<p>I've taken AP classes for a long time now mantaining a 98ish average and have gotten a 2200 on my SAT despite not having english as my first language, so I consider myself pretty bright (although no genius). But I keep hearing that the honor classes are impossible. Although I think I can manage them, I'd just like to hear opinions from someone who attends them. =D</p>
<p>Actually, I don't think that the honors classes are significantly more "difficult," just a completely different set up. They are muuuuuch smaller, more teacher attention, and usually graded differently. Example: a normal class might test with multiple choice, whereas an honors might focus more on free response/papers/journals. So far, I've loved my honors classes a lot- you get to know the prof better, as well as the people in your classes. The only one that everyone consistently says to avoid is honors intro chem- most people APed out of it but are taking it again and the teacher is supposedly really tough. Ironically, teachers also tend to grade more easily in honors classes (see pickaprof.com). Overall, it's DEFINITELY worthwhile- especially because of all the honors program benifits like better advisors and early registration. Trust me, you will be soooooo thankful for early registration!!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. =)</p>
<p>If you don't mind telling, what major are you going for and what honor classes have you taken/are taking?</p>
<p>Im a psyc/hist double but im premed too... so im pretty much taking a wide variety of stuff. So far I've taken honors bio and Cornerstone, which is a really neat liberal arts "learning community" where we have different speakers and plan a university-subsidized trip to a place of our choice for Spring break. This year we're going to Berlin... But anyway, honors in college isn't quite the same as AP is in hs. I took six AP classes at a time there, but in college there is a limit to the number of honors hrs you can take honors. But i I can get some other people's opinions on a particular class if you'd like and I havent taken it. What major are you looking at?</p>
<p>That would be really neat. =)
I'm going to double major in Biochem/Genetics.
And I can also place out of the first two semesters of Calc and Chem, should I go ahead and do it?</p>
<p>Calc, definitely yes. Chem: it depends if you're premed or not and how good you feel like your hs teacher was. I personally placed out of it but am taking it again just because i need to know the material for the MCAT very well, especially because I'm a liberal arts major. Even if you are premed, you might feel like you know it backwards and forwards because youre biochem, and therefore don't need to take it again. Go with your own personal instinct on how well you feel you know it and whether it would benefit you to know it better or spend your time on something else that would speed your major. By the way, I have a friend who's graduating this year as a genetics major and shes really loved all her classes. Good choice. :-)</p>
<p>Thanks again for the information. I really appreciate the help. =)</p>