Freshman courseload

nesh1080 · 05-04-2008, 04:17 PM

Does BC allow you to take 21 credits a semester?

Reddune · 05-04-2008, 04:39 PM

21!?! Like seven classes? I don't think so. There might be an exception, but none that I know of. To get an overload you usually have to be above a B+ from the previous semester (I think), but I don't know how that would work with incoming freshmen who don't have grades from the previous semester. Are there classes you want to take that badly?

nesh1080 · 05-04-2008, 05:26 PM

Well, here's the thing. Since I'm in the honors program, I have to take the 6 credit honors class. I'm also planning on taking Calc I, Chem I, and Bio I with lab for a total of 18 credits. However, I got a guaranteed transfer for sophmore year at Cornell and as a result, I need to take Calc I and II, Chem I and II, Bio I and II with labs, and two writing courses at any accredited community, two or four year college. Unfortunately, Cornell does not accept the honors course (Western Culture and Tradition) for their writing requirement. Consequently, I would have to take an intro writing class in addition to my other courses to have a guaranteed spot at Cornell sophmore year (as long as my grades aren't lacking). I'm not coming to BC with the mindset that I am definitely going to transfer to Cornell however, I still want that option open to me and I am not willing to sacrifice dropping BC honors. So yeah, 21 credits lol. I have no clue what to do at this point.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

Reddune · 05-04-2008, 05:48 PM

Well, my advice is think up a very good excuse for why you want to take first year writing seminar. A 21-credit semester will require permission from the Dean. I don't think the potential transfer to Cornell will fly as an excuse. I say wrack your brain. You have all summer.

horsegirl1050 · 05-04-2008, 05:57 PM

take summer classes at a local CC

DHRBC07 · 05-04-2008, 06:21 PM

dont do honors

xcjimmy1228 · 05-04-2008, 09:42 PM

I HIGHLY doubt BC will let you do 21 hours. In fact, first semester freshman year, the cap is 15 (excluding labs). I wanted to take six courses as I am honors + double major, and my dean wouldn't let me. So I certainly wouldn't plan on seven... If you KNOW you are going to transfer to Cornell, drop honors, but to be honest, you might change your mind after freshman year. Yes I'm biased and think BC is a great school, but the fact is it's just hard to transfer period after a year (socially, academically, and everything else). In that case, I would keep honors, do 5 first semester and 6 second semester, and then supplement with 2 summer courses.

nesh1080 · 05-05-2008, 08:38 AM

They only allow you to do 15?? Wouldn't Calc I, Bio I, Chem I and Western Culture and Tradition (6 credits) be 18 credits though??

...is it worth placing out of Calc or Chem (I'm a bio major) since I have high enough AP scores to place out?

miragemage · 05-05-2008, 10:32 AM

calc=3 credits
bio=3 credits
chem=3 credits
Western Culture and Tradition= 6 credits
Add em up chief and if you really want, it makes sense to not take calc or chem to fulfill your other needs if you plan on transferring into cornell later on.

nesh1080 · 05-05-2008, 10:55 AM

Oh, sorry I thought Calc, Chem and Bio were 4 credits lol. Will BC allow me to place out of Calc I and II and replace it with writing courses rather than Calc III (I got a 5 on Calc BC)?...sorry if this is a stupid question, but I have no clue about how this works.

worried_mom · 05-05-2008, 11:30 AM

nesh1080, it depends on your school and major. The AP credit will satisfy the math core requirement for most majors in A&S so you wouldn't need to take any more math classes unless you wanted to (or you plan to major in math).

ChrisM1225 · 05-06-2008, 10:22 AM

Do you have to take Western Culture and Tradition if you score a 4 or 5 in AP European History? I am hoping to come in with AP credit in US Government, European History, and US History. I already have credit for US. Would I still have to take the Western Culture course?

ClassicGuitar11 · 05-06-2008, 11:04 AM

^^^ Western Cultural Traditions is required for everyone in the honors program and it is NOT a history class. Over the four years it fulfills writing, philosophy, theology, and social science core requirements. The class focuses heavily on philosophy and theology, especially freshmen year. With the AP credits you have, you will be able to get out of taking a history core.

Reddune · 05-06-2008, 11:50 AM

The honors program is actually a great books program. You can read all about it on this wiki article:

Great Books - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

mnwinwin11 · 05-06-2008, 12:26 PM

Don't take Calc I, I just jumped into Calc II, it wasn't overly difficult, and I'm on the science track too. It's quite easy to get out of Calc 1 if you did well on your AP (I got a 5) I think you will have to take Calc II if you are science major or some math course, even with the 5 on your AP, that is my understanding. BC advisors have been great, you will get a lot of help at orientation.