<p>19a is immeasurably easier than 21a. Same material, just less intense. Plus there's no final (but also no curve)</p>
<p>So the 19 math series is for the bio-inclined? What is the "chemistry track" so to speak?</p>
<p>There isn't one. 19a is more just for applying differential equations to modeling situations, not necessarily in a bio-context (sometimes enzyme kinematics, sometime reaction rates, etc). It also does some stuff with partial derivations and multi-variable, but nowhere near as much as 21a.</p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>Sorry for taking so long to respond. HSA (Harvard Student Agencies, for those unfamiliar with it) has had a crazy weekend. From the looks of it, h-bomber has got the 19 series covered. Good job.</p>
<p>I see that you took the Ec1010 series your freshman year - would you recommend it for other freshman? I took AP Micro/Macro in high school so I'm considering taking Ec1010, but it seems like most freshmen take Social Analysis 10.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Hey hope 18,</p>
<p>I took Macro/Micro in high school. I recommend it only if you got a 5 in both AP tests. For me, the classes weren't too bad. However, some people found the 1010 series slightly difficult. I'm not too sure about how to assess its difficulty. The material is easy to comprehend, you just have to make sure that you know the grading system and testing system well.</p>
<p>I will say that Ec 10 and the Ec 1010 teach the same material, but at different paces. If you have already taken (and mastered) macro/micro, you have enough prereqs to take the 1010 series. Everything else will be taught through the course itself.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, just consider what you wish to do by advancing one year. I took 1010 because I believe that I will be an ec concentrator, and I believed that sitting through Ec 10 would be mind-numbing and inefficient. This way, I have more room in my schedule to take other cool ec classes. If, however, you do not really wish to pursue ec, or you are not interested in more ec, then that should also factor into your decision.</p>
<p>char6_0, what have you heard about the intensive, year-round intro to chinese course? is there a substantial difference between that and the two separate intro courses (fall and spring)?</p>
<p>There's also a Math 20 for people in the social sciences. If you've taken Multivariable Calc and/or Linear Algebra already, I strongly recommend that you consider Math 23 (unless you already plan on taking 25 or 55). It's a great bonding experience, and the problem sets are weekly (so you can pace yourself appropriately, and you don't have to do problem sets for every class, like in 21).</p>
<p>What do you know about how the new gen ed requirements, that are fully replacing the core in fall 20009, might affect this year's freshmen and sophomores? Will the class of 2012 graduate by fulfilling the core, or gen ed?</p>
<p>Also, how does taking a freshman seminar affect your course requirements later. Since the seminar is not a core course, then satisfying core requirements would be delayed and you might still be taking a core course, say, in your senior year, when you want to be really concentrating on your major.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The seminars are great for several reasons. They are small, intimate classes which give the students an opporunity to get to know a professor early on. Also, they are graded P/F which relieves some stress freshman year.</p>
<p>Many students spread out their core requirements throughout their four years.</p>
<p>So, basically, the core is a series of different topics, under which students can select from a range of classes that fulfill the requirements. The core is Harvard's way of expanding the horizons of its students. Depending upon which major you choose, you are exempt from certain areas of the core. Consider them graduation requirements. For more information: 2006-2007</a> FAS Preliminary Courses of Instruction</p>
<p>However, beginning for the class of 2012 and, I believe, as a mandatory requirement for the class of 2013, general education will be available. This is a modified version of the core to in order to "align these requirements [general education requirements] with the educational needs of Harvard College students at the dawn of the twenty-first century," according to Harvard's website about the new general education requirements. How Gen Ed will work is similar to the Core, but with different classes and other minor differences. For more information, visit Information</a> for Students § PROGRAM IN GENERAL EDUCATION
I really recommend looking at the FAQs.</p>
