<p>So I would like to ask those knowledgable on here, and who are familiar with harvard courses, how difficult this schedule would be: applied mathematics 21a (or mathemarics 21a), life sciences 1a, freshman seminar, and computer science 50. Someone said this might be overkill and recommended I switch out cs50. I was also considering economics 1010a or science of living systems 20. As for my concentration, I have really been drawn to applied mathematics over my intended concentration in economics. Along with my concentration, I will be fulfilling my premed requirements. The next four years (I haven't really been informed about how advanced standing works and if it benefits me or not, so i won't be graduating in three years) are going to be challenging but I'm really liking applied math with premed. I just don't want to take on too much too fast. </p>
<p>My daughter was also advised not to take cs50 during her first semester because her advisor thought the load might be too much.</p>
<p>@college5214,</p>
<p>What did your advisors think about your proposed schedule? If you’re concentrating in a math-related field, Math 21 may not be sufficiently challenging. I assume you took calculus in high school. B/C? How did you do on the AP exam? Is this where the placement test placed you?</p>
<p>My younger son is also an incoming freshman. He is concentrating in math. He’s pretty good at math, so he’s taking Math 25. You may wish at least to shop 23 and/or 25.</p>
<p>CS50 - very challenging course, and it takes a lot of time. But I’ve talked to students who breezed through it, even though it’s a ton work, and others who really struggled. I think it comes down to whether or not you start out being good at the subject matter. Either way, though, it’s a big pile of work.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses! </p>
<p>I took ap calulxua bc in 11th grade, so it’s been a while. And to be honest, I thought 21 would be too difficult because I have not taken calculus in two years. I could go give 23 amd 25 a shot, but I heard those involve proofs and linear algebra and multivariable calculus, nome of which I’ve taken. </p>
<p>I’ll shop cs50 and see how the first problem set goes.</p>
<p>@college5214,</p>
<p>Those are good reasons to take Math 21. My older son took Math 23 without the benefit of multivariate calculus first, and he struggled a bit, although he’s not really a math person. My younger son took multivariate and linear equations his senior year of high school, and is more interested in 25 to help him solidify his understanding rather than to learn these for the first time.</p>
<p>You’ll probably be better off with Math 21, although if your schedule allows for it, you can sit in on 23 and 25 during the shopping period to see if the material is doable. If you haven’t done proofs, you may find either class a bit overwhelming to manage time-wise. My son took CS50 first semester freshman year (last year) along with a rigorous course load without a problem, and he enjoyed the class. He said that it’s time consuming, but not that difficult (he had minimal prior CS exposure).</p>