<p>I'm doing a dual degree program (one humanities degree, one science degree) and realized over winter break that it's going to take me more than four years to graduate. I already knew this was a possibility since I had to go part time a few semesters in community college (since classes filled up so fast), but now I'm nervous about what people are going to think about me spending so long as an undergrad when most of the people I know are getting ready to graduate next year. </p>
<p>So, in the interest of not feeling lonely, is anyone else going to graduate after spending 4+ years as an undergrad? How are you dealing with it/explaining it to other people?</p>
<p>I am a 5th year undergraduate student. I didn’t apply to graduate school last year because I didn’t think I was ready. I didn’t graduate so I could continue to take advantage of university resources as a student. In this 5th year I took a semester long internship in the US State Department, and now I’m completing a second major, an undergraduate certificate, and re-establishing a National Honors Society on campus, all while doing a local internship as an analyst in a mid-sized city. </p>
<p>I explain it to people by telling them that when I first went into college I didn’t have any sort of plan or intrinsic reason for being there, I was there because it was expected and my parents pushed me toward getting a pre-professional degree. After my first 2 years went awry I transferred to a different program and got down to business. </p>
<p>I needed an extra year to create more distance between the bad times and show everyone what I am capable of when I am consciously planning what I am doing. Had I graduated last year I don’t think I would have been accepted to the graduate school I wanted and my long term career aspirations would be less. I tell people “I still feel that I have a legacy to build in this city before I move on to bigger and greater things.”</p>
<p>If I decide to add on a minor, or a certificate program I will be going an extra semester. I don’t think it is a problem going past 4 yrs unless your parents are paying, and said no to that. In fact I was thinking if I do add something on then I will stay the extra semester and take the pre reqs for a DPT program since I will have more time to focus on those specific courses. I was also thinking of graduating on time, and then going to a community college while working to get the pre reqs done. In all honesty I won’t know until I finish this public health course (2 classes in and I love it)</p>
<p>I actually have several classmates that consider themselves “super” seniors, or 2nd degree students. My sibling will be a 6 1/2 yr student since major courses for them are offered every other year as the dept is so small then they are going straight to grad school hopefully.</p>
<p>Spending more than 8 semesters to a bachelor’s degree is common.</p>
<p>However, if your extra semesters were at community college, at least that was likely inexpensive compared to extra semesters at a four year school. What tends to be a problem is that students and parents budget for 8 semesters, but the 9th or later semester is a financial hardship (especially if financial aid or scholarships end after 8 semesters).</p>
<p>My parents are paying and to be honest, were a little disappointed that I was initially only a history major. Now that I’m doing science as well, they’re as happy as clams and more than enthusiastic about my being in college.</p>
<p>I might take more than four years. I’m majoring in physics, and next year I will be doing a full year exchange program in Mexico, which will probably set me back in physics a year. I’m also minoring in Russian, so I have quite the busy courseload. It’s all good though. :)</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus, it’s a science major. They were both science majors in college and were pretty disappointed that I wasn’t as well. So when I found a science that I loved and wanted to major in, they were really enthusiastic, posting about it on facebook and stuff.</p>
<p>I’m going to already be graduating on a fifth year, but it might turn into six. I spent 3 years at community college sorting myself out and getting all of my lower-divison classes and general education requirements out of the way before I transferred. If I hadn’t taken all those classes towards pre-pharmacy, I could’ve left earlier.</p>
<p>Anyways, realistically speaking it is possible for me to graduate in 5. However, that will require some very heavy semesters with the hardest classes in my major. Think 20 units back to back my last year. I’m going to see an adviser about graduating. I really don’t have the money to spend 3 years in college, only 2…so we will see what needs to be done.</p>
<p>Four and a half, maybe five. I went to a community college for a year and a half and did most/all of Mt gen eds. I transferred to a four year school that I hatred and transferred to another. I also changed majors about three-ish times but there was a good deal of overlap and I only have taken maybe three or so classes that are no longer required for my degree.
So I don’t feel badly about it. I’m 3.5 years in, I pay my own way, I’ll have a BA, a GIS certificate, and I should finish with less than $15k in debt. That last part isn’t ideal but it is better than many of my friends.</p>