<p>I'm going to major in engineering (Biochemical). Is it very challenging to get a good GPA (like a 3.6+?) at USC? Can my test scores or HS GPA "predict" how I will do at USC? (Don't criticize me please if this question sounds stupid :X I just really want to know the difficulty of USC.....)</p>
<p>When you choose your orientation workshop, maybe you should choose
That would be a good question to ask the panel.</p>
<p>Is there a reason you need a 3.6? (For grad school applications… to keep a merit scholarship… something else?)</p>
<p>whats your major?</p>
<p>I’m going to major in Chemical Engineering. (Biochemical) and I will possibly switch to Environmental Engineering.</p>
<p>Viterbi is notoriously hard but that’s not to say that people do succeed in it. I know a lot of Engineering majors who have over 3.6 GPAs and a lot of them have fairly normal social lives (many are in fraternities) but serious work ethics. Unlike other majors, I would say Engineering is less forgiving, you really need to stay on top of your material or else you’re going to run into trouble. I know a lot of people who are struggling with 2.5 (which is around the average) because they just weren’t ready for the workload. I would say in those cases maybe Engineering really wasn’t for them.</p>
<p>^then maybe I shall switch my major after the fall term…:S I’m so scared now!</p>
<p>I also have this question but for the Biological Sciences Major because im Premed. </p>
<p>How hard is it to get a 3.6+ GPA doing Premed at USC?</p>
<p>qzar, when does the workload peak? I.E is my 1st year going to be as much work as my 4th? I’m majoring in computer engineering. Thanks</p>
<p>you do know you usually have mostly GEs your first couple years right</p>
<p>i talked to a premed advisor and he said most premed take only 1 GE each term and that my schedule would look something like this. </p>
<p>Freshman Year
Fall- Chem 105A, Math 125, GE, Seminar= 14 units
Spring- Chem 105B, Phy 135A, GE, Seminar= 14 units</p>
<p>Sopomore Year
Fall- Bio 120, Phy 135B, GE, Seminar= 14 Units
Spring- Bio 220, Chem 322A, GE, Seminar= 14 Units</p>
<p>Junior Year
Fall- Chem 322B…then its very flexible from hear you can take Upper division courses or easy GE so that you can have more time to study for MCAT</p>
<p>From what he said the reason im taking physics starting spring of freshman year is that it the most flexible course meaning it is offered both semester unlike both sections of the Biology Series which are only offered in one semester or the other or O-Chem which requires G-Chem. Also because it is very recommended that I finish all my premed prereq. before the MCAT which is in the spring of Junior year.</p>
<p>kmzizzle, my first year is going to be something like engineering 102, EE 106L (electrical engineering), either differential equations or calc 3 (assuming I 5’d the Calc BC test which I am confident about), GE VI, and writ 140</p>
<p>How much homework am I looking at with those classes? Social life?</p>
<p>TrojAndrew: remember if you get a 5 on Calc BC they decide on a case by case basis whether to waive math 126 for sure they’ll wave math 125</p>
<p>Hm, how do they decide? I had calc AB junior year and calc BC senior, got straight A’s in them, and got a 5 on calc AB, and assuming I get a 5 on calc BC, and I got a 38/40 on the math placement exam.</p>
<p>And maybe a 5 on Physics B junior year will help?</p>
<p>Out of all the schools at USC, incoming Viterbi students have the highest high school GPAs. And out of all the schools at USC, Viterbi graduates have the lowest GPAs. It’s a tough life, no doubt about it. But the valedictorian this year was an engineer, with a 3.98 and crazy awesome involvement.</p>
<p>Engineering is going to be hard anywhere you go. Focus more on learning the material than worrying about grades. Grades will be fine if you know your stuff.</p>
<p>Re: pre med schedule, I wish I could only take 14 units a semester…</p>
<p>I’m definitely one to put understanding before grades. Bothers me when people cram/memorize, take the test, and then forget it a month later, but still leave with an A.</p>
<p>And can anyone give an idea of how much work I’ll be facing with the classes I listed in post #12? Couple hours a day?</p>
<p>Depends on how fast you work. I know for writing, you have an essay due about every two weeks. For math: depends on whether or not homework is worth points. If it is, then more homework. If not, you probably won’t do it. ENGR-102 has very little to no outside work. EE-106, no idea, but expect a decent amount of homework, probably due once a week or less. Your GE workload will depend on what it is.</p>
<p>Alright thanks. I should be able to handle that.</p>