Rainalai

Hi I have a couple of questions...

Let's say that my schedule for the spring semester was looking something like:

7.013
5.12
18.03
8.02

Would that be advisable? Originally, I had planned on taking a HASS instead of 5.12, but apparently as a premed, taking 5.12 is highly encouraged next semester due to scheduling issues and MCAT concerns? I don't really want to push bio, because it would mess up my plans for sophomore year fall, and 18.03 I just want to get over with, especially when the rest of my friends are taking it (pset buddies, yes please). I'm scared about 18.03 and 5.12. 5.12 I know I can probably handle if I put in the time and effort, but I'm terrible at math even though I find it really interesting. How hard would this course load potentially be?

I was looking at the course evaluations for 7.013, why are the scores so low, especially for fair grading?

And on a final note, if I were to accept sophomore standing... what would be the benefits of having an advisor in course 9 early? That seems to be the only reason I would accept it. Heavens know I'm not planning on adding a fifty HASS...

Thanks very much in advance

molliebatmit

This wouldn't be an unusual spring schedule for a premed freshman. If you had to, you could think about moving 8.02 to next semester, but I agree that you should try to take 5.12 this semester so you can take 5.13 next semester.

You could also consider taking 7.012 in the fall concurrently with 7.03, which people sometimes do.

Four science classes in one semester definitely has a different rhythm than three science classes and a HASS, and sometimes it gets a little crazy with all of those problem sets and tests. It's survivable, though, and I wouldn't worry too much if you end up doing the schedule you proposed. You'll get through.

The only real advantage of having an advisor early is that he or she can talk to you about your future plans and the classes you're taking to get there. There aren't very many huge pluses and minuses, unless you want to get into research soon and you think your choice of advisor might influence your choice of a UROP lab.

LauraN

I'm not premed =) but that schedule seems perfectly normal to me, except for the lack of HASS. Lots of people really enjoy taking one HASS per semester as a nice break from math/science all the time...but if you're willing to put up with that part of it, I don't think it's anything that out of the ordinary. It's a normal number of units and all freshmen-friendly classes.

Rainalai

Wheeee, thanks Mollie and Laura! That makes me feel lots better Looks like I'll just have to double up on HASS one semester, which should be ridiculously awesome =)