<p>I have heard a lot about the grade deflation, I am just wondering how hard it really is. I guess my question is if someone who is naturally pretty smart (above 1400 SAT), has taken 6 IB classes both junior and senior years, puts in a good amount of work and stays focused and takes a well-planned courseload, would getting a 3.5-6 be out of the question?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Depends on the courses you take. Just remember - you will be going to school with an entire student body that had 1400+ SATs and good GPAs in high school. Wake is known for tough grading and the first year seems to be the toughest until you become acclimated to what is expected. That has been my Ds experience and I have heard the same echoed from other Wake students (especially in the Sciences)</p>
<p>If you stay focused and don't let yourself get behind it is doable, according to my son who just finished fresh. year. Biggest thing he said was keeping up with the reading, not putting off papers, don't miss class and ask for help if and when you need it. He finished with a 3.7 for first year in pre-med curriculum, but he also said he did more homework 1st semester than he did in 4 years of high school combined. And yes, Marylandmom is right---you are no longer top dog--just one of many. That was an adjustment for him as he was always viewed as one of the brightest at high school. By the end of the year though he had realized that some students were very gifted in one area while others had strong talents in a different area---he found that he too had areas where he could shine :) and you will too!</p>
<p>It's doable. You just have to work on your time management skills, prioritizing what needs to be done when and blocking out time and eliminating distractions so it can get done. Keeping up with the reading is a big one. Don't put it off till you have 300 or 400 pages to read in a short time before the test.</p>
<p>And it may make some adjusting. My grades improved a lot second semester over first semester. All my grades this time were pretty high except orgo, which killed my GPA (I'm just horrible at chemistry though.)</p>
<p>juba:
were there any kids in your orgo class who didn't take gen chem at wake b/c of ap chem credits? if so, how did they rank amongst the class? I am debating whether or not to take gen chem again and get an easy A, or go right into orgo so that it's one less chem class on the way to being a (most likely) chem major. btw i took ap chem junior year so there will ultimately have been a year and a half layoff since i took chem when i get to wake. what are your thoughts?</p>
<p>When my son questioned Wake about retaking classes that he had taken as APs in high school, this is what they told him: If you take the test and place out, you may not retake the course for credit. A friend of his placed out of intro chem, went into orgo first semester and did well.</p>
<p>well i guess that settles it. ill be taking orgo</p>
<p>I generally found that orgo had little to do with gen chem (I have taken and lived through both semesters of organic chem). I took gen chem at Wake, but I really don't think that it would've helped or hurt if I'd been able to start directly with orgo I. Organic chem (particularly orgo II) to me felt like an entirely different subject than gen chem, and I don't think that it'll be much of a problem that it's been a while since your last chem course.</p>
<p>And, the book that the orgo classes use is wonderful and is really good about explaining concepts from previous courses.</p>
<p>mbtennis,
Don't just take my word for not receiving credit if you have placed out. You know how schools change requirements and rules from year to year, so if you are on the fence, give Wake a call and find out for sure about upcoming year. Good luck on which ever you do, I'm sure you will do well with either senario.</p>