<p>I have read just about everywhere how hard the CMU courseload is and is it really that hard?? How is it compared to high school. I take alot of AP classes and I get about 10-30 minutes of homework every night and a test every two weeks. It isnt very difficult and I have lots of freetime during the week. Is it anywhere near this at CMU? I just wanted to know how hw and tests work there. I plan to major in Computer Science so most of my classes will be cs other than the freshman english classes and one or two humanities electives. A typical school week with hw, studying and tests would be helpful and how often tests are given.</p>
<p>Brownboy,
In high school, D2 took 7 AP courses...and she spent (minimally) 3-4 hours on homework during the week days. As an engineering student at CMU, she found the workload progressively harder during the fall semester. At orientation, CIT faculty and students did not mince words in letting us know about the courseload...and not to fall behind. This semester, D2 has been living in the library Mon thru Thurs...so, her Fridays and Saturdays are free to play. There's definitely a lot of studying in order to keep up with some amazing classmates. :)</p>
<p>Expect 9+ hours a week of homework in each of your technical classes, plus any time you like to spend studying. Classes with projects typically wind up on the higher end of the spectrum (especially in CS). Be sure to have at least one class in the humanities a semester, as it'll be your relaxing class where you don't have to do crazy amounts of work to keep up.</p>
<p>Mathson doesn't believe in taking humanities classes except the ones he's forced to take. He worked very little in high school despite ending up with nine APs. He's working very hard at CMU, it's those CS projects. They are real time-suckers especially if you have high standards. He's been getting great grades though.</p>
<p>I don't think it matters what major you are in the workload at CMU is significant. My D is in CFA and typically has a heavy workload Sun-Thurs and sometimes Saturday. Normally she can coast Friday and Saturday but not always.</p>
<p>Have you seen, Randy Pausch's Last Lecture and his time management videos?
goog: cmu randy paush</p>
<p>This school is not a test driven school. Projects and problem assignments, collaborations, determine your success.</p>
<p>How often are tests at CMU? i have friends at local state schools and they said they usually have a midterm, one or two big exams, and finals?
Is it like this at CMU? I considered that non test driven so does that mean CMU gives less test??</p>
<p>I think it depends on the courses. My impression is that my kid has had very few midterms. His writing/social science courses have required quite a few papers and perhaps a final at the end. The math courses have finals and problem sets - and probably a midterm. I think a lot of the comp sci ones are mostly projects/problem assignments and a final.</p>
<p>My S in SCS said that the architecture kids are the most overworked. He said CS was quite intensive, more so than business.</p>