Ask a Current Freshman

<p>Isn’t your financial aid originally based upon the housing etc. anyways?</p>

<p>^^No. You won’t get your housing assignment until long after your FA has been finalized. Besides, the difference between the various options isn’t that much.</p>

<p>Can you minor or take classes in music theory or composition at JHU? I want to major in composition but never took formal lessons but learned it all by self-study, so basically there’s no one who can write me the 3 letters of recommendation necessary for the application to Peabody Conservatory. So can you minor or take classes?</p>

<p>How hard would this first-semester freshman schedule be? I’ve done very well in my AP classes, and am used to a rather heavy workload already.</p>

<p>Calc III
Orgo I
Gen Phys I
Gen Phys I Lab
Philosophical Classics (W-intensive) or maybe IFP I
ChemBE today </p>

<p>I want to challenge myself, and covered grades would allow me to test my limits. I could always drop to Calc II or Gen Chem during the first two weeks if I needed to. My one concern is that if I decide to transfer, those grades would become uncovered, so I would need to make sure I keep those grades up (~3.5 or higher).</p>

<p>Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>

<p>How much theater is there on campus? While I don’t plan to major in theater if attending, I would like to be involved in productions and that sort of thing as a minor or extra curricular. I know the website says there are multiple theater groups but I mean, do they put on productions, have an audience, etc?</p>

<p>pkm2232: I can promise you that you taking a heavy course load is here is much, much harder than you’re used to. Also, AP exams are much easier than intro courses here; indeed, I have seen many students with 5’s across the board struggle in general physics and calc I. You don’t want to put yourself in a hole early because you run the risk of academic probation (even with covered risk) and it will be completely demoralizing. I suggest taking it moderate the first semester, and then stepping it up if you think you can handle it. Now the schedule you have there is certainly doable. However, for a first-year student, it may be a bit daunting. One of the big problems is not necessarily the difficulty, but the amount of work. With that schedule you’ll be doing lots of problem sets and studying for lots of exams (and writing papers) and unless you’re content with working nonstop (which some people, such as myself can do, but many others cannot), you’ll be miserable.</p>

<p>Why are you already planning on transferring?</p>

<p>I guess I just want flexibility. With this schedule, I would have alots of room later for electives and such, and should I want to transfer, I want to have the grades to do so. I guess it sounds sort of bad :P. I’m going to Hopkins with an open mind and am going to make the most of everything. I’m sure I’ll love it once I get there, but I guess there are certain things about the school about which I am concerned. My thoughts on this are actually really contradictory now that I think about it, as the overbearing academic focus seemed to be #1 on my list of concerns.</p>

<p>I think the reason I wanted to take on so much is simply that I can, and I may feel like I’m wasting time should I retake something that I’ve already done. On the Hopkins Interactive blogs, I saw someone who took basically the same schedule and made it out fine, but I will certainly take your advice and that of my advisor into consideration as I choose my classes.</p>

<p>Hey cybersailor, </p>

<p>There are different theatre and comedy groups that put on performances all of the time. It’s really easy to get involved - during orientation week, you’ll attend the student activities fair where you can sign up for any type of club you can imagine. The theatre groups on campus have great audiences and put on some really cool shows. I’ve been to a few this year and I had a great time!</p>

<p>pkm2232,</p>

<p>To echo what Yanks has said, many of the science classes here are very difficult. I have known a lot of students who think they can take on a large work load (and usually it’s taking gen chem and physics at the same time) but struggle to do so. Calc III, which is a tough course at Hopkins, along with Orgo and Physics your freshman year seems a little too intense. Remember that you will also be taking Orgo II and Physics II your second semester as well, along with labs - and you won’t have covered grades to fall back on then. Not saying that it probably hasn’t been done, but your advisor will definitely not recommend that schedule. I would suggest dropping down to Intro Chem I at least in order to give you some more freedom outside of class. Best of luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for your insight. I don’t have to take Orgo II or Orgo lab because I’m a ChemBE, but you’re totally right about not taking on too much, especially right away. I have a lot to consider, and I don’t have to make any (what would probably be irrational) decisions now.</p>