<p>The thing is that I suck at math. I plan on studying my ass off, but would like some help when needed. </p>
<p>How’s Math 41?</p>
<p>On second though, forget about Math 41.</p>
<p>Any opinions on Math 31L?</p>
<p>Another question: What are the chances of getting Writing 20 the first semester being in the third registration window?</p>
<p>Your window has no bearing on whether you are able to get writing 20. If you are assigned to take writing 20 the first semester then you have to do it or else you won’t be able to second semester. On the flip side, if you are assigned to take it second semester, you won’t be able to get it even if you are first window this time around. </p>
<p>In light of that, I’ll assume that you are asking how hard it is to get a class that you want if you are third window. In that case, it depends on how many sections of that class there are, it’s popularity, and how well the instructor is liked. If you are third window though, you’d probably need at least one other alternate writing 20 course in your alternate bookbag for your desired time slot.</p>
<p>when do we find out whether we’re assigned to take writing 20 during the first or second semester?</p>
<p>SBR… I don’t remember being assigned to take writing 20 during a particular semester…</p>
<p>Yeah, we definitely weren’t assigned to take Writing 20 a particular semester this year.</p>
<p>Regarding tutoring in math – there is a ridiculous amount of help available:</p>
<p>1) Help rooms. You can attend these for a virtually unlimited amount of time; for the Math 31L/32L-level classes, they’re open for something like 9 hours each weekday afternoon/evening.</p>
<p>2) Office hours – a classic option! Sometimes these are melded into the help rooms (I think…), where the professors themselves will be on duty.</p>
<p>3) Peer tutoring. With the Peer Tutoring Program, you can get a free hour a week of one-on-one instruction in an intro class of your choice. Among other things, I’ve worked as a Math 103 tutor (the university pays our salaries), and I can say that it’s definitely a good deal.</p>
<p>If you take advantage of all the resources, I don’t think it’s possible to bomb introductory math classes.</p>
<p>gcards1: Maybe it’s a pratt thing, but I know that I couldn’t sign up for any writing classes in the fall because I got a spring slot.</p>
<p>wow, thanks for the tutoring info! i’m definitely going to use that.
by the way, could anyone tell me whether there’s any advantage in taking math 103x over math 103? im trying to decide between them.</p>
<p>103x is more abstract and is for math majors. Of course, there are always people who will take it just because it says Honors in front. But for an engineer, unless you are a math double major, it makes no difference since you’ll all move on to 107 not 104x.</p>
<p>hm okay. i admit im just going to take it for the Honors thing, i’m going to be a history/poli sci major lol. but i do like math.</p>
<p>It’s not necessarily a bad thing. I was just pointing out that for an engineer (like myself) 103x and 103 makes absolutely no difference curriculum-wise unless we double major in math.</p>
<p>
Be careful here. Is math an area of strength? Do you have any substantial experience with “hard” mathematics? (either the upper echelons of contest math or rigorous proof-based material) Were you the best student in your math classes?</p>
<p>Do not take 103x unless you can offer an resounding “yes” to at least two of those questions. Not that it’s necessarily an impossible class (I can’t say personally; I skipped into the 200-level and never took it), but I do know a few people who took 103x as freshmen, had no idea what was coming to them, and found themselves wiped off the floor. (That said, I also know a few who thought it was relatively easy)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that indicators that seemed impressive in high school – say, an 800 on the math SAT – don’t mean much when you start college-level mathematics. In fact, I know multiple students who got 800s on the math SAT and were forced to withdraw from the regular math 103. Now, if they had properly used the tutoring resources I mentioned earlier in the thread, I don’t think they would have come to that situation, but the fact that such a thing is even possible may come as a bit of a surprise.</p>
<p>And if you think that “honors” will look better on your transcript… don’t even go there. Yes, all else being equal, the “honors” variant may look marginally more impressive, but if you’re knocked down a letter grade in the process, your situation is going to be much, much worse.</p>
<p>You should only take math 103x if you are serious about studying math at a more advanced level and ready to put in the associated work. I hate to sound so imperious, but I’ve seen the “lol I think I’ll take it” planning style ruin more than a few freshman years, and you should know what you are getting into.</p>
<p>thanks for the info!</p>