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HokieGator

Joined: 10/07/1999 Posts: 15025
Likes: 14359


Couple of thoughts from a teacher.....and someone who didn't have the


grades out of high school to get accepted to Tech 20 years ago:
First, I think academics should be first and foremost. Guys like me, that spent much of their high school days just getting by and spending more time drinking and partying and playing sports shouldn't get in just because they did some community service or can write something inspirational that impresses someone. I didn't deserve to get into VT. At the time I was pissed, but as I have gotten older, I know my life choices had consequences.
As far as putting less emphasis on GPA, I have softened on that. When I first started teaching I would have said that it should be the #1 criteria. Now, knowing how you can rig the system, I am not sure about it.
The way GPA's are calculated is being changed. This is why you are seeing many districts get rid of it or class rank. Our superintendent gave a very compelling case for getting rid of/or capping GPA. Students are not taking classes such as Earth Science because it is weighted slightly less than an advanced placement class in, say, literature. Students are focusing in on only classes that give them the highest gpa while sacrificing other subjects that they may actually enjoy. It is all very detailed, but suffice to say, students and parents are learning to "game the system" to get the highest GPA possible. I don't recall all the details or examples he gave, but it was quite sad/shocking at how the system is being used for the sake of a GPA. That's why we have some students that can recite 18th-century literature or do advanced trigonometry.....but can't think rationally, balance a checkbook, or tie their shoes.

(In response to this post by GobbleGobble Hey)

Posted: 03/06/2019 at 1:45PM



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Current Thread:
 
  
VT acceptance criteria for new applicants -- GobbleGobble Hey 03/06/2019 12:19PM
  They are looking for a few cunning litigants. ** -- Mighty Fine Catch 03/06/2019 3:58PM
  Whoops, sorry, bro! And another thing.... -- GobbleGobble Hey 03/06/2019 1:39PM
  I'm glad you picked the Summer for Tech. :-) ** -- HokieSignGuy 03/06/2019 1:36PM
  Two words: International applicants -- RoanokieHokie04 03/06/2019 1:30PM
  I'm confused....so.... -- TD-Tech 03/06/2019 1:21PM
  I meant the spelling and grammar part. -- GobbleGobble Hey 03/06/2019 1:34PM
  Ohhh ok - gotcha! you wonder how much.... -- TD-Tech 03/06/2019 1:46PM
  My daughter just got accepted into VT -- sloshed in space 03/06/2019 1:16PM
  West coast also going that route -- GobbleGobble Hey 03/06/2019 1:01PM
  So they said kid who can't put 120 words together -- Pylons 03/06/2019 12:59PM
  He said spelling and grammar are not reviewed. ** -- RoswellGAHokie 03/06/2019 1:17PM
  Went through that last year -- HOKIEVET 03/06/2019 12:54PM
  Vet as in Military or Animals? ** -- Vienna_Hokie 03/06/2019 1:36PM
  Cows. But it’s a dying profession ** -- HOKIEVET 03/06/2019 1:55PM
  Did you go to vet school at VA/MD? -- Vienna_Hokie 03/06/2019 1:56PM
  Yeah undergrad and vet school at tech ** -- HOKIEVET 03/06/2019 2:09PM
  Complete garbage. ** -- RoswellGAHokie 03/06/2019 1:23PM
  This in IMHO -- RTFC 03/06/2019 12:44PM
  Spelling and grammar not a factor? -- EDGEMAN 03/06/2019 12:43PM

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