast (well, as much of a "blast" as a class can be, anyways). The professor seems like a really cool (old) guy, and I get the impression that he really likes what does. He said that the semester is going to be spent "developing personal voice," which I think is really, really going to help me in my desired profession in sports journalism.

I'm taking five classes this semester - two are in the English department. After all the reading and writing I did last semester, I fear I have gotten myself into the wrong major...

[Bazan110584 0]

Yeah, this happens all the time, though I've never heard of someone doing it that particular way before. Like others have said, the usual way is to have course pre-reqs, such as lower level courses. Of course, this course obviously didn't have them, so the prof decided to do all of you a favor--either you could hack it, or you couldn't. And if he didn't do it, and if someone got in who couldn't hack it, they'd just have to drop it. Or fail it.

[willy0314 0]

aren't you at douville or something? and why would you want to take a 300 level course as a freshmen? you need to find freshmen girls dude, not Jr. and Sr. girls.

[mack 44]

Yeah man you should be all about getting dem girls and stuf and not worying abot school. Tommy Boy is what we aim to be!

[willy0314 0]

As a freshmen in college, getting girls is what you should be all about.....unless your a homo. More surprised that you are in a 300 level class as a seccond term freshmen then anything else. Most people would be overwhelmed, but I guess if you tested into the class, then your prolly fine.

[mack 44]

As a freshmen in college, getting girls is what you should be all about.....unless your a homo.

But see what happens when we avoid English though? Girls heart brains.

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

Did you take a placement test that suggested a level 300 class? English classes are about the only courses I can remember that don't have many prerequisites to enroll.

[LkptTiger 1]

I did well on the AP English exam, so I jumped over English 101 and 102. Last semester, I took English 201 (Writing) and English 253 (Novels). This semester I am taking English 264 (American Lit post Civil War) and this English 397 class.

aren't you at douville or something? and why would you want to take a 300 level course as a freshmen?

I know a few people who go there...glorified high school that it is. I go to UB; this place'll put the proverbial hair on your chest.

As a freshmen in college, getting girls is what you should be all about.....

There are some good looking women here, but I've been dating the same girl for two years, so I really can't do anything about it. There are times when I really miss being single, but I figure I get the best of both worlds: I get paid to flirt with attractive, scantily clad females while I'm at work (Abercrombie and Fitch) while I still get to have a pretty great relationship with my girlfriend.

[mack 44]

[LkptTiger 1]

You're the one who was running around here asking for advice on what to do for your girl's first birthday party...You live in a glass houses, friend ;)

[All Torhs Team 0]

I had to do an interview before I was allowed to take Automotives class. But this is just high school level. But I still thought it was kind of wierd to be 'trying out' in a sense for a class.

Reasoning was that the class costs a minimum of $1500 per student each year for all the tools, cars and insurance stuff.

[LkptTiger 1]

That sounds a lot a program offered by BOCES (a sort of supplemental 'trade' education made available to a number of high schools in the area where I grew-up). It's open-enrollment and is practically free to all students who wish to take advantage of the opportunity. Unfortunately, my understanding (I didn't enter the program) is that the majority of the kids who do sign-up for BOCES are simply there to get out of school, as they are off the high school's grounds for about half to three quarters of the school day. Most of them end-up failing out.

The program opens doors, though: my brother, currently a senior in high school, has a terrific internship with Lexus thanks to BOCES.

[mack 44]

You're the one who was running around here asking for advice on what to do for your girl's first birthday party...You live in a glass houses, friend ;)

Do as I say, son, not as I do.

[All Torhs Team 0]

That sounds a lot a program offered by BOCES (a sort of supplemental 'trade' education made available to a number of high schools in the area where I grew-up). It's open-enrollment and is practically free to all students who wish to take advantage of the opportunity. Unfortunately, my understanding (I didn't enter the program) is that the majority of the kids who do sign-up for BOCES are simply there to get out of school, as they are off the high school's grounds for about half to three quarters of the school day. Most of them end-up failing out.

The program opens doors, though: my brother, currently a senior in high school, has a terrific internship with Lexus thanks to BOCES.

Yea that is very true. If you apply yourself in these types of classes you can take it very far. I think its different then alot of other types of classes because besides colleges coming in and giving you scholarships, we have big time dealers like lexus, bmw, ford, who promise jobs after completion. One guy in my class has a contract with bmw for when he finshes college at ICC and another kid in my class is already employed at a local dealership.

[Cavs019 708]

As a freshmen in college, getting girls is what you should be all about.....unless your a homo. More surprised that you are in a 300 level class as a seccond term freshmen then anything else. Most people would be overwhelmed, but I guess if you tested into the class, then your prolly fine.

Unless you're at Meathead U most girls actually admire intelligence in college. That, and classes aren't exactly prime wheel estate.

[willy0314 0]

I know a few people who go there...glorified high school that it is. I go to UB; this place'll put the proverbial hair on your chest.

The best thing about UB are the "walk with a buddy so you dont get raped" signs all over the place.

[LkptTiger 1]

Well, nationally infamous "Bike Path Rapist" did kill a girl about a 1/4 mile from where I sit right now (in my dorm room). I don't even have to go outside the building to see the very path the guy terrorized for twenty years. I would say that the concern is, or at least was, legit.