Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Evaluate the relationship between clinical and experimental Essay

Evaluate the relationship between clinical and experimental neuropsychology - Essay Example It is definitely not sufficient to categorise these cases as language deficits- it is evident that language deficits can assume a broad array of forms. In every cognitive sphere, comprising language, memory, visual perception, abstract reasoning, and attention, it is likely to discover fascinating instances of dissociations within a particular cognitive function or if not interesting alterations of the normal mechanism (Bradshaw & Mattingley 1995). The implication these cases present is obvious, and not unforeseen to clinicians and researches in the discipline of neuropsychology (Maruish & Moses 1997): ‘within any given cognitive function, a whole range of things can go wrong; conversely, a specific deficit in memory, attention, or language can manifest itself in a variety of interesting ways’ (p. 59). Therefore, how can practitioners approach and understand this wide range of deficits? To what level can experimental neuropsychology inform practitioners what type of diso rders may take place and how they manifest core brain processes? To what level can clinical neuropsychology help practitioners to develop frameworks of cognitive functioning that can explain both disordered and normal performance? In the recent decade, there has been a remarkable and functional union of framework within the clinical and experimental branches of neuropsychology (Stirling 2002). It can be seen in these two fields the increasing application of component process analysis in formulating paradigms of cognitive functions and in formulating assessment methods to diagnose the nature of different disorders (Vasterling & Brewin 2005). This paper attempts to review the model for this kind of approach, and then to explain how it could be relevant in two distinct areas: spatial attention and visual imagery. These illustrations demonstrate how clinical and experimental viewpoints can be integrated within a potent and descriptive

Monday, October 28, 2019

Dance, Girl, Dance Essay Example for Free

Dance, Girl, Dance Essay Dance, Girl, Dance is a film from the Classical Hollywood period that presents a complicated reading when viewed through a feminist lens. The 1940 film was directed by Dorothy Arzner, one of the most notable female directors and the only prominent woman in Hollywood at that time. Arzner presents her audience with an array of female characters, the main characters being Judy O’brien and Bubbles/Tiger Lily White. Judy is a dedicated dancer, honing her talents as a ballerina. Bubbles, on the other hand, uses her looks and sexuality to land jobs as a burlesque dancer. Dance, Girl, Dance reveals these characters’ experience in a dance troupe with several other girls. When the troupe disbands, Bubbles comes to offer Judy a humiliating job as her stooge. As tensions rise, the two eventually come to blows, quite literally, when both fall for the same man, Jimmy Harris. Through their relationship with each other and with men, a dynamic is defined that gives insight into the power of the male gaze and sexual politics, not only in the film but also in society at large in the context of 1930s America. This can be seen in the analysis of a particular scene near the beginning of the film. Judy and one of her roommates, Sally, are preparing for bed after their performance at the nightclub in the opening scene. Bubbles, their third roommate, arrives at home after a disappointing outing with Jimmy. This scene specifically highlights the contrast between the personalities of Judy and Bubbles, and speaks to the many ways female characters are coded based on their sexuality and appearance. The analysis of the scene begins at the moment Bubbles enters the room. She comes into the frame through the doorway in a medium shot. It is important to note her costume, as it speaks to her character. She is wearing makeup, jewelry, a fox fur stole around her shoulders and a feathered hat. One may get the impression that she is trying to look as glamorous or ostentatious as possible on her limited budget. At this point, Bubbles has already been partly established as a brash woman who does not shy away from her ability to attract men. This can be contrasted with Judy’s costume during this scene, modest button-up pajamas. The scene continues as Bubbles enters the tiny apartment. She turns on the light, when Judy whispers that Sally is asleep from off camera. Bubbles leaves the light on, looks down at Sally in the bed, and proceeds to loudly close the door while muttering â€Å"So, what? † As she delivers her dialogue, the camera follows her as she walks to her bed, panning over to include Judy in a two shot. One key element in this simple interaction is the difference of attitude toward female solidarity between Bubbles and Judy. Judy obviously cares to not disturb Sally, while Bubbles seems disappointed and only concerned with her own problems at this point. Then, the camera cuts to a close shot of Sally lying in bed, smiling and clearly awake. She then closes her eyes and continues to try and sleep, rendering her unimportant