jrmorse

I read somewhere that the average course load is 16 units a quarter, is that pretty typical? I 'm thinking of taking 18 in the fall (poli sci major), is this too much (working like 15 hours a week). What does everyone here usually take?

astrina

12 minimum to be a full-time student, most people take between 12-16, but it's not unheard of to go to 18 (it's like 4 classes with one being a writing class or lab) ... i did 24 one quarter

ucsandiego915

^Damn, I had a tough time with 18 I would imagine 24 is impossible!!

To the OP: A lot of people take 12 their first quarter freshman year so as not to get overwhelmed. Great idea IMO.

subtle_overlord

IMO it's not the number of units someone takes that makes one's course load difficult. It's the difficulty of the classes themselves that's more concerning.

Oyama

I'm doing 30 right now! However, 8 of those are TA'ing and research.

Also, you don't need 12/quarter to be full-time; rather, you just need 36 total in an academic year (which averages 9/quarter, if you count summer). If you fail to meet this, then you will face consequences.

Oyama

This couldn't be more true, by the way. I'm loading on units mainly because I'm going through my Psychology (double major) and CogSci (minor) coursework right now.

It seems to be the same amount of hours invested in school as 12 units of UD Math + 4 units of UD Econ courses.

andrew2011

I'm also a poli sci major, and last spring I took 18 units (all for grades, no p/np) while working about 15 hours per week.

Just be careful about what you take. (For example, some poli sci classes have a LOT of reading). I suggest taking one easy class, or at least one of them pass/no pass if you want less pressure.

Avib0y

So here is another question: I'm a winter admit and assuming I'm unlucky and dont get bumped up to fall...

How many units per quarter (minimum) to graduate with by the end of the third year (so with the class of 2012)?

I'm taking about 8-12 units at a CC this summer and about 18 or so during the Fall quarter if I'm not bumped up.

Thanks.

astrina

it depends on what your major is, how many credits you have, how many you're willing to take, etc. you should know this.

(and i may be dreaming, but are you just trying to get out asap without any regard to anything else?)

Avib0y

Pretty much I have my sisters guiding me and I know that I want to go to med school.
I'm going in undeclared but I want Bio. I'm maxed out in AP credit and I have 5 units in science from last summer, I'm willing to take as many as needed. I'm in Muir, I know that'll make a difference.

Its not getting out asap without regard, its just I want to go to med school as fast as possible. And even if I wanted to wait till after my fourth year to apply, I'd still be free to go abroad and volunteer or something.

Oyama

Take 4 years and actually get something out of your degree. Take extra labs, do research/199s, TA, audit/enroll in graduate courses, etc.

You can go abroad over summer.