It is also very important for students to study in the United States and understand American university life. So, how much do students know about American college life? Below, I will explain the study life of famous American schools for you.
First, the study and life of famous American schools-strict attendance!
Most of the top universities, represented by Ivy League, have small seminar classes, and each class usually has only 10 students, 1 professors and 1 teaching assistants (mostly graduate students or doctoral students in our school). In every class, everyone will sit around a round table and discuss word by word. If a student is absent, the professor can't find a "chat partner" and can't continue the class discussion at all. Therefore, the final grade of small classes usually includes a certain proportion of "class attendance and participation", even reaching 30%-40%. In other words, if you are always absent from class, your final grade will be in jeopardy.
At Yale and other universities, most classes with 200 to 300 students also need attendance. In addition to lectures by professors, there is also a section organized by teaching assistants (small class discussion), usually once a week. Mainly discuss the content of class and homework in a week. Partial attendance and participation usually account for 10%-20% of the final grade. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to miss class if you want to get an A.
Second, the life of studying in a famous American school-there are not many courses but high requirements!
It is customary for domestic universities to offer more than ten courses every year; And in America, a famous school is unimaginable. Yale students usually take four to five courses a semester, but few people take six courses, and they need the permission of the dean of academic affairs in advance. Every course in Yale has strict class hours, attendance requirements and huge homework.
Third, the study life in famous American universities-undergraduate majors are less than those in China!
Compared with the "colorful" undergraduate majors in China, the number of undergraduate majors in American universities is really small. Take Yale for example. Yale College has only over 40 majors. Incredibly, the most popular majors in domestic universities, such as finance, accounting, law and medicine, are not available in Yale. The same is true of many top American universities such as Harvard and Princeton.
In fact, many American universities pursue "liberal arts education" (Chinese translation is "liberal arts education" or "general education"), and regard undergraduate courses as a stage to lay a solid academic foundation. American universities pay more attention to cultivating students' comprehensive ability, such as critical thinking, writing ability, logical analysis and mathematical ability, rather than teaching students some professional skills. Moreover, many professional disciplines are generally at the postgraduate and doctoral levels.
Therefore, if you say "I want to study medicine/law in America", it is probably impossible. You can study two basic science majors (biology or chemistry), political science, history or international relations (these majors correspond to the master's/doctoral program of law school), and then apply for medical college or law school in your senior year.
Fourth, the study life of famous American schools-the canteen is very good!
American food is really simple and rude, but the canteens of famous schools are very powerful. Yale alone has more than 30 canteens, half of which can be swiped with undergraduate ID cards. Almost all canteens are buffet style. In addition to thick hamburger fries, there are European, East Asian, Islamic, Latin American and even African cuisines. Just dessert can make people linger.
There is a word in English called "freshman 15", which means 1 1 year, and the weight usually increases 15 kg. This is no exaggeration. The culprit, of course, is the delicious canteen.
5. The study life of a famous American school-the dormitory is also great!
The campuses, scenery and dormitory conditions of the top universities in the United States are excellent. Even freshmen may be assigned to a spacious single room. There is neither "brothers sleeping in the upper bunk" nor "meeting and bathing". Take Yale for example. In addition to the "room type" which is basically a single room or a double room, the dormitory also has 24-hour hot water and a separate shower. Each dormitory area is equipped with its own canteen, gym, entertainment center, library, and even piano room and cinema. Students only need to register in advance and swipe their cards to enter.
Being able to study and sleep in such a convenient and comfortable dormitory should be another reason for studying in the United States. In order to avoid crowded university bathhouses, for the comfort of life, it must be a reason to study in the United States!
Sixth, the study life of famous American schools-not many people fall in love.
A campus journal of Yale once conducted a survey and found that only about 30% of Yale undergraduates had formally fallen in love at Yale. Many people have paid the bill for four years. It is said that Yale is full of talents and beautiful women. Why is there less love?
The main reason is that college life is too busy. Yale's undergraduate academic burden is one of the heaviest in the world, the University of Chicago is one, and MIT is probably one. Imagine that there are thousands of pages of books to chew every week, a big paper to write every month, and time for various campus activities every day. When you are a junior or a senior, you have to apply for the exam and take the postgraduate entrance examination. Where do you have so much leisure time to have an affair?
Seven, the American elite school study life-everyone is their own "mainstream".
Many American college students are really keen on parties. But Yale and other famous schools are not like this. Even the most famous party animal in Yale is busy with business from Monday to Friday-attending classes, writing papers, handing in homework and engaging in activities.
American universities encourage students to protect and develop their personalities. There is no need to pretend to be a social expert to shuttle through various parties for the so-called "gregarious". On weekend nights, you may go to the gym to lift iron, or go to the Yale Theatre to watch a musical. There is no pressure to cater to anyone or any culture. In fact, there is no "mainstream circle". Everyone can be his own "mainstream", become a popular person in American universities through personal charm and what he likes to do, and gain friendship and love.
Here, I would like to introduce the study abroad life of famous American schools, hoping to help the applicants.