Answers to questions "Higher Education in Britain and the USA"

1. Britain:
    In order to be admitted to British colleges or universities, must pass three "A-levels" and have GCSE with a minimum grade "C". Students have to apply to university for a year before their graduation and before their exams results. An application form  which consists of personal information of a student, recommendations from school teachers and presumptive exam scores is applied through UCAS (University and College Admission Service). Also students must fill in an application form from UCAS where they are to indicate up to six variants of colleges or universities students prefer to enter.

   The USA:
   Requirements in brief:
1. a high-school diploma
2. results of Scholastic Aptitude Test
3. knowledge of English
4. teachers' recomendations
5. particapation in social activities

2. Universities in Britain are divided into three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities), 19th century universities, such as London and Manchester universities, and the new universities. Some years ago there were also polytechnics. After graduating from polytechnic a student got a degree, but
it was not a university degree. 31 formers polytechnics were given university status in 1992.

3.  Associate's degree. An associate's degree study takes two years to complete. The associate's degree student learns the basics of a field of study. Students graduating with associate's degrees qualify for entry into careers such as dental hygienists, computer technicians and paralegals.
    Bachelor's degree. Earning a bachelor's degree takes four or five years, depending on your speciality. Bachelor's degree students study a broad range of liberal arts classes, including academic writing, history and sociology. A student majoring in a particular subject focuses his studies on that subject. Such professions as accountants, engineers and journalists need bachelor's degrees.
    Master's degree. Traditionally, a master's degree student specializes in one specific aspect of a field of study, working to make a contribution to that field. Professional master's programs are designed to help students to gain the skills necessary for a career in a new field, rather than to specialize in a current field.
     Doctor of Philisophy degree. A doctorate's degree allows students to be engaged deeper into a small area of a field. The doctorate's degree is based on scholarly paper or dissertation. The student writes his dissertation based on his research over the course of study. Doctorate's degrees take as long to finish as it takes the student to finish his research, write his dissertation and defend his research and knowledge.

5. The SAT test is an aptitude and reasoning test used by most colleges for admission purposes. It can be taken 2 or 3 times. This test has math and verbal sections, as well as a writing section that includes an essay. Numerous testing locations are provided and include public and private high schools, as well as community college locations.
   The ACT is a test that colleges may use in the admissions process. In most cases, colleges will accept either SAT or ACT scores--however some Midwestern colleges prefer the ACT. The ACT test measures knowledge in four subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
   The PSAT can be taken by 8th – 11th grade students. The PSAT test is the qualifier for National Merit Scholarship consideration, and only 11th graders are considered for these scholarships.  Taking  the PSAT in the 10th grade year is basically for practice only. No consideration will be given to a 10th grader for qualifying for a National Merit Scholarship no matter how well the student does on the test. The PSAT test has three sections--Math, Verbal/Critical Reasoning, and Writing.

6. Student financial aid is funding that is intended to help students pay education-related expenses including tuition, room and board, books, and supplies for education at a college, university, or private school. Financial aid may be classified into two types based on the criteria through which the financial aid is awarded: merit-based or need-based. Merit-based financial aid includes scholarships awarded by the college or university and those awarded by outside organizations. Merit-based scholarships are typically awarded for outstanding academic achievements and maximum SAT or ACT scores, although some merit scholarships can be awarded for special talents, leadership potential and other personal characteristics. Merit scholarships are sometimes awarded without regard for the financial need of the applicant. At many colleges, every admitted student is automatically considered for merit scholarships. At other institutions, a separate application process is required.

7. GPA is the average grade earned by a student, it is calculated by taking the number of grade points a student earned in a given period of time divided by the total number of credits taken.

  

Laboratory work

MP3 5.1

#1.

Speaker	Problem	Signs of the Problem	Your solution to the problem
1	Examination	an ability to learn and an ability to think in proper way	individual approach to the preparation to exams
2	Praparation to exams	tired face, sleepless nights, weekends, full dedication to study	change of activity, relaxation, necessary mood and attitude to exams
3	Acceptance to university	loss of weight, big black rings under eyes, sleepless nights and days,	relaxation, healthy lifestyle, correct preparation to entrance examinations.
4	Marks or score	uncertainty	self-reliance
5	Assessment	getting results is too long, association with exams.	on-line assessment, usage of technologies

#2. 