to the rest of the scene. The next cut brings us back to a long, two shot of Bubbles and Judy as they discuss what happened to Bubbles that evening. Bubbles is explaining how she had gone out with Jimmy, but he suddenly left her at the bar after giving her a little stuffed bull. In this shot, Bubbles is in the foreground, a little closer to the camera than Judy, making her appear slightly larger. This could be interpreted as signifying her social dominance over Judy, and the fact that she â€Å"stole† Jimmy from Judy earlier that evening. Bubbles dismissively tosses the bull onto a chair in front of Judy. Judy picks it up, stating â€Å"It’s cute. † Bubbles tells her that she can have it. The audience is clearly meant to get the impression that the token of the night has no significance to Bubbles, and she is merely disappointed that she could not add Jimmy to her list of men to dote on her occasionally. The camera stays stationary as Bubble walks to the background of the shot and sits on her bed. Judy gently places the bull back on the chair, already showing signs of her eventual fetishization of the bull and Jimmy. Then, she continues to bend and stretch her legs, as Bubbles pouts behind her. It is interesting to point out that as Judy resumes her exercises, she has gained the â€Å"high ground† of the shot. The reminder of her status as a dancer, a more artful and talented dancer than Bubbles, means she is the larger, more significant character in the frame now. The focus has moved from Bubbles proficiency as a female spectacle, completely at home under the male gaze, to Judy’s proficiency as a ballerina, with no real concern for superficial male attention. Then, this is reinforced when there is a cut to a medium shot of Bubbles, looking at Judy. The camera follows Bubbles line of sight and there is a quick cut to a medium shot of Judy, then it reverses back to the shot of Bubbles on her bed, shaking her head. She says, â€Å"I’ll say one thing for you, Pavlova. You’ve certainly got ambition, even if it’s dumb. As she says this, Judy’s foot briefly enters from the side of the frame as she kicks her leg. Once again, Bubbles is coded as having no passion for her craft as a dancer, seeing it as a means to an end of attracting men and/or making money, while Judy genuinely loves to dance. One way of reading the film is through the suggestion that Judy’s ballet is high art, while Bubbles’ burlesque is low art. In the world of the Dance, Girl, Dance, women utilizing their sexuality for physical and financial gratification given by men is deemed less valuable than artistic expression. What follows is a short series of counter shots between the two, as Bubbles ponders how she will get back to New York, going through her list of male suitors to find a solution to her dilemma. On a surface level, this shows that Bubbles needs men to get where she is going, whether it is for a trip to New York or a trip to stardom as they buy tickets to her shows later in the film. The scene comes to a close as Bubbles decides on Sam, the traveling salesman that is â€Å"sweet on her. As this line is delivered, there is a quick cut to Judy whipping her head around to look back at Bubbles. Judy has an expression on her face that is hard to describe, but it gets across the fact that her reality is very different from that of Bubbles’. Judy goes on to ask if there will be room for Sally, as the camera tracks Bubbles while she walks to the bathroom. As the camera stops tracking, it stops in a medium shot of Bubbles as she eventually replies, â€Å"†¦ All right, she can go, b ut don’t blame me. That guy’s got more arms than an octopus. † There is a cut to a close shot of Sally in bed with a wide-eyed, nervous expression as she quickly lifts up her head and plops back down. Like Judy, her reality is very different from the reality of the dynamic Bubbles, and the possibility of encountering a man from that reality seems to frighten her. After the last cut of the scene, it ends on a medium shot of Judy picking up the stuffed bull once again and smiling at it fondly. This emphasizes the fact Judy is not asexual and clearly is developing feelings for Jimmy. Although, Judy seems to have a more deep, emotional connection to Jimmy than Bubbles has for her various men. Judy only became interested in Jimmy after he helped the girls at the nightclub and talked with her earlier in the film. Her interest is not based solely on what he can provide to her. The differences in costume, behavior and motivation between Bubbles and Judy are relevant to a larger scope of the film involving sex and gender politics. For all of the above reasons found in the formal elements of the film’s visual and narrative composition, Bubbles is coded as superficial, purely physical and vapid. On the other hand, Judy is given much more value and depth. While Bubbles goes on to find success by exploiting her good looks, Judy is the winner in the end, when she lands her position in the ballet company and achieves her dreams. In this way, the film is sending a message that female self-worth is not derived from male approval or reaffirming of beauty, but from accomplishment of what are considered to be more substantial goals.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Historic Jonesborough, Tennessee :: Descriptive Essay About A Place

