School Definition and 1000 Threads

A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students (or "pupils") under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools. The names for these schools vary by country (discussed in the Regional section below) but generally include primary school for young children and secondary school for teenagers who have completed primary education. An institution where higher education is taught, is commonly called a university college or university.
In addition to these core schools, students in a given country may also attend schools before and after primary (Elementary in the US) and secondary (Middle school in the US) education. Kindergarten or preschool provide some schooling to very young children (typically ages 3–5). University, vocational school, college or seminary may be available after secondary school. A school may be dedicated to one particular field, such as a school of economics or a school of dance. Alternative schools may provide nontraditional curriculum and methods.
Non-government schools, also known as private schools may be required when the government does not supply adequate, or specific educational needs. Other private schools can also be religious, such as Christian schools, gurukula (Hindu School), madrasa (Arabic schools), hawzas (Shi'i Muslim schools), yeshivas (Jewish schools), and others; or schools that have a higher standard of education or seek to foster other personal achievements. Schools for adults include institutions of corporate training, military education and training and business schools.
In homeschooling and distance education, teaching and learning take place independent from the institution of school or in a virtual school outside a traditional school building respectively. Schools are commonly organized in several different organizational models, including departmental, small learning communities, academies, integrated, and schools-within-a-school.

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  1. B3NR4Y

    Schools Can a Strong Upward GPA Trend Secure Grad School Admission?

    I finished my first year at university, my GPA is a lackluster 3.26 GPA. I'm doing a dual degree in mathematics and physics, but that's not important. My grades in physics/math classes were pretty good, A's and a B, but my gen eds really brought me down. No room for excuses, grad schools won't...
  2. Y

    Schools Maximizing Your Chances for Grad School with a 2.8 GPA: Tips and Strategies"

    I graduated with a BS in electrical engineering with a 2.8 something GPA (can't remember the rest of the numbers ) I know it's bad. I was wondering if there was any hope for me to go to grad school? I was lucky to find a good paying job related to my degree despite my 2.8 GPA. I agent to school...
  3. N

    Is a 3.02 GPA in Physics Enough for Top Physics Grad Schools?

    Hello, all. I feel like I'm in a tough spot and wanted some guidance. I've used this forum over the years for kinds of info but this will be my first time seeking help. I'm looking to go to grad school to obtain a Masters in Physics. I graduated from GW in 2012 with a 3.02 GPA in Physics and...
  4. B

    Schools Picking a concentration in grad school. .

    Hey all, I'm a math and physics graduate who will be starting math grad school in a little over a month, and, though I know I have time to decide, I'm a bit conflicted about what to concentrate in. I'm broadly interested in the applications of math in physics. Specifically, I've always had...
  5. Illicithunter

    School project for tracing radio transmission

    I need to trace a simple radio transmission for school. It's a signal that is broadcasting some talk radio. If I could locate the signal within a couple hundred feet I get an A. Extra credit is for jamming, re-directing or scrambling the signal. Any ideas for any of the said process. It's...
  6. D

    Admissions How can I be sure I'm applying to a school I can get into?

    I'm applying to graduate schools for biochemistry, biophysics, or microbiology. Last time I applied to seven schools and got rejected from all of them. I don't know for sure why I was rejected but I think it's partly because I applied to to many big name schools where they receive a lot of...
  7. T

    Schools H.S. Physics Teacher seeks Grad School Options

    Hi Everyone, I am a high school Physics Teacher. I have a B.S. in Chemistry and a B. ChemE from a Big 10 University. I did a Post-Bacc. certification program to get my teaching certification in Wisconsin. I live and teach in southeastern Wisconsin. I have small children. I'm looking for a grad...
  8. G

    Schools Emailing a professor from prospective grad school

    So I have decided on my first choice of school and program for my master's degree, (Medical Physics at University of Calgary if anyone is interested in knowing) and I am wondering how to go about emailing a professor. The program says you are not required to find a supervisor before applying...
  9. Lagraaaange

    Schools Is my schedule "lightweight"? Hurt me for Grad School?

