Situation: Charlotte
and Michael have just finished taking the SAT test and are talking about it. They
also discuss the next steps of the process of applying for college.
Michael: That test was so
long! Four hours! I really do not understand why we have to take this test
anyway. Are our grade point averages (GPAs) not good enough for college?
Charlotte: That test did seem
long, didn’t it? But since the curriculum of one high school is slightly
different from another high school, the SAT test allows the colleges to
consider each student equally. Although one student might have taken different
classes from another student, all high school students take the same SAT test.
Michael: I suppose that
makes sense. Either way, I really hope I do not have to take that test again!
Charlotte: Same here. Well, we
will just have to wait and see. The scores will be out in a few weeks. Anyways,
have you gotten your recommendation letters yet?
Michael: I have asked Mrs.
Smith for one already, and I am thinking about asking Mr. Johnson for another
one. I liked both their classes and I think they got to know me better than my
other teachers, so hopefully the letters will be well-written. What about you?
Charlotte: I have also asked
Mrs. Smith for a letter. Do you know Mr. Lawson? I would like to get a
recommendation letter from him. I hope he remembers me as I have not had a
class with him since last year. I am not sure who else I could have asked.
Michael: Well, at least we
each have one letter. Mrs. Smith is the best, isn’t she? I wish I could have
another class with her, but this is our last semester, and after that it is
graduation!
Charlotte: I agree. Mrs. Smith
really enjoys teaching, and that definitely helps her students to enjoy
Michael: What colleges are
you thinking of applying to? Have you visited any campuses yet?
Charlotte: I am still
considering whether I should stay close to home or go to an out-of-state school.
I have toured the Stanford campus and the people there were very friendly. I
have also visited Notre Dame, the university in Indiana. What about you? Have
you toured any campuses yet?
Michael: I want to stay
close to home so I am hoping to go to either a California State University or a
University of California.
Charlotte: Which one? There is
practically one or the other in each of the big cities.
Michael: Perhaps UCLA, the
University of California, Los Angeles or CSULB, the California State
University, Long Beach. But I am not too worried about getting into a college
just yet. I am more worried about this SAT test at the moment!
Charlotte: I understand how
you feel. However, we should still consider what should be done next. It will
be bad if we fall behind and don’t make it into college by next fall. Have you decided
what to study yet? I’m thinking about majoring in English myself.
Michael: English is
definitely a possibility. I was thinking about becoming an English teacher like
Mrs. Smith. But I was also considering majoring in Biological Sciences.
Charlotte: Why? English and
Biological Sciences are two radically different areas of study. What would you
do with a degree in Biological Sciences?
Michael: I am also wondering
whether I should pursue medicine. It may be too early to decide yet, but if I
want to become a doctor, the classes I would take as a Biological Sciences
student would fulfill most requirements for medical school. But like I said, it
is too early to determine anything yet. I am just hoping to get into a college!
Charlotte: I do not think you
have to worry about getting into college. Still, let’s just keep
trying our best!
