Hi, I was accepted into both TO and FSH and wondering how big of a time commitment it is to do both. For context, I am premed, Trustee scholar, and have a strong foundation in biology (high placement in USABO). I’m not as great in the humanities but I’m interested in improving my critical analysis skills. Everyone I’ve talked to has advised me not to take TO but it hurts me to give up such a great opportunity. What do you think? How many hours is expected from each program/how many papers are there? Does anyone have prof recommendations for CORE 102 & 111?
Thank you so much!
Edit: oops, wanted to add that my biggest worry is not having enough time for extracurriculars/socialization/football games. I’m really want to still have the energy and time to have fun. My other primary interests are research and club sports.
I can’t speak to FSH but I took CORE 102 with Professor Kemp and it was very little work. There were two papers and two midterms, but as long as you paid attention in class, you didn’t need to do any of the readings. CORE 111 is a lot more work, there were six papers in total. However, even WRIT 150, the regular writing seminar, is a crazy amount of work, so I don’t think it makes a difference. Also, with TO, you get your second writing requirement out of the way freshman year as well, whereas otherwise, you’d have to wait until junior year to take WRIT 340.
Like I said, I personally didn’t do FSH (I was in SCA), but some of my friends did, and we all had time for extracurriculars and football games. Tbh, I feel like college students always manage to make time to socialize and have fun, so that’s not something I’d worry about.
My daughter was in FSH this past year and it is intense and a lot of work. Having 2 sciences with labs takes a of time, since in addition to lectures 3 times per week, you also have a 3 hour lab each week plus SI sections if you go. You are definitely with very smart and intense kids in FSH, but the classes and labs are small and the curves are pretty good. I don’t know a lot about TO, but if you are a good reader and writer, I’ve heard good things about the program. You would be taking a GESM and a WRIT 150 anyway, along with other GEs, so it’s probably similar work-load wise either way. I have read that is definitely possible to do both FSH and TO. You’ll just have to manage your time well.
my DS was also a Trustee Scholar and did both FSH and TO classes.
He met some of his best friends at USC in those programs.
the small class/ lab sizes in both, and the chance to meet other really smart students make taking them a HUGE ++ , and as a Trustee scholar, you should be able to handle both academically and time wise.
congrats and fight on!