Historic Jonesborough, Tennessee Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee; consequently, it draws people from all over the world. The town is known for its great amount of visitors during the story telling festival, Jonesborough Days, and during the fall, when some just like to roam the streets to check out the many interesting shops. For the first-time visitor, I recommend that your first stop to be to the Visitors Center. There are so many things to do in this small town you really need a plan to get you started. The Visitors Center offers several brochures and maps of local attractions and festivals in the area. For $1.00 you can also purchase a map that gives a brief description of each of the shops and cafes. The map also gives the location and description of the downtown inns and bed and breakfasts in the area. The Visitors Center also offers several gift items and souvenirs, such as postcards and books written about the town’s rich history. Several different types of tours of the town are offered, including a horse drawn carriage ride throughout the town. Individual or group tours are also available at varying rates. An individual tour can cost between ten to twelve dollars per person and a large group tour cost as high as three hundred dollars per person. Jonesborough.http://www.historicJonesborough .com/index.html. Another place to visit is the Lollipop Shop. This store is quite unique because it offers over 400 different types of candy. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the shop for you. The kinds of candy they offer are the old-fashion candy sticks I used to buy for a dime, different flavored hard candies, several types of gummy candies, gum, and of course lollipops. While we were there, my wife and I inquired about services the Lollipop Shop offers, such as birthday party packages available through the shop. The bear parties are very unique, and we hadn’t tried them before. The children are given a choice of one of about twenty different choices of stuffed animals. They then go to stuff the animal and fluff it. They also offer to give their creation, which comes with adoption papers, a name. This party is offered for fourteen dollars per child. With another package, for eighteen dollars per person, in addition to stuffing their animal of choice, they get to decorate a cookie, and the y get a slushie.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

A Bad Day in My Youth

A Bad Day in my Youth When I was 11 years old, I was like all boys of this age; I loved to do what ever my parents forbade me to do. Now, I understand that they had a reason to warn me about many things. One of them was climbing places where children shouldn’t be. I couldn’t resist climbing trees or buildings just like a monkey. It was a nice, summer day and we lived in Odessa, Ukraine. Ukraine buildings formed courtyards. My friend and I played in the yard. The yard was small with garages and a big tree in the back. We climbed everywhere we could: tree, the roofs of the garages and the attics. We were like adventurers; we tried to imagine being Indiana Jones the man from the movie I saw on TV. I was impressed by his adventures. We knew that no one would tell us to stop because our parents were shopping, that day, and we stated with my best friend’s grandmother. She was a chubby and pleasant woman, 78 or 79 years old, and couldn’t always see what we were doing. So we took advantage of that old woman who couldn’t really know what we were doing. When we climbed the tree; my friend accidentally stepped on my arm and I fell and broke my leg and right hand. At first, I didn’t feel anything because of shock, but then, severe pain pierced the broken bones. My friend’s grandmother called the ambulance. I was scared when, in the hospital, doctor put a cast on my leg and hand. I imagined what my mom was going to say, I was afraid that she would be angry but she wasn’t. She said â€Å"I told you a million times you shouldn’t play like this and that, one day, you would break neck. You are lucky that it’s not a broken neck. Please don’t play games like this anymore. † I understood that mom was right and was trying to warn and protect me; the result of my disobedience was a broken finiteness’s. I was in a leg cast for 6 months and had to be home-schooled. My arm was in a cast for 3 months, but now it’s fine. Now I always to do what my parents tell me to do, because I know that they want to do the best for me. They are older; they have life experience and they know what way is better. Once, I did what I wanted to do. I will not make this mistake, again.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Non farming activities in india Essay

