Hi, I just have some questions about the Thematic Option. I just got a letter today telling me to apply for it but I’m still not sure if I should apply for it or not. I heard it’s extremely reading and writing intensive and much more time-consuming than GE courses. Unfortunately, I really don’t like reading classic literature and writing essays and papers is probably my least favorite thing about high school. During my high school years taking English classes, there has only been one book I enjoyed reading, which was The Kite Runner. The rest of the literature I had to read, such as Shakespeare plays and Huxley novels, I dreaded reading and especially dreaded writing essays about them. I’m much more of a STEM person, but even though English and social studies classes in high school are my least favorite classes, I still do well in them (taking all AP classes senior year, 4.0 UW). I heard that Thematic Option courses are smaller and more discussion based as well. However, in high school I am the type of student that pretty much never speaks in class and just absorbs information through listening and doing work.
Also, how much more difficult is it to get a good grade in the Thematic Option courses compared to regular GE’s, especially considering what type of student I am and my lack of interest in English/literature and social studies? Because I’m planning on going on to graduate school after USC so GPA is extremely important to me (please correct me if I’m wrong about GPA’s impact in grad school admissions).
Everyone that I’ve heard from says the Thematic Option is a great experience, but honestly I’m having a lot of trouble deciding whether I should apply or not, given my interests and personality.
Thanks!