Freshman Year Schedule

<p>I am at UMich right now, and am considering transferring. I think I would be a better match at schools like Cornell, Brown, Yale, Penn, Williams, Amherst, etc. I probably won't apply to all of those, and maybe some not there, but I am wondering how much the admissions people look at the classes taken in your university. I am currently scheduled for 4 classes, but am wondering if, before its too late, should add a 5th. I think I could handle the load, but I don't want to if I don't have to (first semester and everything). Also, my HS record wasn't the best, maybe a 3.5. Should I take the 5 courses, or perhaps take only 4 now and get used to things and take 5 next semester? I appreciate the help.</p>

<p>Don’t take five if you aren’t sure you can handle 5 unless these are all like 3 credit classes. I would not take more than 15-16 your first semester.</p>

<p>You JUST started at Umich, how have you decided it’s not a good fit already?</p>

<p>Well its hard to say, and hopefully its a first reaction type thing. Obviously the best thing that could happen is I really like it. But, this is a just in case. BTW, these are three 4 credits and one 3 credit. However, I doubt that 3 credit will be easier just because its 3. But, I think if I tried hard I can pull off 5 classes.</p>

<p>You’ll want to make good grades to transfer, so I would really recommend just sticking with the four. This is my first semester too and I am taking 16 and I think my adviser is ready to shoot me, there’s no shame in taking it at least relatively easy your first semester. 15 credits is a very standard course load at any college, perfectly respectable. It’s not the bare minimum but it’s not insane, and it will give you some time to check out some clubs and give Umich a fair shot-- you don’t want to transfer if you don’t have to to be happy. It’s a very tumultuous experience and can be a fairly complicated process.</p>

<p>I would throw out a few transfer applications to give yourself options in case you don’t like it, but I would also try not to close the door on Umich just yet. This place has a lot to offer and if you try to keep an open mind and give it a fair chance, you may find your first impression wasn’t what you thought it was. It’d be a shame to endure the whole transfer process when what you wanted was right under your nose the whole time. Haven’t you just moved in like within the last two days? LOTS of people don’t like their school the first few weeks and grow to love it. You know better than I do what you need, I just know that I transferred here myself and know there a lot of downsides to it. So think this through.</p>

<p>Def. appreciate the input, thanks. Btw, your advisor wants to shoot you as in you are taking a too heavy course load?</p>

<p>Yes. I transferred here as a junior and am taking 16 credit hours-- three 300 level political science courses, and a 200 level science with lab. A concentration adviser told me that two 300s is the standard courseload for a junior but I couldn’t pick between them. Once classes start I may decide to drop whatever is hardest if I have the heart to do it, I’ve got my eyes set on law school so I can’t afford to bite off more than I can chew while I am still learning to cope with the expectations here at Michigan.</p>

<p>Just to bump this so I don’t have to start a new thread…Would it be possible to transfer to colleges I mentioned in the first post with about a 3.8 in my first semester at Michigan and 3.5 HS GPA, and 2100? Assuming of course essays are good and all that.</p>

<p>I am bumping again…sue me. But I also want to add, if I don’t take calculus 2 the second semester, will that look bad if I am applying as an econ major? I really hate calculus, and only one of the schools out of all of the ones I mentioned want calc 2. I could always take it later if need be, but will it look bad during admissions if I took just 1 semester?</p>

<p>im from UMich and consider transferring too. where r u?</p>