<p>Congrats to all those of Duke class of 2011. Got questions? Don't hesitate to ask! :) Sit back and enjoy the rest of your senior year!</p>
<p>Thanks!
Senioritis is already here!</p>
<p>I have a question about FOCUS.
Do you know what the typical schedule is for a freshman who chooses to enter the program?</p>
<p>oh FOCUS. It really depends on which one you are in, but generally it requires A LOT of writing...although I was kinda jealous when all of my friends were just writing papers and I was studying like crazy for my final exams.</p>
<p>Basically for FOCUS you choose 3 out of the 4 given courses for the program, and then choose one class to take outside of the program. Each class involves a lot of discussion since they are pretty small, and once a week you have your IDC, which is a dinner with your FOCUS group and professor. You also take a trip with your FOCUS...one went to Costa Rica, another D.C, and I think the rest to Beaufort, NC.</p>
<p>That's pretty much all I know, maybe someone else can offer better insight...</p>
<p>is there more work in focus? and is it hard to get into?</p>
<p>
[quote]
is there more work in focus?
[/quote]
There's a lot of work. It's hard to say if it's "more" work because it depends on what classes you'd take.
[quote]
and is it hard to get into?
[/quote]
No, unless you're going for one of the science programs.</p>
<p>Do you think you could effectively take a FOCUS course along with the engineering curriculum? Is it that time consuming where it might interfere with the strenuous schedule of an engineer?</p>
<p>Just a heads up for all you guys who just got into Duke. Don't fall into the trap of trying to do as many academic programs as you can. I know how you are incredibly psyched about coming here (and you should be, Duke's awesome), but you will soon realize that free time and a life is hard to find some time in college. Take it easy your first semester, you'll have plenty of time to take difficult courseloads later. Bluedevil1027-first congrats on getting into Duke! Second, I don't know much about the engineering program or FOCUS so I am not the most qualified to answer your question. There are easy FOCUSes and there are tough/time consuming ones, so it is tough to gauge. Engineering is very time consuming though. As a chemistry major, the only people I really have empathy for in terms of course load/difficulty are other science/math people in Trinity and anyone in Pratt (don't scream at me other students, I know that's not all encompassing). It is rigorous from the beginning. Be aware of that.</p>
<p>I know it's still fairly early for schedules. but how would this be as a freshman schedule??</p>
<p>1st Semester: (Math 32L, Chem 151L, Writing 20, Spanish 76)
2nd Semester: (Bio 26L, Math 103, PolSci 108, Psy91)</p>
<p>Assuming AP credit in Chem, Gov & Psych...</p>
<p>The only course on that list I've taken so far is Math 103 so I can't tell you exactly how hard those classes are except for math which really depends on the teacher more than the actual course. </p>
<p>Purely from the courses on that list, I don't really see anything that would be considered killers. From what I've heard, Chem 151 is challenging but it's doable, although I noticed you didn't plan on taking 152 in the spring. I would say don't plan so far ahead because you never know which courses are available and how things are going to turn out in the spring. </p>
<p>Also, you don't necessarily know that you are going to get writing 20 for the fall until sometime during the summer. Half the freshmen class gets to take writing 20 during fall and the rest during the spring. So you should also consider another elective to take if you end up having that slot open.</p>
<p>The first semester could be a lot of work to start off, but it's hard to tell for sure. I didn't take Math 32L, but I took math 103 and it was easily the most work and hardest material of any course I have taken. I was lucky enough to do well because of a good professor, but you might not get one depending on your registration period. I assume 32 would also have a lot of daily homework and difficult tests, and I think it varies a lot based on the professor.</p>
<p>I am not studying science so I can't comment on that, writing 20 varies by section/prof, and language classes are reasonable (although I don't do Spanish either). </p>
<p>For the second semester, I recommend psych 92 over psych 91 unless you have a very specific interest. I took 92 and it was one of my favorite classes so far (both count as intro courses for the psych major/minor).</p>
<p>CoolaTroopa- I actually think you'd be fine with that schedule for first semester...from a science major standpoint I'd be happy with it. 32L will be a lot of work...I didn't take it but my roommate did...and she had to do alot of studying and homework but ended up with an A. 151L, as has been said, alot of work but it's orgo. The only thing with the freshman section is I hear it's pretty cutthroat, but if you're dedicated to it it shouldn't be a problem. I just finished up Spanish 76 and I'd rightfully classify it as my "easy" class of the semester...nothing too challenging or anything.</p>
<p>2nd semester, as someone mentioned you probably do have to think about 152L, since it is only offered in the spring or second summer session, and in orgo the concepts really do build on one another so it's important to do that very shortly after. Math 103 is probably the hardest class I've taken at Duke...lots of homework...hard tests...but if you naturally get math you'll be fine as long as you do the work. Bio 26 I hear is tough as well. I'd see how 1st semester goes before making any choices about what to do second semester...see what you can handle.</p>