    < Mentor Note -- two similar threads by the OP merged into one > Senior. Thermal Physics, Nuclear Physics, Lab class = 10 credits. Debating to take either: PDEs, Vector Analysis, Mathematica class, but I hear Thermal is hard and I want to ace all my upper level courses. I'm also working 20 hrs...
  10. T

    Schools Give me an overview of the grad school experience

    Hello all, For any of you current or ex grad students out there in physics, what was your overall experience like in graduate school? Extremely stressful, working 80 hours a week for 6 years and hating life or more along the lines of 40-50 hours a week and enjoying life while being on the...
  11. I

    What does this mean? (how good a school/program is)

    Hi, I often hear people say that a certain program (i.e. computer science, maths, etc) is better at one school than at another. For example, here in Canada a lot of people say that if you want to enter into computer science you should go to the University of Waterloo, because they have a...
  12. shezi1995

    Schools Maths or NatSci Tripos for US physics grad school?

    Background: I am an international student doing Mathematical tripos at Cambridge and I have just completed my first year with a 2.i. I did 'Maths with Physics' for my first year. The following paragraph is taken from the department's course website. "The Mathematics with Physics option consists...
  13. C

    What Should a Week-Long High School Cosmology Class Cover?

    Hello all! I've been instructed to construct a week long Cosmology class for High School Freshman. The class will run from about 8am-3pm everyday (with breaks and lunch or course). My first step in constructing this class is just to ask you guys what you would want to learn about...
  14. Lagraaaange

    Schools Upper level "Core" courses most important for grad school?

    Core being Thermal, Mechanics, E&M, Quantum? Say I graduate with a average 3.4 gap, but ace these courses, would Grad admissions care about a rough first year including Cs in Calc I and II and Bs in General Physics?
  15. Lagraaaange

    Schools Are my math courses sufficient for Grad School?

    I want to study either solid state or relativity. I have taken CalcI-III + odes. I find most of the math I remember is taught to me in physics classes, e.g. Linear algebra in Classical Mechanics, Vectors analysis in EM. Would it hurt me if I didn't take Calc 4 - Vector analysis or PDEs which are...
  16. B

    Repeating Second Year: A Second Chance to Master the Basics of Physics

    So I got killed this past year in physics. Combined with the fact that I slacked off a lot in first year, I have an awful GPA. It's currently sitting at 1.66 ( out of 4.3) I need ~2.0 to get into honors physics. I'm guessing the possibility of grad school is out the window. I've been studying...
  17. PhotonSSBM

    Schools 18 Credits a semester, or 1 more year+grad school courses

    A question I've had and never gotten answered recently is what looks better on a transcript: 18-20 credits in one semester and quickly finish my undergrad, or take a lengthy stay at around 12-14 credits per semester with the extra year being used for grad school courses? If I take the extra...
  18. davgonz90

    Can I Take The MCAT Despite Not Being in School?

    I have my four-year degree, but I didn't pursue my doctoral or master's- just started working. My question is: can I take the MCAT despite no longer being in school? This would be purely for entertainment purposes (just want to see how difficult it is, etc.). I'm weird, I know. How much would...
  19. Dishsoap

    Schools What to do in the summer between undergrad and grad school?

    Greetings fellow PFers, I am a rising senior in undergrad (physics) and am preparing to apply for graduate school for next year. My undergrad institution does not have many graduates that go on to graduate school so I'm in a bit of a pickle as far as advice on this matter goes. I've read some...
  20. BruceW~

    Books for High School Science: Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Calculus

    Hi guys I'm Bruce. I'm new to this forum and I 'm currently a high school student. I was wondering if there was any good books( not too advanced) on topics such as astronomy, chemistry, biology and calculus. If you can give me one or two suggestions that will be great.
  21. G

    Calculus Is Thomas Calculus the Best Book for High School Calculus Self-Study?

