<p>I'm a high School senior debating to go to CSU Fresno or Eastern Washington University for Computer Science. My parents say that it now takes 5+ years to graduate from a CSU with a Bachelor's. I'm sort of concerned that they refused/didn't cite any reasoning/sources for this claim. Can anyone confirm or deny this statement?</p>
<p>check out IPEDS, the federal source for a lot of great college data.</p>
<p>But yes, grad rates at Cal States are very low. One of the highest, is Cal Poly in SLO, with a four-year grad rate of 25%. In other words, 75% do not graduate in 4 years. The 4-year grad rate at Fresno is 16%. But note, the Cal States have a lot of poor students who end up going part time so they can work to pay their bills.</p>
<p>[The</a> Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - Home Page](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/]The”>IPEDS)</p>
<p>Considering that my grades are good, and that I don’t drop out, is it sill 5+ years to get out with a Bachelors? My parents said it was something with overcrowding an not able to get classes because of it. With their reasoning, would that be true?</p>
<p>Your parents reasoning is sound, but consider this: the grad rates have been low for years. This is not a new issue with the recent budget cuts.</p>
<p>My son - at Fresno State - will graduate in 4 1/2 years. The extra semester (or two) is common.</p>
<p>However, there IS a track which will guarantee a 4 year graduation. I don’t know the details - you can ask about it. Basically, students on this track get priority registration. But you somehow have a little less flexibility, from what I hear. One of my son’s friends is doing this.</p>
<p>[California</a> State University, Fresno - Catalog](<a href=“http://www.csufresno.edu/catoffice/current/degreereq.html]California”>http://www.csufresno.edu/catoffice/current/degreereq.html)</p>
<p>Scroll down to a little past the middle of the page where it says “A Four-Year Graduation Plan”.</p>
<p>Four year degree road maps for various majors are here:</p>
<p>[Four</a> Year Degree Road Map](<a href=“http://www.csufresno.edu/degreeroadmap/]Four”>http://www.csufresno.edu/degreeroadmap/)</p>
<p>ucbalumnus, I wish we had known about those road maps! They are very helpful. The issue, roaringloudly, is that certain classes are prerequisites for others. And the university won’t let you into the next class until they actually SEE THE GRADE from the class before. Which means that the prerequisites can’t be taken in consecutive semesters, as registration happens prior to the end of the semester.</p>
<p>However, my son’s friend is in a program which gives her priority registration. Maybe some type of honors program? She didn’t call it that. More like she had to sign something that she was committed to getting out in four years and was willing to let the school control her schedule.</p>
<p>Roaringloudly, the one piece of advice that I can’t emphasize enough is go to the EARLIEST POSSIBLE Dog Days. You will be able to register at Dog Days, and the order in which you register will forever determine your registration priority within your entering class. In other words, those who attend June Dog Days will always register before July and August attendees, if accumulated credits are approximately equal. This is a huge advantage. I know that the school has suggestions for which Dog Days different majors should attend. Ignore the suggestion and go early.</p>
<p>I’m June 27th. Is that a good/early one?</p>
<p>I suppose double majoring (physics, I’m considering for myself ) would be hard, especially to get out in 4 years? It’s the cost per year I’m concerned about; I’m debating if just going to a slightly more expensive school, but getting out in exactly 4 years (depending if i decide to double major or not) would be better in terms of cost.</p>
<p>Also, it’s either physics or comp engin. That I plan to double major in (that is, if I decide to)</p>
<p>Any June Dog Days is probably good. </p>
<p>I just found the guaranteed graduation program but don’t know how to link it because it’s a pdf. Go to Fresno State, on the Academics page, and search for “four year degree R/12” It is basically an agreement that students can enter with the schools where they get priority classes and special advising and graduate in four years. Certain conditions must be fulfilled.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about your specific majors or anything about a double major. I do know that people who go to Fresno State think highly of their experience.</p>
<p>Best wishes to you!</p>
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<p>If you look at the “A Four-Year Graduation Plan” in the first link in post #6, it is basically an agreement by the student to meet with the adviser and complete requirements in a timely manner and is probably what you have been hearing about.</p>
<p>Note that none of the conditions are all that onerous if one takes a normal course load, selects courses that will fulfill major and other degree requirements, does not change major late, and does not need remedial course work. The last condition probably trips up a lot of students, since a large percentage of freshmen at moderately and less selective universities do need remedial course work.</p>