<p>I have 2 options in regards to completing my degree.</p>
<p>Scenario A)
Take 3 engineering classes per quarter for 3 years, not including summer session.</p>
<p>Scenario B)
Take 4 engineering classes per quarter for 2 years, including 4 classes in 2 different summer sessions.</p>
<p>What would be the smarter choice? Staying for another year will incur more loans on my behalf, while taking 4 classes in a quarter will get rid of that extra year but possibly result in a lack of a strong comprehension of the material.</p>
<p>Well, how much do you think your GPA will suffer? I'd say to take the longer approach. You have the rest of your life to work, so you might as well enjoy college life while you have it (not to mention having a higher GPA, and have mroe opportunities afterwards).</p>
<p>But does a higher GPA really make a difference if I'm not a "I need a top paying job in a highly regarded company" guy?</p>
<p>I mean, a GPA really only gets your foot in for the interview; if you've got nothing after that, that's not good news. On the other hand, while a lower GPA may prevent you from getting that interview, it doesn't mean you won't be able to work up where you want to go. I don't think a few tenths of a point matters all that much to me.</p>
<p>As for enjoying college, I've already spent 3 years here, haha. 2 more looks just right.</p>
<p>Yeah, it's taking me more than 4 years to complete my degree. My Dad has been paying for my classes lately, and I try to keep my bill "low," which means only part-time right now. At the end of this semester, I'll be a little over 1/3 of the way finished.</p>
<p>I'd definitely go with gpa being the factor, not time and comprehension.</p>
<p>Time; 5 years is typical, and no one puts their age on their resume, so they can look at you and tell how long it took you. </p>
<p>Comprehension; you don't use everything you learn in college in the real world. Prepr for individual interviews, but the skills you will need for the job will most likely be learned on the job.</p>
<p>GPA; can't be fixed once it's done. If you ever want to get into a MS or MBA program, gpa will be a big factor.</p>
<p>^GPA isn't as big of deal for MBA as you think it is. Business schools tend to be forgiving of poor GPAs because they are aware that students weren't necessarily focused on applying to business school in their undergrad years. This is especially true for students who decide to get their MBA much later in life. Look at the GPA averages for the top b-schools. They aren't very high. GMAT score is more important.</p>
<p>If you're planning on graduate studies, definitely take your time to keep your GPA high. If you're planning on entering industry immediately after graduation, minimize the time it takes to graduate if money is a concern. However, be sure to keep your GPA above a 3.0, because that will keep a lot of doors open for you.</p>
<p>"On the other hand, while a lower GPA may prevent you from getting that interview, it doesn't mean you won't be able to work up where you want to go."</p>
<p>Therefore the big question is.."Will it take me a year or less to work up where I would be if I started right now with a higher GPA?"</p>
<p>Yeah, I definitely plan on pursuing a Physics graduate degree, so I'm being prudent by taking my time in my Physics undergrad. I still don't know what I want to do with my degree(s), though.</p>