    I am doing precalculus by 'Carl Stitz' and 'Jeff Zeager'. It's a pretty good book. Every tiny thing is touched and explained for a topic. I want a similar book for calculus for high school where every tiny detail is explained because i am learning calculus by myself.
  22. EJC

    Schools Chances of Getting Into Graduate School Ph.D Programs

    I am a rising senior at a small liberal arts college, with an incredibly small (and therefore unrecognized) physics program. I am seeking advice regarding which Ph.D programs are within my reach. I plan on applying to AMO (Atomic, Molecular, and Optics) Ph.D programs with the intention of...
  23. Dishsoap

    Schools A few questions about entering grad school

    Greetings PFers, I didn't see a need to spam the forum with three topics, but I have three questions about graduate school. First question: Do most graduate schools (physics) have a summer "bridging" program? Maybe to prepare for the prelims, or to take some supplementary classes or...
  24. K

    Question on relative velocity (High school motion)

    Homework Statement Sue rows her boat at 4.5ms. The velocity of the river flow is 2.5ms. What is sues velocity against the flow relative to the water. I can't wrap my head around the question, since sues actual velocity against the flow is 2ms. This should mean she is moving backwards 0.5ms...
  25. J

    Engineering Major in engineering or physics...

    Ok so currently I am going to be starting college this spring at a school with a good physics program. I love physics and engineering and would like to at least get my masters degree in whatever I'm doing. My question is, is it better to major in physics then go to grad school for engineering...
  26. Lagraaaange

    Schools Apply to Graduate school this year or wait until graduation?

    Ideally I'd like to apply to graduate school for physics (leaning towards Astrophysics or Condensed matter); however, I don't think my course work or research is sufficient. I'm already using an extra year to complete the degree (I changed to physics the end of my Sophomore year) and wouldn't...
  27. epenguin

    Were you taught square root extraction at school?

    And what are the methods? This was stimulated by This question could be rephrased as "use the method for finding square roots you were taught in school to find √7 to 6 decimal places". If you were taught at school. If you were not taught at school you were luckier than me, I was. It has had...
  28. C

    Schools High School Physics: Catching Up and Going Further

    I have always had a keen interest for math and Physics, however I have never had much physics in school. I moved to different schools a lot, and therefore I never had anything else than F=ma and basic electric circuitry. Since my father is a math teacher, I have been able to go through Spivak...
  29. B

    Fall Undergraduate Internship: School vs Research Experience

    Fall internships for undergraduates? I have myself in quite the pickle. I'm entering my senior year of college pursuing a BS in Physics and a minor in Math. I go to a small university near LA. I was just offered a paid internship across the country by NASA for this upcoming fall. Of course I...
  30. T

    Another "should I go to physics grad school" thread

    Hey everyone! So, I am in a dilemma. I have a mathematics bachelors degree with a minor in physics, but many more course than just a minor, really it is like 2-3 courses away from being a second major. Anyways, after I received my math degree and physics minor I got cold feet about going to...
  31. M

    How important is the name of the school for postgrad?

    I've been looking over some past threads on PF with regards to graduate school and funding and it's made me reconsider applying internationally. To give some background: I'm a Canadian entering third year (of a 4-year BSc program) this fall and am studying Physics. I plan on pursuing grad school...
  32. D

    Should I start with an online school?

    I am currently working as a chef and have decided I would like to go to school to study physics. Unfortunately, I have to take some time to cover some basic trig. and calc. before I begin my journey. My goal, and I'm sure this is everyone's, is to go onto to grad school. I'm trying to save a...
  33. Dishsoap

    Schools Grad School Admissions - comparative or absolute?

    Greetings all, I found some similar threads to this but none that answered my exact question. I am doing an REU at a school I would like to attend for graduate school, and some students there have said that in graduate school admissions, I am going to be judged relative to my peers from the...
  34. J

    Academic advice: What would you do?

    Alright, so here's the deal. I graduated from college at the end of 2014 with two degrees in liberal arts majors. I was extremely upset by the education I received because it relied too heavily on terminology instead of problem-solving. I now have the chance to go back to school again. I am...
  35. F

    Admissions What are the key factors for admission to top physics PhD programs like MIT?

