<p>ok, so first of all WashU has been my top choice for a long time. was anyone else totally put off by teh january program initially? </p>
<p>Now that i've had a chance to cool off, i'm still kind of confused and upset but realize that this could be a reasonable option. can we talk specifics about what people are going to do in the summer/fall (like France) to keep yourselves busy? </p>
<p>Also: 1. are FSAP courses limited in what we can take or can we take whatever we please? 2. once we move in what is teh rooming situation (i.e. are all JProgs together or interspersed throughout freshman dorms) and are we "stuck" with each other? not that i doubt this is an awesome group of kids, but is JProg a hinderance in spreading out into other groups? 3. how do other freshman react when JProgs arrive? do they sort of look down on them as the bottom of the barrel?</p>
<p>sorry this is so long, any answers or advice would be great.</p>
<p>Hi, I completely understand where you are coming from becasue I went through it last year. I'm going to answer your questions as well as I can, but if you have more - please email me at <a href="mailto:acburman@wustl.edu">acburman@wustl.edu</a>, I'd love to help make the program as clear as possible. I know right now it seems frustrating, but the more you learn about it - the more I'm sure it will grow on you.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>FSAP is somewhat free, somewhat limited. You have one class (Introduction to Reading and Writing about Literature) that is mandatory. Everyone at FSAP takes that class. After that, you are free to choose from 4 or 5 other classes offered- usually Zoology, Chemistry, Calculus, and some history class. You are set into those options. I took the history class, and personally enjoyed them both. If you are thinking about premed- chem will be a great intro.</p></li>
<li><p>The rooming is up in the air. Two years ago JProgs were divided up, but everyone was living on the South 40. This year, because of some construction issues, all the JProgs are in suites together in the upperclassmen section of housing. I really cant promise you anything about what will happen with your class, but I hear that most likely you will be placed in the 40. No matter what though, I think you can make it work.</p></li>
<li><p>The January Program is still relativley new, but people keep learning about it. The ones who have no idea what it is might say some stupid things, but honestly, most people understand that January students are no different than anyone else. In fact, often JProgs are better. Consistently we have higher involvement rates and GPAs than the regular classes and you will get used to hearing "You're a JProg? I LOVE JProgs!"</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You are not the bottom of the barrel at all, even if you are mistakenly given that first impression. Pretty much, the university wants to take as many people as it can, so when a bunch of juniors go abroad spring semester, they invite 40 more people to come on campus. They choose January students because they know they will make the best of that free semester. I know its hard because you feel like you didn't want that option but its something we all come to terms with. If Wash U is really where you want to be, I promise you'll have an amazing time here no matter what. Yes, your experience will be different - but it could be better. Everything I've grown to love about Wash U, I was introduced to through the January Program.</p>
<p>yeahh when i first heard about the january program, i was really put off by it and frankly disappointed. all through senior year, i was longing to go back to washu (after i spent 5 amazing weeks there at HSSP over teh summer) and really it was a big letdown, because i really didn't know what to do over the fall.</p>
<p>now, i think it's really sunk in, and i like the options that i have. because really i have 6 months to pursue my own interests while the rest of the students are studying! i have the same questions as you, justwondering and sarasvati, thanks so much for your help!!</p>
<p>i think, if i decide to go to washu (which i really want, but i have to figure out what im gonna do in the fall first before my parents will let me) i'm going to do fsap in the summer, and then go study abroad in france for the fall. iheard some amazing stories and now, i'm soo excited for that. </p>
<p>it's weird because I'm actually really glad I am a Jprog now, because i think in the end, we get better options that the regular admits. and as for the bottom of the barrel thing, I kind of got that feeling too, but you know, doesn't amtter as long as you go there and show them that you're just as good and that you beloing there. i don't think it will be much of a problem really :)</p>
<p>so what are you planning to do this fall?</p>
<p>anyone have a list of abroad programs?</p>
<p>the more i think about it the better an idea it seems to go abroad for my semester.</p>
<p>yea i'm leaning more and more towards studying abroad, especially if it were with other JProgs so we would be able to meet people. What programs are offered? Would we still be able to do a WashU one even though were not technically matriculating until spring?</p>
<p>i don't think there is a specific set list of abroad programs, you just have to research and find one that really fits well. <a href="http://www.aifsabroad.com%5B/url%5D">www.aifsabroad.com</a> seems to have good ones, and that where one of last year's JProgs studied in France.</p>
<p>Yea i am thinking that going abroad is a really good way to spend th free fall =)</p>
<p>Sarasvati: Is there really that sort of distinction, where someone says "You're a JProg? I love JProgs!"?. I almost think I'd prefer it if we could just kind of blend in once some time passes and feel as if we weren't different than normal admits. Is it possible to get by without people even realizing you were a JProg admit?</p>
<p>Also, I'm going to be doing FSAP but am considering taking local University courses to prevent falling behind. I know this is possible and I should be in contact with an Advisor eventually, but what other methods are there to keep from falling behind? What did you do?</p>
<p>The distinction is only there if you allow it to be. If you don't want people to know you are a JProg, they never have to know. But, if it somehow comes up in conversation that you weren't at school first semester, and you want to explain why - know you won't be treated like you have the plauge. I mean, it's not like we all have to walk around with big signs over our head that say "JProg" and are quarantined, being a JProg isn't anything abnormal and it isn't anything to be ashamed of, its just something about you. </p>
