<p>I can't seem to locate the previous thread on this subject so I'll ask again..</p>
<p>Does anyone have any recommendations for the Freshmen Seminars? My son isn't sure if it's something that he should do or not. If he was to apply for one and get in, does this count as an elective? Are they worth the time and effort that it takes to apply? </p>
<p>Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated</p>
<p>My DD adored her freshmen seminar--it was the only first semester class which was small (12) and intimate. She enjoyed discussions, great guest speakers and became close to some of her classmates. </p>
<p>The credit is an elective, although they are graded pass/fail so there is no real effect on GPA (unless failed).</p>
<p>It may be too late to apply, you should have him double check that now. Less popular seminars may still have space.</p>
<p>The topics are fascinating and diverse, and provide unique contact with great professors.</p>
<p>do both semesters. And no the deadline is september 10th, I just did mine yesterday.</p>
<p>So, are they on a first come first serve basis? I thought all applications are due on the 10th and then they choose who would get in or not?</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Not first-come, first-serve at all. Since you can still edit your application up to sep 10th I don't see how this would be possible anyway.</p>
<p>good point piccolo. Thanks for the quick response. Best of luck to you! My son saw a couple that sounded very interesting to him.</p>
<p>lol no problem, hope to see your "DS" in 42t this fall. :)</p>
<p>I actually wouldn't do a seminar both semesters--anyone I know who did that was very unhappy with their decision. They tend to be a lot of reading and they don't count on your GPA, so the people I know who did both semesters wound up feeling like they wasted a class slot one of the semesters...especially since there are so many other incredible classes they want to take. I would definitely take one though. I did one first semester and was very happy with that decision since it's a great way to meet 11 other freshmen who have similar interests in a low-pressure setting. You get lots of personal time with a professor, and you get to do cool things that are specific to the seminar environment.</p>
<p>^ ^ I agree with this post ... works out well to take a seminar one semester and Expos the other. To this day, my daughter's freshman seminar remains one of her favorite courses at Harvard.</p>
<p>Bleh, I wanted to do them both semesters so I could better space out my science classes...that and I'll have to take four "regular" classes spring semester, I don't know what jumping to 5 would be like.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their insight and help.</p>
<p>I wonder how competitive it is to get your first choice seminar. There are two physics ones that interest me, but I'm afraid I won't be picked because I don't have a strong high school physics background :(</p>
<p>Haha White Rabbit I think I am in the same boat as you. Let me guess, one of them is with Randall right?</p>
<p>Yes, a class with Lisa Randall would be amazing. I'm also interested in the chance to have Roy Glauber as a prof though. I think his class might be easier to get, seeing as Randall is about the hottest physics theorist working right now. (That statement can be taken both ways :) )</p>
<p>Haha good point, though Glauber being a Nobel Laureate is no pushover either. His seminar seems to be more focused on history then theory, which turns me off a bit because I have already read many books in that area. </p>
<p>Randall is hot...it's kind of scary. Does she have a husband? And is it just me or did you notice she expanded her seminar to 18 students from 12?</p>
<p>Yes I did see that, which makes me even more nervous for some reason. I wonder if she got alot of early applications.</p>
<p>Can someone explain the application process? my son told me that you just post all your info on-line then after sept 10th the info is taken and then reviewed. He didn't think there was an actual "sent" type of form.</p>
<p>It's an online application--you have to answer some questions and rank your choices. Some seminars (most I think) have essays, usually about why you want to be in that specific seminar and maybe what your background is. Some also have interviews, which the professor will notify you about once your application is submitted. The professors review all of the applications after the due date and decide who they want. Once that process is over, a list of seminars with extra spots is posted for people who want to be in one but for whatever reason didn't get one.</p>
<p>There's no real way to tell how popular a seminar is going to be, although if some seminars have existed for a few years now, you can probably talk to upperclassmen and they could tell you what it's been like in past years. If you rank one as your first choice and explain compelling reasons why you personally should be in that seminar, you have a good chance of getting in. Your history with and knowledge of the subject don't always matter--sometimes professors like having a diverse group of students with varying levels of expertise. The more important thing is how interested and passionate you are about the subject.</p>
<p>If you don't get into a specific seminar, sometimes it is possible to get into it by just going to see the professor and making a case. Lisa Randall has been known to accept students late, however, that may be why she already expanded her class size this year.</p>
<p>Is there a cap on the number of students that can be in a seminar? I mean, it would defeat the purpose of having one if Professor Randall were to admit, say 25 students to hers.</p>