Overloading on units to make up for a lackluster first semester?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>I'm a freshman intended business major, and I didn't do as well as I would have liked academically my first semester. I took a computer science class because I was interested in CS, but that class took up an exorbitant amount of time that I could have devoted to my other classes. My GPA for first semester is below a 3.0. </p>

<p>Now that I'm not going to take a CS course, I feel like I can devote all of my attention to my other classes (Haas pre-reqs and breadths). I'm waitlisted for two classes, for a total of 18 units. Two of those classes are Econ 1 and UGBA 10. Am I making a mistake here by taking such a courseload? I feel like I must do this, and do well in them, in order to make up for my mediocre first semester GPA.</p>

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<p>To be honest, I don’t know anyone who has successfully redeemed him/herself after a disappoint semester. Those who tried usually overestimated themselves and took too many difficult classes. And of course, they ended up in a worse situation than they were in.</p>

<p>So, only do this if you’re completely confident in your abilities to handle this coursework. It’s probably a safer bet to take it easy and spread out your difficult classes instead of taking them all at once in hopes of impressing the Haas admission committee.</p>

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<p>I hear Econ 1 is a killer class. UGBA is tricky from what I hear, but not super time consuming…well according to my roommate who took it last semester.</p>

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<p>I completely agree with tastybeef. Taking 18 units, though manageable, is not the brightest move to make if you didn’t do so well your first semester. Your low GPA should tell you to take fewer units (maybe even the minimum 13, if feasible) and focus in those classes. 18 units will most certainly exacerbate the situation you’re already in.</p>

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<p>I second what Def890 and tastybeef said.</p>

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<p>Also agreed. UGBA 10 and Econ 1 will take up a lot of time. The CW on UGBA10 is not that it’s very difficult, but the curve is so crazy that you have to study a significant amount of time to learn every detail so you can get the ridiculously high grade you need in the class for an A.</p>

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<p>18 units can be managed. I did 18 units my second semester (spring 08, one unit was a seminar). It was okay except I had three lab courses. I would not recommend 18 units when there are more than two lab courses involved; however, given that you are pre-Haas, you don’t have time consuming labs to worry about.</p>

<p>You could managed to ‘redeem’ yourself with an 18 unit semester, but it depends on how determined you are. I was rather determined this semester to undo my summer blunders with ochem and stat 134, took 19 units this sem (fall 08, one unit was a seminar) and managed to get a 3.6something, mind that I took Bio 1A/L this sem.</p>

<p>One note, after you start taking >=18 units, you WILL miss the standard 15-16 unit load. 18 units is very manageable, but not very fun.</p>

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<p>I’ve seen this time and time again, and almost fell victim to it myself. Unsuspecting Berkeley freshmen who don’t know any better, taking challenging courses during their first semester in an effort to impress the all-important “Haas admissions” committee. They then end up not doing well, and instead of adjusting their tactics, they do more of the same and take even HARDER courses during their second and third semesters- proceeding to do progressively worse and worse. </p>

<p>They finally have the wherewithal to take a long, hard look at themselves and what they’ve accomplished in their first two years of school- and are discouraged. Not only are they unable to attain their Haas goals, but they’re saddled with a low GPA to boot. </p>

<p>They scramble to fulfill the Econ or PEIS requirements, and graduate with lackluster grades and accomplishments…and that’s IF they’re lucky. Other times, they become so disillusioned with their poor showing that they stop caring, and do as little as possible the rest of their time in Berkeley, resigning themselves to a “I wasted my time in college and am thus a failure” attitude.</p>

<p>Freshmen, don’t do this to yourselves. As much as it’s nice to think that college is about x, y, and z…it’s also about w. And that w is grades. If you’re intending on being a business major, make sure you either do well in your initial pre-reqs, or have the discipline to stop the bleeding early. </p>

<p>If you get a C- in your Math 1A midterm, and don’t foresee yourself doing any better on the subsequent midterms, then suck it up, change it to P/NP and move on with your life. Major in Poli Sci or something else and maintain a high GPA. I can’t tell you the wonders having a high GPA will do for you, NO MATTER YOUR MAJOR. In your second and third years, you can take Financial Accounting and Finance at the business school and still land a sweet internship. Believe me, I’ve done it. I was there. </p>

<p>Nobody wants a 3.2 GPA toting washout. Know your abilities, but more importantly, know your limits. Take the necessary courses to get that 3.7+ and see how many doors it opens. Trust me, take it from someone who is older, and has been there. </p>

