First Semester Suggestions....

ColoPop · 06-25-2007, 01:16 AM

It's time to register for courses in the upcoming Fall semester for Freshman. Any favorite courses or professors from former frosh? Any strategies for potential pre health majors in terms of course selection ?
As for the housing options at 'gate... what are the preferred choices and why? As well, anyone going on the wilderness adventure in August ?

stonecold23 · 06-25-2007, 01:26 AM

western traditions/challenge of modernity- take howard very interesting, laid back easy class yet youll learn a ton

i think being a prehealth major that you should take 2 semesters of chemistry and math your first year, unless you feel you can handle biology also(which would be quite the challenge). I took chemistry 101-102, and calculus 1/statistics. chemistry i found to be incredibly difficult (ended up with a B and C), but math was fairly straightforward and a reasonably easy A.

maof4 · 06-25-2007, 11:11 PM

Thanks for the course suggestions Stonecold23. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Any thoughts about psychology, music or art classes for freshmen?

ColoPop · 06-25-2007, 11:55 PM

I've heard golf is an interesting PHed any thoughts ? As well, what about a nice elective course to compliment chem, math and the fsem ? Also , since you're answering.... how about storing stuff during the wilderness experience prior to check in on the 23rd... any ideas ? ... thanks

jrpar · 06-26-2007, 10:42 AM

Intro Psych class is a tough intro class from what I hear - my kid did not take it but heard it was a tough one. There is an intro architecture lecture class taught by McVaugh which is great.

Colgate's golf course is one of the nicest college courses around. Golf in the fall is a great idea for PE!

mhc48 · 06-26-2007, 11:14 AM

I believe they will allow you to leave your stuff in the room if you are going on the Wilderness Adventure. My daughter went up early for Cove and they allowed her to move in. You just have to be flexible and willing later to move stuff around when your room mates arrive.

When choosing courses, take the course titles with a grain of salt. See if you can determine the actual content and course readings. They have a knack for titling and describing very normal, prosaic courses with exotic titles. i.e.- "Sex in the City"

lyjoo0119 · 06-26-2007, 02:09 PM

how are professor spring's writing classes?

amacing · 06-26-2007, 03:14 PM

I was wondering if anyone knew if it was possible to take organic chemistry as a freshmen. If you received a 5 on the AP Chem test, you supposedly receive credit for Chem 101-102, which I believe are the only prerequisites for Orgo.

I don't think Orgo wasn't listed in the Course Selections Booklet for freshmen.

stonecold23 · 06-26-2007, 03:42 PM

i know someone who took organic chem as a freshmen, but if your thinking pre-med you cannot just test out of 101 and 102. You could take chem 111 (which is bascailly 101 and 102 in one semester).

ScoobyGurl · 06-26-2007, 09:45 PM

Take Wagner and/or Sindima. They're tough but if you take them and pass, the rest of your college career will seem like a piece of cake. Also, Prof. Frank is good but I could be saying that b/c she was my adviser. I had her Soph year too. I had a friend who started off wanting to be a Psych major. It was nothing like he expected. It was really hard since it's actually a science there and not a social science. He because a Sociology/Anthropology major instead.

As far as dorms, stay away from Gate House. It's small, isolated, and it looks like it was put up way too fast. Also, the Stillman complex is pretty old but I stayed there Soph year and liked it (I had a single). West was the part dorm my frosh year but honestly that stuff changes every year (Soph year it was West Stillman where I stayed). East has a lot of foreign students and has a more dorky rep. Andrews is ok. It's old but ok. That's about all I can remember right now. HTH.

Oh, before I end, the best pizza shop in town is Oliveri's. I ordered from them all the time. Slices is cheaper and ok but Oliveri's is good.

Oh, and stonecold is right about Howard. Great prof. I alway heard good things about him. Unforunately, I didn't get a chance to take him but you should try.

maof4 · 06-26-2007, 10:50 PM

Do many freshman get singles? Is it a good idea to request one?

CollegeBound50 · 06-26-2007, 11:39 PM

do you need clubs to take golf ph. ed?

amacing · 06-26-2007, 11:56 PM

stonecold: I'm not thinking of going premed.

maof4: I don't think a lot of freshmen get singles, I requested one because I'm a very picky sleeper.

GateNY09 · 06-27-2007, 12:04 AM

Not many freshman get singles and I do not think it's a great way to start out your freshman year - your roommates are the people you will go to eat with, hang out with at night, etc. and you want to have that support system during the first couple weeks. Living with other people is a great and worthwhile challenge!

Everyone should do one of the pre-orientation programs, they are awesome. Even if you have little interest in continuing with outdoor ed, its such a great way to meet people. I did outreach and would never do it any other way.

I am not a science major, but here are my thoughts on courses:
1. Intro to psych is really hard and not worth taking if you don't love psych/want to be a psych major

2. Don't take orgo your first year - be sure that you want to continue with science/pre med at the college level; there are other options and there is no reason to kill yourself when your peers won't be

3. McVaugh's Intro to Architecture class is possibly one of the best classes I have taken at Colgate - everyone should have the opportunity to sit through one of his classes; he is a brilliant and compassionate man who loves what he teaches and loves his students just as much.

4. Wagner taught my FSEM and I am all the better for it - at first he scared me, but then I realized what an amazing academic he is and how much valuable knowledge he could share. He definitely shaped my outlook on the courses I took and what was important in life - he is great and will challenge your mind in the most brilliant ways possible.

5. Take an even course load your first semester - try to have 2 classes everyday as opposed to 4 mwf or something like that. After your first semester you will know better what works and what doesn't for you personally. If you are as lucky as I was this year you will only have 2 classes everyday and NO class on Friday!

If you have any other questions - message me!

ColoPop · 06-27-2007, 12:05 AM

Great question about the golf clubs... does one need clubs for the Ph.ed and, are there clubs if one wants to play a round outside of a ph ed class ? Anyone have any experience here ? Also, anyone take the "nightclub dancing" Ph ed ? ....
About dorms... I heard Curtis is supposed to be a favorable option ? True ?