<p>I want to double major in history and political science at tOSU. I understand that I need 50 credit hours for each major- totaling 100 hours if there is no overlap. I think that this is possible, but I have a few questions. </p>
<p>I don’t really understand the requirements for freshman. What classes do you have to take? Is there a required distribution? I’ve found the requirements for both majors, but I can’t find what classes students are required to take.</p>
<p>AP credits - I have a 5 in US history, Euro history, chemistry, and statistics. I predict a 4 or 5 in US Gov, Calc BC, Art history, English lit, Biology, and Physics C. I’ve looked at their credits and I think that I would get between 50 and 65. Can my AP credits fulfill any of the requirements so that I wouldn’t have to take science or math? Would I be able to graduate in three years with my AP credits and overlapping some of my major classes?</p>
<p>Oh, and how many credits are in a typical OSU history/poli sci class? I’ve seen 5 or 10 credits mentioned…</p>
<p>One suggestion is, if you’re interested in moving on to a top graduate program, don’t coast on your AP classes. Take a series of Bachelor of Science calculus and physics classes. It will definitely make an impact a few years later when someone you’ve never met is looking over that transcript.</p>
<p>Most upper level history and poly sci classes are 5 quarter credits.</p>
<p>BTW, while poly sci gets more attention, Ohio State’s history department is world class. Combining the two will provide an outstanding education and exposure to some of nation’s best faculty in each field.</p>
<p>Okay… I am looking to go to graduate school, so I will take more advanced math and science classes as well. But can I still use my AP credits to skip out of the easier classes?</p>
<p>I am an incoming freshmen who basically transferred in 62 quarter credits between APs and other college level work. Although I’m not an advisor, it’s really not that hard to figure out what counts for the gen eds. First, look at this document using your AP scores you know (and projected) to determine the OSU course numbers you will get credit for. Scroll toward the bottom for the AP information.</p>
<p>Then read the General Education requirements described in the following document. I suggest making an excel speadsheet by category (skills A/B/C, breadth, historical studies, etc), so that way you can keep it all straight. Be sure to read that there are some sequence requirements in science, i.e. either two physical or biological courses have to form a sequence, and you have to have courses in both areas. It took me a few passes before I got it all figured out. Oh, and they won’t take anatomy and physiology for full credit unless your course provided the opportunity to disect human cadavers. If not, you get ‘special’ biology credit.</p>
<p>With all your APs you will have a lot of the GEC credits finished. I think you have to complete all the courses for both majors on top of the GEC’s, but check with an advisor. My advisor is so incredible. I am so lucky to be going to Ohio State. You know, I thought I was going to go to a women’s LAC, like Wellesley, but I am so absolutly thrilled to be going to OSU. I hope you come, too.</p>
<p>At orientation your advisor makes a presentation, and goes over these GEC requirements really, really quickly. It helped me a lot to already be familiar with them.</p>
<p>Some of the LACs severely restrict how much AP and credit you can transfer in. The beauty of OSU is that, as long as they have an equivalent course and your credit can transfer, you get to use it. And that opens up so many possibilities for advanced courses, study abroad, dual major, etc etc. Why would you go anywhere other than OSU??? :)</p>
<p>Caolila, that is an extremely helpful response and exactly what I was looking for. I don’t know yet if I want to go to OSU… how did you adjust from wanting to go to Wellesley to OSU? Size is a bit of a deterrent to me. I wanted a small school, but I also want the great academics of OSU. </p>
<p>This is an odd question, but have you met non-sporty people at OSU? Like, nerdy people? I’m not a sports person AT ALL and I wouldn’t go to a football game, ever. I want to go to OSU for the academics.</p>
<p>I don’t know exactly how many credits I’ll get - haven’t taken six exams yet - but I’m really glad to know that I’ll be able to bypass a ton of GE requirements. Very exciting.</p>
<p>It’s tough to bare your soul on cc and my story is a long and bizzare one anyway.
Looking back, I cannot honestly even recall why I wanted to go to Wellesley other than prestige of the name and to fence for them (my coach knew their coach). It is a lovely place and they have a tremendous Russian program. But they said I wouldn’t fit in (they said I should be in a Div 1 school). Perhaps I didn’t fetch enough water to 3rd world countries to fit in there. </p>
<p>I’ve only been on the OSU campus twice but will be an OWL starting this Wednesday, for move-in on the 19th. During orientation my roommate was very different than me and she was in honors, I think. Neither she nor I are interested in football. I think you can find lots of people who aren’t sports crazy there. </p>
<p>Yes, I thought I wanted a small school, too. But small schools generally mean fewer things to choose from. And small schools can limit the academics, too. I once read that as a criticism of several LACs. For example, if a professor leaves for a year, well then tough you just can’t get that class.</p>
<p>OSU’s campus is big in size but already I feel like I have my home there. I think if you end up in honors you will be in a special dorm and there will be so many people like you that these questions and concerns will just melt away. For me, I am a fencer and I already have my home with the fencing team. But I am also looking forward to getting involved in a couple of clubs, maybe playing clarinet with a group, and meeting some other people, too.</p>
<p>Good luck on those exams and keep an open mind. You are in a great position regardless of how it all ends up. You will probably get good offers at several places.</p>