Schools What should I consider when choosing a university?

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A new forum member from Italy is seeking advice on choosing a university as they approach graduation from a science-focused high school, "Liceo Scientifico." They express interest in various subjects, including philosophy, history, and engineering, particularly computer engineering, but lack formal training in coding. Concerns about the financial implications of attending university in major cities like Milan and Florence are raised, alongside the challenges of low salaries for researchers in Italy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of selecting a university that aligns with personal interests and financial circumstances. Suggestions include visiting universities, attending classes, and engaging with faculty to make an informed decision.
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  • #52
symbolipoint said:
Maybe I misunderstood.
You can report courses you attended at a university, onto your C.V., and the official proof that you earned credit in such attended courses is your university transcripts.
You can't make exams of a course outside your major.

fresh_42 said:
I know, I would have expected both languages anyway.
https://translate.google.de/#auto/i...hten“, so Stefan Premstaller und Benno Elsler.
Thanks, as you can see you can't take a double degree, I don't know if one day will be possibile.
 
  • #53
Grands said:
You can't make exams of a course outside your major.
...
Why does that mean anything here? If you enrolled in the course, either inside your major or outside your major, and you earned credit in the course, then you may report this credit on your C.V., and you will be able to show the credit on your transcripts. How one is not able to take an exam for the course makes no sense. Either the student attends and earns credit in the course or does not attend nor earn credit in the course. To enroll in, attend, succeed in a course, ANY course, and then to not be assessed and the results officially recorded makes absolutely no sense of any kind.
 
  • #54
symbolipoint said:
If you enrolled in the course, ...
This is the hurdle. There aren't courses which aren't related to specific studies. So without cheating, it isn't possible to do an exam.
 
  • #55
fresh_42 said:
This is the hurdle. There aren't courses which aren't related to specific studies. So without cheating, it isn't possible to do an exam.
I am not able to understand this. Try to explain very clearly. Student can enroll in a course or cannot enroll in a course? Student can take the examination and earn credit or cannot take the examination nor earn credit. What is happening there exactly? I cannot understand, "enroll in a course but cannot earn credit". Would the course be listed officially as "A Non-Credit Course"? Then it is a non-credit course FOR EVERYBODY. Explain! Make a clear explanation so I can see the sense.
 
  • #56
fresh_42 said:
nobody will recognize if you attend
I think we need to distinguish several issues here, which have been confounded.

(a) The OP has stated that in Italy a student is not allowed to enroll in courses outside of his major. This is far different from US practice, in which a student generally can enroll in a course offerred by any department, assuming the student satisfies the prerequisites. There are some exceptions with courses offerred as part of specialized programs, and enrollment in these courses is restricted to students in the specialized programs.

(b) So fresh_42 has suggested that the student just attend these other classes anyway. In the US, this is referred to as "auditing" a class. You attend the classes without officially enrolling (usually, if it's a small class rather than a large lecture, as a matter of courtesy, you would ask permission of the professor). This is fine, if you wish to learn the material for your own interest and development.

(c) But when you audit a class, your homework (should you choose to do it) is not graded, and you do not take the exams. Since you are not officially enrolled, you do not receive course credit, and the course does not appear on your transcript.
 
  • #57
CrysPhys said:
I think we need to distinguish several issues here, which have been confounded.

(a) The OP has stated that in Italy a student is not allowed to enroll in courses outside of his major. This is far different from US practice, in which a student generally can enroll in a course offerred by any department, assuming the student satisfies the prerequisites. There are some exceptions with courses offerred as part of specialized programs, and enrollment in these courses is restricted to students in the specialized programs.

(b) So fresh_42 has suggested that the student just attend these other classes anyway. In the US, this is referred to as "auditing" a class. You attend the classes without officially enrolling (usually, if it's a small class rather than a large lecture, as a matter of courtesy, you would ask permission of the professor). This is fine, if you wish to learn the material for your own interest and development.

