<p>How many courses should a freshman take?
I have 4, but many of my friends at other colleges are taking 5-6 classes.</p>
<p>Brown requires 32 classes to graduate. (for comparison, Yale is 36).</p>
<p>That would mean 32/4 years = 8 classes, divided by two semesters = 4 classes.</p>
<p>Sounds like you're on the right track to me. ;)</p>
<p>As much as I'd like to agree with limiting yourself to taking 4 courses in your first semester, you could try registering for 5 courses.</p>
<p>Then, as the semester progresses, you will get a better feel about balancing social life, work, clubs et cetera. If by then you feel it's too much, then just drop it. Remember, dropped courses will only show up on your internal records, not on the official transcript -- so you might want to take advantage of this policy.</p>
<p>i disagree.. as a freshman its hard to gauge how much time classes require.. overloading first semester could be a disaster for ur social life etc. If after one semester you feel like you can handle 5 classes, then go for it. but dont do it first semester of college.</p>
<p>One Brown class might not be equal in difficulty to a class elsewhere. Besides, here classes with labs, etc, count as one class, where elsewhere a chem lab would be considered one of the 5 or 6.</p>
<p>While i dont think you should take 5, you should definitely REGISTER for 5 and drop one at the end of shopping period.</p>
<p>Not true, ReninDetroit. Brown requires only 30 classes to graduate, but the "expectation" is that you will attempt at least 32.</p>
<p>I strongly feel that you should take no more than 4 class for your first semester freshman year (or 4.5 if one is Chorus etc). I've already spelled out why in great length in other parts of this forum so I'm sure you could find it.</p>
<p>And yes, I'm posting at 12:16 on a Friday night... I just had my wisdom teeth out this afternoon and CC is about as much excitement as I can handle right now.</p>
<p>Do you think I could get by with 5 if my 5th was the intro acting course, which is mandatory S/NC? I hear it's an amazing freshman course and not terribly strenuous, so I'd really like it in my schedule if possible.</p>
<p>Aerith-- that's impossible to tell without knowing what else your taking and the type of person you are, but the truth is, five courses is a pretty hefty load at Brown and while many take on that load, I know that I personally could not, even though going in I was sure it'd be possible. You're gonna have to find out for yourself. Also, I am pretty sure that class (Intro to Acting) is by audition, so register and attempt to get into it and if you do, drop another course that's always offered and easy to get into and take that some other time, etc.</p>
<p>Many people register for five classes only to drop one during reading period.</p>
<p>modestmelody is right -- it might be possible, but probably isn't a good idea for your first semester freshman year.</p>
<p>My son made the mistake of taking 5 courses second semester Freshman year. He ultimately dropped one, but beware. It is very hard to catch up with the classes you keep. Do not forget about labs that go along with the science courses if those are some of the 5. Also, mandatory S/NC doesn't mean anything, because you can take anything S/NC. Registering for 5 is fine, but decide really quickly which you want to keep. Good luck.</p>