So I’m in the process of registering for my freshman courses, and one course that is required is Mathematics for Economics I and II. However, in the event I’m not happy with this school and I want to transfer, I want to keep my options open. So for Cornell’s ILR requirements just as a random example, it lists “Your next appropriate level of math up to Statistics or Calculus (we strongly encourage taking Statistics, if possible)”. What would be the smart thing to do here? And of course, other schools might have different requirements. Should I take both Statistics and the required Math for Economics course? Statistics would be my 5th course if I were to add it in addition.
Unless you’re transferring in as a junior, few schools have specific courses that need to be taken. Most just want to see that you’ve diversified your transcript with a broad range of challenging courses. With that said, don’t stray away from the classes that are the focus of your education, which, in your case, I am guessing is mathematics. If, for example, you do apply to Cornell’s ILR school, then do more research and use the spring term to get statistics done, for applications aren’t due till March.
@CardinalZenn Thanks for the reply. I’m actually an Economics major. Would it be a detriment if I’m in the process of completing a course as opposed to having already completed it? The more “challenging” courses I can’t take until my spring term (I actually can’t take Statistics yet), and since they want to see challenging courses on my transcript, would I be at a fault if I took them during my application process as opposed to having already completed them? What does the timeline look like, do most schools wait for final grades until they finish reviewing applications?
@topimpabutterfly
A lot of schools actually have a mid-term report. Basically, you send them that with a professor’s informal rating of your academic performance, and, if admitted, you send in your official transcripts once those courses are completed. For my transfer process, I listed courses that I was currently in - enrolled in early January, to be completed in late February. I submitted my transcripts before I completed those classes, for the application was due March 1 (most transfer apps are between March 1 and March 15).
I got admitted and recently sent in my finalized transcripts to the college that I enrolled in.
I don’t know if they have a preference. Of course, it will look much better if you already got an A in a challenging course as opposed to having one that could change.