Dairy – It is a common activity in many villages. People feed their buffalos on various kinds of grass and the jowar and bajra that grows during rainy season. Then the milk is sold in nearby villages and towns. It is alos transported to far away towns and cities. A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk – mostly from cows or goats , but also from buffalo , sheep , horses or camels – for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned with the harvesting of milk.kaloram Shops – People involved in Trade(shopkeepers) buy various goods from wholesale markets in the cities and sell them in the village Some villagers sell rice, wheat, sugar, tea, oil, biscuits, soap, toothpaste, batteries, candles etc.. People whose houses are close to the bus stand use a part of the space to open small shops. Some sell eatables like pakoras, samosas etc.. Transport – Transport is another major activity of villages.People with rickshaws, tongas, tractors, truks, bogey and bullock carts are the ones in the transport service and they transport goods and services from one place to another and in return get paid for it. —————————————- Cottage Industry in Indian Villages Another major occupation in Indian villages is the cottage industry. Cottage industry has emerged as a major source of employment in Indian villages over the period of time. Many villagers are occupied in various kinds of art and crafts works. The villagers produce different types of handicrafts products and many of them are earning their livelihoods by marketing them. The occupations like artisan in wood, cloth, metal and leather have been in existence in Indian villages, since the ancient period and are found even in the modern times. Many Indian villagers are dependent on these occupations to earn their livelihoods. The women in the rural areas, too are actively getting involved in different industries like matchbox and firework industries, Bidi making, agate and  slate industries, coffee and tea industries, brick industry, construction industry, electronics industry, spice industries, etc. Among these, the Bidi, slate or brick making industries are the most well spread industries in Indian villages. Apart from these industries, the Indian villagers have also become sweepers and scavengers. pottery :Pottery being an age old handicraft in India, the roots of the India pottery industry can be traced back to the earliest times of civilization. The beginning of pottery making trails back to the Neolithic era. During the time of the Indus Valley Civilization, this effective art form improved with technology. In the present day, the pottery industry in India has been put forward as a major cottage industry as well as on the contemporary lines in both small and big pottery concerns.India along with several other developing countries of Asia is considered as one of the first Asian countries to manufacture as well as export products of pottery. The pottery industry in India provides mass employment along with betterment of the living standards; both the village and city people comprise the work force of the industry. . tie and die:Tie-dye is a process of tying and dyeing a piece of fabric or cloth which is made from knit or woven fabric, usually cotton; typically using bright colorsDifferent forms of tie and dye have been practiced in India.Bandhani also known as Bandhej is a type of tie-dye practiced mainly in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, India Bandhej in Rajasthan is a traditional form of tie and dye which began about 5000 years ago. It is the oldest tie and dye tradition still in practice. Large scale industry: Large scale industries refers to those industries which require huge infrastructure, man power and a have influx of capital assets. The term ‘large scale industries ‘ is a generic one including various types of industries in its purview. it thus provides job many villagers Indian economy is heavily dependent on these large industries for its economic growth, generation of foreign currency and for providing job opportunities to millions of Indiansjaintia factories of rajgarh chips and namkeen .carpentery=the carpenter is one of the five useful articians of the villages Carpentry is a skilled trade in which the primary work performed is the use of wood to construct items as large as buildings and as small as desk drawers.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Employee Selection Tool and the Interview Process Essays

Employee Selection Tool and the Interview Process Essays Employee Selection Tool and the Interview Process Essay Employee Selection Tool and the Interview Process Essay Employee Selection Tools and the Interview Process Axia College, University of Phoenix Choosing the best suited individuals who are highly skilled and adequately suited for an employment position has become a difficult and sometimes a time-consuming process for employers. Today’s job market has become so diverse and competitive that companies must implement resources that assist them in carefully evaluating the credentials, backgrounds, and abilities of each candidate. Therefore, it is essential that organizations possess the ability to properly and effectively select qualifying applicants for employment positions. Hence, the HR recruiters or department heads rely on various selection tools designed to prescreen, evaluate and objectively select the best qualified individuals for the position, which will eliminate the time and money spent processing less qualified applicants. Just as many large corporations and technologically advanced industries reach for highly educated, experienced, skilled and talented employees, smaller operations such as supermarkets