Realistic schedule?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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<p>Hello all! Posted here before and got some good answers to my questions so I thought I’d try it out again!</p>

<p>I am an incoming freshman this fall and want to know if what I have planned is realistic both in terms of workload and actually obtaining a spot in the classes I want (I’m orientation 104 by the way). I am undeclared, but highly probable to go into the life sciences for my major (north campus major a maybe). </p>

<p>Neuroscience is one major I am considering most at this time (and yes, it changes often). On the website for neuroscience at UCLA, they suggest this schedule for your first fall quarter:</p>

<li><p>Math 3A</p></li>
<li><p>Chem 14A/20A</p></li>
<li><hr></li>
</ol>

<p>3 with the blank being a random GE I’m guessing. I would probably try and make it an easy class. What I’m wondering is if starting college with a chemistry and a math class is a realistic thing to conquer. </p>

<p>Also wondering if Math 3A might not be required for someone who did well on their Calculus AB exam?</p>

<p>I’m also still struggling with deciding a major (I’m undeclared) so any input on a better major choice for someone who is not all that into math, but has a passion for science and writing. I definitely have a drive within me to go to med school, but if that doesn’t work out I want to have a major that can get me places. At the same time though, I want to enjoy college, and maybe neuroscience is too rigorous a major? Idk. That’s where you guys come in. If anyone can give me input into any major that I might consider that would be awesome and much appreciated.</p>

<p>As usual, sorry for the long post, eagerly awaiting some responses! :)</p>

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<p>having chemistry and math together is what most south campus majors do their first quarter. its conquerable</p>

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<p>especially since you're doing the easier 3 series. not sure what chem series you should choose- 14 is easier, but doesn't count for all majors, and since you change your mind a lot you might want the 20 series. it's harder, but all majors accept it.</p>

<p>pick some easy GE like music history 5 or whatever else you might like. the schedule of classes has a great tool where you can search for GEs offered in fall, sorted by the specific foundation category you're looking for. go with something not sciencey to balance out your courseload. and don't forget about fiat luxes, some of those can be great especially when you're still settling on a major.</p>

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<p>courseload is fine...especially 'cause you're only taking three classes. take 20A, though. don't worry about not getting your classes, either, just have some flexibility.</p>

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<p>20A? Are you sure you don't want to do engineering or physical sciences? If you just want to be some sort of LS major, I'd just settle on the 14 series. As for considering neuroscience - if you haven't checked out this website, here you go: Life</a> Sciences Core Curriculum Basically, the first two years are the same so you have some time to figure out what you want to do within the LS department. </p>

<p>Passions for science and writing... well, do you have any idea of what you want to pursue in the future in terms of careers? Like if I wanted to go to law school, I would just settle on the history major since it's not too bad to secure high marks with the right choice of professors and it would be just too difficult for me to get PoliSci classes and it's almost too late for me to switch to the English major... You can cultivate your writing interests with say, the English minor while completing a South Campus-y major. </p>

<p>You're going to have to complete a series of GE courses. The lower-division courses like Chem 14A and LS 1 and some of your GEs even will count towards either your GE requirements or your lower-division requirements for your major. So, you do have some time to figure out what you want once you've tested out some courses. </p>

<p>You can worry about Neuroscience when junior year approaches... as for a major that 'can get [you] places' - if anything though, internships would make the difference.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the responses! But with all good responses come more questions:</p>

<p>silly101 - Thanks for your reassurance, sounds like its definitely doable with 3 classes. So is 4 classes the norm at UCLA on the quarter system?</p>

<p>liyana179 - Thanks for the input! I've actually been using the schedule of classes thing to look into the teachers and such already, so yeah...and as for 14A/20A, I should have just put 14A up there cause that's what I'm considering the most strongly as of now. I had the impression that 20 series was only really more useful/required if you were an engineer or physical science major, which doesn't really appeal to me much. I mean, as much as my mind changes, its possible I could get into chemistry and such, but I would guess I will stick more to the life sciences and maybe even a north campus major. But lmk if I'm wrong and there is some other reason to take the 20 series over the 14. (Like what majors besides physical sciences and such does it apply to? north campus? idk)</p>

<p>toxic_waste - ok cool, so 3 classes is not that many? sounds good then, and like liyana179, what is your reasoning behind picking 20 series over 14?</p>

