<p>Wherever you go, the first two years tend to focus more on a liberal-arts style core-curriculum, but you generally take some classes in the field you like. Personally, I'm interested chiefly in Neuroscience and Computer Science, followed by Nanoscience and Psychology, though I also would like some courses in languages and music, perhaps even studying abroad.</p>
<p>What can I expect from my first two years though, given that I will be coming in with substantial IB/AP credit? Will I be able to take a good selection of CS and Psych courses, or will I still be doing mainly cores? I'm trying to decide between Tech and Emory's Oxford, where I wouldn't have as many opportunities the first two years, and the amount of actual involvement those first two years is crucial for me.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any help that you can give!</p>
<p>I can only speak for Computer Science and the fact that I came in with a decent number of AP Credits. Unless you took AP Computer Science or test in to 1331, you will have to start with 1301 for CS. I took 1301 first semester, now I am in 1331. I am going to be starting my second year at Georgia Tech in the Fall and I will be adding 2 more CS classes to my schedule, not counting Calculus for CS majors. It doesn’t look like the load will be lessening any time soon. I will be choosing CS specialty courses in the spring semester of my second year so I would say in my first two years I will have plenty of involvement in to my major.</p>
<p>The only ‘core’ classes that I will have taken that I didn’t already have credit for are Health, ENGL 1102, MATH 1501 (which i retook even though I had credit) and 1502, and a lab science. Every other class has been directly related to my major and I am almost done with basic requirements. I will hopefully be starting to Co-Op soon and I am still definitely considering studying abroad. If you come in with a lot of hours and exempt most of your social sciences, calc 1, english 1 and even a lab science, then you will be 100% a okay.</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s true (only freshmen LA requirement is English).
Emory would be excellent for your overall goals, but starting at Oxford will make it hard for you to jump right into your interest. Tech would make more sense. If you were coming to Emory straight up, then you would be able to do what you want in your first 2 years. We have GERs, but you can essentially take them whenever you want. You can start the neuroscience courses right away. Like, maybe NBB 201 or NBB Stats (along w/a CS class if you want) freshmen year (though ideally, you’ll have it w/bio and chem). Many people do that. If you’re really bold, I guess you could travel to Emory to take such NBB courses alongside the Oxford core. Or you could go to Tech and cross-enroll at Emory. Again, unless at Oxford, you don’t have to a first two years that is liberal arts intensive. Tech may make more sense if you are concerned about that, though it is very tempting to go there b/c you can then do NBB, and psyche here.</p>
<p>Also, sense Oxford probably excepts more credits than Emory (we now only take 24hrs or 6 classes worth), it may be possible for you to transfer/graduate out early if you are able to complete the Oxford GERs. Given that, you’ll get to Emory earlier. Just make sure you have bio/chem under your belt before doing NBB or Psyche (also, you may want to do psyche 110 at Oxford, it’s pretty tough here, but then again, the major is not easy anyway, so it may be better to get acquainted with it).<br>
Your interests are just so weird b/c, Tech is really good in two of them (actually neither has undergrad nanoscience, however we both have a great amount of research ops. in it), and Emory the other two (actually nanoscience is more or less shared).</p>
<p>Thanks for the detailed responses, both of you.</p>
<p>@Bernie12: To be honest, I’d prefer to go to Emory over Oxford, but Emory’s financials don’t work out whereas I’d have the Oxford Scholars program. With that, I’m getting a good deal for both schools but I do have to go to Oxford four full semesters, which is what bothers me (though I don’t know about concurrent classes). I’m trying to decide if the financials justify two core years which I’d rather no be hemmed in to. I mean, I do get to go to Emory in the end, which I prefer over Tech, but I’m not sure if I can justify the later start on my major, especially given that I’m interested in more than one narrow area of study.</p>
<p>To be honest, many/most people won’t start the real neuroscience core until junior year. If your really serious about doing the psyche and NBB at Emory, hit the ground running at Oxford and take psyche 110/111 along with gen. bio, gen. chem, (and physics if you can), and your calc. classes (if no AP) within those two years. Take some psyche electives sophomore year if offered at Oxford. Once you get to Emory, take NBB 301 in the fall (with the simulation lab since you are interested in CS) and maybe another psyche/NBB elective(such as NBB stats or physical biology if offered, but this class is really hard/time consuming, but will add to your computational neuro background), maybe NBB 201 spring (or do physical biology spring, and NBB 301 and 201 at the same time b/c 201 is quite easy, or even reserve 201 for senior year since the cores have to be taken in no order, and take something like cell bio w/301 instead). </p>
<p>NBB has so many electives in the psyche dept. that you can start at Oxford trust me.</p>