must also consider the diversity and competitive nature of the job market. Therefore, it is essential that the human resources manager and department heads carefully evaluate each applicant just as efficiently as larger more complex organizations. Supermarkets contain an array of department within their organization. These departments may range from fresh produce and meat departments, merchandising and stock departments, to cash management areas and supervisory or executive heads. â€Å"In these to tough and competitive times, and certainly in tight labor markets, the need to hire the right talent the first time must be a top organizational strategy. states Sal Silvester, (2009). To make the proper selection though, recruiters in the supermarket must implement selection tools such as the application form, employee integrity and cognitive test, employee reference and employment verification checks as well as drug testing to ensure that the best suited individual is chosen that will effectively fill the vacant position as well as lead the company into future success. Silvester, S. , (2009). The first step, the application process, is requiring the applicant to complete an application for employment form. As explained by Bohlander and Snell, (2007), applications are selection tools designed to prescreen for experience and education allowing the employers to differentiate between possible qualified applicants and lesser experienced individuals. In essence, this will evidently save the employer time and money that would otherwise wasted processing each separate individual. After the candidates pass through the initial application and interview process, narrowing the selection of candidates even further requires more in-depth reviews, hence the employment integrity and cognitive testing enters. Integrity tests are designed to evaluate the applicants reactions to various ethical scenarios that involve, theft, misconduct and or corruption within the workplace while cognitive test are designed to reveal certain skills and abilities, which reflect the applicants deductive reasoning, comprehension, and problem solving capabilities. The use of these tests allows employers to minimize employee misconduct and efficiently to place individuals in the best suited positions. These tests, and the organizations ability to effectively manage them, may also potentially raise company moral and ethical standards. Bohlander and Snell, (2007) explains it as, â€Å"Employment tests are an objective and standardize measure of a sample of behavior that is used to gauge a person’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics in relation to other individuals. † Drug testing is a selection tool that has experienced recent debates in regards to its effectiveness as an effective tool for providing a safer work environment as well as its ability to raise employee productivity. Drug testing however, has been recognized to be predominantly more effective in industries in which safety is a critical element in the workforce or labor field. Therefore, supermarkets may fall into this category since there are various pieces of equipment used in the stores that require the employees to practice safe measures at all-times to eliminate potential dangers. For example, ladders may used by employees who stock shelves, and band saw may be used in areas like the meat department. Therefore, it is critical that employees be coherent and drug-free to ensure the safety of them and others while limiting the possible liabilities of the employer such as employee absenteeism, increased insurance premiums, and potentially devastating lawsuits. Bohlander and Snell, (2007) Although each of these selection tools may effectively assist the recruiters in choosing the appropriate individual for the position, cognitive and integrity testing however will more readily separate qualified applicant from lesser qualified individuals. Therefore, employment testing would be considered as the best selection tool designed for selecting the best suited individual in a supermarket setting, and more so, it would also prove as an effective device in areas such as a food and beverage director position, which has been selected for the final project. The position of food and beverage director requires the individual candidate to possess certain skills that include the ability to use deductive reasoning for problem-solving, effective management skills that allows the individual to efficiently direct individuals as well as to possess ethical and moral standards that will lead to success within the company and for the company. Considering the requirements for the position and the various selection tools used to evaluate the candidates, employment testing proves to be the best solution in determining these qualities in an individual. Although employee testing reveals the candidates abilities of deductive reasoning in problem-solving, effectively interviewing prospective candidates is a measure that should not be ignored, either. There are several methods that may be implemented in the interview approach. These methods may range from non-directive interviews in which the candidate is presented open-ended questions allowing them to freely express themselves