<p>Yeah I know, its an Ivy. But I've always wondered how much work comes with an Ivy education. In the rare chance that I actually get in to UPenn, it would be nice to know if I could handle the work. I know it wont be easy, much more than high school. But as comparison, I'm taking four AP classes now (Calc BC, Lit, Econ/Govnt, Physics) and took five last year (Calc AB, Language, Music Theory, U.S. history, Chem). So how does that workload compare to a Penn workload?</p>
<p>Depends on your major… If you are in Engineering, it will be like taking your class load right now with another science in there (plus a bit more competition). If you are planning on going to the college/wharton it will be significantly harder but not much more work. I do about 2 hours of homework/studying a night. (except when it comes to exams…) Think: more intense inside the class/while doing hw, but less of it.</p>
<p>It is not as bad as one would think.</p>
<p>I haven’t worked this little since freshman year of high school (before I took any AP classes). For reference, I am taking:</p>
<p>Math 114 (calc II)
FNCE 103 (Joseph Wharton Scholar Economics)
Management 100
Soviet Economics
Rus360 (Russian for Russian speakers)</p>
<p>Math is like 4 hours of work/ week
FNCE is like 3 hours of work / week
Management is like 2 hours of work / week …thus far
Soviet econ is 0 hours of work / week
Russian is like 3 hours of work / week</p>
<p>Honest estimates</p>
<p>Don’t worry…management will soon consume your life</p>
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<p>Nate, I’m pretty sure you don’t know what you’re talking about. Engineering classes are definitely very difficult, at least much more so than the typical college class, that’s for sure.</p>
<p>It depends on how seriously you take school. It can be pretty stressful if you’re unable to manage your time, but it’s really a question of your work ethic and standards you set for yourself.</p>
<p>how is the workload and difficulty for people majoring in biology/chemistry and doing premed?</p>
<p>if you’re honestly incapable of handling the work, they won’t let you in. so don’t worry about that aspect.</p>
<p>ChoklitRain’s point is pretty close to reality. I don’t know anyone who genuinely suffers because of the workload. It’s more that partying/recruiting/video games/bfs or gfs/jobs/clubs/activities/family issues get in the way</p>
<p>Your Penn education will be a big workload, and if it isnt, you should take the steps to make it so. Think of it this way - if you’re not sufficiently challenged during most of your college experience, you’re wasting your time. Penn certainly provides you with the opportunity to pick up more challenges.</p>
<p>Personally, I’ve found my workload at Penn to me much higher than in high school but thats probably more because of the classes I’m taking.</p>
<p>Chem 22 (Vagelos MLS Seminar)
Organic Chemistry (Chem 241)
Physics 150
Math 114
Chinese 031</p>
<p>A normal workload that most students take is not difficult with regard to doing enough work to get in the b range. Most of my engineering friends say that 6.5-7 classes is the tipping point for them, when their lives turn into nothing but work. As a student in Wharton, 5 classes is pretty easy even though 4 of them are in the core. That being said, finals will be stressful.</p>
<p>Bottom line, don’t worry about workload, you will be able to handle it as long as you don’t expect to get a 4.0</p>
<p>If that is what you expect, well that’s another story…</p>
<p>In all, unless you’re doing a dual degree program, the workload is very manageable. You have plenty of time to get together with friends and to engage in extra curricular activities.</p>
<p>If you’re doing a dual degree, you will have considerably more work but you will still be able to socialize and get involved, although to a lesser degree.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! haha, that makes me feel so much better!</p>
<p>Personal opinion: </p>
<p>There’s no point going to an Ivy only to spend four years cruising through on light workloads. If you want a light workload, you can probably find that and the same would go for killer courseloads. I would advise that you follow a more rigorous path wherever you can. It’ll be to your own benefit</p>