Skycatter

Heyyyy, I am going to Carl this fall, and I am really interested in science. When I was going through the pre-registration I found this FOCUS group.

Could someone please tell me how much you can actually learn from this group, and in what kind of ways this program has helped you in your science study? Will you have a better shot at getting research opportunities if you are in the program?

It seems to me that you have to choose the geo seminar for your AI if you want to join the program. However the AI in geo is really not my top choice.

So pleaaaaase someone?

Thank you!!

Polketmoss

I am suffering the same choice. Can someone enrolled in FOCUS please help us?

mflevity

You might have better luck asking in the 2016 facebook group. I think the full name of the group is Carleton College Class of 2016 (Official). There are current students in the group as well.

reesezpiecez103

Agreed. I didn't do FOCUS for that reason - the AI was a chem class I didn't really want to take, so I took something else instead. I do know that being in FOCUS helps you to get priority registration in some of the other intro science classes (i.e. Bio 126) that are usually more difficult to get into, but you're probably better off asking students in the facebook group

efarn13

Hi!

As a rising senior who took Geology in the Field as my AI, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to take it. So fun, lots of field work dealing with Minnesota's beautiful natural history, and an excellent intro to Carleton's geology department, which is the number one undergrad program in geology in the nation.

As far as FOCUS goes, I asked one of my friends who did FOCUS to reflect on his experiences in it:

"FOCUS is for people that the government considers a "minority" in the sciences. So it is a support group whose goal is for those minorities to love science / pursue science in the future.

When I was a freshman, the perks were:
-You get to choose a science class per trimester before any other student (so you can explore the sciences). BIGGEST plus
-Events that focus on what goes into scientific research and opportunities to speak with Carleton faculty in the sciences. There are also some field trips.
-A group of like minded individuals to hang out with from all years. Older FOCUS students are encouraged to give advice to freshman about choosing majors/ giving advice about classes, etc.
-There are FOCUS specific tutors for classes to help students out (The tutors are other FOCUS students)
-unlike the other AIs, FOCUS is your entire freshman year. Plus it is a group that you can be a part of all four years (which I kinda abandoned after freshman year lol).
-You get like 3000 grant money per year

It is a pretty good program. I didn't enjoy it at first because I didn't want to be considered a minority but I think it is a good program for what it is trying to achieve.

You can contact Eric Egge and Deborah Gross. They were in charge of it my freshman year."

Hope this helps!

EF