Elective Credit

<p>Yeah I'm confused as to what elective credit really means, could someone fill me in?</p>

<p>You need a certain # of credits to graduate, and every major has its own requirements (5 classes in this, 5 classes in that, 3 300-level classes, etc.) and included in that is a certain # of elective credits- non-major courses that you can take in any subject you want. Example: I got a 5 on AP Stats, and I don't need any Stats for my major, so I got credit for having taken a 200-level Statistics class that counts as an elective.</p>

<p>at NU, if you only do one major, you'll have tons of room for electives. (Distros are 12 credits, assuming you come in with no APs, majors are usually 15 credits, leaving about 20 credits left for whatever you want, be it a second major or just random classes).</p>

<p>Ah, I see so it counts for any class that I dont' need for my major..how high do they go? Also, we can only use 2 AP credits for Distros in different areas right? Would it be crazy to do 2 majors and a minor? I really need to make up my mind...</p>

<p>Elective classes are just like normal classes (some people in your class might be taking that class as their major while others take it as an elective). Therefore, they go as high as, well, the 400s.</p>

<p>Yes to the second question.</p>

<p>2 majors and a minor isn't really necessary. You'll learn sooner or later that a double major or a major/minor is all that you really need. You can leave room for fun elective classes that way. If you really do want to do 2 majors and a minor, go ahead.</p>

<p>You don't need to make up your mind right now...or in fact, for the next 1-2 years. A liberal arts education at Northwestern requires you to be flexible and open-minded.</p>

<p>yeah i guess, i just feel limited taking 4 classes, i'm used to 6! and there's nothing I really want to drop and everything I really want to take... there are certain things that don't interest me like anthropology, east asian studies, and the like, but anything science, business, econ, spanish, math, it's silly, so yeah, I was just curious about those credits...</p>

<p>so if i got elective credit for my major, that doesn't count right? like for spanish i have 2 elective credits... does that get me out of 2 classes and i get to go the 3rd? i'm sorry for being pretty incompetent about the whole thing haha</p>

<p>You'll need to take a placement test for foreign language this summer ... if you're placed in elementary spanish, you'll need to take 2 years of it at NU (unless you accelerate). if you're placed into intermediate, you'll need to do 1 year, and if you're really good and place out of spanish entirely, you won't need to take any language classes unless you want to. this is, of course, for Weinberg.</p>

<p>I'm not certain about the elective credit-major thing, but I think it DOES count in most cases. That is, I had AP stats credit and could count that towards my bio major so I didn't have to take the stats course required for the major.</p>

<p>4 classes under the quarter system is pretty intense, don't underestimate them! Overall, you'll be taking about 12 classes a year, which is equivalent to 6 classes a semester anyway. College classes require a lot more studying and work (some more than others of course) so it'll be quite a change from high school.</p>

<p>I guess so! I got a 5 on my spanish ap so i think i cna be in like spanish 202-1 or something like that...also placement tests for the sciences, has anyone taken them, and should i study a lot for them? i'm thinking of taking chem and physics, i only got a 4 on chem and physics and i know i can do better. Hm... htat elective credit seems dodgy, ill have to find out when i get there</p>

<p>Getting a 5 on your spanish AP means you're completely passed the foreign language requirement (at least it was this way a year ago)...so yes, you can be in an even higher level spanish if you decide to pursue that further.</p>

<p>YES, study a lot for the placement tests because you DON'T want to take them again in college. College versions of these classes are a lot harder and/or more time-consuming and I can attest personally that physics sucks SO bad. SO study even if you feel like it's overkill, it's better than torturing yourself with classes you already took.</p>

<p>Sucks they limited your class to 2 APs for distros. I got out of over half my distros with APs.</p>

<p>has anyone here taken spanish 201-1? i think it's called reading and speaking I. i got a 5 on ap so i'm not required to take anymore foreign language...i don't want to major or minor in spanish, but i don't feel like giving it up either.
how difficult is it? just because you get a 5, does that mean you'll be prepared for it? would it be better to take spanish 199 first even though you placed out of it?</p>