<p>What are you thinking of majoring in? Pre-Med it looks like?</p>
<p>the freshman orgo section is actually curved to a B+ just to help you guys out but you have to remember it's full of chem whizzes. I took Chem 23L this semester and I regret it so 151 is the way to go.</p>
<p>hey what math class should i take if i took Calc BC last year (got a 5)? it says on the sheet to take math 103. is it better if i take math 41 to review or just go straight to math 103?</p>
<p>oh, and also, can someone explain the AP policy to me? i read the sheet but it doesn't totally make sense to me. can i get my required classes out of the way w/my AP credits and then pursue a double major with the leftover space I have?</p>
<p>and do you need to pay more money for more classes?</p>
<p>1) It's nice to plan your schedule, but it's hard, depending on what window you have, to make it happen. So keep that in mind as a frosh. I know ended up with a completely different schedule than what I had intially planned. It turned out fine though.</p>
<p>2) I'm not in focus, but am friends with some who are. From what I hear it is A LOT of reading and writing, but if you do it all, you'll have the best gpa you'll ever have at Duke. This could vary between focus programs, but it seems like it is somewhat true.</p>
<p>3)AP/IB credit doesn't fulfill graduation requirements in Trinity (T-reqs as they're called). Basically it works as placement or at most two elective credits. SAT II's can also be used as placement so keep that in mind.</p>
<p>4) Twinkletoes23, go into math 103. Or at least don't take math 41. I took it this past semester and it is a ton of material in a short period of time. You'd probably do much better than I did since you've had Calc BC, but it's probably best to start in 103 and get it over with. Math classes through 103 are tough because of the curving and crap I still don't understand. </p>
<p>5) You don't need to pay more money for more classes. You just need permission. I don't recommend overloading first semester at all. Have fun and adjust. There is plenty of time to overload later with 5 or 6 credits (with permission).</p>
<p>Hope this answers some of the questions!</p>
<p>1) Yeah, I forgot to mention, if you are planning ahead for schedules, always have plenty of alternative because, unless you get the first registration window, odds are at least part of your schedule will need to change, especially if it's a class with only one section (orgo for instance) or a section that's really popular (aka the 11:05am lab vs. the 8:30am lab). </p>
<p>2) The AP policy for pratt is a bit more lax than for trinity. You are allowed as many AP credits as you can get with a few notable exceptions. </p>
<p>a) No AP stats credit, all engineers must take Stat 113 at Duke at some point.</p>
<p>b) No AP Physics B credit only AP Physics C.</p>
<p>c) No exemption from writing 20 even if you have AP English (either one)</p>
<p>d) Only two humanities AP/IB credits are allowed out of the 5 required for graduation (only applied to humanities not sciences :D)</p>
<p>e) If you've taken both mech/E&M of Physics C and for credit for them, then you need to take at least one physics course at Duke (usually either phys 63 or decline one of the AP credits and take 62 (fall) or 61 (spring)). </p>
<p>f) I believe you can only get credit for a non-AP course if there's an AP equivalent offered (at least I read that on the site)</p>
<p>Other than those exceptions Pratt takes all AP credits and apply them (whenever applicable) to your degree requirement. I think they did that to encourage dual/double majoring. </p>
<p>Also, remember to put down Duke when you take APs to have your scores sent or you won't get credit. And be sure to send in any scores from past years too.</p>
<p>3) Yeah, if you already did calc BC and did well on it then math 103 is fine, you don't need math 41. I have a friend who just took 41 and she said it was pretty pointless and a lot of work. If you are worried out about forgetting the stuff from BC, all you really need for math 103 are basic differentiation and integration, u-subbing, integration by parts, and knowing how to draw basic graphs. Knowing some vectors (cross/dot products) is helpful but not necessary. If you did especially well on BC and SAT II and want a challenge, you can go for math 103x which is honors 103 (I hear witelski is an amazing teacher). Just remember to email the teacher and get permission numbers early.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips about scheduling and freshman year!</p>
<p>I have a question about math placement.
Is there a calculus placement exam I could take to try for Math 103, or is it better to stick with Math 32 since my BC knowledge is mediocre at best right now (I always have the summer to review...).</p>
<p>I also have a question about AP credit...I'm planning on majoring in Bio, and I took the AP and got a 5 (last year.) I kind of want to refresh my memory with an intro class, so I can I decline the credit, or do I have to advance to a higher-level class?</p>
<p>we're going down swinging - you can decline the credit. It seems like a lot of people did that.</p>
<p>CoolaTroopa, there is no calculus placement exam at Duke, so my guess is that unless you have the AP credit or you plan to taking a summer calculus course at your local uni, you probably can't take 103 until you've finished the 31/32 sequence.</p>