Grading: Social Work students have highest average GPA
By: Carlos Mayorga
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News
Nestled between the massive bleachers of Rice-Eccles Stadium and the 12-story tower that houses the social and behavioral sciences, the small building that is home to the College of Social Work stands tall in academic achievement.
The college had the highest average student GPA of any college on campus in 2006.
An average undergraduate at the U had a B average of 3.17 in 2006, but students majoring in social work had the highest GPAs with a 3.74 average, according to a report by the Office of Budget and Institutional Analysis.
To get accepted into the program, students must demonstrate a strong commitment for social work, said Becky Lubbers, administrative assistant to the bachelor's program in social work.
Students who are accepted to the program have an average GPA of 3.32. Students seeking to be accepted must submit letters of recommendation, a personal statement and might have to appear before an admissions committee.
"We have a very difficult application process," Lubbers said. "It's very hard to get into this program."
The college turns down 50 percent of its applicants and accepts no more than 40 students per semester. Just more than 500 students are enrolled in the college, compared to social and behavioral science with 3,742 students.
The social work profession can be demanding -- social workers don't always receive recognition for their work and always work with others through conflict, said Grafton H. Hull, Jr., director of the bachelor in social work program.
"We've noticed that it takes a degree of maturity to say that I'm going to go into a profession that doesn't pay as well," he said.
Jordan Rasmussen, a junior in social work, rides TRAX to school and usually shows up 40 minutes early to class to study in the student lounge in the Social Work building. He said he often runs into fellow classmates with whom he interacts and goes over notes.
Class sizes in the program typically range from 18 to 30 people. Although it is hard to judge what factors contribute to high GPAs, smaller class sizes can make a difference in how students learn, Hull said.
The college had the highest average student GPA of any college on campus in 2006.
An average undergraduate at the U had a B average of 3.17 in 2006, but students majoring in social work had the highest GPAs with a 3.74 average, according to a report by the Office of Budget and Institutional Analysis.
To get accepted into the program, students must demonstrate a strong commitment for social work, said Becky Lubbers, administrative assistant to the bachelor's program in social work.
Students who are accepted to the program have an average GPA of 3.32. Students seeking to be accepted must submit letters of recommendation, a personal statement and might have to appear before an admissions committee.
"We have a very difficult application process," Lubbers said. "It's very hard to get into this program."
The college turns down 50 percent of its applicants and accepts no more than 40 students per semester. Just more than 500 students are enrolled in the college, compared to social and behavioral science with 3,742 students.
The social work profession can be demanding -- social workers don't always receive recognition for their work and always work with others through conflict, said Grafton H. Hull, Jr., director of the bachelor in social work program.
"We've noticed that it takes a degree of maturity to say that I'm going to go into a profession that doesn't pay as well," he said.
Jordan Rasmussen, a junior in social work, rides TRAX to school and usually shows up 40 minutes early to class to study in the student lounge in the Social Work building. He said he often runs into fellow classmates with whom he interacts and goes over notes.
Class sizes in the program typically range from 18 to 30 people. Although it is hard to judge what factors contribute to high GPAs, smaller class sizes can make a difference in how students learn, Hull said.
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