<p>I am a social science major (Anthropology). There are not many prerequisites and recommendations for the major. </p>
<p>I took mostly social science courses with one math course (statistics) and the English course requirements. I have a 3.96 gpa and am going to finish all prereqs and igetc this fall term, but I'm worried that all social science courses might look too easy? Any ideas?</p>
<p>Sure thing.</p>
<p>Take a lot of computer science, o-chem, advanced physics and some calc. Donate some blood on top of that and you’re golden. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>stop with the blood donation thing…that’s getting really old</p>
<p>mmm Any serious thoughts?</p>
<p>Take some challenging courses. It not only will help you in admissions, but it’ll benefit you once you transfer to a UC. And of course by challenging courses, I mean something in the hard sciences and upper-level math. I think everyone in college should graduate having learned calculus.</p>
<p>well if youre definite you wont go under a 3.95 with all the easy classes and prereqs then youd probably be fine. but if you go any less than a 3.9 and dont show any difficult classes then your chances would not be that great</p>
<p>Is it ok if I start taking more difficult courses starting next term?</p>
<p>I don’t think it is written or implied anywhere in the UC system that it looks better if applicants take more “difficult” courses. Keep in mind that while you might find social science courses to be easy, there are nerds out there that think calc, o-chem, etc are a walk in the park but anthro 101 and poli sci 150 are brutal.</p>
<p>You should first and foremost take what INTERESTS you within the confines of fulfilling your requirements. Admissions wants to see IGETC complete, pre-reqs done, a great GPA and essay.</p>
<p>Take courses that you like and are naturally good at. They care more about your GPA than the difficulty of your classes. I wouldn’t take any hard science classes if you don’t have to.</p>
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<p>The Truth right here. Just keep your GPA high and take some fun classes.</p>
<p>I took mostly “easy” social science and language courses and still got into Cal with a 3.96 gpa. The highest level math I took was Advanced Algebra. I still really wish I had taken Statistics, since I think it would be very helpful for a social science major - not sure why it wasn’t/isn’t required for geography (my major). I also wish I had taken biology and chemistry since both are required for at least one of the physical geography classes here, although they aren’t pre-reqs for the major.</p>
<p>But the notion of “easy” is so subjective. I dropped an English class once because I felt that the teacher was only going to give us fluff work, and ended up in a class that was really tough. I learned a lot in that class. My final semester at CC I intentionally took a poli sci class and a macroeconomics class from professors who sounded (and were) extremely easy (on Rate My Prof). I was bored out of my mind and sort of angry that I wouldn’t get any more practice writing papers or essays, but honestly, I was so wrapped up in “will I get IN??” stress that I was happy that I didn’t have to study very much, if at all, to earn an A in either class. None of that subjectivity actually shows up on a transcript - to UC, one CC poli sci or macroeconomics class looks the same as another, in my opinion.</p>
<p>I would personally go for classes you know you can get a good grade in over the difficulty of the class. Admissions is more of a numbers game than anything else.</p>
<p>it cracks me up when i see people make a general statement that certain types of cllasses are easier than others… it really depends on your own strengths… i recall some students who majored in the hard sciences getting D’s in one of my sociology classes because of all the writing. it was interesting because one of the students said he took the class because he wanted to “take it easy” right before graduating…well “surprise”… wasn’t as easy as he thought…feejiboi is right…take what you like and don’t worry about what seems “difficult or not” to everyone else</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think taking higher-end courses will give you an advantage in the admissions process. The key is to complete the requirements, whether your taking a lower division Calculus or a higher division Calculus, as long as you complete the requirements you should be fine. However, keep in mind we are assuming you will do well in the courses. Also, make sure you involve yourself in external activities such as work, internships, volunteering. E/C’s are what truly differentiate you from the rest of the pool. I am speaking from my shoes, my experience. I personally know people who have strictly taken the required courses route, and avoided taking the “harder” classes and have had successful results. From my POV, their story is what finalized the deal.</p>
<p>Goodluck.</p>
<p>-RB</p>
<p>Hey thatgirltoo, did you have a lot of EC’s, because I don’t have much of that either. </p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys!</p>