| Philip:
| Sorry, Robbie. Sorry to be late this morning, but, well, we’ve still got some time for a cup of coffee. I can’t wait to see my old pal Charley Rafer.
|
| Robbie:
| Neither can I.
|
|
| [They go into the kitchen.]
|
| Philip:
| So you though about it, huh?
|
| Robbie:
| Yes, I have, Dad.
|
| Philip:
| Well, I’m glad. I knew you’d realize that this interview could be an important experience for you.
|
| Robbie:
| I came to that conclusion.
|
| Philip:
| That’s very wise, Robbie. Very wise. Now let’s head off for the city and the university club.
|
| Robbie:
| Thanks, Dad.
|
| Philip:
| Thanks … for what?
|
| Robbie:
| Thanks for hearing me out. And …
|
| Philip:
| And …?
|
| Robbie:
| And thanks for being such an understanding father.
|
| Philip:
| Well, thank you, Robbie. Thank you.
|
|
| In an office at the university club. Dean Rafer greets Philip and Robbie.
|
| Dean:
| [entering] Philip Stewart! It’s great to see you!
|
| Philip:
| Charley Rafer – you look as young as ever.
|
|
| [They hug.]
|
| Dean:
| You must be Robbie.
|
| Robbie:
| Hi.
|
| Philip:
| Yes, this is my youngest son Robbie.
Robbie, I want you meet one of the best tennis players on the Michigan team - Charley Rafer.
|
| Robbie:
| Nice to meet you, Dean Rafer.
|
| Dean:
| Well, are you as good a tennis player as your dad?
|
| Robbie:
| No, I’m not very good at it.
|
| Philip:
| Frankly, neither was I. Charley was the star of the team.
|
| Dean:
| Yeah. Thanks. Well, how’ve you been, Philip?
|
| Philip:
| Oh, working too hard.
|
| Dean:
| Doesn’t show. How’s Ellen?
|
| Philip:
| Fine, thank you. And how’s Marge?
|
| Dean:
| She’s still giving the toughest English history exams in the school and loving every minute of it. And speaking of minutes, I have interviews until noon, so why don’t we get right to work?
|
| Philip:
| Can you have lunch with us later?
|
| Dean:
| I’d love too, Philip, but I’m afraid I can’t. I’m only here two days, and I have interviews with twenty-six applicants.
|
| Philip:
| I understand. Well, thanks. I’ll wait outside.
[to Robbie] Good luck, Son. [He leaves]
|
| Dean:
| Did you bring your transcript from high school?
|
| Robbie:
| Yes, sir. Right here.
|
| Dean:
| Thank you. Please sit down. I see under “activities” that you’ve been writing for the school paper.
|
| Robbie:
| Yes, sir.
|
| Dean:
| What kinds of articles have you written?
|
| Robbie:
| All kinds – sports, editorials, theater reviews. You name it, I’ve written it.
|
| Dean:
| Hmmm. Well, have you ever thought of becoming a journalist?
|
| Robbie:
| A professional writer? Not until recently.
|
| Dean:
| Michigan has a fine School of journalism.
|
| Robbie:
| Yes, I know that.
|
| Dean:
| You seem to have some reservations.
|
| Robbie:
| I’m a little uncertain.
|
|
| [We see Philip nervously waiting outside the office.
Dean Rafer has finished interviewing Robbie.]
|
| Dean:
| [to Robbie] It’s been very nice talking to you.
|
| Robbie:
| Nice talking to you, sir.
|
| Dean:
| One piece of advice. The most important thing is for you to decide your own future.
|
| Robbie:
| Yes, sir. Good-bye, Dean Rafer.
|
| Dean:
| Good-bye, Robbie. Good luck.
|
| 1. came to that conclusion
| a. honestly, truthfully
|
| 2. wise
| b. to start (something) immediately
|
| 3. hearing me out
| c. newspaper articles that give the editor’s opinion about something in the news
|
| 4. as young as ever
| d. an official document listing a student’s grades
|
| 5. good at
| e. a person who works to gather, write edit, publish, or report the news; a reporter
|
| 6. frankly
| f. listening to my point of view
|
| 7. get right to
| g. talented
|
| 8. transcript
| h. having intelligence from life’s experiences
|
| 9. editorials
| i. feelings of not being sure about something
|
| 10. theater reviews
| j. decided that
|
| 11. journalist
| k. a piece of writing in a newspaper that tells about a play and gives the writer’s opinion of it
|
| 12. reservations
| l. as young as you always looked
|
The most common college degree is a bachelor of arts, or a B.A., degree. This degree usually requires four years of study. During the first two years, a student often takes liberal arts courses to receive a general education. Liberal arts courses include the study of literature, languages, and history. Then, in the last two years of college, a student focuses on a major subject, his or her specialization.
1. Which college degrees are the most common in your country?
2. In which year of college does a student usually begin to focus on a major subject?
