<p>I know that it's really difficult to maintain a high GPA at MIT, but I also know that there are certain strategies to maintain a high GPA. Since I'm trying really hard to pick the right classes for me right now, and I haven't been assigned an advisor yet... is there someone I can contact to hash out all of my issues?</p>
<p>Well, you could always try upperclassmen. ;) (Actually, that's how I've always made my academics-related decisions... advisors are nice, but I think all the requirements confuse many of them.)</p>
<p>I'd be happy to help, either here or by email.</p>
<p>I was wondering about 18.02A... How hard is it to get a good grade in it? Will the class count in as my GPA if I took the latter half my second semester instead of during IAP?</p>
<p>How is 8.01? I always hear really bad stuff about physics grades at MIT. Is there are teacher that does better at explaining this really hard and reall abstract subject... (at least for me) in your opinion? Is there a book that you might recommend that has some good problems that I can work and learn from?</p>
<p>So, according to my boyfriend, who took 18.01A/2A: He thought the 18.02 part was easier than the 18.01 part (and I agree... even though the material is more advanced, I feel like it's more intuitive). He also said that the 18.02 portion goes on your first semester transcript if you take it during IAP, but on your second semester transcript (and graded) if you take it during second semester. He advises taking it during IAP because taking it during second semester limits the number of other classes you can take.</p>
<p>For physics, there are really 2 options if you're not psyched about the subject: 8.01 and 8.01L. 8.01L covers the material over a longer period of time -- it extends into IAP (although I'm not sure if you can take both 8.01L and 18.01A, since then you'd be taking 24 units over IAP... I'll check into that). The disadvantage of 8.01L is that (I've heard) it's anesthetically boring.</p>
<p>8.01 looks like it's being taught this year by Litster and Dourmashkin. I vaguely remember Litster substitute-teaching a few of my 8.01 recitations, and he seemed to be pretty good. I've never had Dourmashkin -- you might try fishing around the course 8 subject evaluations (<a href="https://web.mit.edu/acadinfo/sse/courses/course8.html%5B/url%5D">https://web.mit.edu/acadinfo/sse/courses/course8.html</a>) to see what people think of either of them.</p>
<p>I actually took 8.01X my freshman year, which isn't taught anymore. Scholberg taught that class, as well as my 8.02X recitation, and she was great, so if she's around, get into one of her recitations.</p>
<p>There will be lots and lots of practice problems, don't you worry -- there's a weekly problem set, as well as an online "Mastering Physics" set. The book was, as I recall, halfway decent, so you'd do well by doing extra practice problems from it.</p>
<p>I hope that was helpful -- let me know if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>molliebatmit, you get an A++ for being an awesome person... THANKS!</p>
<p>Incoming Freshman: Please worry about your GPA second semester and enjoy pass/no record while it lasts.</p>
<p>This has been a public service announcement sponsored by the MIT Association for the Prevention of Student Suicides.</p>
<p>Haha, I agree. No GPA at all first semester, so just focus on adjusting rather than grades. There are only a few special exceptions to this rule, like some pre-med students for example. Things start to pickup once you get beyond the typical freshman classes. Try your best, but don't go nuts if you can't pull off the grades you were used to getting in high school.</p>
<p>I never made brilliant grades in high school anyway... so THAT won't be an issue... after all, I did experience senior year grade slump... </p>
<p>I'm also doing pre-med... so THAT might be interesting.</p>
<p>I'll have at least one semester to pass/fail and find myself a really good tutor!</p>
<p>IMO, first semester is the worst. After that, you figure out how much you need to work to get the grades you want, and although the work gets harder, it gets easier to force yourself to do it.</p>
<p>is it possible to take the ASE in the end of the first semester, so that it's pass/no record?</p>
<p>According to the 2009 website:</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you pass an Advanced Standing Exam during Orientation, your permanent record will show a grade of "Pass" and you may not enroll in the corresponding subject for credit. If you fail the exam, nothing will appear on your record and you are encouraged to enroll in the corresponding subject. Advanced Standing Exams taken during Orientation or IAP will not count towards the freshman credit limit. Exams taken during the fall and spring final examination periods will count towards the freshman credit limit.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>But if you take an ASE during IAP, it won't count toward the credit limit and will be pass/no record (and you'll get a whole month to study for it!).</p>
<p>that's cool! thanks, molliebatmit!</p>
<p>i can exempt out of 18.01 and 8.01 because of AP exams...would it be a good idea to take advantage of this and take 18.02 and 8.02 first semester while they are pass/no record or will i miss out on some important things? my logic is that i can get the more advanced requirements out of the way while GPA doesnt matter, but i dont wanna end up getting to my major classes later on and struggle because i didnt get MIT mecanics and single variable calculus. Im a little skeptical on whether the AP requirements are enough.</p>
<p>thanks for the help</p>
<p>I had several friends do the 18.02/8.02 thing first semester freshman year, and they've never seemed to have problems (one is course 6, the other is course 5). </p>
<p>Personally, I'd take the AP credit and run -- I took calculus in high school, but took 18.01 because I wanted to make sure I was prepared. If I could do it over again, I would have taken 18.02 first term; IMO, 18.02 is easier.</p>
<p>I don't think you'd be missing much by not taking 8.01 and 18.01. One advantage: you'll be able to take 18.03 in the spring (if you want to do engineering, this is pretty important).</p>