swimmy

How exactly does scheduling work for freshmen?

I haven't done anything yet except think about what classes I want to take..is there some sort of form that is supposed to be filled out? I didn't see it mentioned in the orientation blog, but I'm not sure how up to date or comprehensive that is.

also...the freshman credit limit seems to mean I can only take 4 12-unit classes each semester, and if one of them has to be humanities, then I have to pick three out of {math, biology, chemistry, physics}

I would kind of like to be able to take all of them... I was thinking of taking some of the ASEs so I could get sophomore standing for second semester...do people normally do this? [Or is a load of four classes generally hard enough to manage as it is?]

thanks!

edit: actually, I lied when I said I hadn't done anything related to classes yet -- did remember to enter hass lottery

Star*

Thinking about classes is all you need to do right now. Sometime during orientation you'll meet with your adviser to actually register for them. At that point you should have some idea of what you'd like to take, but he/she will talk you through it and answer any questions you may still have.

You mentioned having to pick 3 out of {math, physics, biology, chemistry}, that isn't strictly true. You don't have to take a HASS class each semester, you just have to take 8 over the 8 semesters you'll be at MIT, so taking 1 / semester works out nicely. If, however, you really wanted to take biology and chemistry together first semester, this would be allowed. Also, you will have to take all those classes eventually. Note, if you are interested in sophomore standing, though, you'll have to take a HASS CI-H first semester.

As for taking more than 4 classes, that's completely up to you. 48 units (4 classes) is a typical schedule, but some people can take 72+ units without a problem (I don't recommend trying that). First semester your limit is 54 no matter what, so use that semester to see how you handle four classes, and work from there.

In general, I recommend taking ASEs, simply because that frees up more room to take classes you're more interested in. Which ASEs are you thinking of taking, and how prepared are you for them? Also, are you coming in with any AP credit?

swimmy

i think the only one i get credit for is 18.01 [ nothing for chem, physics b, or bio :\ ]

i'll definitely try bio ASE, and then maybe mechanics and chem depending on how much i end up studying...only 7 people passed chem last year, so it must be a difficult exam

is 18.022 much harder than 18.02? a friend from my high school said she took 18.02 but would have preferred to take 18.022 because she thought the amount of theory would be closer to the level of our bc calc class, which is surprising to me

Star*

Yeah, the chem ASE is notoriously difficult. You should definitely try it, though, because its pass/no record if you take it during orientation. And if you don't pass it, I recommend 5.112. I took the class and really enjoyed it, and most people in the class (if not all) have taken AP chem, so it wont just be a review of what you know. As for the mechanics ASE, it isn't too difficult and has a pretty high pass rate. And again, if you don't pass it you should look into 8.012, which is a great physics class.

Check out past finals on OCW for an indication of the difficulty of each ASE.