<p>I applied for Text and Tradition, but assuming I didn't get that.... how should I go about choosing classes? I'm pretty sure I want to take Calc III, but other than that, I don't know what to do. By the way, I'm pretty sure it says on my Unofficial Transcript that I have writing in the Spring... so that doesn't help.</p>
<p>What major? What are you interested in? What are your AP credits?</p>
<p>NO (and I mean absolutely none) idea of what I want to major in. I’m not really sure what I’m interested in either (I was always into science in HS but I can’t really see myself continuing that into a career). </p>
<p>As for AP credits, not exactly sure, but I think all of my APs are eligible for some sort of credit other than Lang and Spanish. I’m in ArtSci though so I can only get up to 5 classes of credit or something like that. I have 5’s in Calc BC (and AB subscore), Gov, Euro, Physics B and Chem. I have 4’s in Spanish, Lang, USH and possibly Lit (not on WebSTAC).</p>
<p>Any idea of interest within WUSTL’s clusters? (e.g. Natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, languages/arts)</p>
<p>I’m going to ArtSci weekend this coming weekend, so TBH I’m not really quite sure how clusters work yet.</p>
<p>Read online how clusters work, and go to courses.wustl.edu and start looking for things that might interest you.</p>
<p>Even if you don’t know what major you want, do you have any idea about the area? like a science, social science, etc. While people might not have an idea about exact major, I find it rare people have absolutely no clue about even the topic.</p>
<p>Besides that, I still go through pretty much every department looking at courses before I register, even though I know exactly what I’m going to take. Just look through things…might waste a couple hours but you’ll see what’s available, what you might like to take, etc.</p>
<p>Well then, I must be unique because I have no clue. I have a couple of things eliminated, like English, History, and foreign language… but I’m pretty open to all other majors in the Math/science fields except psychology (Dad’s a psychologist haha so I suppose part of that is just me wanting to be rebellious :P… I’d also prefer not to take Intro to Psych if I don’t have to).</p>
<p>I’m allowed to take classes in other schools, right? I kind of want to try computer science (I have no programming experience though, will this be bad when many people have probably taken AP in HS?) and some of the intro arts look kind of fun.</p>
<p>By the way, I KIND of get the cluster thing but I’m a bit confused. If I did want to take a course in another school, it couldn’t fulfill any ArtSci requirements at all? It could only count toward the total 120 units?</p>
<p>Also, if I do Text and Tradition and follow all the way through and get a minor, does that count as a TH cluster?</p>
<p>I think I may just wait until CLUSTERAMA on Thursday to worry about clusters :P</p>
<p>My suggestions</p>
<p>1) Don’t stress about clusters. You can look them up, but especially if you’re open to a variety of things, they shouldn’t be an issue.</p>
<p>2) You’re possibly interested in science? You should definitely take Gen Chem. I would also suggest calculus, I suppose it’d be calc 3 for you.</p>
<p>3) Take computer science (or at least try it for the first few weeks) if you want to. And if you want to take an Intro Art class (are you talking about Sam Fox?), do it–I would suggest drawing, since it’s a pre-req for some of the upper level classes and it’s not as demanding as 2D.</p>
<p>4) There’s a 50% chance that you’re taking writing 1. If you are, that’s 5 classes and you’re done. If not, or if you want to have an extra option for you don’t like one of your classes, pick a class you think you’ll like or find interesting, ie literature, classics, etc.</p>
<p>It may seem overwhelming, but the truth is you don’t have so much space to play with if you want to start the science route.</p>
<p>By the way, I’m pretty sure WebSTAC says I’m taking writing in the Spring on my Unofficial Transcript. I don’t know if that’s because I’m in T&T (yay!?) or just because I was randomly placed there.</p>
<p>I believe Writing 1 placement (e.g. fall vs. spring) is random. If you’re interested in computer science, I would recommend you take Computer Science I in engineering. I’ve heard good things about it (i.e. you don’t need to have experience and it’s on the less difficult side). You might find you have a passion for it. I’ve always wanted to take that course but haven’t found space in my schedule.</p>
<p>I agree that you shouldn’t worry about the clusters (I only really mentioned them because I thought you would have an idea of at least broad interests within artsci but it seems that you should explore not just artsci but other schools as well). </p>
<p>I’ll list some other intro course suggestions:</p>
<p>Intro to Microeconomics (micro is less difficult vs. macro)
Intro to Archaeology
Intro to Political Theory (haven’t taken this myself but i’ve heard its not too difficult)</p>
<p>Physics 197 - easiest of the premed classes. would recommend taking this over gen chem if you do take a science course (taking calc 3 concurrently will probably help)
Also, you could take some Earth & Planetary Science Courses - (i.e. The Solar System)</p>
<p>Some Language Course (usually 5 credits, unless you really don’t want to take language and you might take art classes - not really sure how art school credits would transfer)</p>
<p>These are classes I have heard about. There are, of course, so many more options.