<p>mme-lin - Thank you! Very helpful! Your thoughts match up a little more with what I've been thinking. The 20 series I always thought of as a vehicle for getting into a physical science, and while I've thought about chemistry/biochemistry, I soon realized it was just too much math for my liking, I'm more into the concepts and such behind life sciences. Most likely this is a result of my goal to pursue a career in medicine.</p>

<p>So, to answer your questions mme-lin, I am definitely leaning towards 14 series as you said cause physical sciences are not my interest. My goal is to pursue a career in medicine (possible become a surgeon if I feel up to the extra schooling later on; I know--very ambitious, but it's always fascinated me). I like that English minor idea. Although now that you see I might do pre-med, you think it could be smarter to do a north campus major like English and just have pre-med courses on the side? That's once plan I've thought about, but the problem for me is that I've always considered science my main passion so It'd be hard to focus primarily on something else. And yeah, I've been checking out the GE reqs and looking at certain non-science classes to take...maybe now I should look for ones that might channel into an english minor? Idk, thanks for all the input though and lmk if you can provide any more insight, it's very helpful!</p>

<p>Thank you everyone! I know no one except I can decide my major, but any accounts on ones own experiences in a certain major I'm considering (Neuroscience) or not considering (other life sciences, physical sciences?!?, or north campus majors) are very helpful in influencing my decisions! I know it's up to me, but I like to see other people's perspectives as I can't be blind in this! What do you suggest for an aspiring pre-med who doesn't want to put TOO much strain on himself? thank you :)</p>

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<p>Yes, go ahead and pursue the English major with pre-med courses. You don't have to be a science major to be pre-med. Science can be your 'passion' - doesn't mean you have to cultivate it beyond those few years of pre-med requirements. In the worst case scenario, you'd switch majors and complete some English courses on the side. I don't think you realize but English 3 --> 4W --> 10A --> 10B --> 10C must be taken in that sequence... 10B is needed for 10C and 10A is needed for 10B, etc. So, it actually buys you some time. Of course, you can petition to take some upper-division English courses without say, completing 10B or 10C... that's another issue though. </p>

<p>Introduction</a> Page Template</p>

<p>^Check out the requirements for the English minor, major, etc. </p>

<p>Neuroscience is one of the smaller LS departments and the professors/graduate students/undergraduates have a pretty close knit circle. Everyone loves Scheibel and a rite of passage is neuroscience coloring books. Yeah... Oh and UCLA is pretty much super awesome place to pursue Neuro! Just saying... I came in as a neuroscience major surprisingly and found out I couldn't stand South Campus enough to pursue a health care profession so that I would just bite the bullet for the SC experience/lifestyle. </p>

<p>Pre-meds who doesn't want TOO much strain? Pre-med is enough stress... there's no way around it really if you're serious about it.</p>

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<p>Oh I'm pretty serious...that's why I capitalized the TOO, cause I know there will be too much stress, but hopefully not TOO much! haha, well I'll consider the english major, but idk...cause I know pre-med will be hard, so I'm trying to pick a major that either is hard and worth the effort as it strongly sparks my interest (which is what I'm thinking Neuroscience would do) or something less difficult so I could focus more on idk, life? Jusrt trying to get a sense of the difficulty levels between neuro/other life sciences vs. north campus majors and such. Don't get me wrong though, I don't want the easy way out, I just want the right way. I will do the more difficult major if it is what I feel is better for me, I just haven't reached that point of deciding yet.</p>

<p>And wait, could you rephrase that last part of your second-to-last paragraph? I can't seem to make sense of whether you are still a neurosci major or switched? Idk, enlighten me, the wording is off for me, or maybe I'm just dumb. And if I understand correctly, you're saying Neuroscience is a good major to pursue if you're into it?</p>

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<p>You'll figure out what you can handle after a few quarters here. No one will be able to judge except for yourself.</p>

<p>I came in as Neuro. Lost interest. Now, I'm North Campus. Didn't want to be South Campus. Had very little incentives to continue that route seeing that I wasn't interested in engineering, health care professions, and other career options. So, it made no sense for me to continue the South Campus route(s).</p>

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<p>well, if you've already ruled out any majors requiring the 20-series, then go for 14. the only purpose is flexibility.</p>