Vanderbilt first semeseter course load too hard?

fdgjfg
Fri, 06 Jul 2018 22:53:58 +0000

@Kaleab470

Ah makes sense, I honestly think you’re fine then. Physics is somewhat challenging here but it’s not a weed-out on the level of 1300. 1300 can sort of be unfair and tricky (but you can still get an A if you just know everything already and aren’t actually learning brand new material through the course, which describes your situation, so you’re alright), whereas physics is a fair class and doesn’t try to be tricky.

I think you’d be alright with a limited background in physics. Not to stereotype the subject at all, but I feel like even at the general level it very much feels like applied mathematics, much more so than something like chemistry at a general level. I feel like people who’ve already developed sort of a strong “math intuition” by taking more advanced classes (like you have) can then put this towards something like physics quite easily and do well even with limited experience. This is way oversimplifying things, but it’s just basically about understanding concepts and associated equations, and then manipulating and integrating those concepts and equations in unconventional situations (which you already do a lot in calculus classes). Physics I especially is pretty straightforward and intuitive. There isn’t a whole lot of background knowledge or memorization required, it’s more about application.

The reason I say it’s probably fine unless you need a 3.9 is just that the margins of error are quite small at that level, and if you need to be especially conservative GPA-wise it can be smart to start your first semester slow and adjust. But there’s a difference I think between aiming for a 3.9 (a goal) and needing a 3.9 (a requirement): someone who needs a 3.9 would be like a premed who didn’t come well-prepared from high school and needs adjustment time, whereas everyone should be aiming for a 3.9. From your post, I’m guessing you’re someone interested in engineering/CS jobs, grad school, or maybe something quantitative in banking. For all of those, it’s probably preferable to take harder schedules so you can take a greater number of impressive advanced classes at the end of your undergrad career, compared to protecting a sky-high GPA (which out of what I’m reading as your interests, would only be required on the not-as-quantitative side of banking). For you, I don’t think it makes as much sense to pursue GPA at the expense of course rigor.

I think I’d keep the same schedule, and if you get here and feel overwhelmed you can always drop a class in the first couple weeks, or drop a class by October and take a W (which you can just retake later for a grade and no grad school will care).