Lots of Questions from a Soon-to-Be Quaker!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>A couple questions mostly related to scheduling, thanks in advance to anyone who can help!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>If one comes in with AP credit for Calc BC, Stats and Micro/Macro, is there any value to taking Calc 104, Stat 101, or Econ 10 (/Fnce 103)? I'm worried that there will be gaps that will come back to bite me later on, but I'd also like to have the freedom in my schedule (see below...). Also, if I don't take the above classes, will it be hard to get back into everything when I take BPUB 250, Stat 102 or Math 114/5?</p></li>
<li><p>Does anyone have experience with combining Huntsman and BFS/JWS? I was told there are some current upperclassmen in both, and I know at least one CC member who frequents the Penn boards is in M&T and BFS/JWS, so hopefully I can get some insight here :). Basically, just wondering how easy or difficult it is fulfill the requirements of both programs (plus all the other requirements) without taking like, 6 classes every single semester. And if one will hypothetically have a varsity athletic commitment on top of that, would that be completely insane?</p></li>
<li><p>One of the things that stood out when I visited Huntsman was how the class really worked together--they told me stories about studying for Econ 10 midterms in groups and everyone's grades going up, etc. Would being in different classes (the JWS sections of a bunch of things...like Fnce 103 vs Econ 10) and thus losing the benefit of the team-studying make learning everything significantly more difficult? </p></li>
<li><p>On a related note, do the JWS kids typically end up taking a good amount of the same classes together, forming study groups, etc?</p></li>
<li><p>Is Math 114 worth taking? I'm not super into math, but I don't mind it. Is it used at all in any of the Wharton classes? I've heard you don't really need beyond 104. They recommend you take it for JWS, but it's not required. I guess I'd say that if it doesn't come up later, I'd prefer the free space in my schedule to fit some of the other requirements (or maybe take an elective! Gasp!). Oh wait, what about Math 115, would that more interesting/useful?</p></li>
<li><p>Currently, I know for sure I'll be taking these classes first semester:
Mgmt 100
Hist 107
One upper-level Spanish class</p></li>
</ol>

<p>And these classes second semester:
BPUB 250
Another upper-level spanish class</p>

<p>I have two more classes to fill in for first sem and three for second. Technically, I can take six, but I'd prefer to have some semblance of a social life as I adjust. I will take a writing seminar one of the two semesters. Depending on what I decide about the first question, I could fill in the first sem with Calc 104 and Econ 10, or not. If I don't take Calc 104, I could take 114/5 in its place, or not (again). I should also take one BFS course (hopefully fulfilling a sector requirement), then I was hoping to start some of the Wharton fundamentals. Do the (tentative) schedules below look okay?</p>

<p>Mgmt 100
Hist 107
Span 2__
Fnce 103
Writing Seminar</p>

<p>BPUB 250
Span 2__
BFS Seminar
Mktg, Fnce, or Mgmt 101
Stat 102</p>

<p>Sorry for this epically long set of questions, and thanks again to anyone who can shed some light on any of them!</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>If you come in with AP credit for Calc BC, Stats, and Micro/Macro, I would say there isn’t any “big” value to taking math 104, stat 101, or econ 10 (fnce103). However, I do think that even if you come in with micro/macro and you are in bfs/jws, you are still required to take fnce 103. In regards to bpub 150, you should be absolutely fine without any of those courses. In regards to stat 102, it will be a little different. I know stat 101 was a lot different from the stuff i learned in AP stats, and stat 102 kinda built on it. However, i know a lot of students who didn’t take stat 101 and did pretty well in stat 102. In regards to math 114, i recommend you take it your first semester at penn if you are going to take it at all. Math 114 isn’t required for anything in wharton, except for the statistics concentration. You aren’t allowed (or recommended) to take math 115 instead of math 114. </p></li>
<li><p>I don’t have any experience with combining Huntsman and bfs/jws, but with 40 credits to graduate in huntsman, i would have to say you will have to take 6 classes for some semesters. Being enrolled in huntsman as bfs/jws student, as well as participating on a varsity team will be very time consuming. it’s really up to you whether or not you will be able to handle it, but from my friends involved in varsity sports, it basically takes up their lives. </p></li>
<li><p>No you will not lose the benefit of the team-studying because you will be enrolled in other classes that surround yourself with wharton freshman. Most of the people i studied with weren’t actually kids in my particular class, but kids from my cohort and down the hall. </p></li>
<li><p>I would say that JWS kids do end up taking a good amount of same classes together and forming study groups, but they probably won’t (and don’t have to be) your only study groups unless you want it that way. Penn is extremely social and you will most likely have study groups with a variety of people.</p></li>
<li><p>you don’t have a 5 :)</p></li>
<li><p>Math 114 is worth taking if you really enjoy it/want to pursue something in engineering or statistics. Other than that, it won’t be too useful in your curriculum. Please do not that if you take math 114, it can fulfill and science and techonology requirement in your GE’s.</p></li>
<li><p>You should look into Dr. Harkavy’s ABCS BFS course URBS 178 (at least that what I remember). He is a FANTASTIC and highly regarded professor. It is a great, great course and I highly recommend taking it. Your tentative schedules look okay, but I don’t think you can take finance as a second semester freshman.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>1.you’re pre-registered to fnce103. that should save you some sleep. if AP places you out, don’t waste your time.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>2 programs? do-able. varsity? pushing it</p></li>
<li><p>BFS are awesome people. get to know them -you’ll like the teamwork, especially if your alternative is to work alone against the curve.</p></li>
<li><p>yes</p></li>
<li><p>I took it. Hated it. Don’t see it helping anything but I have math minor + stat concentration still open to me so that’s nice.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I’ll let you figure your schedule out yourself based on your objectives and interests.</p>

4

<p>Math 114 really isn’t useful for anything in Wharton. It covers a tiny bit (like miniscule) portion of differential equations, a bunch on vector calculus, and then multivariable calculus (ie, cylindrical/spherical coordinate systems, green’s theorem, maybe stoke’s theorem?). I can’t imagine how they could really be applied in a business setting all too easily.</p>

5

<p>Wow, incredibly helpful answers guys, muchas gracias.</p>

<p>Mathmajor: Thank you so much for such a detailed answer! True about Fnce 103, Calc 115, and Fnce 101, those are all things I should’ve known (and definitely did, at one point–I’ve had an information overload as of late) and they’re correct. Thank you also for the course recommendation, I’ll definitely check that one out. My bad about the lack-o’-five :D.</p>

<p>Necrophiliac: Thanks to you too! Especially on the 114 part…I think I’m leaning away from taking it at this point.</p>

<p>TevashSzat: Ah, that’s what I was looking for on 114. I agree, it seems like there’s minimal carryover, if any. Thanks for your help!</p>