<p>Econ 1120 - Introductory to macroeconomics
Math 1110 - Calc 1
MILS 2270 - Basic Rifle Marksmanship
NES 3201 - Advanced Arabic 1
PE 1527 - Olympic Fencing
WRIT 1370 - An introduction to writing at university </p>
<p>Works out to 16 credits. Thing is, I could place out of Calc 1 and potentially introductory Econ. But I don't know if I should? I'm considering taking no maths first semester and just doing Calc 2 second semester? Don't know about placing out of introductory Econ as I've heard it's more mathematical than high school and I want a solid basis. Thing is, if that's the case, don't know whether I want to take macro or micro econ. I've heard micro is more quantitative but I prefer macro. Don't know if I want to cover material that I've already covered. </p>
<p>As for advanced arabic, I'm a native arabic speaker, but don't want to go out of practice, particularly as my written arabic isn't great. I'm going to need permission from a professor for that. If I take a placement exam will that be ok. Or if I take the arabic placement exam and the professor refuses to take me, do I still have to do a foreign language? </p>
<p>How much does who the professor is affect the courses? When will I find out and start researching?</p>
<p>First, I want to congratulate you on coming up with a great first semester schedule. It looks balanced and you’ll have a lot of opportunities to meet new people.</p>
<p>As for the professors and courses, you can look it up at the student center if you have access. I just checked and I can browse through. Unfortunately, the professors affect the courses very much. If you can, I would just place out of intro to micro because when I took intermediate micro, it kind of covered everything in intro again, and I thought that was a waste of time for me. When you get to upper level courses, you will clean the “cobweb” and everything will become clearer. But if you want to take intro go ahead by all means. It’s a great class. You’ll learn a lot and the only downside (potential upside?) is that intermediate micro will have overlaps.</p>
<p>As for Calc, I wouldn’t place out of it because Cornell Calc is more difficult and you don’t want to walk into Calc 2 during second semester without your math motor running. And I’m just personally paranoid when it comes to math because it’s like a stacking a pyramid as you get higher… you can never have strong enough foundation.</p>
<p>I placed out of intro micro/macro and have no regrets. Having helped friends with their intro micro/macro homework, it is probably more mathematical than high, but only at a very basic level. Whatever math you do in Cornell intro classes for Econ isn’t what matters; it’s the intuition built up from the “economic way of thinking.” </p>
<p>Take the language placement test and they’ll put you in the right course. </p>
<p>As for calc, it’s all about how comfortable you are with math. It’s not like you’ll learn anything new by retaking Calc I. The only difference is Cornell will make you answer harder questions on exams.</p>