What classes are you guys thinking of taking?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
101

<p>Hey everyone, I’m leaning towards possibly taking Math 51H. I’ve heard it’s pretty challenging. But I would like some input from those of you who have taken it already and what kind of the math background you guys had, as in if you felt you were strong at math beforehand, any competitions, etc. It seems interesting, and I feel like I’m pretty good at math (2x USAMO qualifier) but if its overwhelming hard for people with with similar stats, I would like to avoid it.</p>

<p>Also, anyone have any info on Chem31x. It seems most people have a negative opinion of it on courserank. I feel pretty good about my chemistry background. But would it be too hard to jump into Chem33?</p>

<p>Should I take another language? I have already passed out of Chinese, but I’ve always wanted to take Japanese or Korean.</p>

<p>My schedule will look something like this:
IHUM 4 units
Math 51H (or 51) 5 units
Intro Lang Jap/Korean (not sure yet) 5 units?
Seminar?
Club Frisbee</p>

<p>Is that too much of a workload?</p>

102

<p>I know about half of ppl in math51H are olympiad medalist or qualifiers, but it’s not impossible. I think you should be fine. The class is not ridiculously hard or anything. It’s just linear algebra. Chem 33 is actually easier than Chem 31X and it’s totally different.</p>

103

<p>The statement about econ 1A above is wrong, Econ 1A is only offered in the fall and winter.</p>

<p>@uneverknow: polisci 1 is one of the standard intro classes, and actually is a requirement for IR. The polisci major requires you to pick two concentrations, either in IR (PS 1), American government (PS 2), political philosophy (PS 3), or comparative politics (PS 4). So either way, PS 1 and PS 2 can be useful. There is nothing wrong with taking PS 1 and PS 2 consecutively. Sounds like you should take PS 1 anyway.</p>

<p>For the econ major, you have to take econ 1A and 1B. The department is very strict about its requirements, and only in very rare cases have I heard someone successfully convince the department to skip econ 1A and 1B. Also, you can’t take 1B without 1A.</p>

<p>If you’re thinking about majoring in econ, you should probably take math 51. If you find yourself having a lot of trouble before the study list deadline (about 3 weeks into the quarter), you can always switch to 42. The math department tries to make it easy for students to switch from 51 to 42, because like you, many are not sure which class they should take. But, all upper level econ classes (econ 50, 51, 52, etc.) require math 51. Since you have to take 50, 51, and 52 consecutively, it’s best to get rid of the math 51 requirement as soon as you can. That said, math 51 is offered every quarter (and some say it’s easier in the winter/spring), so don’t fret if you don’t take it immediately.</p>

<p>Also I took econ 11N. Great class, but lots of work for only 2 units. I wouldn’t advise you take 21 units, and I’d probably move spanish or math to a later quarter. But 5 units of Spanish is going to be less work than 5 units of say polisci 1. Yes, Spanish 1 is for those with no spanish experience.</p>

104

<p>as an engineer (CS, EE, or CSE), when should i take my language? i’m taking japanese.</p>

105

<p>Is it possible to major or minor in economics while taking the 19/20/21 math series? Or is the scheduling just too tight? I’m thinking about doing a secondary major in econ alongside with IR.</p>

106

<p>I think it may be too tight. If you take math 19/20/21, you still have to take math 41/42/51. That will take 2 years to complete, and the econ requirements take an additional year or two to complete. It maybe possible to minor, but it will be a very tight fit.</p>

<p>IR requires 4 econ classes (2 of them electives). This means you have to complete some of the econ requirements, so it maybe wise just to focus on IR.</p>

107

<p>I thought the 19/20/21 series was the same as the 41/42 series just in 3 quarters not 2. So if you took the 19 series, why would you need to take the 41/42 series?</p>

108

<p>Whoops you’re right, sorry.</p>

<p>I forgot about how the 19 series worked. In that case, it shouldn’t be a problem…just make sure you get rid of 1A and 1B early.</p>