to structured more directly focused interviews, which requires the applicant to relate more direct information in regards to his or her background, education and experience, and qualifications. In either case, interviews may be performed by a single interviewer presenting an atmosphere for a direct one-on-one approach, or by a panel of carefully selected individuals who are focused on obtaining the most qualified individual. Bohlander and Snell, (2007) The chosen direction of interview for the final project is the panel review method. The reason for which the method has been chosen is that a food and beverage director would be employed in an area of management; therefore requiring the individual to not only be qualified enough to carry out the various tasks of the position, but to also be able to communicate effectively with other supervisors, managers, or executive within the corporation. Panels that include the managers and or supervisors of various other departments closely related to the food and beverage director will be able to jointly collaborate and decide on the best candidate. According to Bohlander and Snell, (2007), advantages to this method could include higher reliability in the selection, acceptance of the selection, less bias or discrimination against the prospect, and essentially, less time and money spent evaluating prospects. Interviews are best effective when interviewers possess and implement a purpose and directive prior to beginning the interview. This requires the interviewer to possess the ability to be an active listener, effective observer, and to possess a certain degree of ethical standards that will enable the interviewer to be objective. To ensure that the interviewer can incorporate these standards within the interview process, questions to ask the applicant should be designed, which will enhance the interviewer’s objectiveness and ability to observe or listen. Question should also be designed to allow the individual being interviewed to effectively portray their abilities and qualifications in regards to the position being interviewed for. Examples of questions that would be used to effectively interview a prospect for the position of a food and beverage director may include the following which will be implemented into the final project. 1. Tell me about your experience in the Hospitality industry. 2. Why do you feel you would be best suited for this position? 3. Why do you wan to work in this position, in the Hospitality industry or even for this organization? 4. Explain what you feel is your best quality and if interviewed, would others feel the same? 5. Explain to me what others would say about your weaknesses and why? . If hired, where do you see yourself within this company in two years, five years, and ten years? 7. What other positions or jobs have you applied for or that you may be considering? 8. What are your goals in regards to your personal self, your family, or your career? 9. What significant characteristic, skill or ability do you feel you possess that will lead you to success in the position as well as being beneficial to the company? 10. Why should we hire you for the position rather than promoting from within or choosing another candidate? 11. What are you though about the company, the position, this interview and my effectiveness to perform the interview? Designing the question as described allows the interviewer to observe the applicants ability to focus on their qualities, communicate effectively, relate themselves to the position and the company, and to exhibit certain behavioral patterns that may reveal characteristics either beneficial or possibly detrimental to the work environment and the company. As one can perceive, selecting and hiring the right individual can be a difficult complex process. Employers; herefore must chose and develop strategies and selection tools such as employment testing, which will reveal skills in deductive reasoning and problem-solving, and to design question for the interview process that focus on the candidates past and present experiences, education, abilities, and behavioral characteristics. By carefully selecting the tools, designing the interview and incorporating others to be involv ed in the process can lead the company to higher success rates of employees creating long-term loyalty, higher moral, ethical standards, and customer satisfaction, and stability of the organization. Furthermore, by incorporating these practices into the employee selection process, companies will be able to focus on highly qualified applicant and be able to properly and effectively choose the right talent, highly skilled, and best qualified individual for the position. Reference Bohlander, G. W. , and Snell, S. A. , (2007) Managing Human Resources, 14th e. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from myesources. phoenix. edu Silvester, S. , (2009) Hiring the Right Talent. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from 512solutions. com/resources/downlods/talent. pdf

Monday, October 21, 2019

What Is a High School Transcript How Do You Use Yours

