<p>Does anyone have stats or links on Berkeley's 4-year graduation rate?</p>
<p>I've heard that 54% of Berkeley students took 5 years or longer to graduate. The main cause is not being able to register into classes. I know Berkeley is a big school, and individual class could have more than one hundred students. But it would compare poorly to other alternatives if the school has capacity problems in registering students into classes.</p>
<p>Someone, who just visited Berkeley, heard this info from a campus guide.</p>
<p>UCLA and Berkeley champion over Davis with four-year graduation rates at 55 percent and 53 percent, respectively. Lagging behind Davis are Irvine, Riverside and Santa Cruz.</p>
<p>As to the cause, there may be several. Students may ather take ligher loads over heavier loads. I took a class fewer than some of my friends at many other schools, 3 solid academic classes instead of 4. I'm okay with this, as I get to enjoy my life more. I'd say most Berkeley students are taking four solid academic classes, so it's not as if everyone is doing this every semester. Special programs might lead people to pospone graduation. If you want to study abroad and double major, it might take longer. If you want to do the programs in Sacramento or Washington DC, it may take longer, too. People can take classes over the summer, but some people would rather not. And then of course, there is the factor you mentioned, students being unable to sign up for classes. Unfortunately this is often the case, but in a slightly different manner than other schools. Like other schools, you won't get into every class that you want to take. For instance, I got into almost every class I wanted to take next semester, whereas my friend at a Northeast LAC got into about 3/5. It's a common deal. The problem comes in series, though. If you want to study abroad during a time when a class you need for your major is, and it's only offered during the spring, you'll have to wait to take it until next spring. I don't know much about it, but I think in this regard other schools deal with these problems slightly better. It isn't just the administration's fault. If you want to graduatei in four years you likely can, as long as you're willing to take a class or two you're not ecstatic about, as one must do at any school.</p>
<p>Good summary, Drab. Also, don't forget the work factor. At public universities many students need to help pay their own way by working part-time or even full time. Some students take fewer classes to fit work into the equation. Some even take a semester or two off. Additionally, students like college and if they can extend their time there, courtesy of their parents wallets, they often do! :)</p>
<p>If you are determined to do it and don't change majors, you can graduate in 4 years, but it is up to you. My D1 is set to graduate from a UC in 4 years with a double major....she took some summer school along the way and hasn't got a single extraneous class. Her dept gave out a sheet in the beginning and she hit it hard & fast with a heavy load...it can be done. If you change your major or take a lighter load, it's not so likely.</p>