(c) But when you audit a class, your homework (should you choose to do it) is not graded, and you do not take the exams. Since you are not officially enrolled, you do not receive course credit, and the course does not appear on your transcript.
CrysPhys,
I do not yet know how to comment or respond to that, but as a start,
... Auditing a course - If you do audit a course, you then cannot claim credit for it. The course may be listed on your transcripts but still not for any credit (okay maybe it is not listed on transcript - depends on the school). Put on rEsumE or on CV? No harm, but then you still have no official claim for credit.
 
  • #58
symbolipoint said:
CrysPhys,
I do not yet know how to comment or respond to that, but as a start,
... Auditing a course - If you do audit a course, you then cannot claim credit for it. The course may be listed on your transcripts but still not for any credit (okay maybe it is not listed on transcript - depends on the school). Put on rEsumE or on CV? No harm, but then you still have no official claim for credit.
That's the point I was making. You can audit a course to learn the material, but don't expect any official credit for it. Do you know of schools that list audited courses on a transcript? Personally, I wouldn't list it on a resume or CV either.
 
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  • #59
CrysPhys said:
That's the point I was making. You can audit a course to learn the material, but don't expect any official credit for it. Do you know of schools that list audited courses on a transcript? Personally, I wouldn't list it on a resume or CV either.
That's what I think, it can be a waste of time.
 
  • #60
A followup, having read something yesterday night: a difference between schools; not in the quality of teaching, is the network of students in your school. The right network will make it easier for you to have an attractive first job, which can make a big difference. But I am not sure how that works in Italy.
 
  • #61
CrysPhys said:
Do you know of schools that list audited courses on a transcript?
A google search for "audit a course" turns up the University of Wisconsin, for one:

https://kb.wisc.edu/ls/page.php?id=26734
For a student who does elect to audit a course, the letters "AU" are entered on the transcript under credits and the course does not earn credit or impact the GPA
The college where I taught has a similar policy.
 
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  • #62
Anyway, in the end which is the point?
I shouldn't go to others courses?
 
  • #63
Grands said:
Anyway, in the end which is the point?
I shouldn't go to others courses?
From my perspective, the point is what I said before: If you want to audit a course strictly to augment your knowledge in a subject outside of your major, then OK. But since you receive no official credit, it's not something you should put on your resume or CV. But, perhaps during an interview, it's something you can mention.
 
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  • #64
CrysPhys said:
From my perspective, the point is what I said before: If you want to audit a course strictly to augment your knowledge in a subject outside of your major, then OK. But since you receive no official credit, it's not something you should put on your resume or CV. But, perhaps during an interview, it's something you can mention.
I agree with you, this can't solve the problem if not having the possibility to do a real double degree.
 
  • #65
I’m also having a similar problem. Where I’m from, (I’m in my last year in middle school) we have to choose a college to go to before your reach high school. It’s recomended for students my age to start choosing a couple schools and then narrowing them down in the future. My dream school is MIT in the USA (if you guys heard of it). Anyways, I feel that I should decide about that later. But, I live in Hawaii, and I’m trying to decide which community college/college/university to go to in the islands so I can stay close to my family. Any advice?
 
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  • #66
doglover9754 said:
I’m also having a similar problem. Where I’m from, (I’m in my last year in middle school) we have to choose a college to go to before your reach high school. It’s recomended for students my age to start choosing a couple schools and then narrowing them down in the future. My dream school is MIT in the USA (if you guys heard of it). Anyways, I feel that I should decide about that later. But, I live in Hawaii, and I’m trying to decide which community college/college/university to go to in the islands so I can stay close to my family. Any advice?
Deciding which college or university before you have started high school is senseless. YOU do not know. Your PARENTS do not know. Nobody knows. You must grow and develop more first. Why college or university? Why not a vocational school or vocational training? You could choose imaginably any local community college for either preparation for university OR for getting vocational training. In case you are not yet qualified for a university program upon high school graduation, you can build your qualifications at a community college for a few terms and then transfer to U.
 
