<p>I have been accepted. How easy is it to balance your coarse load at Wellesley? For instance if I elect to take two hard classes is it hard to find or get in to two less challanging classes. I know this might fly in the face of reality but I really do not want to kill myself.</p>
<p>In my D’s experience, handling the course load is a challenge. I’m not sure there is such a thing as an “easy” class at Wellesley. The academics are rigorous, and while the small class sizes are great, they also do not permit students to be anonymous non-participants. </p>
<p>For your first semester, do not attempt more than one science with a lab, and don’t over commit yourself to extracurricular activities. If you work on distribution requirements your first semester, you should have a variety of courses. When you meet with your adviser, communicate your concerns so you don’t end up with an over ambitious schedule.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I never had any real challenges keeping a “reasonable” course load, with the caveat that EVERY semester is a challenging semester at Wellesley. I mean, I’m sure some people have had some more relaxed semesters, but in general–no. That is not how it is at Wellesley. Out of my 4 courses, most semesters I had to take 3 courses towards my majors, so I tried not to take a super hard course for the 4th one. But like, one of my favorite non-major courses was Modern Political Theory, and the semester I took it I actually took 5 courses (4 is the normal course load). That was a great semester for me, actually. If you only have one major I think you would feel less pressed in your course selections (not that I would give up either of my majors, especially since I’m not “using” the major I thought I would use when I was at Wellesley!).</p>
<p>Thanks: Decided to go for it.</p>
<p>Additional question - When we were at Open Campus, my daughter was told that first semester GPA was not calculated in your total GPA, and that some classes are mandatory credit/no credit. I did see that some classes are credit/no credit. I can’t verify the other. If true, she’d like to take some required courses (math) early, but if not, she’d rather take courses where she’d meet purple who shared her interests (IR/econ). Any thoughts on first semester choices?</p>
<p>It’s true, the first semester GPA is not calculated in your total GPA. My D is a senior and if it WERE included, she’d be graduating with latin honors, but without that first semester, she just missed the cut-off, unfortunately. But she’s had a fabulous four years and considering she was admitted off the wait list, I think she’s done pretty well!</p>
<p>All grades are a part of your cumulative GPA. However, college_query is correct in that first-semester grades are not counted in your GPA <em>for latin honors</em>. Here is the official word: </p>
<p>"For students entering in September 2009 or later, qualification for Latin honors depends on your grades in all Wellesley and MIT courses taken after your first semester. For Davis Scholars and transfer students entering in September 2009 or later, Latin honors will be based on grades in all Wellesley and MIT courses taken. Cum laude requires at least 3.60, magna cum laude 3.75, and summa cum laude 3.90.</p>
<p>To be eligible for these distinctions, a student may take no more than one-quarter of potentially graded units (i.e., mandatory credit/noncredit courses are not included) on a credit/noncredit basis. A minimum of 12 graded courses (adding up to at least 12 units) must be included in the calculation for Latin honors.</p>
<p>There is also a limit to how many incompletes you may have on your record and still qualify for Latin honors. No more than three “I/grade” or “INC” notations may appear after the first year. Finally, you may not have any F’s in your final semester."</p>
<p>At this link: [Academic</a> FAQs | Wellesley College](<a href=“Academic FAQs | Wellesley College”>Academic FAQs | Wellesley College)</p>
<p>Wellesley student here. I would recommend taking courses that you think you would enjoy your first semester. You have plenty of time to fulfill distribution requirements. But first semester is difficult, especially socially, for a lot of people. Adding hard classes that you don’t like on top of that can make it even worse. Also, if you’re choosing between what you think will be a “hard” class and what you think will be an “easy” class, go for the easy class. There is really no such thing as an easy class at Wellesley, so the hard class will probably be really, really hard and the easy class will just be hard. Especially your first semester, you don’t want to over-commit and end up feeling completely overwhelmed.</p>