<p>I have enrolled at Stanford and it is now time to embark on my journey of selecting some first-year courses. Most importantly, I am really torn between taking SLE or IHUM/PWR. I understand the basic differences of the program, such as housing, but would like it if more experienced Cardinals could tell me about the programs. Thanks in advance =)</p>
<p>For me, my PWR has been the best experience of the year. For many people, the writing assignments are annoying and lengthy, but depending on the course, the content can be really interesting and engaging. I would not have wanted to give up PWR.</p>
<p>With that said, IHUM is a pain, and the administration will likely be removing IHUM for the class of 2016 as a part of their undergraduate requirement shift. but IHUM is bearable enough (and requires little effort or work), so it is well worth having PWR 1. </p>
<p>I haven’t taken PWR2 (the sophomore course), so i can’t say anything about it</p>
<p>From the people I have spoken to, and I will say up front that this is obviously anecdotal and not scientific, NJDS is an exception. I find that most people are not fond of their PWR classes. Of course, I’m sure it varies by individual. Likewise, for IHUM, there are few people who actually enjoy their IHUM classes. </p>
<p>I’m in SLE, and you probably can or soon will be able detect my bias, but I love it. In fact, almost everyone who does SLE loves it. The same is not true for IHUM.</p>
<p>SLE is a lot more work than IHUM and PWR, but it has been an extremely rewarding choice. the course pushes you to think and engage more deeply with texts and really interesting ideas. I look forward to class and discussing the reading each week. Moreover, SLE is like PWR every quarter, but with more attention. You have several paper conference to discuss your writing, as well as a tutor who only has one or two other students. Really, SLE is supposed to be a more in depth, intellectual version of the standard track.</p>
<p>The reasons not to do SLE are
- it is 10 units, so leaves less room than IHUM would to take other things. Though, it also fulfills the PWR requirement for sophmore year. it also takes up a lot more time.</p>
<ol>
<li>Socially, SLE is a very tight-knit, intellectual community. I love this aspect of it and love knowing everyone in my dorm and being able to discuss books with them. However, some people want a dorm which is more extroverted (if that term can apply to a whole dorm. . . ) and which basically parties more. It’s up to you.</li>
</ol>
<p>To clarify the IHUM/PWR stuff, I’d say it’s hit or miss in terms of enjoyment and workload. I loved my fall IHUM, for instance, and it opened a lot of doors for me. The workload there was manageable. Though my Winter/Spring IHUM was enjoyable at times, overall I disliked it, partly because there was about 10 hours of work per week for it. Winter/Spring seems to be far less popular among students, although I hear now that introsems can be taken in the spring for the IHUM requirement. I’d say NJDS is correct for the most part in calling IHUM “bearable.” That said, many people get upset with it due to workload, poor grades, “cattle-ranch” feel, etc.</p>
<p>PWR generally seems to have more positive vibes. Again it’s hit or miss, but in the worst PWR classes you still get to choose your research topics (I think). PWR1 for me was awesome. Just the right amount of work, a great prof, and a really interesting topic. PWR2 was less so. More work, a dick prof, albeit still an interesting topic (I researched musicals on YouTube!). Both I’d say are useful classes. The same can’t always be said for IHUM. </p>
<p>In short, with the IHUM/PWR you’ll be taking a bigger risk. You could end up in awful IHUM and PWR classes. Or you could end up in some pretty dope ones. Most likely though you’ll get 2 good to great PWR classes, 1 good IHUM class, and 2 bad IHUM classes. With SLE you know what you’re gonna get (a good experience it seems).</p>
<p>I have really enjoyed all three IHUM quarters, and my PWR class this quarter has been absolutely stellar. I came here with relatively good writing skills, I believe, but they have improved exponentially this year, especially as a result of the PWR writing process and the amazing instructor. I think I would have enjoyed a lot about SLE as well, and I gave the decision a lot of thought, but I’m very satisfied with my IHUM and PWR experiences (plus I didn’t have to live in FloMo, which I admit was a SLE-deterrent for me. Those dorms can use some refurbishing IMO. FloMo’s dining hall is one of the better ones, though, so I guess it all balances out).</p>
<p>^ they actually did remake the lounges in East Flo this year, so it’s a little nicer. But valid point.</p>
<p>socially though, what is the experience like doing SLE? Do many people in the program have good friends outside of it, are there ANY parties in the dorm, what type of student (appox) is in the program… etc.</p>
<p>What are the outstanding Pros and Cons for both SLE and IHUM?</p>
<p>We should consolidate the SLE questions, all of which I would be thrilled to answer. I posted a brief overview of SLE in the SLE Experience thread.</p>
<p>My experiences: I enjoyed both PWR1 and PWR2, but it DOES greatly depend on what class you get/what prof you get. Obviously try and choose something you’re vaguely interested in. Choose your class before the deadlines so you don’t get assigned and screwed over.</p>
<p>IHUM/PWR classes in general greatly depend on your professor/section leader. In IHUM, if your section leader likes you, you’ll generally get a better grade. Most people complain about BHUM but if your section leader likes you, you’ll get As (my winter/spring TF liked me and I got As). PWR is the same way. If your prof likes you, you’ll get better grades.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about SLE.</p>
<p>I guess it mostly depends on the teacher, but how easy is the workload for IHUM and PWR1? Basically, I’m trying to decide if I should petition to change the quarter for my PWR1, since my winter quarter is loaded (Econ 1b, Math 51, IHUM, PWR1) but my autumn quarter almost empty (only Econ 1a).</p>
<p>I was a winter quarter PWR person, and I think that was the best time to take it. It’s really easy to coop oneself up in the library for hours if it’s 50 degrees outside. </p>
<p>I would say that the intensity of the workload will most likely depend on the rigor of your high school. If you are used to writing 5-15 page papers and reading a book every other week you should be fine. IHUM is around 5 books a quarter and 2 essays (about 5 pages each), PWR is often 1 required book and 3 essays (about 4, 8, 12 pages). IHUM essays are about texts you read for the class, though the PWR essays may require lots of outside reading. Or they may require very little- generally, the more primary source you choose to go, the less reading you can expect.</p>
<p>Can’t you take Thinking Matters in the fall? I have no idea how the new system works.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I did hear that, because of the nasty weather, the winter quarter is the best time to load up. I know that my HS is mediocre at best, so I’ll probably need to work harder than the other folks there. This year, they made it so you only need to take one TMat freshman year, and each quarter has different classes (don’t know if this is the same for the past years). I selected my TMat based on the class and the prof, not the quarter, but I’m pretty satisfied with it.</p>