<p>So I'm thinking of taking Chem 171, Physics 130, Math 230, and a seminar for the fall quarter. Is that too hard? I really have no idea what is too rigorous at NU.</p>
<p>Also, is a 10 minute gap between classes bad? I want to attend most of my classes. Do many people have 10 minute gaps b/w their classes.</p>
<p>TIA! :)</p>
<p>oh ya, im premed...</p>
<p>sounds bad but its really up to your abilities. i assume you've had experience with chem?</p>
<p>I guess the 10 minute gap really depends on what classes you have >.< I think you should be fine if the gap was between chem/physics/math because most of these are in Tech, I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong!</p>
<p>ya i took AP Chem i was on the borderline of a 4/5...but ended up w/ a 4 :P. And i've also had 2 years of physics in high school. i really don't know if I will be able to handle the workload...haven't talked much to upperclassmen!</p>
<p>and i believe math is in lunt hall :)</p>
<p>To quote my pre-med girlfriend: "If you want to study all day, every day, and have no friends, then yah, that wouldn't be too much. Also, there's absolutely no reason to take 171 instead of regular chem. The course is harder, giving a worse grade, and for fewer grades, vs. an easier class for an extra grade."</p>
<p>So yah. It's too much, unless you're a savante. EVERY ONE of those grades will count. If you're dead set on taking all three freshman year, skip fall of physics (assuming you've taken some physics) and start in the winter, taking fall sophomore year.</p>
<p>hey im talking the same classes as you we will prob see each other alot</p>
<p>Thanks arbiter for the response! Really appreciate it. I really want to take physics this year b/c I took ap physics in high school and have somewhat of a foundation on it. Math 230 I want to take so I don't forget calculus soon, but I heard that class isn't that bad. Chem 171...ya I'll take whatever is easier. Someone on CC told me 171 is easier. </p>
<p>izy2492, really? all the same? :) Have you heard anything of the rigor of this schedule?</p>
<p>haha yea but i was also debating normal chem or accelerated i got a 5 on the ap chem exam but i think i mite opt to take the easier class :p what seminar do you have?</p>
<p>lol hmm i heard it wasn't easy but manageable but i guess it all depends on the person you talk to are you going to take bio and orgo together next year i heard that was a killer -.-</p>
<p>I have the evolution seminar! I got a 4 on the AP Chem exam :/. Ya I'm debating 101 or 171 too. Someone told me 101 is harder. I definitely want the easiest option.</p>
<p>Ya I'm gonna take orgo and bio together...seems like a lot of kids do that. But I'm plannin on taking only 3 classes total that quarter. Probably some easy distros, like Intro to music or something!</p>
<p>i read ctecs and some ppl say that the 171 sequence is crazy hard, but then some say that the 101 is worse....
anyone have any advice on which sequence is better, not necessarily easier but more useful, or better taught??</p>
<p>Think about it this way: the accelerated chem is only open/ people are only going to enroll in it if they're smarter. You are graded on a curve. QED, 101 is easier.</p>
<p>Ya CTEC is mixed opinions. Some from 171 say to avoid 101 and some say 101 is extremely easy. Im not sure what to believe!</p>
<p>1.Assume people in the lower class who said it was hard were stupid.
2. Realize whether or not you are stupid. (Hint: If you're in the bototm 25% of your class at NU by admissions statistics, for purposes of this discussion you are).
3. ????
4. Profit.</p>
<p>well, considering your 5 in ap chem, I think you know enough to do well in 171, even if it is harder...</p>
<p>I got a 4! My main concern with chem is to pad my gpa...esp since algebra based physics and math will be my harder classes...I think I may just end up taking 101...I"m liking arbiter's argument.</p>
<p>If the grade distribution is about the same, then obviously the one with smarter kids is gonna be harder. The question is: is the grade distribution the same??</p>
<p>Sam: Yup, it is. Also, even if its not: if all the smarter kids except you take 171, and you're the only smarter kid in 101, then you will be the one setting the curve, and you get to do it for an extra quarter (and thus an extra high grade). There's no advantage.</p>
<p>I was under the impression, however, that with a 5 you could forgo Chem and take orgo freshman year. I hear that's a good plan since freshman classes are usually easier. Why not do that instead?</p>
<p>I got a 4, so I think 101 is the way to go for now. I have time to think...my so called schedule may change completely by wildcat welcome! 39 daysssss!</p>
<p>Hello Kiddies,</p>
<p>Your schedule is fine - basically the entire premed and engineering student body will be taking those classes. Don't worry about it</p>
<p>Regarding all you pre-med kids, I've been teaching chemistry at Northwestern for the last 3 years, and I can tell you that about 60-70% of the people who are pre-med have no business trying to be doctors. Pre-med is hard - really really hard. If you want to be pre-med, you really have to be good at math and science. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how much you care about saving lives - if you're not good enough to be knowledgeable doing it, you shouldn't be. </p>
<p>A lot of people have asked me in the last few years if I had any advice for people who wanted to be pre-med. I said yes - have a backup plan. </p>
<p>Sorry to be such a negative nancy, but it's better 60-70% of you hear it now, instead of in 2 years. </p>
<p>As a word of advice, there are some good programs on campus, Gateway Science Workshop, for example, which I am 100% you will hear about in the basic science classes. You should explore these - these are workshops run by upperclassmen who guide you through the exercises and nuances of the classes. Make sure that you find a good upperclassman though, some are part of those 60-70% who teach to help themselves out - if that's who you have, switch out immediately!</p>