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From what I recall, HM courses below a certain number (50? I forget) are pass/fail. If you take an accelerated course or a course above that number, you will receive a letter grade for it, even if you’re a first-semester frosh. I don’t know of any non-Core courses that are numbered low enough – maybe those new electives, but I didn’t look.</p>
<p>Blackroses, it’s not that taking a letter graded course in your first semester would look bad – it’s that first semester is your chance to adjust to the workload without GPA consequences. In the first semester, especially if you’re coming in with less preparation or lower stats than the median, it may be better to stick with the Core classes and not load yourself down with a graded elective that sucks a lot of your time. You get seven more semesters.</p>
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It really is…</p>