<p>As for taking a freshman seminar, they are great ways of learning something new and interesting individually from a big-name professor. It is what it sounds like. Furthermore, it is only one semester, so it shouldn't take up too much time away from your graduation requirements. However, if you are like me, I'd much rather pursue some classes in which I have more interest, especially since my expos class offered a great exploration of a unique topic that I had intellectual interest in (Cities and Globalization, a great class). For me personally, I really got to explore my horizons through my extracurriculars. For instance, running a small business at Harvard Student Agencies offers a priceless and fun (and lucrative) experience for me. Furthermore, even though I will not continue with the Consulting Group next year, I did get a great opportunity to help start a company out of my experience. Additionally, to balance everything out, ballet offers me a great chance to both relax, indulge in the arts, and do something entirely different.</p>
<p>Finally, in response to the question about Chinese Bx (the "one-year in a semester" class, as opposed to Ba, etc.), I can only say that it is twice as intense as the other class. It is also generally targeted to native speakers with no writing experience. If you do not intend to put a fair amount of work into Chinese, I do not recommend it. It is rather difficult.</p>
<p>"As for Olgita's question, yes math/classes can take up a lot of time."</p>
<p>Haha, I was actually thinking along the lines of, "Wait, it's this little?!?" LOL My math homework has never, ever been just 20 minutes long (except for stats). My BC homework was anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, and my multivariable calc homework was around 2 hours every time.</p>
<p>By the way, do you know of any classes for someone with an interest in creative writing? As much as I love math and science, I've been taking these classes my entire life, and I want to finally take a class that satisfies my other interest.</p>
<p>Hi Charlene, thanks for the post! It is a positive godsend. </p>
<p>I have a quick question about freshman seminar - I understand that it's a great opportunity to interact with famous profs, but would the fact that it's pass/fail reflect poorly on a transcript? I don't want to look as if I took the seminars to slack off!</p>
<p>Also, exactly how difficult are classes in general at Harvard? Does difficulty vary by department? Are A's or A minuses really all that difficult to pull off? About what percentage of Harvard students get them in a class?</p>
<p>And last question - promise! - are there any classes or profs you'd really recommend? The huge catalogue of courses is exicting, but also a little daunting!</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>there are creative writing classes in the english department you can apply to. you'll have to submit pieces. you can definitely email the department about this when you get on campus. </p>
<p>1 freshman seminar raises no questions, but 2 pass/fail classes might--this is what my upperclassmen friends tell me. </p>
<p>Big classes that you'll likely take freshman year--Ec10, Stat104, these intro things are easy. They're curved around a B/B+, and if you do the work and get help if you need it, you can pull off your A/A-. It's hard to get an A in a core (besides Ec10) but if you do the work you can get an A-/B+. Expos preceptors give few A's, but people do get them. These are general impressions from freshman year. The best way to tell whether a class will be easy/hard and learn about its grading--cue guide, upperclassmen, syllabus, and then shopping. Asking people who've taken the class is really valuable.</p>
<p>First of all, if you are interested in creative writing, I would take a more creative expos class. (Do not take Cities and Globalization, which is what I took). If you are interested in pursuing even more creative writing, I would speak with my expos preceptor if I were you. Again, as I keep trying to stress, you can also explore your interests extracurricularly. I would look into the Crimson (the school newspaper) or other activities.</p>
<p>And, yes, math can take up fairly little time (keep in mind that Math 21 is the least work-intensive of your upper-level math classes), however, when you get to college, you might iscover that you have a billion commitments that are not necessarily school. At that time, 20 minutes to 4 hours of math homework will seem like a huge amount. Trust me, many has been the time when I started math at 3 AM out of absolute necessity.</p>
<p>Finally, as far as grading goes, the majority of classes are curved around the B/B+ average (B = 3.00 GPA, B+ = 3.33 GPA). I would say that most freshman probably have around a 3.3 GPA (that's what I feel it would be, not any statistics. However, I do have some intuition about such things). That GPA is the equivalent to a very high (say 4.0) GPA at any other college. Large seminar classes are fairly easier to get above average if you work hard. There are a lot of classes that average a bit lower (i.e. those professors so intent upon fighting grade inflation). </p>
<p>Let's see, from what I hear and my experience:</p>
<p>Expos - usually only around 3 out of 12 - 15 people in the class get an A. About 4 - 6 get an A-. Another 5 - 7 get lower (but usually not by too much).</p>
<p>Ec 1010 (slightly harder than Ec 10) - strictly curved around a B+. Most people get A- to B range. Ec 10, I believe, has a higher curve and is easier to do well in. It's also not difficult to get an A. You just have to study well for the tests (something that a most of people do not have time for)</p>
