What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

How many credits should I aim for in my freshman year of college?

Hey folks! A bit stressed here because I'm trying to plan out my classes for my first year of college and I'm not sure how to balance things out. Is there a minimum or a recommended number of credits that I should aim for during my freshman year? I want to make sure I have a manageable workload but still stay on track for my major requirements.

11 months ago

It's great that you're being thoughtful about planning your course load! Typically, full-time students aim for around 12-15 credits per semester, which usually translates to about 4 to 5 classes. This is often considered the 'sweet spot' for balancing coursework with the adjustment to college life.

However, it's important to consider the difficulty of the courses you're taking in addition to the number of credits. For example, if you’re taking several courses that are known to be more intensive, it might be wise to lean towards the lower end of the credit range. Conversely, if you have a semester with classes that are less demanding, you could potentially handle a few more credits.

Remember that staying on track for your major requirements is crucial, so check your program's suggested course sequence and talk to an academic advisor to create a balanced schedule. Also, consider your personal responsibilities and extracurriculars when deciding on your course load. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but maintaining a manageable workload while progressing towards your degree is key. Take the time to find the right balance for you!

11 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.