Going over credit limits

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
61

<p>Ok I have skimmed this topic so far but it seems like most of the people trying to squeeze in lots of credits are taking heavy math and science loads. How does 17 hours of liberal arts classes compare to 17 hours of math and science courses?</p>

<p>I'm taking:
African American Studies 101: 4 credits
Intro Western Religion: 3 credits
Spanish 311: 3 crd
Psych 215 (cognition): 3 crd
and probably a politics class if I can land one.</p>

<p>That will put me at 16 hours. I don't want to underestimate anything but my schedule seems easier then a lot of the bio, chem, calc ones. </p>

<p>Basically what I'm asking is can I swing Wednesday night dance parties with this schedule or do I need to revise?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

62

<p>Heres my take on this entire situation. Sorry if I missed the boat on the timing of this, but give me a break I haven't been on here in ages! (BTW hi everyone I haven't talked to in months!)</p>

<p>I took 17 credits my first semester, and 19 my second semester. These weren't easy classes either. Just to be open I took:</p>

<p>1st semester:
MATH 354: Survey of Algebra
APMA 213: Differential Equations
PHYS 251: Electricity and Megnetism
PHIL 245: Philosophy of Science
ENGR 141R: Engineering design</p>

<p>2nd semeser:
MATH 552: Intro to Abstract Algebra
CS 150: intro computing
ENGR 142R: Engineering Synthesis
PHIL 202 - Know Thyself
PHYS 252 - Modern Physics
PHYS 254 - Scientific Computing</p>

<p>I also came in with a lot of college credit and was able to opt out of some classes for post-AP work in math. I'm not trying to brag, just wanted to let you guys know what I was up to.</p>

<p>Anyways, with all that I was able to maintain a solid social life. I was in a couple of interesting clubs(notably Gamers), played Ultimate, etc. I don't really drink, so I didn't go to a whole lot of parties, but believe me there are other things to do. The only reason I took 6 classes second semester was because I had way too much time to play guitar hero first semester... waaaayyyy too much time (we're talking 4 stars on Dragon Force on expert... back when the game first came out). Sure I studied a lot and had a lot of problem sets but I still managed to have enough to time to do all this and have a girlfriend.</p>

<p>I think the key is really just knowing yourself and knowing how you work. I could fairly successfully predict how long it would take me to do an assignment, and I always got started early on problem sets for that reason. In the same way, anyone looking to take lots of classes should realize that procrastination will kill them. The hardest part of taking a large amount of classes is when due dates stack up, which can be unpreventable during finals. The rest of the semester, you need to get started on everything early, and know how long its going to take you to do something.</p>

<p>Its also good to know exactly what classes you need to be at. If you pay attention you <em>can</em> learn a lot in class, but if your not learning anything there is no reason to be there <em>when you can be getting work done</em>. Skipping class to sleep can kill you if you take lots of credits because it leads to apathy (TRUST ME on this one... seriously).</p>

<p>Also, learn about the classes before signing up for them! If you know a class is notorious for giving large amounts of work, don't take it with a large credit load. Your asking for trouble if you do that. For example, MATH 552 was probably the hardest class I've ever taken, but we had 4 homework assignments through the whole semester, and a final project (no exam). That meant that the actual time commitment of the class was far less than material intensity.</p>

<p>Alright, this is getting long so I'll stop here. If you want to know more or have questions feel free to ask me. I don't think that taking large amounts of credits is always a bad idea, but you have to be careful and know what your getting yourself into.</p>

63

<p>also, be mindful of the drop deadline ;) and dont be afraid to use it.</p>

64

<p>17 credits of LA classes isn't necessarily easier or harder than 17 of math/science. Remember, math/science, once you learn it, you're done. LA classes require papers, reading, etc. So, some people can fly through math/science (<em>cough</em> ehiunno), some can fly through LA stuff. Intro LA classes can actually be A LOT of work, just because they cram a lot in. Cofaloaf, I suggest maybe finding a USEM to get you to 15 credits, or the politics class to 16, which is a perfect number. Good luck getting a politics class, it's very tough (my minor, so I know). I suggest just signing up for whatever you can get, you can always force action later. Also, if you have any background in politics, skip the intro classes, unless you have to take them for a major.</p>

65

<p>math 552 is a beast.</p>

<p>yes, the reading load for 16 credits of LA classes is atrocious.</p>

<p>if you're still in indecision come the start of the semester, get an appt with your advisor or assoc. dean and have a chat.</p>

66

<p>What does the term "LA classes" refer to?</p>

67

<p>Liberal Arts.</p>

68

<p>Ah, thanks. Yes, reading in college is very different from what you get in hs. If you're taking many classes in politics, anthro, soc, psych and literature (basically social sciences), you better be prepared to have tons and tons of reading.</p>

69

<p>My history class last semester was like a book every two weeks. I read maybe one and a half, way after the deadline, and just for fun. Still scored an A for the class. My politics class was BY FAR my greatest reading achievement: I read maybe 90 pages of a 400 page book, then showed up to class on Tuesday thinking the paper was due Thursday, then got a nice surprise at the end when my teacher announced "just leave your papers on my podium", went to Brown Library and cranked out a 7 page paper on the book that I still never read. Got a B+.</p>

