<p>So I've been admitted to the Fall semester as a Freshman (Class of 2015--obligatory self-congratulations here) and I've been planning out my classes for the first few semesters and I've come up with a few miscellaneous questions that I couldn't find a definitive answer for already in these forums. I intend to major in Economics, as well as apply for undergrad business as one of a few possible double majors. My questions are:</p>
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<li><p>In general, which would you recommend, Stats 20 or 21? As mentioned above, I intend to major in Econ and possibly business, but I was wondering how the classes compared, e.g., which had an easier curve, or which would better prepare you if you wanted to go a little further in Statistics, or if one might be too difficult to get at least a 3.0 in, etc. I expect to get a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics test next week, if that helps your assessment.</p></li>
<li><p>I was wondering how hard it is to go straight into Math 1B, assuming I pass the AP test. Is it something that a great deal of people struggle with, or will it be a fairly easy leap in terms of difficulty? I'm taking Calculus AB right now, but my test scores and grades haven't been anything to write home about (especially some of the more advanced integration stuff) and while I expect at least a 3 on the AP test, I'm not absolutely certain I'll pass.</p></li>
<li><p>Finally, I was curious on the actual difference was between the A and B classes for the Reading & Composition requirements in L&S. What differentiates, say German R5A from R5B, or Rhetoric R1A from R1B. While I'm a fairly decent writer--in my humble and unbiased opinion--and I'm technically excused from part 'A' (4 on AP Lang. & Comp), and may be excused from part 'B (50-50 chance of a 5 on Lit), I am interested in improving, or at least developing, my writing and analysis skills, as well as my exposure to different types of literature, and am wondering if maybe taking the 'A' portion (and definitely the 'B' section) wouldn't be a bad idea. Or would two 'B' sections be better? Or is there another option one might recommend.</p></li>
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<p>Thank you for looking over and answering my questions; I hope they weren't too wordy. I look forward to reading your replies to one or all of my questions. Thanks again.</p>
<p>For the most part, R&C classes aren’t super useful. I feel that most people view them as an “annoying” requirement that they have to fulfill. If you can get out of it, more power to you, there are definitely more interesting classes you could take in their place.</p>
<p>I would not recommend that you start with Math 1B unless you have a solid foundation in calculus. Even many people who took and did well in Calc BC retake Math 1A (particularly premeds).</p>
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<li><p>Stat 20 vs. 21 is not really that different… Just choose the one with the better professor imo.</p></li>
<li><p>I think in order to take math 1B you should get at least a 5 in calc 1. Some people get a 5 in calc BC and still don’t get an A.</p></li>
<li><p>I actually got a lot out of my R1A-B series. I was forced to take English R1A instead of the other departments so they really grilled me on nitty, gritty details on my essays which helped me improve a lot. If you want to really improve then I suggest that, but you will end up working really hard and may not even end up with a good grade. So, fair warning.</p></li>
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<p>Pre-meds are known for academic sandbagging because medical schools do not like AP credit and mostly do not consider whether one took introductory versus more advanced courses in comparing GPAs.</p>
<p>For the economics major, you can do either a “more math” option (Math through 53 and 54, Economics 101/141) or a “less math” option (Math through 1B or 16B, Economics 100/140). The “more math” option is recommended for those considering graduate school in economics, and may also be helpful leading to more quantitative finance type of careers.</p>
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<li>Which is weird, since Haas seems to need less math than the “less math” economics major. There don’t seem to be any undergraduate business courses that require anything more than 1A or 16A.</li>
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<p>From what I’ve heard, the difference between R&C A and R&C B is the research paper. Correct me if I’m wrong:</p>
<p>-R&C A has a term paper that focuses mostly on the “primary” text (the book on which you’re writing).
-R&C B has a term paper (~12 pages) that integrates the arguments of outside sources from scholarly journals and books.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that R&C classes from the English or Comparative Literature departments are the most difficult, though it could also depend on the instructor.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help. Right now, I think I’m going for Stats 21 (either second or third semester) and Rhetoric R1B, although nothing is set in stone. Any further advice is welcome.</p>
<p>Also, having no prior experience at Berkeley or any other college, could anyone tell me anything about how difficult/whether it’s possible to drop and/or switch classes during the first week? I’m considering signing up for Math 1B during CalSO (which takes place before I know my AP score) and depending on what I get and how the class feels after the first one or two days, either staying or switching to 1A. Would this be possible, assuming I’m not picky about which section I’m in? Or would it be significantly easier to sign up for 1A and switch into 1B? Or would it make no difference at all?</p>
<p>Another way to think about it is consider how difficult you thought the AP test was, so that you can sign up for the most likely course you will keep. If you thought it was easy, sign up for 1B. If you thought it was a struggle, sign up for 1A.</p>
<p>Make up a list of alternate courses that you can take for breadth requirements or preparation for your possible major(s), so that you can try to get them if your first choices are full. You may want to check the current semester on [Home</a> Page - Online Schedule Of Classes](<a href=“http://schedule.berkeley.edu%5DHome”>http://schedule.berkeley.edu) to get an idea of which courses are more likely to be full, based on how full they are for the current semester.</p>