<p>I'm a sophmore mechanical engineering major at my university. I took 31 hours on my freshman year and then took Calculus 1 over the summer and passed with a B. When i tried to get the math department to override me for Calculus 2, the only class they could put me in is at the same time as some of my other classes so I'll have to take it next semester. With Calculus 2 i would have 16 hours but now i only have 13. Should i stay at 13 hours or try to add more classes for this semester??</p>
<p>I’d say you probably would be better off taking another class. You probably will appreciate more free time in either your most difficult semester or during the final year, when you will really appreciate having some extra free time for interviews etc.</p>
<p>Alternatively, check every 5 minutes to see if someone dropped a calc 2 section that fits into your schedule. There is a very real possibility that it will happen.</p>
<p>I would take calc 2 16 credits isn’t bad but if you think it’s to much drop a gen Ed and keep calc 2</p>
<p>13 credits is very reasonable for engineering. With 13 credits you will have a higher likely hood of doing well in each of your classes. Having 16 credits is tougher and you will need to have excellent time management. Check your future course because sometimes not taking calculus 2 could hold you back from future courses that have calculus 2 as a prerequisite.</p>
<p>Is there a different course you can take instead that fulfills some major or breadth requirement? Have you mapped out your remaining semesters to figure out what courses are critical for you to graduate on your intended schedule?</p>
<p>Given that you are in calculus 2 as a first semester sophomore, you are already behind, so it is more likely that you will need nine semesters to graduate. Taking light course loads increases the risk of needing a tenth semester, which may result in extra debt or even not being able to finish your degree before running out of money.</p>
<p>My kid can’t keep her merit aid if she doesn’t complete 30 credits per year. Do you have a similar consideration to worry about?</p>
<p>^ Thats a very good point about scholarship money and i agree that you need to look at how many credits you need to average to graduate on time.</p>
<p>I also agree with having more free time senior year to interview. Also, try not to have courses outside your major while you are interviewing. Those Social Science profs could care less about your interviews while your major profs will cut you some slack (the dept wants those new hire metrics)</p>