<p>Is there a limit to the number of classes that a student can take at one time at Barnard? Do most people take 4 or 5, or is it even possible to get away with 6? I’m asking out of curiosity, because the 9 ways of learning really do take up a lot of time.</p>
<p>I am a parent of a student entering her third year at Barnard. From my d's persepective, and from what I have heard from other students, the "nine ways" end up mostly being met as you take classes you would want/need to take any way. And there is a suggested upper limit to the number of hours or credit points taken per semester. Some classes are worth 1 (such as a dance technique class, for example), some 3, and some even 4. So it's not based so much on the number of classes...it depends on the classes you take. I think 13 hours/credits (what ever unit they use...sorry!) is the minimum for being a full-time student. You can go above that, but I know my d was encouraged to keep her load pretty light her first semester. She was actually glad to take more classes later on, and the lighter load that first semester allowed her to really enjoy the city and get her feet on solid ground academically.</p>
<p>I would NOT worry about the nine ways taking up "a lot of time". I have really never heard that complaint from a student. There may be one or two classes you have to consciously work into your college career, but in the end you probalby will be glad you took them!</p>
<p>Best to you!</p>
<p>Ditto! You want have a little slack in your schedule to allow you to weather that "perfect storm" of three papers and two midterms in the same week. Each hour of school is supposed to be two hours of home work, but the problem is that the hours are not spread evenly over the semester. One week can be relatively light and lure you into complacency and be followed by a horrendous week. To take a heavier schedule would require an extraordinary discipline to enable you to do homework ahead of time during the light weeks.</p>
<p>At first I was really concerned about the Nine Ways taking up a lot of time because I came in with absolutely no AP/IB credits. But it really is true that most of the requirements can be filled with classes that count towards your major or just interesting classes in general. </p>
<p>As for number of classes, most people take an average of 5 classes, but the system is really based on credits. I believe the maximum amount of credits allowed is 18/semester. If you go above the limit you need to get permission from your class dean. However, the type of class can also factor into it. For example, most science classes have a lab component which is essentially another "class" (usually 4-4.5 credits) and dance/music technique classes (usually 1 credit). </p>
<p>Also, first semester freshman year, you are are strongly advised to only take four classes. I believe you need permission from your advisor/dean to take additional ones.</p>
<p>Can the "Nine Ways" be fulfilled with AP credits? At many schools, the AP credits might allow admission to a more advanced class, but not fulfillment of the distribution requirements.</p>
<p>Dufay: I think that the 9 ways link somewhere else in this forum said that only 2 of them can-- the math and the language one.</p>
<p>To me, that sort of doesn't matter because well, i'm thankful to get out of math but i was going to take more language anyway. I'd be happier to get out of a science.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure you can get out of parts of the science one. It's all in that booklet they mailed us when we were signing up for courses. Or here: <a href="http://www.barnard.edu/registrar/AP_Credit.HTM%5B/url%5D">http://www.barnard.edu/registrar/AP_Credit.HTM</a> (if you're not an incoming student)</p>