What Is a High School Transcript How Do You Use Yours SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You've probably heard of high school transcripts, but do you know what information they contain and why they're so important for applying to college? This guide will explain what a high school transcript is, what exactly it includes, and why it is often the most important part of your college application. What Is a High School Transcript? A high school transcript is basically a record of your academic accomplishments in high school. It lists every class you took, when you took them, and the grade you received in each class, sometimes along with additional information such as standardized test scores and any honors you received. Every person enrolled in high school has a high school transcript, which is regularly updated as courses are completed. There are two versions of your high school transcript: official and unofficial. The two versions will usually look very similar or identical in terms of content, but an official transcript will often have a seal or tamper-proof marks on it or will be inside a sealed envelope. This is so people reading the official transcript can be certain no changes were made to it after it was released by the school and that the information it contains is 100% accurate. Official transcripts often have to be sent directly to by your high school in order to remain official, while a transcript you print or copy yourself will be unofficial. Most colleges require you to submit an official copy of your high school transcript when you apply, but if you just want to look at the information your transcript includes for your own personal use, an unofficial copy is fine. Why Do You Need a High School Transcript? So now you know what a high school transcript is, but why is it so important? High school transcripts are needed for several reasons: #1: To Apply to College Your high school transcript is probably the most important part of your college application, simply because it contains so much information about you: the classes you took, when you took them, how well you did in them, etc. Colleges will look over your transcript very carefully when you apply, so it's important to understand what they'll be looking for, which we'll cover in the next section. The majority of college applicants are high school seniors, and most of the college application advice out there is aimed at them. But what do you do if you don't fall into this narrow category? Our eBook on how to prepare for and apply to college as a nontraditional student will walk you through everything you need to know, from the coursework you should have under your belt to how to get letters of recommendation when you're not a high school senior. #2: To Graduate High School or Transfer to a New High School Before you head off to college, you, of course, need to finish high school, and your transcript will be what your high school looks at to see if you can graduate. They will look to make sure you took enough credits, completed each of the graduation requirements, and passed the necessary classes. If you transfer high schools, your new school will use your transcript to determine the classes you completed and which classes you should enroll in. When changing schools, you will have a transcript from each high school you attended, but your new school will also include information about the classes you took at your previous school, usually marking those classes as transfer credits. #3: To Apply for Jobs Some jobs require you to submit your high school transcript when you apply so they can look at your grades or make sure you have taken any classes they may require workers to have passed. Grab a copy of your transcript and find the specific information mentioned as you read through the next part of this guide. If you don't already have a copy of your transcript, ask your guidance counselor for one, or if you need more assistance, take a look at our guide to learn how to get your high school transcript. What a High School Transcript Includes Transcripts contain a lot of information, and at first glance it can be difficult to take it all in. This section will explain what a transcript includes, why this information is important, andways for you to determine if you're on track for creating a strong one. The main components of a transcript are: The Name of Each Course You Took in High School Your transcript will list the course name for each class you took in high school, including whether you retook or dropped a class. Why Is This Important? This information is used to determine if you met graduation requirements for your high school as well as the entrance requirements for colleges. It shows the difficulty of your schedule, such as whether you took a lot of honors and AP classes or mostly stuck to regular-level courses. It shows the subjects you the most classes in. This is important because if you're applying to college and indicate you plan to major in, for example, biology, colleges will expect to see a fair number of science courses on your transcript. Questions to Ask Yourself: Are you on track to meet your high school’s graduation requirements? What about entrance requirements for colleges you are interested in? Have you or will you be taking classes in the subject you plan to study in college? Actions to Take: Talk to your guidance counselor