<p>What’s the workload like for a typical arts & sciences student? Specifically, how are the intro math and science courses (pre-med requirements)? Can you earn an A and still have a social life?</p>
<p>The Chemistry curriculum (aka what you will take freshman and sophomore year) is one of the most rigorous in the country. Around 400 people will start in Chem 101 (please don’t be fooled by the 100 level status, it is a very difficult freshman level course), approximately 300 people will take chem 102 the next quarter, the next quarter approximately 175 students take 103. In other words, approximately 50% of the original student body starting the chem sequence does not make it through.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I am convinced that the organic chemistry sequence is the hardest in the country. You have to take 3 quarters of it, and, to put it lightly, it is hard crap. The curve is hard, the material is completely new and requires hours upon hours of memorization. The second quarter of orgo is by far the worst, but dont think that the other two quarters are a cake-walk.</p>
<p>Biology and physics are typically less heard of, however as they are still sciences they are still rigorous and require a large amount of time to do well in the course.</p>
<p>The math sequence, particularly Math 234 which is the last math class youll have to take as a pre-med gets into some deep calculus. Infact, as a potential doctor, it is most likely stuff you will never see again. So just be prepared to divulge into some fairly difficult math - my experience is such that a good 4-5 hours per week on this class and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>As you are in WCAS, however, you do get to take some nice electives to balance the science workload of the premed requirement. </p>
<p>If it makes you feel alot better, you’re not as bad off as us engineers.</p>
<p>If you are smart, an effective studier, can concentrate well when necessary, and can handle a ivy league workload then yes you can get As and have a good social life. But just don’t expect that four-point-oh to come easy. This is northwestern, it is a hard school.</p>
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<p>Do you think you’re smarter than most people at NU? If not- no, assuming by social life you mean the kind where you go out at night.</p>
<p>But you can do well.</p>
<p>Econ is pretty rough, right? Thats what I’ve heard. What about political science?</p>
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<p>Yes. Orgo sucks balls (dropped after my first week in 212), but the Chem 171-172 sequence isn’t bad (essentially chem 101-102-103 condensed into two quarters…so you won’t have to deal with chem in the spring 
). Unless you take orgo as a freshman, you’ll definitely be able to earn As while managing an active social life.</p>
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<p>Pre-med only requires up to Math 230.</p>
<p>While I do not yet attend college, I have done some really thorough research into several schools’ curricula, especially their econ programs. With the possible exceptions of UChicago (where fun goes to die) and Princeton (home of the 100-page theses), Northwestern seems like it has the most rigorous econ program. Lots of emphasis on mathematical foundations and no “fluff courses” like “Religion and Economics in the Civil War Era”. No course is going to be much more off-the-wall than “Welfare Economics” or “Public Choice”.</p>
<p>any current undergrads could you please give me an avg GPA in engineering? (if possible specifically- chem and biological e!)</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>it’s a buttload of work. really. but we all make it through (well half of us). take 3 classes your sophomore year and you’ll survive if ur third one is a piece of cake :)</p>
<p>i think the engineering gpa is quite low around 3.0 or somethin…biomedical was below 3 if i remember but i’m not sure at all…basically if you go into engineering, econ, premed expect to have a ****load of work thrown at you.</p>
<p>What are the avg class sizes for econ classes ? How tough are the science requirements for non-science majors ?</p>
<p>Science reqs for non-science: As ridiculously easy or hard as you want them to be.</p>
<p>Econ class size: For the intro ones, large.</p>