The Next Step

First off- Congratulations to the graduates of 2012! You should all feel SO proud of yourselves!  

The decision to pick a university may be looming for some of you. This can be a very intimidating decision; it can feel as if you are deciding what path you will be on for the rest of your life. 

Before you stress over the decision, give yourself a nice big pat on the back for giving yourself options. All the time and energy you spent doing well in school and applying for colleges has paid off. As you weigh your options, remember that a perfect school doesn’t exist. In the end, college is what you make of it. Accepting this truth will ease your mind and make it easier to see the pros and cons of each school. 

The first thing to do is learn all you can about your prospective colleges. Does the school have a major you are passionate about?

               Here is a list of UAF majors.

What is the freshman retention rate? The student to teacher ratio?

               Here are some facts and figures for UAF.

What is there to do for fun?

               Click here to see past events put on by our Student Activities Office.           

Speaking to current students is a great, honest way to find out about universities.

               Meet some current students at UAF by visiting this link

It is important to also consider what type of campus a university has. Is it a city campus? Rural? Traditional? If possible, try to visit. You will get to see the dorm, class rooms, dining halls, meet current students, and see how the university fits within the surrounding community. If you can’t visit campus, try online tours.

               Check out our virtual tour!

After doing all the research, ask yourself these questions:

How did I feel on the campus I visited?

Which college has the most of what I want?

At which college do I imagine myself the most happy, comfortable, and successful?

Also consider how much a college costs, and how much financial aid you might receive.

Good luck in your decision making! Don’t forget to reply to your chosen school by the deadline!

Math Bridge Program

I remember taking my first (and only) math class at college. I remember thinking it had only been two and half years since my last math class in high school.  I figured I was headed into an introductory math course, which would introduce me to difficult math concepts, not actually test me on them. I was in for a challenging semester, which I survived thanks only to an extreme bell curve.

Are you signed up for Math 107, 161, 200, or 262 this summer?

Let me introduce you to the Math Bridge Program.

The Math Bridge Program is offered by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Mathematics and Statistics. It is a five day long (only fifteen hours total!) program that will prepare you to succeed in your summer math courses.

Fifteen hours and you will receive intensive, individual review of prerequisite material, a preview of how your course will be organized, test skills, strategies for finishing your homework, and how to gain the most benefit from lectures.

Successfully complete these fifteen hours and what do you get?

Not only all the skills to excel in your summer math class, but a FREE one-credit tuition waiver!

Best of all, the Math Bridge Program is completely free. There are only two requirements:

1)Register for MATH 107, MATH 161, MATH 200 or MATH 262 at UAF for Summer 2012.

2) Complete the Math Bridge Program Application Form.

Visit this website for more information, and to access the application. You will also find a detailed schedule and points of contact for the program. Sign up soon! Registration is on a first-come, first- served basis, and closes May 18th. Class is from 9am- Noon, May 21- 25.

http://www.uaf.edu/dms/math-bridge/


 Math does not have to be intimidating, or go hand-in-hand with a bell curve (unless you are learning the Gaussian function). A little work now can really pay off this semester- take advantage of it!