<p>I'm going to be a freshman at Berkeley come 2006, and since I'm planning on majoring in chem, my PCS looks something like this:</p>
<p>Physics 7A
Chem 4A
Math 53<br>
Chem C96 (seminar, P/NP)
Theatre 52AC (to fulfill the AC requirement)</p>
<p>Since even the COC page advised against taking more than two technical classes the first semester, and I've seen warnings on CC not to take more than 16 units first semester, I was wondering if my course schedule really IS a bad idea.</p>
<p>I was 1/350ish people at my high school, and got a 5 in Calc BC, 4 in Chem, and 4 in Phys E&M (my mech score isn't out yet since I took it late). Do you experienced Berkeley students think I'll be able to handle the courseload of 3 technical classes (complete with lectures, labs and discussions) plus two others?</p>
<p>That is a tough load, but certainly doable. Depending on how theater 52AC is (lots of writing/reading?) you will be spending quite some time studying.</p>
<p>I would say take those 4 classes, and drop one of them 1-2 weeks into the semester if you feel it's already tough, because it will only get tougher as the semester progresses.</p>
<p>Take advantage of your freshmen status and allow yourself more time to get use to college life! Don't spend your first semester studying all the time.</p>
<p>I took Physics 7A, Chem 4A, and Math 53 during my freshman fall semester, and I thought that was tough. You might want to drop Theatre from your schedule.</p>
<p>Your stats aren't great (from what you've said) and you will be competing with people who are very similar in ability. From what you've posted there is no reason to think you will get higher than a 3.5 GPA(in reality, probably much less...), if that's what you consider your goal.</p>
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What does it mean when people put a word in asteriks like this?
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<p>It's for added emphasis, same as bolding.</p>
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Your stats aren't great (from what you've said) and you will be competing with people who are very similar in ability. From what you've posted there is no reason to think you will get higher than a 3.5 GPA(in reality, probably much less...), if that's what you consider your goal.
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<p>Considering how much information was posted, there is almost no way to gauge how well the OP will do GPA-wise. If you think you can somehow magically determine that he will get much less than a 3.5 by knowing simply that he was 1/350 and got a 5 and two 4's on AP tests, then I'd say your full of BS.</p>
<p>I took Math 53, Chem 1A, CS 3, and South Asian R5A all letter-graded in my first semester. These courseloads are doable with effort, but I'd recommend against it. I was doing practice math problems nearly every Friday night. Seriously, try to meet some people and have fun.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks everyone, for the advice. I'll probably give it a test run, and if it gets to be too much I'll probably drop physics (since most chem-ers do physics 7A second semester anyway).</p>
<p>I recommend against it. Those are all very competitive classes, and you want to enjoy your first year too. I say drop one science, and take your R&C req. or an AC class, which is super chill. With the current schedule, you will be working hard for As.</p>
<p>I've already fulfilled my R&C credit with a 5 on my AP Lit test, I think. And the theatre lecture class is for AC already. Since I want to either double major/minor or finish undergrad early, I guess I don't want to be wasting units. ^^"</p>