<p>I’m attending Rutgers this fall (as a Freshman) and I would like to study chemE as well. Are you pursuing the Pharmaceutical option for chemE?</p>
<p>koto, you mentioned that if you get a 5, you will not need to take any general chemistry courses/lab. However, depending on which engineering you decide on, you may be required to take Organic Chemistry. What was your experience with this? Did you have AP credit for chem and go right into Orgo? Do you recommend that for a chem e major? If you don’t have this experience do you know of any others that do and what their thoughts on this topic are?</p>
<p>I guess I have a similar question for calculus… is it wise to take the AP credit for class? I’ve heard conflicting views.</p>
<p>Also, what if any credit is given for a 4 or a 5 on the AP Physics B exam? And is it wise to take those credits if you are in the chem e program?</p>
<p>Sorry for barrage of questions… we really do appreciate your help.</p>
<p>iff2mastamatt: No, I’m not really interested in pharmaceuticals. I haven’t decided which track, if any, I will pursue.</p>
<p>lastone: I did take all the ap credits I got that were eligible. I got credit for Expository Writing, Calculus I and both semesters of Chemistry. For me, I feel it was a good move because engineering already has a lot of credits you need to fulfill, and it really helps you in scheduling and credit load.</p>
<p>I felt very good about my chemistry and writing credits because I love chemistry (I’m going to be a chemE.) and I know that I understand the concepts very thoroughly. Also, I did not take Organic Chemistry yet because I didn’t realize I could take it my first semester, and the first orgo class is only offered in the fall. For writing, I studied very hard to be able to ap out of that class because I’ve heard it was just a pain.</p>
<p>For calc, I did not expect a 4 on the ab test at all, so I went into calc 2 thinking I may switch back to calc 1 if I felt I wasn’t prepared. I worked very hard and went to almost all of my professor’s office hours; I came out with a B+, which in my opinion, is very respectable. If you are willing to put in the work and effort necessary, I don’t see why you shouldn’t the credits. I know some people are against them because it’s not “college level”, but I know the ones I took are for good reasons and some professors are so bad, they might make you dislike a subject you loved before because they just can’t teach it. (I’ve heard general chemistry profs are not good…)</p>
<p>Engineering does not give any credit for Physics B.</p>
<p>No problem; I wouldn’t have started a topic if I didn’t want to be asked questions.</p>
<p>Hey I wam going to take the Engineering placement test on saturday and I wanted to know how is the math portion of the placement Test
thanks</p>
<p>Hey koto,</p>
<p>First off, thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions – especially now that finals are looming.</p>
<p>I guess a little about me: I want to be a neurosurgeon so I’m majoring in biomed engineering (possibly the premed track just to get in the classes). I’m taking the GMATs over the summer to apply for the BS/MBA program junior year (I asked Dean Rankin about that one). Then, if all goes according to plan, Peace Corps followed by an MSTP (MD/PhD) program.</p>
<p>Sorry - like I said, my answers can be really long. And people ask me that lot so my answer’s prepared.</p>
<p>I have a few questions, but I’ll make a list since I can be rather verbose:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Did you take/do you know anyone who took the Spanish placement test, or any language one in general? I have a fluent friend who said it was VERY difficult, but he did quite well. I’m planning to minor in Spanish so I know I’ll be taking plenty of Spanish, but will I get a chance to take other electives?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you know anyone who’s double majoring? I always hear engineering’s the hardest, but my sister’s majoring in Cell Bio/Neuroscience, and I was considering double-majoring, but I don’t know how difficult it is to major across schools.</p></li>
<li><p>Is it really inconvenient that Barr is quite a distance from the dining hall, even the bus stop? Last time, I was on campus, I stopped by Barr to see how far it’ll be (I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at McCormick every time I’m on campus so I guess I’ve been “spoiled” in that manner.)</p></li>
<li><p>On which campus are most of your classes?</p></li>
<li><p>Compared to non-engineering students, even though it’s only the first year, does engineering really seem like the hardest subject area?</p></li>
<li><p>Have you gotten a chance to speak to any upperclassmen - if so, do you know of anyone who was able to study abroad? If so, anyone of them at somewhere other than Australia or the UK? I know that’s where most engineers study, but I was planning to take most of my advanced Spanish classes abroad – I imagine I’ll probably graduate late, or even take summer classes, but I was planning to be at Rutgers for 5 years with the MBA program anyways.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you have a job on campus or know anyone who does? If so, do they have any free time or time to study?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>And I guess the last one is pretty general – are you involved in a lot on campus? I guess I mean rushing (Greek life) or clubs or organizations and such? What are you doing this summer? (I don’t mean that in a creepy way - I just mean because a lot of my friends who are currently freshmen are away for internships and such).</p>
<p>Thanks so much - please feel free to take your time with these! =)</p>
<p>One more question (sorry) - I’m waiting to hear back from UPenn (waitlisted <em>sigh</em>), but if I get in (I’ve been in touch with the admissions officer, and the chances are looking REALLY good), I’m in a rather tough situation. {{I know it seems silly to worry about something that might not even happen, but I just wanted to get your perspective now that you’ve been through a year at RU.}}</p>
<p>I’m not expecting to get any aid from Penn, but RU was VERY generous with their financial aid. I guess this is similar to me passing on the Pres Scholarship at 'Nova, but that was slightly less complicated since they didn’t have BME.</p>
<p>I would be in Penn SEAS for BME, but like I said aid would be an issue, especially since I plan to go to med school. Some people suggest getting my required courses out of the way, then transferring, but I feel like I wouldn’t want to transfer once I get settled at RU. Do you feel like the engineering you’re getting at RU is worth passing on an Ivy?</p>
<p>Hi 
Can anyone here answer this question? :</p>
<p>So my high school didn’t offer AP Chem, and sophomore year I had a very bad teacher for Honors Chem so I didn’t learn much. Will I be in trouble for the General Chem class? I’m most worried about that class :/</p>
<p>drexeler: General Chemistry is a tough class because it’s a lot of material, and it’s taught at a fast pace. If you’d like to get a headstart, I’d consider getting a good college-level chemistry book and trying to read it over the summer. Most of my friends hate chemistry, but a lot are still able to do well; you really just need to be able to put in the effort. (That is true of most things.)