if you’re unsure about graduation requirements. Research different colleges to see the classes they require students to have completed in high school, and make sure those classes are on your transcript or will be before you graduate. If you don’t feel like your transcript includes enough courses in the subject you want to study in college, aim to take more classes in that field before you graduate. The Grades You Got in Each Class As well as providing the letter grade you got in each class you took, transcripts will also often include your GPA (weighted and unweighted) as well as your class rank, if your school has this. Why Is This Important? It shows schools and employers how well you grasped the material in each of your classes and how well you can be expected to do in future classes. This is very important information to colleges because they want to accept students they feel will succeed in college classes. It allows colleges to compare your grades and GPA to other applicants and their school's average entrance GPA. Colleges often pay special attention to your grades that relate most closely to the subject you plan to major in. Class rank shows how well you did academically compared to the rest of your graduating class. Questions to Ask Yourself: Is your GPA close to the average entrance GPAs of the colleges you're interested in? If you know what you will major in, do you have strong grades in the classes that relate to that subject? Actions to Take: Find specific colleges’ average entrance GPA on their websites, and see how your current GPA compares. If you’re looking to improve your GPA (and it’s never too late to do so!) we have a guide for that (as well as a specialized guide on how to do raise your GPA swiftly)! If you want to improve your grades, concentrate particularly closely on the classes that relate most to your future major. When You Took Each Class The classes on your transcript are organized by date, with the classes you took first at the top, and your most recent classes at the bottom. Classes are grouped together by semester/trimester/quarter, depending on your school's calendar. Why Is This Important? It allows colleges to see the progression of your courses. Did you move from regular English your freshman year to honors English your sophomore year? Did you sign up only for easy classes your senior year? Colleges use that information to help determine whether or not you challenged yourself each year of high school. It lets colleges and others see if and how your grades changed over time. Did you stumble a bit at the beginning of high school, but managed to raise your GPA after that? Were there any semesters where your grades were significantly lower than other times? Questions to Ask Yourself: Have you been continuously challenging yourself with the classes you take? Does your transcript show this (such as honors or AP classes)? Were there any periods in high school when you got lower grades than usual? Actions to Take: Make sure you continue to take challenging classes throughout high school, even during senior year, including honors and AP classes if possible. If there was a period of time when your grades dropped, and you have an explanation for it (illness, personal issue, etc.) attach a note to your application describing the situation, and ask your guidance counselor to explain the situation in their letter of recommendation as well. Colleges can be very understanding about circumstances like that, especially if they see you made an effort to improve your grades afterward. Behavior Record Some transcripts contain information such as the number of absences you have had and any serious disciplinary actions you have faced (such as suspensions, not minor issues like detention). Why Is This Important? Colleges and employers want to make sure they’re accepting people who are serious about their commitments and will get along well with others. If a student regularly didn’t show up for class or had a serious disciplinary action, they may be hesitant to accept or hire them. Ask Yourself: Is there any evidence of discipline or frequent absences on your transcript? Actions to Take: If the above applies to you, attach a letter to your application describing the situation and the ways you have worked to improve yourself since then. Be sure to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Additional Information Some high school transcripts contain additional information such as your scores for standardized tests, any honors or awards you received in school, and sometimes the volunteer work you did. Why Is This Important? It provides more information about your accomplishments so schools and jobs can get a more complete picture of who you are. What's Next? Need to get ahold of your high school transcript? Learn how to get a copy of your transcript, regardless of when you graduated high school and which type of school you attended. Wondering whether your GPA is good enough to get you into the colleges you want? Check out our guide to figure out how strong your GPA is. Unsure of where you want to go to college? Learn how to choose the best college for you! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. 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