November 18, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR CHARLENE CASSIDY IN SC
If you are really interested in taking some of these classes, talk to an advisor about auditing a class. If memory serves me correctly, when you audit a class, you are not responsible for completing class assignments and/or taking exams for a grade. You may be required to do something to prove to the professor that you attended class and grasped the subject matter. I think audited classes are included in official transcripts.

If you find after auditing a class you are comfortable with your abilities, perhaps you can take others for credit.

Best of luck.
**********
A: FROM MENTOR LYNN FRASER IN NEVADA
When you are interviewing for your first job after college, your
potential employer will look at your ENTIRE transcript, not just your bottom
line GPA. Having interests outside of your major and the courage to pursue
these even though they may be difficult should demonstrate to your potential
employer that you are an determined and inquisitive person which are likely
qualities that will impress them. Taking these classes will also give you an
alternative approach to learning and problem solving that will be very
beneficial to you when you get into a real work environment, and of course
will help you cultivate a hobby you can pursue your whole life. Also if you
are really worried about how your GPA looks you can seperate out your GPA on
your resume to include your "major GPA" and "overall GPA" - my college
actually calculated these two separate GPA's on the transcripts we showed to
potential employers. So go for it - this is the only time in your life
you'll have such a great opportunity to learn what you want to learn, and it
will only benefit you later on.
********************
A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON IN IL
Hi, Yunji,
I understand your concern. I think you need to take at least one of these
classes a semester. Do not take alot. I say this more from the standpoint of
really enjoying and learning. It's very hard to take alot of science and really
retain all that knowledge. It would become more of a chore, than an enjoyment
for you. And you wouldn't really be able to focus and learn it all. You can
take 1-2 Science classees (and speak to a counselor to decide which ones would
be good to take first, and/or together) and still be able to maintain a good GPA
and learn the content of the classes. You should not take classes JUST to
maintain a GPA. You should also be taking classes that will help you in life.
You may find that you want to change majors or have a double or a minor. Good
luck!!

Kristin Taghon

*************
A: FROM MENTOR LESLIE WAITE IN CA
Hi Yunji!
This is a very interesting question! I am begging you- please don't
avoid science (or any classes) that you are interested in just
because you worry about your grade!
I think that the first thing that you need to consider is where your
GPA "needs to be" and how you decide that. Do you have plans for
after college that require a high GPA? Are you worried that your
ability to find a job after college will be hurt if you do not have a
4.0? In other words, think in very specific terms about why you need
a high GPA, and exactly how high it really needs to be to achieve
your goals. Make sure you get expert opinions from counselors and
department heads so that you know where your GPA really needs to be
to move on to your next step. If you have set your standards for your
GPA higher than necessary, you could be missing out on some great
classes because of incorrect assumptions, and that would be a shame.
Depending on what your circumstances are, there are a few things to
consider about GPA. Remember that when it comes to college GPA,
people will usually be looking at more than JUST the GPA number
itself. Many companies will be looking at how you did in the classes
that are relevant to them. So if you are going to be doing something
in theatre, they will focus on your theatre classes and how you
performed in them, not how you did in astronomy.
If you are considering graduate school or medical school, these too
frequently focus on how you did in classes in the field that you are
applying to study, and will forgive some lower grades in other
courses, especially tough courses like science. Even in places where
your overall GPA will be looked at, they still frequently consider
how difficult your courses were. Someone who took tough courses and
had a 3.7 GPA might be considered a better candidate than someone who
took easier courses and had a 4.0 GPA. So avoiding classes that you
don't think you can get an excellent grade in can actually work
against you.

It could be that you have very good reasons for needing to maintain a
high GPA. If this is the case, and you are really interested in
science, I would look for science courses that are designed for
non-majors. These classes are usually less intense, and take into
account that you are not trying to make a future career out of the
subject. You will also not be competing for grades against people who
DO want to make science their life, which can help.
You can also consider taking classes pass-fail. At many Universities
these are not figured into your GPA, and people who will be looking
at your transcripts later will understand that you took these courses
out of interest, not necessity, so it should not count against you.
In fact, it can frequently count in your favor that you had so many
different interests and pursued them!
Finally, if you are REALLY worried about your GPA, consider taking
science classes at a local community college during the summer. These
won't go on your college transcripts unless you specifically request
them to, and they won't be tallied into your GPA for your University
at all. I have taken a few courses at community colleges, and they
have been very well-taught and very enjoyable.

I took a LOT of classes in college that were "just for fun"-Spanish,
English Literature, Endocrinology. My college experience was so much
richer because of this diversity in my education. Please don't miss
out on the chance to experience all that you can and follow your
interests while you are school. You will thank yourself for it later.

Good luck!
Leslie