<p>I know I’ve already posted scheduling questions but now that I’ve actually started planning my schedule I have another problem. I’m an Echols Scholar, and I read that we’re required to carry 15 credit hours per semester. However, the schedule I’ve tentatively planned only adds up to 14 credit hours. I don’t want to overwhelm myself first semester; I’d rather take fewer classes and really get a lot out of them. Would 14 credits be ok for first semester? Does anyone know Echols Scholars who’ve done that?</p>
<p>I’m not an Echols Scholar, but if you’re required to carry 15 credit hours per semester, then I’m assuming you have to carry 15 credit hours. I’d go to Monroe Hall to speak with a dean or adviser, or speak with your assigned adviser to clarify it, though.</p>
<p>And I’m telling you: You’ll be fine with 15 credit hours. Overall, I don’t think classes at UVA are difficult—besides Calc 1; I despised that class. LOL. But yeah, you’ll do great. Plus you’re an Echols Scholar… that means something.</p>
<p>Students in the e’school also have a 15 credit minimum so you’re not alone. It’s totally doable. Look for a one or two credit USEM. They tend to be much smaller classes and can be a lot of fun. My son had chem credit so was below 15 and picked up a USEM first semester bringing him to 16 credits. There were 17 students in the class, met once a week, and his professor was from McIntire. It was a nice change of pace from all of his engineering classes and he really enjoyed it.</p>
<p>Well after causing me to briefly panic, I found the official policy on this issue:</p>
<p>“Echols Scholars are expected to carry 15 credits per semester. Many Scholars take more than this. If a lighter load is necessary, this can be arranged with the faculty adviser and/or Echols Dean and Director. The Scholar’s fulfillment of these obligations is not formally monitored, but Scholars will find it to be a topic of conversation with their advisers and with the Echols office if they drop below 15 credits. For students wanting strong recommendations from their advisers, this is well worth considering.”</p>
<p>I’ve taken only 12 credits multiple semesters, and no one has called me out on it (though those semesters I was taking almost exclusively upper level math or science courses). In any case, you should be able to find a low workload class for another few credits if you need to; I’ve found psych and intro econ classes to be pretty relaxing schedule-fillers.</p>
<p>Check out the College Advising Seminars. They are one credit, are taught by major professors and even a dean or two, and the professor becomes your advisor until you declare a major.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I’m already planning to take the Echols Seminar; I counted that as one of the 14 credits. I don’t know if I should take another seminar…</p>
<p>You want to take 15 credits semester. If you don’ take 15 credits you put yourself out of the running for academic honors such as Dean’s List, Intermediate Honors and Phi Beta Kappa. Furthermore if you don’t start at 15 you prevent yourself the opportunity to drop/withdraw from a class you are doing terrible in, never know if you’ll bomb a test. Find a way to make your schedule at least 15 credits.</p>
<p>On the note of Dean’s List at least, you have to take 15 graded credits.</p>
<p>Unless things have changed, I don’t think Echols Scholars are required to take 15 credits per semester. I had multiple semesters where I took fewer (and a few where I took closer to 20). Don’t worry about it - balance your schedule as you see fit. Don’t overwhelm yourself your first semester. </p>
<p>FWIW, I knew Echols Scholars who took 12 credits/semester their entire time at UVa (due to AP/community college credits) and ended up in top jobs/grad schools/etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice-- I really appreciate it. I found a University Seminar for 2 credits on the evolution of language. It looks fantastic. =) So first years are allowed to take U. Seminars?</p>
<p>USems are primarily for 1st years. 2nd years can only enroll after all 1st years are done enrolling, I believe. USems are also offered 2nd semester (unlike COLA classes).</p>
<p>USEMs are definitely for first years. I took one my first semester (it was decent).</p>