<p>I noticed that someone on CC suggested registering for more than the usual 4 classes as a shop and drop strategy to find the right fit of classes. Does this really happen? Doesn’t it effect tuition fees? Do full time students typically register for 4 classes per semester?</p>
<p>You can register for up to 18 units and not be charged extra for tuition. I’ve heard of people registering for more than 18 units and then dropping after the semester starts, probably meaning you have to pay for the extra units before the semester starts and then get the money back from USC when you drop it. Not sure how it works though. Might be automatic, might not be.</p>
<p>As an engineer, I usually take 5-6 classes every semester. We require more courses for our degree, so they make most of our classes 3 units in order to fit more in. For example, last fall I took 6 3 unit courses (18 units) and this past semester I took 5 classes, 2x4 unit and 3x3 unit = 17 units. Gotta love Viterbi…haha</p>
<p>But to answer your question, USC does charge more per extra unit once you are over 18 units. I have friends who have paid extra tuition in order to take an extra class during a semester. Students sometimes do this if they are double majoring and need to fit more classes is during the course of the year if they want to graduate on time.</p>
<p>Also, if you are a trustee or presidential scholar, I have heard that you can get USC to pay for the cost (or partial cost) of extra units. You would have to do a little research into this, but I am almost 100% sure about it.</p>
<p>To 2 plus 2: Do you think that entering with a lot of AP units really helps any at Viterbi? I understand that the engineering curriculum requires so many units that I don’t know if these extra AP units-credits really amount to anything. My son’s AP credits don’t match the general ed.-diversity requirements. For example, he got units credit for AP World History (score of 5), but it is not the exact match (like AP Art History or AP European History) for the general ed. requirements.</p>
<p>The best thing about bringing in AP units is that it allows you to register sooner for classes in the future. This is because your registration date depends on the number of total units you have and AP units apply towards this.</p>
<p>Also, I used AP US History to get me out of Category 4 GE and AP Calc BC got me into a higher Calculus class, but that’s it.</p>
<p>I did not know AP US History would get you out of Category 4 GE. According to USC AP credit it only gives you elective credits. Is it different for Viterbi student?</p>
<p>Yepp, it’s only for Viterbi students. [USC</a> Viterbi School of Engineering : Advanced Placement Credit](<a href=“http://viterbi.usc.edu/admission/freshman/apcredit.htm]USC”>http://viterbi.usc.edu/admission/freshman/apcredit.htm)</p>
<p>I figure they allow engineers to do that because we already take enough science classes as it is.</p>
<p>which of the 2-credit courses do you suggest taking? is there a list available for which ones are offered? and does anyone know if there are surfing or sailing classes??</p>
<p>Freshman Seminars are small (15 students) classes that allow students to interact more closely with professors over subjects that aren’t always taught in the core curriculum. They’re all P/NP. I took Bioterrorism and Emerging Diseases, which was very relaxed and sometimes fun.
Here is the link: [USC</a> Freshman Seminar Program](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/FSEM/]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/FSEM/)</p>
<p>You can also take some 2-unit courses in subjects such as theatre, art, music, PE, or dance. My friend took Stage Makeup and loved it.</p>
<p>There is a sailing course, NAUT 301ab Deepwater Cruising. It’s required for NROTC, but a lot of other students take it for fun.</p>
<p>(I’m speaking as an LAS student - I know business/engineering students have fewer room for electives.)</p>
<p>cynicalowl, thanks for the excellent information. Where would you find the NAUT class under? Is it PE?</p>
<p>If you look at the Schedule of Classes, it’ll be under Military (Nautical Science). In the Catalogue, it’s under the School of Policy, Planning, and Development for some reason. Go to Courses of Instruction and click on Nautical Science.</p>
<p>do you know if the sailing course is mainly male or are there lots of girls who sign up for it too?</p>
<p>I thought 4 was the norm… ?</p>
<p>what are the core classes for freshman? I won’t be attending any orientations… does this mean I’m screwed in regards to getting the early classes? I looked at the courses offered and it was exciting, but my mom said before deciding on Philosophy, Psychology, etc, I should find out what is neccessary for freshman to take. I passed the USC History, English Language, and likely the Psychology and English Lit AP tests. By the way, I got into CLAS, and am not sure what info here strictly applies to Viterbi</p>
<p>Try the general education for LAS.</p>
<p>[USC’s</a> General Education Program](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/GE/]USC’s”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/GE/)</p>
<p>srabiee90- I just have to point out something funny in your post- “USC History”.
I guess that just means you have USC on your mind! Gotta love it.</p>
<p>thanks! 10char</p>
<p>haha! I didn’t even notice that :)</p>
<p>The only people I know who’ve taken the sailing course are guys…but I’m sure there are plenty of girls who take those classes. As I said earlier, it’s required for NROTC, according to a classmate.</p>
<p>I’m planning on taking the sailing class Spring 2009, and I’m female. It sounds like a lot of fun. I know another classmate who is female who took it for fun, and had a great time.</p>