<p>That's what we've heard, and we're hoping it's not true. </p>
<p>I understand it partly depends on the major. DS plans to major in History and minor in Classics. Something tells me his Greek classes will be pretty small (Greek classes usually are), but his History classes will probably be ginormous.</p>
<p>As a home-schooled kid, he has no AP credits, so he probably won't get out of any intro classes, except maybe in Latin and Greek (both of which he has been taking for years). (Core overview-type classes are usually a good idea, anyway, IMHO.)</p>
<p>How have current UNC-ers found the class-size situation to be? (Sorry for awkward syntax but am typing in haste during lunch break.)</p>
<p>I’m a comp sci major, but the following is relevant for all of my classes: Most intro classes are in large lecture halls, where there’s little interaction with the professor beyond the first row. There are some classes, like first year seminars, where there is a significant amount of interaction with professors.
For the large lecture thingies, recitations with TAs is where you’ll get the personal attention you may want. And even in the recitations there are like 20-30 people, so you need to speak up if you have problems.</p>
<p>The history classes will probably be big, but the Greek and Latin will definitely be small (i.e. 20 students and under). blue_box is exactly right about the recitations - even if the class has 200 people in it, you will usually have a recitation where you can bond with your TA and get some one-on-one time.</p>
<p>It depends on course selection…AP credits etc…my son entered UNC with 43 AP credits and was taking upper level classes as early as second semester freshman year…I asked him about his class sizes and he said in 4 years he had 3 or 4 classes total with 100 plus students and one of them was in an elective class that was one of those classes that everyone WANTS to take…</p>
<p>First year seminars are small, and English and foreign language classes cap class size as do math classes though they are capped a bit higher at approximately 60. While that may sound high one of my son’s best friends took a calc class at Wharton his freshman year…it had 200 plus students in the class and was taught by a TA…my son taking the same class at the same time at UNC was in a class of 55 taught by a full professor…</p>
<p>@blue_box: Would you be so kind as to provide the reason for your recommendation? Conventional wisdom advises us to avoid grad-student-taught classes like the proverbial plague. Is there something special about these particular grad-student-taught calc classes?</p>
<p>I could relate to them, since they weren’t much older. IMO it was easier to ask them stupid questions, their grading was better, and they were more likely to be flexible about stuff.</p>
<p>I have loved the vast majority of my TA’s. There are some horror stories, but for the most part TA’s are quite competent teachers that are easier to relate to than full professors. I hate when someone dismisses a class solely because it is taught by a TA; for all you know, they could go on to do something brilliant one day. All professors had to start somewhere…</p>
<p>For most introductory classes, I would prefer my classes be taught by a TA/grad student. I tend to have really really stupid questions, and somehow professors seem more intimidating and less accommodating.</p>
<p>Well, my own DH was a TA once (non-resident tutor at Leverett House, one of the undergraduate houses at Harvard). He taught Sophomore History Tutorial.</p>
<p>Given the exorbitant amount it costs to go to Harvard, though, I think the students have the right to fuss that they aren’t being taught by some world-famous professor. I mean, DH was a good teacher and all, but he obviously did not have the fund of knowledge that a professor would have.</p>
<p>I would say some of the intro history classes would be large, maybe the first 2 or 3, but after that especially above 200 would be much smaller. I know of history classes that have as few as 5 students once you get beyond the intro level classes. Whatever those classes may be.</p>
<p>Most of my classes have seemed huge and impersonal so far. Languages have about 20 people which isn’t too bad, but even recitations have had 30 or so people in them, which is just big enough to make you nervous to talk and just small enough to have participation as part of your grade. I feel like I haven’t really met any of my teachers, although I understand that it’s definitely possible to get to know them if you go to office hours. Also, I’m from a graduating class of 15 people, so any class with more than 15 seems big to me.</p>
<p>Thanks, camico! Has large class size negatively affected your overall college experience? How are you liking UNC, in general, so far?</p>
<p>We are so confused. Today DS received notification that he is accepted at Appalachian. We had almost forgotten he’d applied there! (He applied nine places in all, and I now think that’s at least four too many.) It’s great to have options, but it’s also overwhelming. No one school feels just right to DS – or to us. So many variables to consider – not just the academic prestige thing but also scholarship $$$ (HUGE consideration for us) and “fit.”</p>
<p>We do plan to visit a bunch of places, but meanwhile all the info here at CC is very helpful!</p>
<p>Not sure what your son is interested in studying but pedigree of degree can make a BIG difference…App State is WORLD’s apart from UNC academically.</p>
<p>I know you have kidded (hope so at least) about “selling him to the highest bidder” but if he is intending to attend grad and or professional schools, (I know I’m not telling you something you don’t already know since your H is in academia) but the reputation of not only his undergrad school but also the department/program/major can be big factors in what grad/professional school he is admitted to.</p>
<p>Has he looked at/ranked programs and schools in his areas of interest? That would be a good starting point if all else fails. </p>
<p>I’ll PM you later with some additional thoughts.</p>
<p>Yes, I was kidding about selling DS to highest bidder. That would be the University of Alabama, which gives automatic full rides to National Merit Finalists. But DS is very iffy about going to Bama, and we are iffy about sending him there.</p>
<p>Appalachian does have a classics department, but it’s anemic: Latin I and Latin II, Greek I and Greek II, and that’s it. I don’t mean to sound like a braggy mamma, but DS could teach those classes (especially the Latin ones). So, I agree, AppState’s not a very live possibility. (It does seem to have a strong history department, though. And it’s hard to beat the location! Plus, isn’t its reputation on the rise? :))</p>
<p>How do you feel about UNC Asheville? It has a good history program (although the faculty’s not anywhere near as broad as Chapel Hill’s) AND an excellent classics program, with lots of upper-level courses. And it’s small and LAC-ish, with lots of professor-student interaction. I do fear that some of its upper-level classes may be cut, though. The recent state budget cuts are hitting UNCA hard – and, unlike Chapel Hill, it does not have the buffer of a huge endowment.</p>
<p>I would imagine the classics department classes would be pretty small because it is a smaller department.</p>
<p>As a homeschooler I’ve had no issue with the classes and UNC is a perfect fit for me. Class size is something I was worried about but lectures are not meant for discussion no matter the size.</p>
<p>Honestly I don’t feel the need to get close with teachers that teach those larger classes and if I wanted to get to know them I could just go to their office hours. College will not be like highschool, even at App the intro classes will be huge.</p>
Conventional wisdom advises us to avoid grad-student-taught classes like the proverbial plague. Is there something special about these particular grad-student-taught calc classes?</p>