<p>So I emailed the college of my choice's administration today because I had a question about what classes I should take next year (im a junior and course selection is next week). I kindly asked what they recommended and if they could offer any additional insight and/or advice. Although they replied quickly, the answer I received was basically "i dont want to be bothered". They said that there was nothing they could say besides read the website (which I did and mentioned in the e-mail) and to take the most challenging classes. Well my question was about that! </p>
<p>Maybe this is how all colleges would respond? Is this normal or is it rude? maybe im just being overdramatic but the whole thing just really turned me off.</p>
<p>i wouldnt expect much more than that from anywhere to be honest, these people have enough on their plates. take courses that will interest and challenge you, and call it a day</p>
<p>Yeah, seriously, now is probably not a good time to ask, seeing as most college adcoms have 20 days of intense crunch time to make tough decisions. I would say ask after decisions are made if you feel like it's necessary, but seeing as you have only a week...
"take courses that will interest and challenge you, and call it a day"</p>
<p>If I were an adcom, my thought would be: "talk to your GC or read a book. I'm not your doggone google."</p>
<p>A good friend of mine mustered out of the Army after a solid career. He was being courted by the CIA for a lucrative position. After several interviews, he was to meet for another round. He was a single dad and his babysitting fell through. He felt trapped and actually brought along his youngster to his interviews. It totally killed his chances. It was thought: "This guy can't be resourceful enough to drop off his kid before an important meeting, he doesn't need to work for us". </p>
<p>Fair? Maybe not but that's how people can view others.</p>
<p>Show your resourcefulness by seeking info from the right and appropriate sources. </p>
<p>I'm surprised that somebody actually replied to your e-mail. Perhaps they thought you would be the kind of person that would keep sending e-mails until he/she receive a response.</p>
<p>Your best bet was to contact one of the college adcoms, but again such information is easily accessible online and that is if you don't have a guidance counselor.</p>
<p>How would they know which classes are offered at your school? Or what you're interested in? Or whether the teacher for a certain class sucks? Or anything that could help you at all? Ask a current senior. They've taken all of the classes and just muddled through college admissions. Besides, you don't want to make the college of your dreams think that all of your stats and ECs are just an attempt to please them. They want to think that you care about the subject material in the classes.</p>
<p>Let Me Clarify. I Only Emailed Them Because It Was An Application Requirement. They Have A Section To Ask For Such Questions So It Wasn't Totally Random. I Didn't Want Me Not Taking A Class To Affect Their Decision When I Applied So I Decided To Double Check.</p>
<p>I'd be pretty turned off too. Then again I've never emailed one so I wouldn't know. Can I ask how you emailed them, like what level of formality did you have? I need to email a college administrator too. It advises to on the websites so I don't know why they would be upset about an email.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Let Me Clarify. I Only Emailed Them Because It Was An Application Requirement. They Have A Section To Ask For Such Questions So It Wasn't Totally Random. I Didn't Want Me Not Taking A Class To Affect Their Decision When I Applied So I Decided To Double Check.
[/quote]
this is kind of harsh:</p>
<p>in case you didn't know, colleges despise when kids take classes for the sole purpose of gaining admissions into college. even though a lot of kids take the hardest course load possible with college admissions in mind they don't make it as obvious as you did that getting into the college of their choice is their primary motive.</p>
<p>by emailing the the admissions officer to ask what classes you should take you are essentially saying that you are just another resume builder. fyi, admissions officers hate resume builders.</p>
<p>also, just as a precaution, i would use a different email address when applying to the school...</p>
<p>The reason they won't tell you is because the website does. If it's a required course, it's a required course. You are asking them if you can be excused from their requirement before you even apply, and when they have no information on which to excuse you from the requirement. And your question, in that situation, is definitely one that is annoying - "Who does he think he is that he should be excused from a requirement? What part of required doesn't he understand?"</p>
<p>I just think it depends a lot on the personality of the person answering the email-try not to take it personally or let it reflect too badly on the school. </p>
<p>I emailed four schools asking if it would be possible to arrange a visit during the week that ends with 4th of July (would summer school be in session, etc.). The responses I received ranged from gushy warm to cold as ice. They don't know a thing about my son-he could be the top student in the nation for all they know. The response was just a reflection of the personality of the respondant.</p>