<p>I am currently a high school senior enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. For those of you who are unfamiliar with IB, it's a rigorous program that challenges your abilities and packs you up with a lot of work (especially in junior year and senior year).</p>
<p>I have heard from a lot of college students (mainly on sites like college confidential) that the workload in top-tier schools and Ivy League schools is exhaustingly demanding, but doesn't that depend on the workload you were used to in high school? Most IB alumni who return to my school to offer advice say that college is much easier (but most of them--with the exception of one exceptionally successful Brown student--go to state schools and the like). </p>
<p>I plan to be a pre-med student majoring in Biological Chemistry and minor in an East Asian language (I want to learn Korean, but I don't think it's offered as a minor so I might choose Chinese or Japanese as a minor). Would that be feasible? Would learning a second language, balancing pre-med coursework, participating in extracurriculars (mainly involving community service, social activism, and cross-cultural activities), and having a social life (that preferably doesn't involve the Greek scence) be possible?
I think I work well under pressure and I catch on pretty quickly, but because I attend a Florida public school (where good science teachers are few and far between and lab resources are highly limited) I am a little behind in science because I have been forced to teach myself and most labs don't work the way they're supposed to -__-</p>
<p>This thread is getting a little lengthy but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've been a bit frustrated with the rigor of IB lately (because I think certain things are a bit unnecessary) and although I believe I could handle the workload, I don't want to become apathetic (because I'm feeling that now--senioritis maybe?). So does Darmouth seem demanding for students who have already dealt with demanding coursework and summer college courses? What, exactly, is SO demanding about the courses? Reading a lot of sections for homework, deadly problem sets, 20 page papers, group projects, presentations, weekly/daily quizzes? Please let me know if I'm in over my head.</p>
<p>I haven’t gone to Dartmouth yet, but I do know they are on a quarter system, so the classes go by very quickly. So yes, there is a lot of pressure and a demanding course load. Also, Dartmouth has a large Greek scene. However, many students are independent and seem to have a good social life as well.</p>
<p>It all depends on what courses you choose. You can take up a really demanding schedule and feel overwhelmed, or you could pick a lighter course load and have a bunch of free time. </p>
<p>I went to a really demanding high school (5 APs Senior Year), and my first quarter felt overly relaxed (I haven’t been this de-stressed since high school freshman year). I’m taking a much tougher course load next term to see how it goes. To be honest, Dartmouth is a lot less demanding than some state schools.</p>
<p>My D says that there’s a lot of work, but it’s no big deal if you’re responsible and manage your time well. There are parties every night, and people who go to all of them certainly struggle, pull all-nighters, and complain about how hard the workload is.</p>
<p>D went to a rigorous middle school and thought that the first year of high school (at a vaunted college prep) was easy. High school got more challenging and she found the first year at Dartmouth very manageable. Subsequent quarters have been on a continuum, often turning on the amount of time that non-class activities required. Play a sport: time. Active in a club: time. Greek scene: time. She’s never shirked her responsibilities in one area or another and has managed to carry a 3.7+ GPA into senior year. It’s do-able, and the quarter system helps. Your mileage may differ.</p>
<p>You only take 3 classes a term (taking 4 is rare and is definitely not needed) yet the workload is still relatively tough, even if you are used to an IB curriculum. </p>
<p>Each class is 10 weeks long INCLUDING finals. Because of this, most classes have their first “midterm” by week 3, and many classes have 2 midterms throughout the term. Adding on long papers and projects (and don’t get me started on heavy readings), the work can feel demanding. </p>
<p>The thing is, you only have 10 hours or so of actual class a week. Most of the work you will be doing will be outside of class which is why it feels like so much. In reality it is not much more intense than your high school, you’re just spending those hours outside of class rather than in a classroom.</p>
<p>The one difference, however, is that your classes are filled with smart, motivated and high-achieving students (for the most part) so classes themselves will be harder than you are used to. </p>
<p>That said, as long as you go into college knowing that you will have to do the work to get an A, you will do fine. And Dartmouth is a very social school and you will have time to have an amazing experience regardless of how much time you put into your studies. </p>
<p>And yes, It is 100% possible to be active on campus, double major, be social and get some sleep too, along with doing well in school. Most Dartmouth students seem to be superhuman and do everything at once, haha.</p>