109

<p>yeah econ is easy. so I dun think it’ll be a problem</p>

110

<p>Haha, walkyu, while I read post #106 I was like “eehhh”. No worries :)</p>

<p>Okay, sweet, good to know!
I’m planning on starting 1A next month!</p>

111

<p>Yeah 1A is cake. Easy A for first quarter</p>

112

<p>What classes can we take as freshmen? I’m thinking about a minor in EAS, so I want to get started on getting the required seminar courses in my freshmen year… but how do I know if frosh are allowed to take them? For example, I am looking at History 195 and Humbio 147… can frosh take these courses in the hundreds?</p>

113

<p>When do freshman start their applications for introsems?</p>

114

<p>^ i second that question</p>

115

<p>^ Apps for introsems run August 17-September 4</p>

<p>Gosh, I wish there could be a way to see how competitive each introsem is. This feels like Common App all over again…I thought I was done applying for crap!!!</p>

116

<p>Hmm I gots a couple more questions:</p>

<ul>
<li>Does anyone know when we’ll be contacted by our advisor about what date/time we will meet at NSO?</li>
</ul>

<p>(Non-class related…because I’m too lazy to click back to the other thread…)</p>

<ul>
<li>What is Stanford’s unofficial alcohol policy? I know on paper and to the parents they say “we don’t tolerate it…expulsion…blah blah” but I’ve heard more than enough that the RAs and administration more often turn a blind eye to these things.</li>
</ul>

117

<p>You have a lot more applying to do :P. Applying for your major, applying for grants, applying for soco, applying for introsems, etc.</p>

<p>@bluebubbles: Usually you get contacted by your advisor during NSO, or in the week after. At that point you’ll schedule with your advisor a time to meet. Remember that this is just your freshman advisor, your dorm advisor and Sweet hall will be available whenever you need.</p>

<p>The alcohol policy is all about making sure you’re safe. The rule around the dorms is, leave your doors open, and if something happens, make sure you tell an RA. No drinking in public spaces. It’s not really a blind eye, but they see themselves as your support, and they don’t want a situation where you’re too afraid to tell an RA about some trouble. You’ll get all of this during NSO when you have your first dorm meeting.</p>

118

<p>It’s more than I would personally do, afroboy, but there’s also a good chance you’ll be fine. That’s a perfectly ordinary load; the only complicating factor is that you may want to take it easy for your first quarter.</p>

119

<p>Thanks, walkyu! Oh no, I have to apply for a MAJOR? Fantastic.</p>

120

<p>Oops, I think I made my last post before reading the last page of the thread. Here are some more thoughts for people.</p>

<p>For everyone: Remember that number of units is a bad way to measure your courseload, since units really measure time spent in class, not time spent working on a class. Instead, you should probably measure it in terms of number of classes. 1-unit things like dance, club sports, and music don’t really count as classes; just don’t give yourself too many. Introsems generally count as less than one class, but at least 1/2. Particularly hard classes, like Physics 60, Math 50H, CS106X, and Chem 31X can count for more than 1. And adjust how you count classes based on what you’re good at.</p>

<p>For bluebubbles: Applying for a major depends on which one. As far as I know, most of them just involve logging onto Axess and clicking a few buttons, and maybe asking someone to be your advisor.</p>

<p>For foodzeatr: If a class doesn’t list a prerequisite, you should be able to take it as a freshman. Contact the instructor if you want to be absolutely sure.</p>

<p>Also for bluebubbles: Alcohol is a question for another thread, but for now I’ll echo walkyu–it’s all about safety. RA’s don’t bust you, because they want you to be drinking openly so that they’ll know about it if something goes wrong. In fact, they’ll come hang out and check on you if you’re throwing a party.</p>

<p>For uneverknow: I think there’s a good chance your schedule will be too much. If you can, postpone one of the non-introsem classes.</p>

<p>For runeknightx: If you’re a multi-time USAMO qualifier and ready for the material, you should have a good chance at surviving 50H. If it becomes too much, it’s easy to drop down to 51. So I’d recommend giving it a shot. And I think the schedule you posted is pretty reasonable.</p>

<p>For bluebubbles again, and everyone else wondering this: As I recall, when you check in on move-in day, one of the things you’ll receive is your advisor’s name and when you’ll be meeting with him/her.</p>