<p>As for being caught up, you should end up being fine. I'm going to guess you probably have at least a few AP credits (you can transfer a max. of 15, I think) which gets you off to a good start. Then you have FSAP which is 6, if you do the fall class that's another 3, 150 hrs at an internship qualifies 3, and a university class at home would be 3 also. Even without AP credits that puts you at 15, which is the average courseload for freshman. Some people even take less, so you are fine. If you decide that a class at home plus an internship is too much, then you can make up the extra 3 credits at any time. </p>
<p>I did FSAP, the fall class, and an internship which gave me 12 university credits, so with AP's I was actually ahead of most of the freshman class. While its something that is perfectly normal to cross your mind, you have nothing to worry about. </p>
<p>Also, fun little tidbit- I don't know if you are as big of a dork as me- but I was really excited when I heard that January students register first for classes once they get to school. Meaning you are pretty much guaranteed any amount of credits you want, because you get any class you choose to take.</p>
<p>ok, so i'm not gonna lie. now that this is sinking in, Jprog seems like a completely viable option. </p>
<p>i love the idea of getting ahead on credits...i'm gonna start checking how many of my AP credits i can use (quick question: i have fives on five tests, but if i'm majoring in bio will i be able to use that AP score?). i think an internship or study abroad would be an awesome way to spend a few months, especially if it means more credits. also, i come from a jesuit high school so of course i'm immediately thinking AMDG, men and women for others (if you get it, you get it--always glad to find more jesuits; if not, oh well). last summer i spent two weeks in central america with seven classmates working with the people of a small town. even though it would do nothing for credits, etc., this would be the ideal way for me to spend the fall semester. </p>
<p>no real point to this post, just me wondering out loud (or in print)</p>
<p>another question (i'm home from school today, so i could get annoying):</p>
<p>mjinsoo mentioned the <a href="http://www.aifsabroad.com%5B/url%5D">www.aifsabroad.com</a> website. the opportunities there look awesome, but how does it work if you aren't yet technically a student at WashU? do you count as a "student"? i've only looked at teh site briefly, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows much about these types of programs. i'm gonna need to gather as much info as i can if i want to convince my parents to let me do something really cool. </p>
<p>oh, gosh, i'm getting totally into this jprog thing...</p>
<p>anyone know who you would contact at wash u to find out about credit transfers for aboard programs?</p>
<p>Harriet Baron @ 314.935.9521 or <a href="mailto:hbaron@wustl.edu">hbaron@wustl.edu</a></p>
<p>or Lorie LePage @ 314.935.6373 or <a href="mailto:lelepage@wustl.edu">lelepage@wustl.edu</a></p>
<p>technically, Harriet is the coordinator of the January Program.... but my experience is that Lorie has it together a bit more.</p>
<p>well the program says that it's for incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. we're technically a matriculated WashU student, so we can say taht we are gonna attend taht school. As far as I know, the aifsabroad programs are ok with that. previous washu students have attended that as well so i'm guessing it all worked out ok! :)</p>
<p>where are you planning to study abroad at?</p>
<p>i want to goto England.
My parents want me to goto spain and try and learn spanish =)
regardless they have agreed that going aboard is a good idea.</p>
<p>I sent an email to Harriet Baron and am waiting to hear back from her
anyone else contacted Wash U about going aboard? I am really curious about how i would apply to the programs (as a first time freshmen?) and would wash u mind being full time enrolled in a college aboard</p>
<p>yeah my parents are quite into me going to england actually! but i just want to go to french cuz i loveee it there, and it's gonna help me improve soo much!</p>
<p>well good luck with your study abroad!! :)</p>
<p>OK, so i have been talking to some people at WashU about JProg (ie administration folks) but am also interested in some feedback from any current students who are in this situation, know of other JProg freshman in this situation, or upperclass JProgs in this situation:</p>
<p>I'm planning on a bio major and fulfilling premed requirements. The premed track starts fall semester frosh year. People at WashU said I could fulfill premed requirements in 4 yrs, but that I might not be ready to take MCATs at the usual time and would have to wait another year. How will the January Program benefit me if I have to wait an extra year to get into med school? If i take classes this summer, this fall, and perhaps in other summers would i be able to catch up? I really don't want to feel like i'm playing catch-up for four years. I'm the kind of person who likes to feel like i'm ahead of the game. </p>
<p>Also, will AP scores help? I was hoping not to have to use AP scores (wanted to take stuff again in college esp sciences as a refresher). I have 5s in: US History, Biology, English Lang, Comparative Gov't and Politics. I'm counting on a 5 in English Lit and a 4/5 in Chem.</p>
<p>You can always take classes in the fall elsewhere, and if needed, take some summer classes along the way. The APs could help (especially US History, English, and Comparative Politics) to get other non-science requirements out of the way and free up those spots to take required science classes. I'd suggest calling or emailing someone involved with academic advising for premeds to find out more.</p>
<p>My suggestion would be to talk to a 4-year academic advisor, as pre-med advisors aren't assigned until majors are declared. Mine is Dean Kristen Kerth, all of her advisees are January students and you can reach her at <a href="mailto:kkerth@wustl.edu">kkerth@wustl.edu</a> or 314-935-6800. She would be able to give you the best idea as to what you need to do in order to make the January Program work with premed or get you in touch with who ever you need.</p>
<p>wait, so sarasvati...you're premed? if so, i basically have a million questions for you</p>