achievement

I'm a rising college freshman and am working on transferring my sophomore year. The school I'm interested in is Georgetown University -- in addition I am interested in applying for transfer to two ivies and a few other schools.

My major is political science (with IR focus). These are the classes I registered for fall semester freshmen year:

Intro to IR
Principals of Economics
Expos. Writing
Chinese

Should I do 4 or 5? What classes should I take in order to have a better chance to transfer to the above schools (including spring semester)? Thanks, all relevant answers are appreciated.

Rain202

You should probably take some math class to fulfill the general education requirements. Calculus? Statistics? Intro to analysis, perhaps?

I am also a rising college freshman majoring in political science looking to transfer to Georgetown.

achievement

Hey, nice to meet you! Would Georgetown look down on my academics if I do not take a math class the first semester? After all, there is a minimum math requirement that can be fulfilled any year.

What classes are you going to take?

Rain202

Nice to meet you too! And no, I don't think so. It is required for applicants to send a mid term report for the second semester so if you take a math class in your second semester, Georgetown will see it. But I think it's better to have a balanced, well rounded schedule.

This is not a definite schedule, I still need to consult my advisor.

English 101
Math 101/102 (depends on how I do on my placement exam)
American government
International politics

English 102
German 101/102/103 (AP credit exempts me from German 101 but I'm pretty sure I failed the placement exam)
?
?

entomom

How many classes you take depends on how many you can do well in. It's usually a good idea to go on the light side first semester of fr year as you'll be adjusting to college life. That said, one strategy is to start with a heavier load, but keep your eye on the deadline to drop classes (w/o getting a W) and see how it goes.

One suggestion, you will likely need LORs from 2 profs/TAs, so if possible take a fr seminar course or other small class so that you can participate and get to know the instructor.

achievement

Oh, okay! I will register for a first semester seminar group with a professor.

So do you really think these classes will be enough?

Intro to IR
Principals of Economics
Expos. Writing
Chinese

I will also have a seminar class added into the schedule somewhere. Honestly, looking at these courses looks like nothing special, A+ or not. Of course this is in addition to recs, SAT, ECs and the not-so-great high school transcript (3.5 ish gpa).

Should I add a difficult class? Also, should I add statistics or something? I'm worried about how G-town would perceive math (considering I got two C's for the past 2 years in high school for math -- my only C's on the transcript). Since math is my weakest subject I'm not quite sure if an A+ is plausable. In this case, would it be better to take math the second semester so the colleges will see that I took it but not see the final grade until after the decision? (assuming the grade is a B or above.)

Thanks

achievement

@Rain202: Are you taking 4, 5 or 6 classes? Wasn't sure by your post.

Also, I think I came up with a good list. How is this?

Intro to IR
Statistics
Expos Writing
Principals to Economics (should I replace this with something more difficult?)
Chinese or Acting (depends which class I place in higher after taking the placement test and audtion

Also, should I add a good-reviewed course like business ethics? I'm going to take 5 classes I guess. 4 is too little right?

Rain202

I'm taking 4 in the first semester and 4 in the second semester.

achievement

What was your high school transcript like? I feel like we would be more competitive applicants with 5 classes, rather than the usual 4. Wouldn't Georgetown want to see a student challenging himself/herself with more rigor and a bigger courseload?