<p>Math 21 - curved for a B+ or a B (I think B) average. A lot of people find the class hard, and I do think that the curve is slightly less generous than my other classes, but it's not a huge deal.</p>
<p>Chinese - most (if not all) people get an A - B. Most people are in the A-/B+ range.</p>
<p>Hebrew Bible - 60% get an A or an A-. Enough said.</p>
<p>Stat 104 - I think that the average is a B+. I'm not too sure about this. The only problem with this class is that, for me, it was very easy. However, lots of people in this class have not had higher level math, and therefore find it harder. You don't need higher level math, but it helps to be familiar with how to make quick calculations (at least on the tests). Even so, it's not too difficult.</p>
<p>That's just an overall idea about grading at Harvard. It's really not that bad. I think that Harvard realizes that at any other college, we would all be top of the class, academically.</p>
<p>Oops, I also missed a few responses. Many many freshmen take seminars. Your taking a seminar P/F will not look bad. It will look like an average freshmen. However, I wouldn't overdo the P/F thing.</p>
<p>I recommend that you first make an academic plan of all the classes you need for your potential major. Then, when you have taken some classes for that, look into core classes (which should be listed for you in another individual catalog). You only have 8 semester-long classes to fill. Expos is already filled for you. If you want to take a language, another semester or two is filled. If you want to major in ec, like me, you already have to take ec 10 or ec 1010 or ec 1011 for two semesters and, most optimally, a stats class. There are only two semester-long classes left over. I chose to take math and a core (Hebrew Bible, which is actually very well reviewed on the CUE guide Harvard</a> Q | CUE Guide). </p>
<p>I would not worry about it in advance. You will have some guidance and more people to get advice from when you are on campus. You do not need to pick classes ahead of time.</p>
<p>Thanks char6_0 :) I have one more question - I'm considering being part of Harvard Student Agencies and I know that you were an assistant manager as a freshman. Is it difficult to get a position as a freshman, especially if a student doesn't have any previous business experience? And how much of your time does HSA take up?</p>
<p>^ And is there a lengthy comping process?</p>
<p>So, basically, HSA's recruiting season begins in the early fall (so keep your eyes peeled). The company looks for eager students with signs of managerial skill. How much experience you have is secondary to having traits that will make you succeed at running the various agencies that make up HSA. There are a variety of jobs. However, for the most part, freshman are either assistant managers or advertising associates. HSA also offers a variety of work-study jobs that pay from $10 - $17 (very rare)/hour. Assistant Managers are salaried. Furthermore, if you work on the team the first year, you have a better chance of becoming a manager in the coming years (which I believe, are far more competitive than the running for assistant managers). For more info, visit Harvard</a> Student Agencies, Inc. - The Largest Student-Run Corporation in the World</p>
<p>I will say this. Harvard Student Agencies has provided some of the best experience I have ever had. There really is nothing like running your own business entity that makes real money. You learn a level of responsibility and practicality that you cannot get in any other environment. For instance, part of the reason why I took Chinese this year was for the abstract entity called "the global market". Learning Chinese is one thing. Using it to make business conferences with China in order to directly source some of our Freshman Linens Program was quite another. HSA is very good for people interested in business (I have also heard that HSA provides networks that help get you in the door for Harvard Business School). </p>
<p>As for the application process, you have to fill out a form and attach a resume, I believe. They care less about your resume than they do about your personality and capacity. I happened to have a very complete resume, however, not everyone who had gotten in did. I cannot assess the competition because I felt a very good fit for the organization in general. I believe that if you belong in the organization, they can identify you. For that reason, there is almost no comping process. There are a few events (i.e. ski trips, etc. and other team-building exercises), but those happen later and are optional. (But very recommended. I mean, free skiing? Free trips to summer cottages along the sea? It's nice).</p>
<p>Don't worry however if you cannot do HSA. There are a variety of other fun/great organizations and opportunities at Harvard. I heard that the Veritas forum is very good for people interested in finance. There's also Women in Buiness (WIB), although the organization is too loosely structured for me. Additionally, you can also find your own extracurriculars. For instance, I'm starting a business right now. If you have some personal questions, I am always eager to meet and help out incoming freshmen. Feel free to email me!</p>