VAGELOS Seminar

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I know it’s true that all incoming Vagelos students must take Dr. Lu’s seminar. With 30+ kids, how does this work? The packet says all seminars are capped at 16 students. In all honesty, how difficult is the seminar. Are the tests tough, is there lots of memorization, is the curve insane, do want to cry after getting out of class? I’m putting it out there that I’m nervous, so don’t just say it’s easy because you want to look like some sort of genius on CC. </p>

<p>And how critical is it that you start at a high level in a language or place out altogether? Realistically, I’m most likely going to place into Spanish Level II. Will this make fulfilling my sector and general requirements, plus the second major, extremely difficult? Or will I just have less free electives?</p>

<p>Thank you to all who respond.</p>

2

<p>In my class at least, not many people cared very much about the seminar. We didn’t have any tests, just quizzes based off the reading you will do (or not) every week, and a project. There is a fair bit of memorization; you’ll have to know all of the amino acid structures, then later on nucleotides, ATP, etc. The curve will be among the most generous you will have; if you do the reading and have your structures down, you’ll do fine. Our peer advisers told us to focus on our other classes rather than Ponzy’s seminar, and I found it to be good advice.</p>

<p>I started in second semester German, and although I’ve only just finished my first year, I think I will just have to give up electives. It really depends on what path (double major or master’s) you want.</p>

3

<p>If you can afford it, take an accelerated language course in the summer after your freshman year. Makes juggling courses so much easier in the future.</p>

4

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<p>Wow, I was not expecting that. I thought it would require MUCH more work. That is quite relieving.</p>

5

<p>This was just for my year…in previous years it’s been different, I’m sure. For instance, Ponzy assigned a massive amount of reading in a certain genetics textbook, but never quizzed on it. That could change next year. I’ve heard he’s assigned papers and final exams in previous years, as well. I’m sure you’ll hear more about it as the fall approaches.</p>