    Hi guys, wassup? I am a physics undergraduate motivated to get into top graduate programs, namely MIT. It is not its name or prestige (only a small amount!) which attracts me to it, but the experience I desire, that is, to immerse myself to an environment, surrounded by other students of diverse...
  36. Dishsoap

    Schools Apply to grad school for AMO exp or theory?

    Greetings all, I'll be applying to grad school in the fall, and I am uncertain on how to proceed. By the time I graduate, I will have done research with an AMO theory group for four years and will have four publications. However, all of these publications are on numerical work/methods, not pure...
  37. G

    Schools How do I find what interests me most for grad school?

    I feel like most of my fellow students throughout my undergrad have already figured out what they enjoy most, they have their favorite classes based on the content, and the area of physics which seems most interesting to them. I haven't taken a course yet where the content wasn't interesting to...
  38. C

    Schools Physics graduate school in Spain

    Hi, how does physics graduate school work in Spain? What are the admissions tests?
  39. ZapperZ

    Schools First years of Graduate School - Comments

    ZapperZ submitted a new PF Insights post First years of Graduate School from Being a TA to the Graduate Exams Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  40. S

    Schools Realistically, can I get into grad school with a 2.8ish GPA?

    I'm an astrophysics major. I want to go to grad school. Whether it's physics, astrophysics, or astronomy I'd enjoy anything. My GPA is not good and realistically I was wondering what are my options if I had a 2.8 GPA (hypothetically, I still have two years left but my gpa is 2.4 now). I am at a...
  41. ZapperZ

    Schools Entering Physics Graduate School From Another Major - Comments

    ZapperZ submitted a new PF Insights post Entering Physics Graduate School From Another Major Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  42. C

    Schools Concerned about my grades this term and future grad school

    I go to a university that operates on a three quarter per year system, with 10 weeks per quarter. This quarter started out fine, but my dad's condition suddenly deteriorated and he passed away (I was led to believe he had at least 2 years left from doctor expectations about the development of...
  43. neosoul

    Schools Independent Study as Preparation for Grad School

    PF Family, I love my undergraduate institution. However, our physics department is very small and has a very small faculty. Also, although many are listed on the webpage, we only have one physics elective, "Intro to Astronomy", which I am not very interested in. I've been thinking about...
  44. EternusVia

    Welcome to Graduate School Research in Mathematics

    Hi everyone, I'm currently researching graduate schools in mathematics. I would like to go for a PhD. My question is, do I apply directly to the PhD program? Or do I apply to the Master's program and apply for the PhD afterwards? What do people normally do?
  45. NeLLyFiZzLe

    Schools Do you need high school physics to study physics?

    I tried to keep the thread name as applicable to my question as possible. I'm sure this question has been asked before I apologise in advance I could not find the appropriate answer :) I did not do physics at high school as when I tried to change a sub to physics they told me I was too late...
  46. Quarlep

    Schools Writing a Scientific Article In High School

    I am In high school and its my last year.I want to write an scientific article.I am working on something.I have original ideas and I want to share them.But I don't have any idea about how to write a scientific paper.And also I don't know where I will going to send the paper. Is there any...
  47. T

    High school Chem and reactions?

    In high school chemistry, which I am in right now, we are the very simple means by which to balance a chemical reaction and determine the products of a reactions. My question is; is any reaction possible as long as the valence electrons of the reactants equal eight? Obviously the answer is no...
  48. Y

    Can We Create a Sun-Shaded Assembly Area for Our School?

    This is my school's assembly area : The place is generally used for the assembly and various other things. But the problem is that it receives a lot of sunlight and it is difficult to use it during the later part of the day. So, I would like something like a roof, which doesn't entirely...
  49. P

    Schools Math major + physics minor for grad school

    I've thrown around this possibility before, but I've developed such a respect for this forum and the people interested in physics that I feel comfortable enough to listen to others input and experience. I'm attending a local University free of charge, but they only offer a minor in physics. I...
  50. ZapperZ

    Schools The US Graduate School System - Comments

    ZapperZ submitted a new PF Insights post The US Graduate School System Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
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