Certainly I experienced problems while my studying. My biggest problem is inability to start learning, I mean it's difficult for me to start doing something. When I realized what volume of tasks I have to do, I lose all my wish and will to start working. This problem especailly disturbs me when the matter concerns my preparation to exams. I constantly put off my affairs and finally I have to do them at the last moment that badly affects the quality of my tasks. In order to cope with this problem I make a list of my tasks and try to complete them one by one. I tick my tasks which have been done and it inspires me to complete others. 

#3.

   Difficulties that students faces during their studying are various, but the most common, I think, are huge volume of tasks and loading, getting more freedom and certainly preparation to exams. All of these problems cause special stresses and can badly influence the quality of their studying. 

   The first problem students face at once after their entrance an university is a freedom which means an absense of control. Students used to being under control at schools feel that study in university is much easier than in school and lose their responsibility. In universities students are supposed to be quite responsible for their study and able to organize it. But frequently it's not so.

   Other problem is a huge loading. It occurs when students are not ready to accept it. They don't expect it and at the beginning it can become a serious problem that can adversely affect the quality of the further studying. In order to avoid it, students also should be able to plan their activity.

   Preparation to exams is the largest stress for students. It also depends on students and their ability to organize themselves. On the whole studying in universities is a travel of hardships and every hardship which you manage to overcome is an another step to a success. 

MP 3. 5.2    

1. This is a standard letter grading system: A, B, C, D or F. It is used for most courses at universities.

2. There are satisfactory (S) and unsatisfactory (U) grades. It is used for electives and some special courses. 

3. In Russia the following academic graging system is used: 

    5, "Excellent" denotes highest distinction and excellent knowledge of a subject

    4, "Good" denotes good knowledge of a subject

    3, "Satisfactory" sometimes translated as "Fair", denotes a creditable or passing grade

    2, "Unsatisfactory" denotes hardly any knowledge, below average, the first level of failing

    1, "Very Poor" the lowest possible grade, denotes complete failure, and is very rarely used

5.  Here are some interesting facts about grading systems used around the world.

Denmark

In 2007, Denmark replaced its age-old 13-scale grading system with a simpler, 7-step-scale system. They did this to begin to conform to a European standard called the ECTS scale, but also because 13 possible grades makes for a lot more work for teachers. Here’s how the old 13-scale used to work:

13 – given for the exceptionally independent and excellent performance.

11 – given for the independent and excellent performance

10 – given for the excellent but not particularly independent performance

9 – given for the good performance, a little above average

8 – given for the average performance

7 – given for the mediocre performance, slightly below average

6 – given for the just acceptable performance

5 – given for the hesitant and not satisfactory performance

03 – given for the very hesitant, very insufficient and unsatisfactory performance

00 – given for the completely unacceptable performance

Australia

Many schools and universities use a “band” grading system which looks like this:

90–99.95% BAND 6

80–89% BAND 5

70–79% BAND 4

60–69% BAND 3

50–59% BAND 2

0–49% BAND 1

MP3. 5.3

1. According to the official policy you can drop the course in the first three weeks of the semester. You have to get a signature of the professor of a course you want to drop for an official drop-card. Then you must get a signature of your advisor. 

2. There are some warnings: you can't unofficially drop your course after three weeks of the semester. Also if you stop attending your course without going through official dropping procedure you will receive a failing grade. 

3. In order to avoid getting a failing grade you should follow the official dropping procedure.

4. There is no special procedure. You are supposed to inform your proffesor about it. 

MP3. 5.4

1. These are following places: the library, a book store, a post office, a bank a theatre, a coffee-shop, a travel agency, a bowling, an adminictration complex.

2. Other places which are worth mentioning is a canteen, where student may eat, a reading room, where they can read and prepare to their study, and a hostel where nonresident students live.