<p>What is the average number of classes a USC student takes per semester? Will I have to take more units per semester to cover the General Education requirements, pre-med requirements, in addition to the classes I need to take for my major?</p>
<p>Most students take 4 classes per semester; 4 classes x 4 units each = 16 units per semester. But since tuition pays for 18 units, some people choose to add a fifth class that is worth 1 or 2 units, like a PE class or an Exploring LA class.</p>
<p>In most cases you won’t have to take more units per semester, but it depends on the combination of majors, minors, pre-professional requirements, etc. that you are pursuing. You will meet with your adviser to set up an individualized course plan that will guide you on your path to graduation.</p>
<p>16 units is the bare minimum if you want to be able to graduate in the normal (8 semester, no summer semesters) timespan, as 16 x 8 = 128, and most degrees require at least 128 units. 12 units is the minimum you need to be enrolled in to be considered a full-time student, and I believe different departments have different requirements for how many units per semester is considered “satisfactory progress.” </p>
<p>Depending on your major, your major may have lots of 2 credit electives (e.g. Music Industry, Interactive), so that’ll affect your choices… Honestly, 18 units really isn’t that much work, though.</p>
<p>If your major is not biology, biomedical engineering, or something similar with many classes already counting for the pre-med requirements, then you will likely have to take additional classes each semester to graduate within four years. Taking five classes a semester is not unusual for those in the pre-med track. Summer classes are also an option.</p>
<p>Next fall it looks like I’m going to be taking 6 classes. One 1-unit class, and a bunch of 3 and 4-unit classes. Hard, but possible.</p>
<p>I am going to be an English major, which apparently requires 40 units total. I am not sure why it is considerably lower than the 128 you mentioned unless I mis-read the information… I know this is a broad question but how hard is it to keep a strong gpa (3.6+) as a pre-med student at USC?</p>
<p>I may have been wrong in assuming that all degrees require at least 128 units, my apologies, I just thought that was a standard thing, but - </p>
<p>By the 40 units, they mean that the English major has 40 major specific required units. GEs are an additional 32 units. The pre-med track has 44 units.</p>
<p>And on the GPA note, it will be tough, at least from what I can tell - two of my suitemates are pre-med, and their GPAs are sub 3.0. Many who start on the pre-med track end up dropping it.</p>
<p>Oh, that is a little daunting…</p>
<p>Are AP credits helpful for getting some lower-level classes out of the way? And will going to the third freshman orientation put me at a disadvantage for signing up for the more sought after courses? Lastly, what is the name of the website where students rate professors at USC?</p>
<p>I know that AP Bio/Chem/Physics can excuse you from taking a Category III general education course. AP European History, AP Calculus AB/BC, and AP Gov might get you out of something too, but I’m not sure. Even if your AP courses don’t get general education classes out of the way, they will count as transfer credit and thus should contribute toward the 128-unit requirement. Important note: Check with your adviser often or go online through OASIS to confirm the credit that you are receiving.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter which freshman orientation you go to because USC reserves a certain number of spots for each orientation. Now some classes you won’t be able to take anyway because the sophomores, juniors, and seniors will have already registered for them. But in terms of freshman registration, the specific orientation you attend does not give you an advantage or disadvantage.</p>
<p>You are talking about Rate My Porfessors at [University</a> of Southern California - California](<a href=“http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/SelectTeacher.jsp?sid=1381]University”>http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/SelectTeacher.jsp?sid=1381). I believe that one should always check this site before one registers for classes because in my opinion, the professor makes (or breaks) the class.</p>
<p>The statement that all USC degrees require a minimum of 128 units is correct, and some majors require more than the minimum 128.
[USC</a> Catalogue: Undergraduate Education: Requirements for Graduation](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2010/undergraduate/grad_req.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2010/undergraduate/grad_req.html)</p>
<p>Thanks ALM. </p>
<p>Saitsuzen is SO right - do you research on Rate My Professors before you register! With GEs, the professor will determine whether you’re miserable or not.</p>
<p>In terms of AP credits, here’s a full list of AP courses and what they’re valid for:
[USC</a> ARR : Articulation : Advanced Placement Exams](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/apexams.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/apexams.html)</p>
<p>As you can tell, most of them are pretty worthless, which is a shame…</p>
<p>Alright, thanks. This might be a no-brainer but should I have a list of classes I’d like to take ready before I go to orientation?</p>
<p>Yes, it would be a GREAT idea to have a LONG list of classes you would like to take. When registration opens for your orientation session, there will be students (continuing students, those who have already attended orientation, other freshmen who have prepared ahead like you have) who know the tricks waiting to pounce on courses as they become avaiable.</p>
<p>Students who have a long list of courses and sections they prefer ready to go will be able to quickly adjust if their first few choices are not available. It is pretty easy to do as a first-semester freshman because you have all your requirements still to fulfill. If you don’t end up with the exact schedule you want, make note of the day of the week and time registration opened for your orientation, and be ready to pounce when the next orientation opens classes up :)</p>
<p>Here is the [Fall</a> 2011 | Schedule of Classes](<a href=“http://web-app.usc.edu/soc/term_20113.html]Fall”>302 Found) if you haven’t already located it.</p>
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<p>Online or in person?</p>
<p>Thanks, alamemom! As a freshman should I concentrate on the 100-200 level classes?</p>
<p>Registration will be online. At orientation, you will register in a group session with advisors to sign off on your schedule. Computers are provided. Later you can use your own computer at home to try to get courses or sections you prefer.</p>
<p>Concentrate on GE categories, foreign language and diversity as a freshman.</p>
<p>Does it matter what level they are? And is a foreign language required?</p>
<p>It is likely your advisors will limit you to 100 and 200 series courses your first semester. If you enter with max AP credit (32 units), you can probably start taking upper division (300 and 400 series) courses your second semster - assuming you have any pre-reqs. In general, 300 series are aimed at students with junior standing, and 400 series at senior-standing students, but there is a lot of crossover. (500 and up are grad courses.)</p>
<p>What is your major? Most majors have a foreign language requirement through a third-semester college course, but there are several that do not. Scores of 4 or 5 on an AP language course can waive the third semester, and for those without the AP waiver, many students with 2 or 3 years of foreign language in high school place out of the first two semesters by taking the USC placement test (part of your orientation homework) and only have to take the third semester at USC.</p>
<p>Hmm I am an English major and I will have taken 4 years of Spanish by the end of this semester…no Spanish language AP credit though 
and it seems as though there’s no point to reporting my comp & lit AP scores for this year because they won’t count for any credit…</p>
<h2>Scores of 4 and 5 count for elective credit. After your first semester, your registration priority will be based on your total number of units, including AP credit. So alllllllll the students who DID report their AP scores will get to register before you. Report all scores of 4 or 5.</h2>
<p>English majors in the College do have a foreign language requirement:
[USC</a> Catalogue: The Schools: USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences: General Education Program](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2010/schools/college/gen_ed.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2010/schools/college/gen_ed.html)</p>
<h1>3 refers to the AP exam. # 2 refers to the USC placement exams. You can place out of the first two semesters with your online placement exam (pre-orientation homework), and then attempt to place out of the third semester by taking an in-person paper and pencil test at orientation or when you arrive on campus in the Fall.</h1>