Is this a good freshman schedule?

Colleges & Universities Emory University
1

<p>Hi everyone! I was wondering if I could get some opinions on my freshman schedule? I’m thinking about doing pre-med, but I’m not exactly sure…</p>

<p>1st Semester
Biology 141(with Passalacqua)-4 credits
Chem 141(with Mulford)-4 credits
Freshman Seminar: East Asian Calligraphy-4 credits
Elementary Korean I-4 credits</p>

<p>2nd semester
Biology 142-4 credits
Chem 142-4 credits
Not sure what comes after Elementary Korean I, but I’d definitely like to continue learning Korean during 2nd semester.-4 credits
Expository Writing-4 credits
PACE-1 credit</p>

<p>I also tried to put my schedule together (assuming I get the classes I want :D). I’m really interested in dancing and I’m determined to take up lessons after classes. Since dancing requires a lot of time and dedication, I tried to pick classes that end earlier in the day, so that I’d have the rest of time to study and practice as well.</p>

<p>1st semester
Mondays- 10:40– 11:30 am Chemistry . 1 hr 20 minute break 12:50 to 1:40 pm Korean. 2-5pm chem. Lab.
Tuesdays- 8:30 – 9:45 am Biology. 1 hour 30 minute break. 11:30-12:45 East Asian Calligraphy.
Wednesdays-10:40– 11:30 am Chemistry. 1 hr 20 minute break 12:50 to 1:40 pm Korean.
Thursdays-8:30 – 9:45 am Biology. 1 hour 30 minute break. 11:30-12:45 East Asian Calligraphy. 1 hour 30 minute break. 2:30-5:30 Bio lab.
Fridays-10:40– 11:30 am Chemistry. </p>

<p>2nd semester</p>

<p>Monday- 8:30-9:20am Chemistry. 2 hours 35 minutes break. 11:45 to 12:35 English. 12:50 to 1:40 pm Korean. 2-5pm chem. Lab.
Tuesdays- 8:30 – 9:45 am Biology.
Wednesdays-8:30-9:20am Chemistry. 2 hours 30 minute break. 11:45 to 12:35 English. 12:50 to 1:40 pm Korean.
Thursdays-8:30 – 9:45 am Biology. 10am-10:50 PACE. 3 hours 40 minutes break. 2:30-5:30 Bio lab.
Friday-8:30-9:20am Chemistry. 2hours 30 minute break. 11:45 to 12:35 English. </p>

<p>So what do you guys think? Is my schedule too hard, or too easy? I’m kind of worried about 1st semester because I know some freshman seminars have a bigger workload (not sure about East Asian calligraphy yet though), and I heard language classes at Emory can be pretty difficult. It’s also been 3 years since I’ve taken Biology, and 2 years since I’ve taken Chemistry. And I’m afraid to say I didn’t do very well in high school…However, I am determined to improve this year! I tried looking through the threads here to pick the right teachers. Do you think I’ll be okay in Mulford and Passalacqua’s classes? I have an easier time understanding concepts, experiments, research projects, and just things like that. I’ve also served as a 2 year intern for a research lab at Stanford, if that counts for anything…but at the same time I’m not sure if I can say I’m a person with a strong science background haha. I hope I don’t struggle…</p>

<p>sorry this post is so long you guys, I guess I’m just really worried. There’s so much I want to do, but I’m afraid I’m either taking too much or too little in terms of my schedule. D: Please help? Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Have you discussed your schedule with your guidance counselor?</p>

3

<p>Emory doesn’t really have guidance counselors in that sense. And even people do consider 1st year advisors as guidance counselors, they could possibly not be a good match if they are not familiar w/the track that the student is on. This is mainly up to the OP. If the advisor told them not to take “such a tough load” they would be lying. That load is not that tough at all.</p>

<p>That schedule is typical. You’ll do fine if you work (I mean the research experience helps, but many Emory students in the sciences have had that already before college. Also, doesn’t really matter how long ago you took those. Exposure helps). Also, I don’t want to know what you define as “not doing well” (probably like, “I only got a 3.65”. Who cares? Obviously it was good enough to get it). Also, keep in mind that Passalaucqua is really popular and may fill quickly. Get a back-up professor like Spell or Gilson (preferably Spell).</p>

4

<p>Quick question: What should I expect out of the advisor meeting prior to course enrollment? Is someone going to just look at my proposed schedule and tell me if it’s too hard/too easy, answer some questions and send me on my way?</p>

5

<p>They shouldn’t be doing that (if they do, don’t listen and guage for yourself). You should explain to them any concerns you might have w/your coursework however (such as, I am a little concerned about “X” because I have never seen the material before in HS). They should mainly stick to helping you fullfill freshman GERs and perhaps telling you about learning services and stuff that will help you in tough classes. If you are pre-med, avoid taking all of the advice (only use some, especially as it regards preparing the app., composite letter, and EC opps.) from pre-health mentoring office(who is actually telling Soria to discourage non-chem major pre-meds from taking freshman orgo. They are so wrong there that it is ridiculous. They are again, trying to make high caliber students go on an average track, thus screwing them out of their academic uniqueness and thus lowering their chances of having an outstanding application and perhaps being competitive for top med. schools). The academic advice of many in the pre-health office is often very disappointing, and if you don’t have a mind of your own (many pre-meds are so desperate that they follow any advice given w/o thought. Some are like sheep almost. If you think and then prove after 1st semester that you are a strong student in college science courses, proceed to ignore them), you will miss out on several learning oppurtunities because of them (they advise with the assumption that the Emory pre-med student is weak/average in science and that the only way to guarantee a good med. school acceptance rate is to encourage easy course schedules).</p>

6

<p>Oh wow, thank you so much for the feedback Bernie! It really helps :D</p>

7

<p>Inkmuse,</p>

<p>Emory will provide you with two advisors, faculty and peer (student volunteer). The peer advisor can you another perspective on things.</p>

8

<p>Worried,</p>

<p>Remeber that Emory has General Education (breadth) Requirements to be fulfilled.</p>

<p>A required freshman GER is Health (personal health), so you should add that to your schedule.</p>

<p>You can take advantage of the other GERS to explore new areas. Perhaps something you know nothing about?</p>

9

<p>Wondering about taking both biology and chemistry at the same time freshman year? Do most pre-meds take those two classes the first year? Is the work load outrageous? Are the classes difficult? Are they “weed” out classes? What are your recommendations based on experience?</p>

10

<p>At Emory they aren’t really weedouts (chem is slightly, but biology is not. I suppose it is pretty typical for students to find chem. harder because of it involving a lot of problem solving). Several of the upperlevel (like organic) chem and biology (cell, biochem, NBB 301, developmental) classes on the other hand…well you get the picture. And yes, a huge portion take both. Just take both (that way, you can get on with your upperdivision pre-med or major coursework, provided that you are a science major. You will have to double or triple up in the future anyway. Just get used to it now. Plus doubling up now can reduce liklihood of needing to triple up or take summer courses, which is rarely the best idea). Bio lab may be a bit time consuming at times, but will perhaps help the lecture grade a little. If you work hard and test decently, getting at least a B+ in both should be doable.</p>

11

<p>don’t get your heart set on one freshmen seminar. they fill up outrageously fast</p>