Perhaps even find a friend who loves chemistry. (I love chemistry; people like me exist!) During the schoolyear, especially if you live in Barr/Mattia, there will be a lot of people to study with.</p>
<p>eagles17: No problem, like I said, I made a thread to answer questions because I like doing it. Yes, finals are upon us here at Rutgers. I just finished the third of my four exams, so I have some time to reply now.</p>
<p>1. Yes, in fact, I took the Spanish placement test. I have taken Spanish since elementary school and took it up to Spanish 4 Honors in high school, which I felt was pretty challenging. I felt the placement test was extremely difficult, especially the listening comprehension, because the speakers speak very quickly. I tried hard on my test and placed into Intermediate Spanish I.</p>
<p>2. I was considering double majoring in ChemE and Chemistry because there is a good overlap between course requirements. I know many people who are double-majoring in engineering and something else. Generally, though, unless they are close enough, it will take 5 years to finish a double major like that. For closer things like ChemE/Chemistry, I could finish in four years with heavier courseloads.</p>
<p>3. It’s really not that bad. Yeah, you walk kind of far to get to the dining hall, but it’s a lot more convenient than busing from a different campus. McCormick is closer, but it’s really not by that much. The construction right now is making it pretty annoying, but the inconvenience is really pretty minor. When I don’t feel like walking back, I plan out my day so I can bring everything I’m going to need.</p>
<p>4. Busch.</p>
<p>5. Yes, although we are probably on par with Pharmacy students freshman year. I have talked with a few older students and they have told me that a Biology major Genetics option has the major course requirements of the first engineering year plus a few more. (The number of credits, not the actual courses.) SAS majors generally require minors because their major requirements aren’t usually very heavy. (except for some technical courses such as Physics or Chemistry.)
When I think about the hardest subject area, though, I have to honestly say that the hardest one is different for everyone. I couldn’t do economics because I’d be bored out of my mind or philosophy because my brain would melt trying to think so hard. I also have a difficult time putting together papers while other students find papers much easier than trying to decipher calculus. (Disclaimer: I find calculus very difficult as well!)</p>
<p>6. I know of one who is currently studying abroad in South Africa; I haven’t talked to anyone else about it, though.</p>
<p>7. Yes, I know someone who works in event setup at the campus center and someone else in the dining hall. They have time to study and do things, but it does take good chunks of time. The campus center job is a lot less time-consuming than the dining hall job. There are reasonable amounts of on-campus work available and you can find something that works for you.</p>
<p>I am very involved with Engineers Without Borders, a humanitarian club dedicated to providing sustainable solutions around the world. We currently have three international projects going in Kenya, Thailand, and Guatemala. ([Engineers</a> Without Borders - USA, Rutgers University](<a href=“http://ewb.rutgers.edu%5DEngineers”>http://ewb.rutgers.edu)) I also enjoy going to Swing Dancing Club. I don’t know if it seems like I’m not that involved, but I prefer to choose the few clubs I really enjoy and become very involved in those.
