<p>I received invitations to USC's Thematic option and the Freshman Science Honors Program, and I was wondering...how hard would it be to do both? Would they interfere with each other? </p>
<p>Also, does anyone know what percentage of people that apply to the TO and FSHP get accepted?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>TO classes are worth it for students who would be a great fit for a small liberal arts college. The program (200 freshmen) is small and tends to attract kids who get into class discussion, love the intellectual nature of the other students, and like to read. It’s USC’s honors college for Gen Ed requirements, so while it is a lot of work, it’s not too hard for the kids invited in. And while some do complain about the time they spend on TO classwork, they don’t complain about grades. A’s are earned by many because the courses are not graded on curves. However, no one says it’s easy. There is a lot of writing involved and ideas are covered in depth by fascinating professors. My son particularly liked his TO classes in Neuroscience and Political Philosophy.</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t think we hear of many (any?) USC students on cc who have done both FSH and TO. My S (in SCA) is having a time crunch trying to do one TO class this semester at the same time he’s taking his very demanding film production sequence. Don’t forget, you’ll want some time to also have a life, do ECs, and maybe eat a meal here and there.</p>
<p>We don’t know figures, but I believe almost all students who receive invitations to TO and apply within the timeframe deadline, do get accepted.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decisions. TO was one of the best decisions my S made, and I was the mom on the sidelines suggesting it might be too much work. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks so much! I definitely really like the idea of TO, but I also think FSH would be really beneficial, so I don’t really know what to do there…but thank you!</p>
<p>If you are planning on majoring in one of the sciences or engineering at USC, and you did great in Science AP’s, I recommend the Science Honors classes. They ARE fast paced, and you do have to work hard[ the Physics honors classes use the same textbook as MIT!], but they have much smaller classes than regular intro science classes, better profs [if you have the chance to take the Honors Physics class from Bickers- leap at the opportunity!] and you’ll also meet some of the smartest kids at USC. The TO classes are terrific for those who would love really small classes, intense discussions and the chance to meet the best profs at USC, but LOTS of reading and writing is required. It is possible to combine both, but expect a lot of work right from the start. It is VERY difficult to try to get into TO classes later on, or if you did not accept their initial invitation, so my advise is to say yes, try them your first semester, and see how it goes.</p>
<p>My D has two friends in TO who were also in FSH last year. It was very demanding for both of them but they managed to survive and do well, as well as to have a decently active social life. Just two examples, but to show that yes, it can be done.
I second menloparkmom’s suggestion to try TO with SH, as you can easily change into GE the following semester if it doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>So how extensive is this Thematic Options program in the overall experience in USC? Is it something that only covers the Gen Ed requirements? For how long is someone enrolled in this specific program? Does it allow the students to transfer into other colleges as soon as it is finished? Thanks</p>
<p>TO is an honors alternative to CLAS’s regularly scheduled Gen Ed courses. Because TO only serves about 200 freshmen (as compared with regular Gen Ed courses which must serve the other 2600 freshmen) there are fewer options each semester to fulfill each GenEd requirement. It is more likely that you’ll see TO students from previous TO classes in your next class, but not guaranteed unless you arrange with TO friends to do so. Most students choose to take these courses in the first two years at USC because they move on to concentrate on their major (s) and minor (s) as well as travel for semesters abroad in later ye ars, but you may spread Gen Ed classes out as you like. TO does allow you to complete your 2 required writing courses Freshman year, while those taking non-TO classes can’t take the second writing course until junior year. </p>
<p>To answer your first question, Orange Duck, we’ve heard many students say that TO classes are some of the very best and most inspiring they take in their four years at USC, turning core graduation required classes into something very special. With fabulous professors, some undeclared students discover a passion for a major field they hadn’t experienced before. But many in TO are already very happy with their major/school and find the TO classes a rewarding way to broaden their education. It’s also a great way to meet kids outside of your major.</p>
<p>"while those taking non-TO classes can’t take the second writing course until junior year. "
This is NOT correct. See the following information about the writing requirement- taken from the USC Catalog
[USC</a> Catalogue: The Schools: USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences: The Writing Program](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2009/schools/college/writ.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2009/schools/college/writ.html)
“Students usually enroll in WRIT 340 in the junior year, and may not take the course earlier than their sophomore year.”</p>
<p>^^ thanks for the correction. Any idea why students “usually” wait to take it junior year? Just curious.</p>
<p>most students are busy taking prereqs for their major and other GEs during their sophomore year. also, perhaps most of them don’t want to repeat what they went through in writ140 so soon… lol</p>
<p>excellent reasoning josebiwasabi. ;)</p>
<p>^ another reason perhaps why TO has the nickname of Traumatic Option. TO students generally go through the writing two semesters in a row without a break.
At least it’s over sooner.</p>
<p>It’s over sooner, and students have a bit of an advantage over their peers for one and a half years. They’ve already taken the second course, so their writing is more advanced. That can really help in some of the other classes.</p>