<p>O.k im a freshman and this is my prjective schedule. tell me if it is a good idead</p>
<p>Intro to Computer Science
Freshman Writing
Intro to Economics
Philosophy</p>
<p>Hey there Dartmouth. Although I am not a student, (praying to Goddd that changes) from what I've heard and read 4 classes your first term on campus might be a bit of an overload. I would think about sticking with three classes, but again, this is just a non-student's opinion...</p>
<p>These are based on some things I've heard from current students. </p>
<p>~ Are you sure you want to do Intro to CS your first quarter? I hear it's intense and you'll be spending a lot of time in the lab, which isn't all that social.
~ You might not be assigned Freshman Writing your fall quarter. Some start in the winter.
~ Also, don't forget your language requirement that most (at least I think most) fulfill their first year. If you want to start a new language or are going to start with the first course, you might want to (or have to) start in the fall.</p>
<p>And ditto what stewartudall said about taking 4 classes.</p>
<p>You're going to regret it/look like a pompous nerd if you take 4 classes. If you're cool with that, then go for it.</p>
<p>Language classes are great for freshmen fall. Although they meet more regularly than other classes, you can actually make friends with the students in class and in drill. The atmosphere is often very relaxed and focused on group activities in class. I loved Spanish 1. </p>
<p>2 big tips: Don't take 2 labs/drill in one term. And make sure to read saguide before you choose any courses/profs!!!</p>
<p>when are courses chosen?</p>
<p>^ After orientation. I saw the exact date on the Dartmouth website. </p>
<p>Monday, Sept. 22.</p>
<p>Don't take 4 courses your first term :)</p>
<p>Intro to Computer Science takes up a lot of time. You have assignments almost everyday and the lab assignments can take up many hours if you don't understand them.</p>
<p>If it's Philosophy 1 you're thinking of, I understand you'll have discussion sessions. They're not long, but they're definitely an extra slot in your schedule.</p>
<p>Freshman writing can be intense or not, depending on your professor. Mine was really intense, with papers to write after almost every class.</p>
<p>Economics 1 doesn't have a heavy workload but its median grade is one of the lowest in the college. The exams can be killers and most students end up with lower grades than they expected because the class is just so huge.</p>
<p>I wouldn't recommend four classes. You are better off doing other things like extracurriculars or making new friends.</p>
<p>I bet the reason why Economics 1 has such a harsh curve, is because Dartmouth doesn't give credit for AP Macroeconomics. Therefore, you have tons of kids in the class who have taken it before, so you are at a huge disadvantage if Econ 1 will be your first time with the material.</p>
<p>you know, aside from the fact that econ1 is intro-level micro</p>
<p>absolutely do not take 4 classes your freshman fall. horrible idea. also COSC 5 can be very time consuming. and you dont choose which term you take writing....you are assigned a term to take it.</p>
<p>COSC 5 can actually be quite easy if you're CS-inclined. Only you know your weaknesses though - so try out the class during Add/Drop period, and see if you'll stick with it in the long run. In GENERAL though, CS courses are time killers.</p>
<p>Also, another thing is that you might not get a spot in ECON 1. The department has chopped the number of class spots for the Fall Term in half. It used to be 45*5 sections, but it's 22 per class now - with many of the spots already taken up by upperclassmen. At the time of posting, we're looking at 33 spots remaining in the class for freshmen.</p>
<p>If I could go back in time, what would I have done freshman fall? Take 3 gut classes. I would be no further behind in my Dartmouth career - and I also would've had a LOT more fun (not like I was completely screwed though, heh). PM me if you want me to hook you up.</p>
<p>Four classes freshman fall is a terrible idea. I started with three but dropped down to two at midterm... granted, I had mono, but the recommendation still stands. ECON 1 was my first experience with economics and my only truly bad grade at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>My GPA is still recovering from my freshman fall (a combination of bad choices, bad advising, and plain bad luck), and with it, any confidence I may once have had in my own intellectual abilities. Please don't let that happen to you; it's an awful, demoralizing way to start what should be a fantastic experience.</p>
<p>
If I could go back in time, what would I have done freshman fall? Take 3 gut classes. I would be no further behind in my Dartmouth career - and I also would've had a LOT more fun
Absolutely seconded.</p>
<p>what would be an example of a gut class?</p>
<p>Please refer to some of my older posts. </p>
<p>In general though, a gut class is one with an A or an A- median (though, you should try to strictly seek out classes with an A median; if you're a good planner, you can do this) that doesn't have a lot of work (about a 3 or less peer rating on the SA Guide). </p>
<p>However, depending on the person, a gut can be a class with an A median (but with a decent amount of work). Sure you'll have to work hard in such cases, but at least you know you're going to walk out with an A-ish grade (classes like CHIN 1, and RUSS 36 immediately come to mind). </p>
<p>I personally wouldn't mind such classes. In fact...they're my favorite types. It's great knowing that you're going to get a lot out of something, and not have to suffer with a crappy grade. A lot of the higher level math classes (MATH 73, MATH 103, MATH 111, etc.) have A medians. But of course...that's rather endogenous (since only a very small number of Dartmouth students can make it at that level). </p>
<p>It's a tricky find I'd say. Learn how to use the SA Guide effectively.</p>
<p>What if you take 4 courses, but one of them is the Individual Instruction Program in the Music Dept? That wouldn't seem like too much, would it? I mean, presuming that you are going to be taking lessons anyway, doesn't it make sense to do it through that program if possible, thereby getting free lessons?</p>
<p>do not tak four classes! period! you will absolutely regret it. yes, there are a lot of classes that you will find interesting and want to take, but you have 4 years to take them. just dont do four classes</p>
<p>You might be able to do the individual music instruction course in addition to 3 other courses. Definitely check this out, because I think you need to take this music class for three terms in order to get one term of credit. So starting freshmen fall might be the best idea.</p>
<p>The reason I ask is that my S plans to continue to study the violin and play in ensembles at D. If he gets into the music dept program--ie, a fourth course--we don't pay for lessons. If he takes outside lessons, we'll have to pay for them. (Or from now on he'll have to pay for them.) Right now we pay $60 per lesson, or $240-$300 per month, and I doubt it would be lower there. That's a hefty cost of about $2000 during the school year. (In addition to three or four annual bow rehairs at about $45 a pop, plus several sets of strings at $66 a pop, adding up to another $300-400 per year of unavoidable expenses. Leaving aside the cost of optional seminars and workshops: another $1,500 per year or so.)</p>