<p>@stanford78 A personal printer can come in handy, I would recommend it. No having to print at restricted times in your building, no having to rely on other people for printing things, etc. I had a printer first semester, and didn’t have one second semester. The convenience of having a printer in your room is nice, but I didn’t miss it a whole ton when I didn’t have one. The printer facilities in the dorms and libraries are enough for most students, and everyone gets 500 free pages a semester, which is way more than plenty.</p>
<p>@samshan3 I can’t say I know anyone in pre-dent, sorry. Just looking online I see that it requires all three hard sciences (chem, bio, physics) which tend to be the hardest and most competitive classes at any school you go to, so I can’t really say how any other university might match up in terms of difficulty and competitiveness.</p>
<p>@HannahBee1 I’m pretty sure it’s totally random and kept unknown to the students in order to make sure that a groups of friends don’t end up going to the same one, but I could be wrong!</p>
<p>@stanford78 i agree with bronovan, you don’t really need a printer. it’s useful for printing out sports tickets and if you’re late for class it’s nice, but i only used the library printers this past semester and still had 150 sheets to go (i’m in 6 classes too)</p>
<p>@hannahbee1 i don’t think you find out before, but i think it’s either dover or plymouth (possibly york, maine as well)</p>
<p>How early do I have to wake up to catch a 8 AM class if I live on Newton campus (assuming that I also shower and eat breakfast)? In the case that making it on time to 8 AM class becomes an issue, is it possible to switch to a different section later in the semester?</p>
<p>@askjeeves I always left Newton at least 30 minutes before my class’ start time. This accounted for waiting for the bus, fighting everyone else to get on the bus, potential traffic, etc. I usually arrived at class ~10 minutes early or less. At 8 AM, there’s going to be a significant amount of people waiting behind Stuart to get on the bus. There was usually a rush to get on the buses to/from Newton at 8-10 AM and 2-4 PM, especially MWF. </p>
<p>As for switching sections, it depends on the professor mostly.</p>
<p>@jeeves, a piece of advice: never take an 8 AM. or 9 AM for that matter</p>
<p>I was thinking about taking perspectives on western culture or Pulse? Any recommendations on which to take? or pros and cons about both? Thanks</p>
<p>@bcollegec i’m unbiased, since i took separate philosophy and theology courses, but from what i hear:</p>
<p>pulse: easy A, service can be annoying if you get a bad placement, apparently a lot of writing
perspectives: harder, some really good professors, some really bad ones, more reading than writing</p>
<p>again, this is just what i’ve seen from my friends. if I were a freshman I’d probably take perspectives, just since you really get to know your classmates</p>
<p>@askjeeves I highly discourage you from ever taking an 8AM, especially if there’s a chance you are living on Newton. I woke up at 5:15 for 4 years straight for high school, and thought a 9AM wouldn’t be so bad. Wrong. Unless you are a god amongst morning people, don’t even consider it, no matter how convenient it would make your schedule. If you are even questioning your ability to be able to make it every time the class meets, you’re not going to be able to make it every time the class meets. But assuming you are a guy looking to shower and eat before an 8AM class, I would say 7AM at the absolute latest.</p>
<p>@bcollegec I haven’t really heard anything about Pulse strangely enough my entire freshman year, just didn’t know anyone who took it. Perspectives is super big for freshman though. For disclaimer, I didn’t take it, but I know many people who did and they all seemed to enjoy it, or at least not hate it, which for a core-based class is pretty remarkable. Depending on your teacher, just putting in the hard work and time will get you an A. It seems more A-for-effort type class rather than A-only-for-those-who-slave-away-at-it class. It’s a lot of work, but it is a double period class after all.</p>
<p>how many eagle bucks do you recommend putting on your card? Also do you really need the optional dining bucks when you have the dining plan and 175 of the dining bucks? what’s the difference/point of having dining bucks and optional dining bucks?</p>
<p>EagleBucks are only necessary for laundry, unless you feel like having a lot of quarters. They’re accepted at the bookstore, and some businesses in the area, but other than that they don’t do much. I’d rather have my money in cash than in EagleBucks. I started with about $50, and would just reload whenever I ran out because of laundry.</p>
<p>The optional dining bucks are used in vending machines, concession stands at the sports events, and starting this fall, certain dining halls/“convenience stores” on campus. Starting this year Hillside Dining Hall will only take the optional bucks, and apparently the school is creating several small stores on campus that will only take these optional bucks. When I say only I mean excluding regular dining bucks, not cash obviously. I would just stick with whatever default amount it will be set at this year and not add any extra.</p>
<p>That really helps, thanks!</p>
<p>I’m not taking any philosiphy or theology classes my freshman year. Do I have to take them my sophmore year if I’m in CSOM, or can I wait unitl my junior or senior year to take them. If I do PULSE or Perspectives, can I take them my junior or senior year?</p>
<p>@prepurm1216 Technically I believe you can take them whenever you want, but the 4 Year Plan that CSOM has all its freshman create may convince you to take them at an earlier time than you are planning. Perspectives is pretty popular amongst CSOM freshman to get these core classes out of the way first, but it is still an option sophomore year too. I’m not sure how many juniors and seniors take PULSE or Perspectives, or if they are even eligible, but I imagine the number is very low.</p>
<p>What other popular courses are there like Perspectives that will fulfill more than one core requirement? I’m in CSOM and will be taking the Portico, Writing Seminar, and 151 Stats. Do you guys have any suggestions on the other 2 courses I take first semester?</p>
<p>Any thoughts on the Big Sister/ Little Sister program? Any insight would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Sorry I’ve let such a long amount of time elapse with unanswered questions, just got back from a lengthy vacation with no internet access. Glad to see the thread hasn’t totally died!</p>
<p>@pheabe787 The only other ones I know of that freshman could take are Honors if you were accepted into the program and Pulse. I’m not in CSOM so I can’t guide you as well as one of their students, but depending on your high school background, it may be in your best interest to get started on your foreign language requirement sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>@rdpgn105 My girlfriend was a Little Sister this year and really enjoyed the program. It gives you great, unfiltered guidance from a sophomore who has likely been in or knows someone that can help you with any problems you may have. Knowing an older student can be invaluable. They can help you with all sorts of things, from getting into parties to giving you the lowdown on the good classes. From what I’ve heard i would highly recommend it!</p>
<p>take those 3 classes and perspectives. if you dont want to do perspective, add in business law and calc or something to those 3. maybe even get started on econ with micro. its really up to you</p>