  • #67
doglover9754 said:
I’m also having a similar problem. Where I’m from, (I’m in my last year in middle school) we have to choose a college to go to before your reach high school. It’s recomended for students my age to start choosing a couple schools and then narrowing them down in the future. My dream school is MIT in the USA (if you guys heard of it). Anyways, I feel that I should decide about that later. But, I live in Hawaii, and I’m trying to decide which community college/college/university to go to in the islands so I can stay close to my family. Any advice?
<<Emphasis added.>>
What do you mean by "you have to choose a college before you reach high school"? So, you attend High School A if you plan to go to MIT, High School B if you plan to go to Harvard, and High School C if you plan to go to U. of Idaho? Huh?
 
  • #68
CrysPhys said:
<<Emphasis added.>>
What do you mean by "you have to choose a college before you reach high school"? So, you attend High School A if you plan to go to MIT, High School B if you plan to go to Harvard, and High School C if you plan to go to U. of Idaho? Huh?
No... it’s more like we fill out “fake” applications and submit it to our school. I know that you are probably thinking yeah, why am I stressing about it, but really, we get graded on our application and our teachers even tell us that yes, it seems pointless now, but it may come in handy in the future... (still confused about that)
 
  • #69
doglover9754 said:
No... it’s more like we fill out “fake” applications and submit it to our school. I know that you are probably thinking yeah, why am I stressing about it, but really, we get graded on our application and our teachers even tell us that yes, it seems pointless now, but it may come in handy in the future... (still confused about that)
OK. Thanks for the clarification. But do your practice applications have any effect at all on your high school program? Or is it just an instructive exercise to start you thinking about what you want to do?
 
  • #70
Mmm. I’m pretty sure that it has an effect on something... I think it effects our ELA class... not totally sure though
 
  • #71
doglover9754 said:
No... it’s more like we fill out “fake” applications and submit it to our school. I know that you are probably thinking yeah, why am I stressing about it, but really, we get graded on our application and our teachers even tell us that yes, it seems pointless now, but it may come in handy in the future... (still confused about that)
As a middle school student, you're not really "applying" to those colleges. It sounds to me like this is an exercise in how to (eventually) fill out a real application, many years down the road.
 
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  • #72
doglover9754 said:
No... it’s more like we fill out “fake” applications and submit it to our school. I know that you are probably thinking yeah, why am I stressing about it, but really, we get graded on our application and our teachers even tell us that yes, it seems pointless now, but it may come in handy in the future... (still confused about that)
I can only interpret that to mean that filling in college applications is not an easy thing ( meaning filling them so that you will be accepted) , so , by doing it now, you are getting a head start.
 
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  • #73
doglover9754 said:
Mmm. I’m pretty sure that it has an effect on something... I think it effects our ELA class... not totally sure though
What's ELA?
 
  • #74
Ultimately, for undergrad, I think it comes down to finding a place where you can create a network of people to find you better opportunities. Sounds cold and not very idealistic, but a first good job can make a big difference over the long run.
 
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  • #75
CrysPhys said:
What's ELA?
English Langauge Arts
 
  • #76
WWGD said:
I can only interpret that to mean that filling in college applications is not an easy thing ( meaning filling them so that you will be accepted) , so , by doing it now, you are getting a head start.
Hm. Never thought of it as a head start. I guess you are right
 
  • #77
doglover9754 said:
Hm. Never thought of it as a head start. I guess you are right
OK, now that it's clear that you don't need to choose a university, and that what you are doing is a practice exercise in filling out a college application, it actually makes good sense to me, and I think it's a great idea. Because now you will know what you need to do during the high-school years ahead in order to have a strong application in the first part of your senior year. If you wait until the start of the senior year, there won't be time to remedy many deficiencies: E.g.: (a) You'll need letters of recommendation. Oops! I don't know anyone well enough to write them for me. (b) You'll need to describe special activities outside of school. Oops! I haven't done anything. (c) You'll need to describe activities that demonstrate your passion for science. Oops! I never did any science fair projects. So now, you will know ahead of time what you need to do; and that's good.
 
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