Jarn

I got this the other day:

"Dear XXX,

Northwestern is piloting a new first-year experience program this next fall and we would like to know if you are interested in being considered for participation in this small pilot. What this would mean for you is that you would take the first quarter of Engineering Design and Communications (EDC1) in the fall quarter as part of a special section. You would live in the same dorm as your fellow classmates in EDC1, Elder Hall on the North end of campus. You will have an opportunity to meet informally with your EDC1 faculty members outside of class periodically over meals in Elder. Some class sections of EDC1 may be held in Elder if it is appropriate to do so."

I don't really know what it is, though. When do people normally take Engineering Design and Communications? What's the difference between this and the way things normally work?

Sonata87

EDC is a two-quarter sequence and is usually taken winter and spring quarter of your freshman year. In the class, you are randomly placed in groups of students (usually 4), who you work with on a design project. The product that you are designing is for a real-life client. Many of the clients are associated with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, so you are desigining devices that improve the quality of life for a disabled person (many times stroke patients).

I guess the major differences are:

- you take it a quarter earlier than everyone else
- you will be living in the same dorm as your classmates (Elder is an all freshman dorm). Usually, your group members will be scattered all over campus.
- you will be able to meet with the professors out of class time more easily, and in a more informal way. Which can be nice if you want a way to really get to know a professor early on (good for recommendations, or advising)