Preparing for Success in College:
My Approach
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Guide
+ Top-Down View of the education path you plan to follow
+ Schools and Research supporting this path
+ Standardized Tests
+ College Application
Top-Down View
Python
R
C++
+ What knowledge will you need for your interests?
Calculus
Linear Algebra
Probability
Statistics
Finance
Schools and Research
+ Which schools capture your interests
in the form of a major, minor
or certificate?
+ Research produced by faculty in the department
conferring the credential.
Example:
Stanford Statistics Department, which can be found via Google,
is ranked #1 by USNews
The Undergraduate Programs page within
the department site’s Academic Programs
dropdown menu contains a link to the
In there, we find a link to the B.S. Data Science page
Finally, we zero in on the 2023-2024 degree requirements
During the application process, especially
after you have been accepted:
Research the course syllabi available within the
program you are choosing.
Begin reading the textbooks listed within the syllabi to those courses.
Our Example, Continued:
From the 2023-2024 degree requirements
page of the Stanford Statistics Department site,
we have a list of the coursework needed to
complete the program.
Google searches produce the syllabi to these courses
Search: Stanford Math 51 syllabus
Search: Stanford Math 52 syllabus
... etc.
Standardized Tests
+ Improve reading/writing skills
-- Online reading resources (vocabulary, journals, books)
-- Audible
-- Writing summaries about what you read/hear
+ Improve math skills
-- Khan Academy
(free)
(free)
Reading Resources
+ 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary, by Norman Lewis (free)
-- Create your own sentences and stories with the words learned in each chapter.
-- Use daily conversation to practice the words learned in each chapter.
Reading Resources
+ New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker ($2 - $4 per month)
-- Multiple writing styles
-- Wealth of vocabulary
-- Wide range of topics
Reading Resources
+ Apple Books (free)
-- Perspective
-- Grammar
+ Audible
-- Narration adds to vocabulary
Writing
+ Summarize what you read or hear
+ Statement of Purpose (what are your goals?)
+ About Me (who are you?)
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The Math
+ Polynomials of degree 1
-- slope formula
-- finding the equation of a line using only two points
+ Polynomials of degree 2
-- quadratic equation
-- method of completing the square
-- vertex
+ Unit Circle
+ Rules of Exponents
... and so much more
Study Habits with Math
+ Carry pen and paper
-- write down formulas and derivations, often
__ waiting on transportation
__ watching TV
__ during downtime at work
__ on hold during a phone call
Study Habits with Math
+ Do all of the problems
+ For any problems that become too easy,
do those in your head
+ Redo the tougher problems, several times
+ Teach the math
Advice from an Admissions Officer about College Application Essays
+ single most important part of the process
+ personality
+ your own thoughts
+ grammar
+ retain formatting
+ embed directly into website or markdown
+ free
+ speed in formatting
-- sections
-- subsections
-- table of contents
-- bibliography
(Expanding the linear equation)
Now that we’ve expanded the equation, we can show that when F increases by 1, C must increase by 5/9
There are five distinct rules of exponents. Here, we used the following:
As you progress through the program you’ve chosen:
Stay focused on the course-by-course trajectory,
research the course syllabi from previous
semesters in which these courses were
scheduled, and use this to begin
studying sooner, staying ahead
of schedule.