Source
r/Harvard•
JS0D

Freshman fall classes/dorm/FOP questions

I definitely want to do cs50. I just feel like I should keep going with math, so I was thinking math 23-25 (is 25 a force? (is 23 a force??)). I also can place out of ec10 so that was something I was considering, and then beyond that maybe like expos or gov 20 to round things out as a fourth class.

Is this schedule going to kill me? Should I just take ec10 or is it worth it to push forward if I might want to study Econ? If I were to take math 21 would i slowly fall behind the kids who really like math and be in lesser classes in the future?

I also think I’m going to be in apley court; what have your experiences been with that dorm?

I’m so excited!!!

Thank you! :)

P.S. Going on FOP — any words of wisdom for that would be appreciated too

Posted Jul 31, 2019, 3:17 PM UTC

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skieurope12:Adams: Class of 2019•

If I were to take math 21 would i slowly fall behind the kids who really like math and be in lesser classes in the future?

No, but talk to the math advisors and get there feedback if 21 vs 23/25 is right for you.

Should I just take ec10 or is it worth it to push forward if I might want to study Econ?

I'm not a big fan of retaking classes where not required. So if you got a 5 on macro/micro, I personally would forgo EC10. But that's me.

Is this schedule going to kill me?

No; it's very manageable.

Going on FOP — any words of wisdom for that would be appreciated too

It's a lot of fun. Take note of the packing list; it seems like a lot of shit to haul, but these people know their stuff.

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JS0DOP:varsity:•

Basically I got a 5 on BC and thought the placement test was easy. I got a 5 on micro/macro, but have never taken compsci. You think I should be alright with maybe 23, some kind of intermediate micro, cs50, and gov 20 or expos 20? That’s what I wanted to do but people said it would be killer

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Captain_Porge•
  1. You don't know what semester you take expos 20 in. You are randomly assigned the semester; you have no choice.
  2. If you have never done compsci, and want to take CS50 for a letter grade, your schedule will be extremely difficult if you do math, ec, and gov concurrently with it. CS50 requires (towards the latter half of the semester) a mountain of time.
  3. I am assuming you placed out of the language test. If not, intro languages are easy and I would recommend taking one as a 'jem' during your freshman year.
  4. I know many people who did three of the above classes you are talking about (CS50, Ec10A, Math21A) but then took a very chill fourth class. The people I knew who took an additional hard fourth class (who were few) did not have lives outside of class and told me they had a hard time making friends and experience Harvard because they had to study all the time.
  5. HIGHLY recommend freshman seminars. You will make a bunch of friends and be able to network with a world class professor. They are also low time commitment and all pass/fail
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ersatZYX•

you can request to change your Expos term (it's listed on the Orientation calendar). I believe it's for the cases when it completely interferes with your other classes? also, for example, if I'm planning to take some writing-intensive classes in the spring, maybe it's better to take Expos in the Fall to improve my writing first?

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skieurope12:Adams: Class of 2019•

Expos 20 is gonna suck no matter when you take it and with whom. There's no sugar coating it. And when you take it is not really up to you; you're assigned the semester.

EC1010 is fine. The workload for CS50 will depend, in part, on your previous CS experience. But regardless, it really ramps up toward the end of the semester.

My only advice for math,and this is why I suggest that you talk to an advisor, is that I don't want you to think hubristically here. Few people need an option to 21. Now for you, you may want a more proof-based class like 22/23 or if you had MVS/LA in HS, 21 may seem too slow a pace. But make no mistake, it will be more work than 21. Also note that 23 is now a flipped-classroom course, so all the lectures are videos from prior semesters, and the class meetings are split between small group problem solving and student-led presentations. On the plus side, I really really liked Paul Bamberg as an instructor, but I also had him before he redesigned the course.

Personally, depending upon which semester you're assigned for Expos, I would highly recommend that your 4th class be a relatively chill class. An interesting, but not high workload, gen ed as an example. Or foreign language unless you've been exempted. Or an interesting Freshman Seminar. 4 high workload classes is certainly doable, but you will likely be so bogged down with academics that you miss some of the things that Harvard has to offer outside the class.

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Captain_Porge•

If you want to study economics, push forward and take ec1010A - just be mindful that you will have to replace ec10A with some other economics course so you are not reducing your course count in total. However, only do it if you are set on econ, say, as opposed to applied math- which requires that you do ec1011a (the same course but requires a very strong background in maths)

Not sure about the other person who commented, but for a freshman, that is a pretty intense schedule. A Math course, CS50, introductory EC course, and then expos/gov 20 on top is a large commitment. If you are planning on comping any large organisation or participating in many things outside of classwork, I would recommend rethinking your approach or taking advantage of a freshman seminar.

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randomnese:Pforzheimer:•

Given that you've never taken a CS class before, don't take CS50 lightly. If you take it P/F you'll most likely pass but in terms of work, this class is killer.

You don't get a choice for which semester you're going to take Expos. There are certain extenuating circumstances but those are extremely, extremely rare (maybe like, 1 or 2 people a year).

Math 21 is useful, IMO. 23 and up are mostly trying to funnel math concentrators and get more theoretical. Math 21 teaches multivariate calculus and linear algebra in the second semester. I took those in HS and still had a good time in Math 21, even if it were just to refresh my memory. For your freshman year, I'd highly recommend staying on the conservative side and taking a mix of more difficult classes and classes that you feel confident that you can do well in. Trying to swallow a too-large pill will result in really, really bad experiences.

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bobhosp•

Hi u/randomnese!

I had a quick followup question for you. I (prefrosh) took multivariable in high school as well, and I'd like to think I'm pretty good at math. It seems as if you were in the same situation, and I was just wondering why you would recommend taking Math 21 again, if you've already taken a lot of the classes.

Would you be able to explain why you took Math 21 again?

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