swimmermom3 Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Please share your wisdom on how to write a good course description. If possible, please include a sample description. Thanks so much for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted June 6, 2013 Author Share Posted June 6, 2013 Course Descriptions for Math Courses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Lisa, I can't help because no college my kids have applied for (MN & CO) have asked for anything like that. But maybe it will encourage you to know that you might not need them? Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbollin Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 We haven't applied. But first choice doesn't seem to ask our cover school for descriptions. so I don't have any experience in that. but... I have an idea though if you are in a situation.... you could describe them the same way your state schools describe them??? I just did a search engine using TN high school course description. for some reason though, a link to south bend, IN came up.... (oh... I mistyped TN... and got IN.. oops.. habit I guess) but anyway.... starting on about page 15 of this link, you'll get typical high school course descriptions that public schools use http://www.sbcsc.k12...escriptions.pdf would it be permissible to use it as a model to make your own? edit to add... . here's some for science http://www.state.tn....ourse_Descr.pdf and adding this as it's listed by departments.... http://germantownhs.scsk12.org/~bharmon/Site/2013-14_Catalog.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Dd's first choice asks for course descriptions, and texts used. Along with a number of other things such as written recommendation from her teacher, outside recommendation and a summary of academic performance. So I'd be thankful for any and all samples or templates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I write course descriptions for all of my high school level courses. I start by writing down what I plan to do, then as the year goes along I add things and delete things, as needed. I write the description in the future tense, as it would be in a school catalogue. I list all resources used (and planned), including textbooks, literature, lectures, videos, etc. Details will be replaced as needed, of course, but the general format is something like this: 19th Century European Literature This course will introduce the student to great literary works of 19th century Europe, including Xyz, Abc, Lmn, Cde, Ghi, and Stu. The student will read the literature in translation, listen to college-level lectures from the series Great Literature of the 19th Century, and engage in weekly discussion sessions with the local instructor. Student evaluation will be based on five essays and a written semester examination. (I made up the title of the lecture series to illustrate how I would include one.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teeterbunch Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I read one of Lee Binz's short ebooks on this topic and thought her full length book might be worth purchasing. Here's the link... http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Records-Straight-Descriptions-Scholarships/dp/1449583555/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370606908&sr=1-6&keywords=lee+binz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 http://www.sbcsc.k12...escriptions.pdf http://germantownhs.scsk12.org/~bharmon/Site/2013-14_Catalog_files/SCIENCE%20DEPARTMENT%2013-14.pdf Some of these are great. I am am going to go back and change some of my wording bc I really like the way a few of these are articulated. Thanks for posting the links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Course Descriptions for Math Courses Ummmm..... That would be a link for how to NOT write a course description! ;) :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candid Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I'm using ones found in the files section of this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hs2coll/ They are lengthy one page descriptions, not what most would recommend, but my stated goal is to push the admissions folks to rank the transcript as high as possible in terms of rigor so I think going that way is the way to go. They will still get a basic one page transcript with course titles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 Ummmm..... That would be a link for how to NOT write a course description! ;) :p :D You know Eight, I think it is wonderful that you are starting these threads with great questions just to humor me and so Lori can stick them all together in one big master thread for those of us who have not yet conquered organizing and safeguarding important threads. ( I also hope you are reading this in the tone that I am using in my head. :tongue_smilie: ) On the serious side, you have been through the admissions process, so if you can think of a topic we need with a "post all your tips here" note, please go ahead and start one. I am still hoping for one thread pinned to the top of the board for easy reference. Sometimes good information shows up in the weirdest threads, so the search function is confounded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Thanks for all the information. I'll be putting it to use as I start writing course descriptions as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 .On the serious side, you have been through the admissions process, so if you can think of a topic we need with a "post all your tips here" note, please go ahead and start one. I am still hoping for one thread pinned to the top of the board for easy reference. Sometimes good information shows up in the weirdest threads, so the search function is confounded. The only thing I can think of adding to the list that people have already given you about including on the transcript would be adding in small print to the bottom of your transcript something to the effect--"This school operated under XY state law code #." I think that helps when applying out of state b/c the laws vary so much from state to state. Initially when ds was dual enrolling here (before we had physically moved), the admissions office didn't know how to deal with his transcript b/c it was not from an umbrella cover school. They had never had an out of state homeschooler apply and the law on the transcript verified that the state we were still in did not use umbrella schools but worked directly with county superintendents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Here is another document full of sample course descriptions, from the Dept of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2007341 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Ok, I have finally decided upon a format for presentation. I am creating a 3 column course description.....first column for title, grade, any outsourcing information, associated test score if there is on (like AP or SAT2) and # credits, the 2nd column for curriculum used, and the 3rd column for the course description. After looking at lots of examples, this is the format I like the best b/c it puts all the info in one place for the adcoms. It also gives it a polished, professional look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.