70

<p>this question is kind of to shoebox. What do you mean by background in politics?
I got a 5 on the AP gov test but that's my only real background. I was planning on trying to get into american political tradition or mass media. What do you recommend and is it hard to course action into them?</p>

<p>I am also aware that LA classes take a lot of reading but does anyone know the reading load for African American Studies 101? I've heard its an awesome class.</p>

71

<p>Haha shoebox, that's quite an achievement! Sometimes you can get away without reading the books, but this year my IB History Teacher wrote the textbook, and the was no BSing with this guy. If you hadn't read his book, and included examples, there was a guaranteed F for you on your essays and exams. </p>

<p>Also, how do you find taking a minor with CLAS, and a major in SEAS? I'm debating whether or not to minor in either Spanish or Politics, but is it a lot more work, and/or dificult taking your minor with CLAS?</p>

72

<p>Yeah, what LA classes lack in problems they make up for in reading. This isn't high school, once you get past the very basics, you won't be BSing your way through every paper without reading. I had a friend that carried 16 or so LA credit hours and spent so much time reading it made me want to puke. I could never do that...</p>

73

<p>Cofaloaf: if you got a 5 on AP US Gov, don't take PLAP 101. It's a waste of time and effort. You'll get much more out of an upper level class. I took a 300 level US politics class fall semester and was fine (only a 4 on the AP). Most politics classes you don't need an into course to do well in. Maybe International Relations or Political Theory, but this stuff isn't rocket science, you just need to understand basic concepts of the topic and run with your own views. And have the work ethic.</p>

<p>Canuck: it's tough to have a minor in CLAS and major in SEAS. But, it's very possible with good planning. My minor only requires 15 credits, and I'm 6 in, so I need 3 more politics classes after this. That's the beauty of UVA SEAS: it owns your life, for the most part, but you do get choices of classes. You're required to take 9 hours of humanities, plus most majors have required unrestricted electives (aka, "you must take classes, but we don't care what you take, just keep yourself busy"). If you have an idea of what you want to minor in, then go for it. I took a history class last semester in an open elective, so it's not like you're stuck taking minor classes in all open spots. Taking courses over the summer/winter are also freeing up classes for me. The trouble, really, is fighting your College friends in signing up for classes, but it gets easier with the years :) I'm enjoying minoring in politics. Have no freaking clue what I'll use it for, but whatever. Environmental sciences crept into my mind, but too much science/extra labs. Some people do minor in other sciences/engineering though. The amount of work for a minor I don't think is possible to explain, because you're going to be taking a class one way or another, so why not make it something you're interested in? You could just take all 200-level classes, but honestly, Politics in the upperlevels is not rocket science (see above). It really is a great minor.</p>

74

<p>
[quote]
If you're taking many classes in politics, anthro, soc, psych and literature (basically social sciences), you better be prepared to have tons and tons of reading.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Big deal - those are still really easy disciplines. You can frequently get away with doing only part of the reading, anyway.</p>

75

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>I'll start planning now. At least you're able to take some classes outside of SEAS. There are plenty of E-schools that will only allow you to take one College class/yr (if you are lucky). Politics does sound like a good minor, in reality it's probably quite a bit more useful, and interesting than Spanish. For Grad school I'm toying with Law, and politics would be a good minor for that.</p>

76

<p>I don't know that politics is a particularly useful area of study for law school, canuck. There isn't much you can do to prepare for LS as an undergraduate. </p>

<p>Your engineering major should help you if you're interested in patent law.</p>

77

<p>Yup, law school is on my mind too, somewhere in the distance. That and I just like politics and the classes are good. My south asia class should be interesting with the stuff going on with Korea and Burma/Myramar/"we got screwed over by our gov't when the winds came". I wanted to focus on International Relations, but I doubt it's going to happen as the classes are all at bad times or hard to get in to.
And I think the kicker in LA classes are the papers. I can knock out a decent 5-6 page paper in an hour or two, but for some, it can take half a day. That, on top of reading, sucks.</p>

<p>Patent Law: amazing pay, apparently horrible work. That, too, has been on my mind, but it's quickly getting kicked out the door this summer.</p>

78

<p>Patent law doesn't pay any better or worse than other areas at major firms, but as I understand it, firms dig deeper for patent law people.</p>

79

<p>Personally, I'm just wanting to study what I enjoy, if it helps prepare me for LS, so be it. If not, everyone takes the LSAT, and I'm sure a UVA education will not put me at a disadvantage. </p>

<p>Patent law would be a good job, but perhaps not the most enjoyable. Instead of working for a law firm, lawyers with an engineering undergrad are often hired as in-house counsel in the oil and energy industry.</p>

80

<p>Ahh patent law. My grandpa was a patent lawyer, in a different era, lol.</p>

<p>From what I hear it takes a certain kind of person to do it, but there are people who enjoy it. Not sure of a good way to find out if you are one though so I can't be too much help there.</p>

<p>Really though, abstract math and philosophy are a huge help to prepare for law school. IIRC philosophy majors have the highest rate of acceptance to law school. You will learn to think in those classes in a way you won't learn anywhere else, which is a HUGE LSAT bonus.</p>