(Intro Stats, intro to sexuality, intro philosophy courses (though from what i’ve heard difficult and lots of writing), intro to linguistics (somewhat difficult), and intro to film studies)</p>
<p>Main thing is I would recommend you keep the credits freshman year to a minimum (under 15). You’ll definitely have enough credits to graduate with your AP credits and you’ll most likely be taking many more credits later. The main thing is to start off with great grades which will help you build the confidence to keep getting those grades in subsequent semesters even with a heavier course load. </p>
<p>I would also recommend you think very hard about what you would like to do after college. The earlier you know your plan, the less chance you’ll have to rush junior senior year trying to complete major requirements and have to take 21 credits of all very difficult classes. </p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>I was thinking Intro to Archaeology as well :)</p>
<p>How does this sound
Option 1 (With T&T – Take T&T Section of Writing 1 in spring, which is why my spring placement is relevant)
Text and Tradition: Classical to Rennaisance Literature
Text and Tradition: Early Political Thought
Calc 3
Gen Chem
Intro to Archaeology</p>
<p>Option 2 (Without T&T… hopefully my writing will stay in the spring, if not, replace either Comp Sci or Spanish 3)
Calc 3
Gen Chem
Intro to Archaelogy
Computer Science
Possibly: Spanish 3 or an Intro Art Class (but I know those take up a lot of time, so I may save it for Spring semester)</p>
<p>Are either of those too much for a first semester freshman? I know 5 classes is the norm but Gen Chem is a lot and apparently a lot of freshmen with AP credits take 4 classes. Everything on ratemyprofessor.com says Intro to Archaeology is pretty easy though and very interesting, so I’d really like to take it. </p>
<p>Also, is taking summer classes at WashU a normal thing? Is it possible to use freshman year to explore and then use the summer to catch up on pre-reqs if I’m not into anything that I have “explored” haha? I’m assuming my parents will go/pay for it because I’ve already gotten the “I don’t expect you to come home for the summers because Long Island has nothing to offer” speech XD. I’m pretty sure I’m taking Gen Chem during the year either way though.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, even though I was SUPPOSED to find out in “late June,” I still don’t know if I got into Text and Tradition yet.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help by the way 
I knew I picked a school with really nice, awesome people. Some of you are telling me not to be bored with your extremely long posts, but I’m finding them very helpful and informative.</p>
<p>Wait carramrod06… you’d suggest Physics over Chem? Why?</p>
<p>Is there any reason for someone to take Gen Chem without also taking Chem Lab?</p>
<p>Oh I thought Gen Chem lab was implied haha since you have to sign up for it with Gen Chem :P.</p>
<p>I only really suggest physics over general chemistry because it is less difficult but if you’re more interested in chemistry, then you should definitely consider taking general chemistry. I was a PLTL leader in chemistry this past year so I harbor no angst towards chemistry - also you should sign up for PLTL if you do take the class but I digress 
Just know that it takes more time commitment than your average class and plan accordingly. </p>
<p>Anyways, Both options look great (Option 2 without the “possibly” 16 or 14 credits). </p>
<p>Taking summer courses is a pretty normal thing but I wouldn’t suggest taking courses more than one summer and would suggest using your other summers to get other experiences (e.g. research/ internships etc.). For premeds, I know some people who take Organic Chemistry I/II over the summer (I took it during the year though). I don’t think you’ll have any trouble fulfilling your major requirements even if you don’t start a single class within your major til sophomore year (just don’t delay it until junior year - then its a bit of trouble)</p>
<p>Prof. Dale (Dean Dale) is an awesome person. I don’t know how interesting the material of the Intro to Archaeology class is but I would think it would be at least a decent class because of the professor. </p>
<p>You can also look into taking a course pass/fail if you want. btw, are you thinking premed at all?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I’m not premed. Could I do research on campus and take like 1 class or something over the summer? I know I’m a bit ahead of myself haha but there is WAYY too much that looks interesting in that coursebook haha (which I suppose is how the majority of freshmen feel).</p>
<p>Well, rainbowrose, you didn’t include Chem Lab in your list. Even though the two do go hand-in-hand, you should understand that Chem Lab counts as its own 2-credit class. So chemistry is actually 5 credits, not 3 as you MAY (or may not) have thought.</p>
<p>Yea counted it as 5 when doing the calculations of units in my head. My first schedule comes out to 17 units which seems a bit high for first semester, but about normal for any other semester.</p>
<p>Also, people who have been to ArtSci weekend said T&T is still open which means everyone who signed up for it definitely got it. I guess I’ll talk to my adviser about whether or not he/she thinks I should take chem, physics, or just not take a 5th class.</p>