<p>I'm picking out courses right now, and I was wondering.. how many courses does the average science-oriented Wellesley student take per semester? Would five be too many?</p>
<p>Pretty much everyone takes four, and as a first-semester first year you're barred from taking more. I certainly know people who take five, but I'd be wary, especially if more than one has a lab. I'd wait until after your first semester, by which time you'll have a much better idea of what you can handle. No point in crushing yourself as a freshman.</p>
<p>It depends on how many lab-based courses you want to take simultaneously. One lab course in a semester plus three non-labs is pretty average. The students who decide to take two labs sometimes trim themselves down to three total courses because of the increased time demands.</p>
<p>As jabberwocky noted, you aren't allowed to take more than four courses your first semester, so that answers your final question. As for it being too much, in general ... yes, probably. Labs require a huge amount of time--more than you'll likely have to spare if you take five classes. If you're taking five non-lab classes, it's not as stressful.</p>
<p>I took five classes as a second semester first year and a first semester sophomore. I had one lab and two labs, but it really depends on the courses and whether you'd rather be doing homework or ECs or other stuff in your spare time. I felt like I was doing three quarters of everything I needed to, however I feel that way when I take four classes too (keep in mind the adage if you want something done, ask a busy person).
Take five classes only if you are incapable of ditching one of the five. Course greed, for me was usually the reason I did five. I've often found that I really shouldn't have bothered with one of the classes I've chosen, but I never figure that out until the end of the semester when I look back and realize that I've wasted my time and the class was not that great.</p>