<p>And most importantly, if you’re one of the practical, money-grubbing, social climbing students that your desire to major in business indicates you are-- BE SMART ABOUT IT (and don’t be ashamed about this, or let anyone MAKE you ashamed about it. It’s totally acceptable to be practical about college…tell those self-righteous snobs who look down on you to get a life) Don’t ask questions on college boards where people are going to give you bad advice. No offense to the CC crowd, but I’ve been on this site for 5 years now and can predict the kind of responses you’re doing to get. Be real, and be practical. There’s no sense in having practical desires in your real-world life, but being idealistic/unrealistic in your academic endeavors. Take the courses that will most help you achieve your ends. Whether this means taking the most difficult courses you can find (Math 104, CS 150), or the absolute easiest (Physics C10, Poli Sci 2)- do it. Just make sure you know what you’re taking, and why.</p>

<p>The #1 reason people don’t do well in college is because of course selection. It’s not because of partying, or poor social/study skills, or innate abilities (or lack thereof)-- it’s COURSE SELECTION. There’s no need for you to be taking CS 61A if you just have “an interest” in computer science. And furthermore, there’s no reason to take it for a grade. </p>

<p>College, especially Berkeley, is not a time to “explore your interests.” It’s a time to excel. Be the best in something, no matter if it’s Mass Comm, Legal Studies, or Art History- just be the best at it. Be practical. </p>

<p>I’ve sat in on many investment bankings interviews. While I do admit that my choice of major(s) is not your typical cup of tea for the banking world, I’ve never been given a hard time about it because I’ve also taken (and done well in) BA 102A and 103 (Financial Accounting and Finance)- the only two courses you REALLY need for banking. In fact, they respected me MORE because I pursued my intellectual interests/passion, as opposed to take the route that everyone else takes (Business).</p>

<p>Criticize me all you want, but if you want the formula to succeed at Berkeley, let me know and I’ll sit down with you one day at Strada and explain how the game works. I’m being totally serious, shoot me a private message, and we’ll exchange emails, and I’ll help you out as much as I can. It’s my last semester at Berkeley, and I want to spread as much knowledge as I can for the younger generations because I want Berkeley kids to succeed.</p>

<p>It’s not too late, there are things you can do to repair a bad first semester showing…believe me! But I’m not going to lie, one or two more poor semesters and you’ll be done for.</p>

<p>Disclaimer: this post is not intended for those who are in college to “discover” themselves and “learn as much as possible.” It’s geared towards those who want to succeed in the real world, and view their college degree as a means to that end. </p>

<p>Anyway, hopefully I was of some help. Feel free to contact me.</p>

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<p>That was a great post slicmlic2001. If you don’t mind, I would like to pm you with some questions and for whatever advice you have to offer.</p>

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<p>Eh? I took 19 units this semester (1 unit seminar), and my GPA is far far below my standards…My inclination isn’t to “redeem” myself through a heavier courseload…Hell no. I quickly found out that Berkeley doesn’t work that way. I suggest you take far fewer units, and pull off a 4.0. I’m assuming that will be more impressive than pulling a 3.3 with more units (argue with me if I’m wrong).</p>

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<p>^Inconnu, I don’t think that is accurate. I have not heard of any graduate schools or profession schools saying that.</p>

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<p>It’s better to show future employers/admission committee what you can do instead of what you can’t do. It makes more sense to take fewer units and get a high GPA than to take many units and get a low GPA.</p>

<p>Nobody cares if you get a low GPA because you loaded up your schedule with many classes. In the end, it’s just a subpar GPA that leaves you out of the competition. You’d just be another student who has a low GPA and plenty of excuses for it.</p>

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<p>“I can’t tell you the wonders having a high GPA will do for you, NO MATTER YOUR MAJOR.”</p>

<p>“Nobody cares if you get a low GPA because you loaded up your schedule with many classes. In the end, it’s just a subpar GPA that leaves you out of the competition.”</p>

<p>Yes.</p>

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<p>Slim posted one of the best posts I’ve seen on CC.</p>

<p>Although I already knew and agree with most of what he just said, his advice about which UGBA courses to take as a non-major was enlightening. Thank you.</p>

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<p>

I’m not too familiar with graduate schools, but I imagine that if you maintained a B or C average because you took 20 units every semester, there’s no viable proof that you’re any better than a B or C average, you know? I mean, if you got a C in CS170 because you took 61C, MATH 110, and EE20N, how would anyone know that you really are a genius when it comes to algorithms?</p>

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<p>That’s why you have to distribute your classes in order to give yourself the best chance to do well in them…this leaves nothing to question (on paper).</p>

<p>And this is coming from a “3.2 toting washout…”</p>