We made the meal plan determination based on the fact that you could always upgrade to the unlimited plan in the future, but you cannot downgrade.
So we opted for the middle of the road plan that averages out to like 1.2 meals per day in the dining halls. She’ll have breakfast in her room (usually has yogurt or fruit or a bagel or something light) and then we bought a package of an additional 25 meals at the fast food restaurants on campus (Chik Fil A, Panda Express, etc.). Her dorm is rather small and has a kitchen, and I think she anticipates using that some. I just could not think that she wouldn’t want the variety of the other restaurants, or that her food costs would exceed the additional meal plan expense.
Hi! There are 2 ways to go here. Either drop to 12 credits now, or have him attend all 17 in the first 2 days and then drop one. As a college prof, I recommend the latter. More empowering!
In news from the Peach State university juggernaut, D24 did not get parking in the first wave today. This is so weird—within the next 2 weeks we’ll find out whether we buy a 3rd car or not, and it all depends On a lottery!
So personally I am a big believer in making transitions to a new school as easy as possible (within reason). I do like the idea of maybe starting with 15 and then dropping 3, and I would also want the kid’s advisor to be on board with the plan. But generally speaking I think using AP credits and such to have an easier transition without falling behind in any desired track is a great use of them.
And I better think that, because in fact my own S24 did not sign up for a math class this term thanks to Calc BC. He will very likely take at least a Stats class at some point, but no rush, so he isn’t doing it this term. (Edit: although I think he is taking 14 credits thanks to a 2-credit Chem lab, but that still is a lot less than 17!)
The reason it would drop from 17 to 12 is that the Calculus class is 5 credits. He could pick up another elective and have 15, but he needs to keep all 4 of his other classes, so he can’t, for example, just drop Econ. His school advisor is advising him to drop Calc, and he can’t get credit for retaking the same class now that he already has the AP credit, so I guess my real question is, would you advise that he pick up a new elective and have 15 credit hours, or just start off with 12 credit hours?
I’d do the 15, but make the extra 3 hours a pretty basic gen ed or 100 level in the major (or even a fun elective) that would not be expected to be challenging.
At least this is what I recommend for a liberal arts/social science major. Maybe not for hard sciences/pre med/engineering. Business may depend, if he can take a class of interest, maybe do it, but it’ll be fine either way.
I would do the 12. He will want to get involved with a sport, music or social group and the first semester will give him time to figure out good study habits before jumping in with both feet. Thank you AP classes!!
I’ve seen a lot of recommendations from upperclassmen to start with 12 credits that first semester as there’s so much transition happening. It’s D24s plan although she’s currently signed up for 18 credits. She liked the idea of attending all the classes and then deciding to drop 2.
It definitely feels like we are in countdown phase here. Just about 6 more weeks at home before heading off.
I’m learning the return policies of so many stores this summer. So many decisions have been made and re-made in regards to bedding, towels etc. Thankfully, I’m a receipt saver so it has been easy to make returns and exchanges.
S24 is our youngest; DH and I are envisioning what it will be like to have an empty(ish) nest…right now we are mostly wondering how much easier it will be to keep the house neat and clean.
S24 went with his school’s default option. If, within the first two weeks of classes he decides he does not need that many meals, he can switch to a lower level plan. After that he is locked in for the semester. We felt that him knowing he could grab a meal or snack as desired without worrying how it would affect his budget was worth the risk that he would not eat all the meals.
Are 5 or 6 classes really the norm at most schools? S24 is supposed to sign up for 4 classes with the addition of music lessons and maybe chamber which are 1 credit or no credit classes.
Depends on if the school is on a quarter or semester schedule, and on major. My engineering kid at a school on a semester schedule took 5 classes every semester, plus sometimes a 6th 1 or 2 credit class.
Edited to add that my D’s major was 130 credits, so 16.25 credits/semester. APs/DEs helped with a good chunk but instead of take fewer courses, she filled in those slots with electives and classes for a concentration and certification.
WUSTL Arts & Sciences is 120 credits total, so 15 per semester, but that includes labs and such, plus people can satisfy up to 15 of that with APs and such.
So sometimes 4, sometimes 5, not including labs and such.
My S21 at a flagship public never took more than 4 and his average might be closer to 3. This is a public, with extensive dual enrollment credits that nearly all mapped to GE requirements. This is also a kiddo that had no interest in classroom learning outside of his major. There is a massive difference between LAC’s and publics in this area.
Some colleges consider 15 credits to be the minimum for a full-time course load and any less can have downstream ramifications. Others are good with 12 credits- if his college considers 12 full time, it makes sense to start with an easier load.
I guess we will see what happens when he speaks to his advisor in a few weeks. It is interesting to me that all the classes seem to have the same number of credits (except for lessons) but some meet 3 hours a week, some 4 and some 5
That is strange! Like I have seen some wiggle room before depending on whether it meets twice or three times (or sometimes once), but at least at places I have attended/taught (too many!) there was always a rough correspondence between required hours and credits.
I recommend 15. But the reason is in case they struggle and need to drop. Both mine did - my son twice and daughter once. You lose that flexibility if at 12 - especially if a scholarship is involved.
We paid DS’s first term bill yesterday using his 529 for tuition and his housing, dining, etc out of pocket. After paying full fare for 11 years of primary school and 4 years of boarding school, it felt great.