I don’t really have any interest in rushing for a sorority.</p>
<p>I am teaching math to middle schoolers at home this summer at a local science program. I wanted to do research, but I wasn’t accepted into the program I applied to and I have some things I need to take care of before I can live on my own over the summer. (specifically, I need a license.) I am happy with what I am doing this summer, though. :)</p>
<p>I definitely understand how you feel because I had to choose between Carnegie Mellon and Rutgers last year. I also didn’t want to have to transfer in and out of schools. My opinion is simply that I love Rutgers and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Some people may disagree with me. It is very important to consider the aid factor because med school is extremely expensive and being able to get through undergrad with little to no debt is important to your future loan burden. (The one you have to pay back once you actually begin working.)</p>
<p>Note that many people in engineering (honors, moreso) have declined offers from top ten schools to come to Rutgers. These aren’t stupid people.</p>
<p>I can’t tell you flat out whether or not it’s worth it; that is a question each high school senior will decide for him/herself.</p>
<p>I applied for the housing application. When do we get the letter telling us where were gonna live?</p>
<p>Hi Koto,</p>
<p>I am enrolled at the School of Engineering and as of right now my interest is in Biomedical Engineering. (But it is possible that my interest may change)</p>
<p>I have a question about the workload of the first semester. I will be taking 18 credits and I need to maintain a 3.0 to keep my scholarship. Is there anything that you learned throughout the year that makes the workload easier to manage? Such as doing assignments early? Utilizing office hours? Study groups? etc. What do you think worked best? How are the Chem, Analytical Physics, and Calculus classes? I have heard that Chemistry is used to branch people out of Engineering? What is so difficult about Chemistry in Engineering?</p>
<p>Also I was wondering, which humanities elective did you choose? None of them sound extremely appealing but I chose: Sociology of Sport, Logic, Persuasion and Reasoning, US History (colonial to civil war), in that order…</p>
<p>The answer is time management. That’s probably the most important thing for college success.</p>
<p>jml0310: You will get a notification very very close to when school begins. Let’s say for now, a month before, so that’s early August. It won’t be a letter; it’ll be an email with a website where you login to see your dorm, room number, and the name of your roommate.</p>
<p>Rutgers14Eng: Well, first off, Chemistry is considered a weed-out course. (You were quite close!) It is considered that because there is a lot of material to cover in two semesters and I have heard that professors are not very good for General Chemistry for Engineers.</p>
<p>The key thing to know is: it is possible to do well in any class. Beast Morgan is right; college is all about time management. Do some extracurriculars you enjoy so you don’t go nuts studying and hangout with friends in the dorm; but when it’s time to study, you’d better buckle down and get to it.</p>
<p>Everything you said can help you, but I’ve found that my freshman year has really taught me how I work best. I can’t study in the dorm most of the time, because I’ll just get too distracted. Same with me near computers. One of my friends is completely different, she can do both just fine. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, whether from other students or the professor. (If the professor is not good at explaining things, students are often the better choice. Plus, it’s super convenient in a dorm. If you like a professor, office hours will probably help you a lot. I visited my Calc 2 professor every week during my first semester because I generally struggle with math.) I ask my friends questions all the time, and explaining it helps them remember the material better, too. (I prefer one-on-one discussions as opposed to study groups. If study groups work for you, though, great! Try everything once.) I’ve started trying to develop better habits, such as getting homework done earlier so there is time to consult a TA/professor/students before it’s crunchtime.</p>
<p>If you have any time for books, How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport really helped me organize my studytime and rethink my approach to studying. I’d probably just try to paraphrase the whole thing if you asked me for advice, so you’re better off just reading it. It’s better written, haha.</p>
<p>Yeah, I definitely can’t study in my room. There’s too many distractions. I like to go someplace that has no purpose except for studying, like a library. But it’s true, it’s all about what works for you. Perhaps the SERC reading room? I went once during my summer class and I thought it was too damn cold!</p>
<p>I like the Busch Campus Center quiet lounge and Hill Center Math Library.</p>
<p>The BCC quiet room felt like an afterthought. I liked the Red Lion but the equivalent at BCC, the new cove, was to bright. It wasn’t as chill.</p>
<p>Hmm, I’ve never been to the Red Lion. I can’t study in the Cove, but I find it nice. I don’t like the SERC Reading Room. It’s just too massive for me.</p>
<p>Anywho, different things work for different people. Whatevs.</p>
<p>koto, I said b4 but I was accepted to New Brunswick Rutgers. But one thing that concerns me is that on the SARS (self assessed report) when I was putting the grades in I combined the semester grades and made them into one so they will fit. I added B+ and A- into A- in some cases and I added A and B+ into A-, A- and A into A and so forth. Am I going to get my acceptance letter taken away because I did this? because for some subjects I was sure I got high As which combined with B+ will turn into A- but I’m not sure if the school will understand please HELP!</p>
<p>I have seen your other topic about this and I think you should take everyone’s advice and call the department and get it straightened out. If calling doesn’t work, seriously go in person; it is a lot more effective.</p>
<p>thank you koto. but i am a noob at finding the right person to call. Do you have any idea who I should call? I cannot find the right person on the website I am a business major undergrad incoming freshman thank you Or should I just call rutgers admissions office (the general one) and ask what I should do?</p>
<p>Just call the admissions office first.</p>