<p>I'm trying switch my schedule around some, and I'm wondering if there is any point to taking univ101? Initially, I thought no, but now I'm left with an extra space in my schedule. It's either this or dance101 because all of the other classes I'm required to take are either full or at the wrong time. Which class is "better" to take?
If it matters, I'm trying to transfer into the honors program for second semester (how realistic is this i'm not even sure).</p>
<p>Either will work. If taking Dance Appreciation to satisfy fine arts, then that’s a good way to go. University 101 can be a good class, but I hear it’s kind of hit or miss. If you can do a specialized section for your major (or capstone if applicable) then I would consider keeping Univ 101. Neither one is better. Fine arts is requirement, Univ 101 is not. </p>
<p>If you are incoming freshman, keep checking master schedule for classes you say are full. Sometimes spots are added or open up so you may get one of those classes after all.</p>
<p>Check some other USC threads. I think AUgirl talked about her experience with Univ 101 on one of them.</p>
<p>U101 is very hit and miss. Three people failed my U101 class. Most classes have 100% A’s. It’s really luck of the draw. You could end up with a really difficult class like mine or a really easy fun class.</p>
<p>A great way to meet other freshmen and make friends is through U101, though. Two of my best friends in college are girls that I met in my U101 class. Dance 101 would probably be a large lecture class. Lecture classes make it difficult to make friends.</p>
<p>That being said, U101 isn’t a requirement for most majors to graduate. (I still haven’t figured out what majors do require it, although there was a junior in my class freshman year who had to take it because he switched to a major that required it.) An arts class usually is.</p>
<p>I’d rethink Dance 101 though. If you have other options (such as Music Appreciation, Jazz Appreciation, Theatre, etc), I’d recommend those. Most of the people I know who took Dance Appreciation really didn’t like it… but it does usually fit the requirements for graduation.</p>
<p>For transferring into Honors, smaller classes will help you. You’ll be able to know your professors better and get better recommendations. I’m not sure what your major is, but if you’re mostly in lecture courses, it might help to take U101 just so you can get a professor who knows you really well. If you’re like me, and most of your classes are small (25 or less), then that’s probably a lot less important.</p>
<p>Also, remember. You can add and drop classes any time you like during the first week, so it might serve you well to go ahead and sign up for one (or both if you can) and then go to class the first week and get a feel for things. I knew that my U101 class was going to be rough after our very first meeting during the Freshman Reading. When we met, our professor wanted to really discuss the book and was very serious about the whole thing. Afterwards, I talked to a lot of other students in different U101 classes and their professors were much more laid back and were more concerned with getting to know each other, rather than talk about some random book that literally never got mentioned again. I also took a look at the syllabus and saw how much work was going to be involved in the class. The signs are all there.</p>
<p>AUgirl… Just wondered how did your friends end up doing grade-wise in dance 101? My d is taking that basically because it fit in her schedule. She s danced since 2 and thought she would do decently in the class, however she has read a lot of negative reviews. She is planning on still taking it because she is used to dealing with some “difficult” dance teachers which seems to be the way many are described. She also doesn’t mind having to go to the dance productions which a lot of kids find boring. I’m just wondering how your friends ended up doing in it… Of course she d like to do well since she needs a high gpa for nursing. She read that it is a lot of work and is ok with that as long As the grading is fair.</p>
<p>/\ /\ Was it the dance productions that annoyed them ? I read you have to attend 4 and it looks like they are quizzed on them. Just curious… I know some people hate watching modern and ballet dancing and the shows can be long. My d is very used to it and her sister is also a dance major at college so she is used to some of the college dancing that can be bizarre at times. I’m just trying to figure out what the negative reviews are about. Just hoping she can get a decent grade even if it is annoying.</p>
<p>Depends on where you read about it. Sadly some students don’t have much of a work ethic - they were on facebook asking people who went to performances to bring them an extra program (for them to use as proof of going). I would think her background in dance would make it pretty easy…same as my D and Music appr (easy for her since she played piano and oboe growing up and has a Dad who played classical music on road trips :))</p>
<p>Scmom12. Lol. That is what I was wondering! I can imagine some kids will do anything to get out of the performances! My d loves watching them and now I’m addicted to it to. We are glued to So You Think You Can Dance every week! She would like music or theatre as well but I think she will enjoy the dance.</p>
<p>I have no idea about grades… but you can actually check them out for yourself.</p>
<p>[USC:</a> Office of the University Registrar: Faculty & Staff Information](<a href=“University Registrar - University Registrar | University of South Carolina”>University Registrar - University Registrar | University of South Carolina)</p>
<p>^Go to that website and click on the Grade Spreads for each semester. You should be able to see how students have done over the past few semesters in Dance 101. (Or any class with enough students.) It shows exactly the number of A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, F’s, and withdrawals in each class.</p>
<p>Thanks AUgirl… That’s a really helpful site that we didnt realize existed.I showed my d and she looked up all her classes. There appears to be a decent number of a s in the dance course so I think she’s going to stay put. She should be fine and really looks forward to going to the performances as well. Thanks for that help!</p>
<p>Thanks guys for all your insights! I will definitely keep the small class sizes in mind and wait to see what classes open up.
@AUgirl did you find that the rate my professor site was accurate and useful when picking classes?</p>
<p>You’re welcome!</p>
<p>And RMP is useful for really large classes where there tend to be a lot of reviews. However, for a lot of classes it isn’t useful at all.</p>
<p>I’ve had professors not even listed on RMP who I thought were absolutely amazing and professors who had 2 or 3 great reviews who I really didn’t enjoy.</p>
<p>The professors with lots of reviews are the ones who are the most accurate. I wouldn’t solely rely on it for every class, though.</p>
<p>Also be sure to look at reviews for the actual class you are taking. Many of Ds math professors ratings were pulled down by intro classes, but if you look at upper level classes they got good reviews. Her favorite math teacher for a certain class got lower reviews but recommended by advisor. Another favorite routinely gets reviews for being a really tough grader.</p>
<p>For other opinions, ask on USC class of 2015 or 2016 facebook pages (open groups) since you may get more up to date/detailed responses. Of course, after first semester hopefull you’ll get to know older students in same major who can answer questions about major-specific classes.</p>