<p>I am currently a second year student studying Biology with a minor is Chemistry and Business Administration. I have calculated and planned out my entire course-load. If I take summer classes, I can finish my major and double minor in three years. </p>
<p>Do you think it is wise to do so? I don't know why I would want to take an additional year if I don't need it. I would just be taking courses that I don't necessarily need or really want to take. I am from a low income family so the school and government would be assisting me with my financial aid, and I don't want to take away the aid from someone who may need it if I don't have to. And I am planning to go to Pharmacy School after I get my bachelors, I just don't know whether I should stay all four years. Within the three years, I would have done all the courses I needed for my degree, I would have studied abroad in the summer, and done internships. What should I do? </p>
<p>It’s your choice. I know students that have done college in 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, and 6 years. We all turn out about the same afterwards.</p>
<p>I’d focus on completing your first semester successfully, and then your second semester succesfully. After your freshman year, you will have a better idea of how long you want to be in college.</p>
<p>It’s very commendable that you consider the financial needs of other students. However, consider your own desires as well.
Once you start working (or pursuing your pharmacy degree) you will have little time for taking classes for the pure enjoyment of it. I have met many engineers who told me that if they could be students again, they would take more humanities classes. I believe that of all the classes my scientist husband took in college, the one from which he has derived the greatest enjoyment over the last decades were his two music classes. True, they did not help him become richer; in fact, to the contrary, they’ve led us into buying concert tickets, records, CDs, etc…
Also, instead of taking summer courses, you could work and accumulate some savings. Don’t rush through college if you don’t have to.</p>
<p>What you should do is what you want and what’s practical for your situation. This could mean either going ahead and finishing up in 3 years if that’s reasonable given your schedule or it might mean taking some additional classes you might not ‘need’ but you’d like to experience even if that means being there an extra semester or year. People do both of the above - you wouldn’t be the only one to graduate in 3 years and you wouldn’t be the only one to stretch it out beyond what’s absolutely necessary for the degree. If you plan to do pharmacy school afterwards then that’s a lot of years in college altogether so you might want to select the 3 year plan. The 3 year plan will also save money (yours, the college’s, or the government’s) and ultimately you’d end up in the workforce a year earlier which means one more year of wages. </p>
<p>You just need to decide what’s best for you given your personal situation and desires.</p>
<p>You need to look into the requirements to get into Pharmacy school first. I know that for several schools, your chances improve if you have some work experience in something Pharmacy related. Also, will you have time for ECs with a year round schedule? I believe most Pharmacy schools are looking for applicants that have a rounded background, in school, work experience and other outside activities. You might appear to look heavily weighted to school by going all year.</p>
<p>I think it would more beneficial for you to get some internships over the summer (even unpaid) than keep taking classes in order to graduate earlier.
It is also a good idea to take some classes in other fields in order to widen your horizons, and get some exposure to subjects you know little about (philosophy? art history? literature?). It may be a long time before you will get a chance to do it after you graduate from college.
Don’t look at your time at college merely as professional training. Use it to get the best education you can.</p>
<p>I may be odd in that I rather dislike the whole notion of the double major or double minors. You have to ride one pony out of the barn – pick one. Have lots of passions and interests but pick one major and excel in it. </p>
<p>What I have seen is that students beat themselves to death trying to squeeze in all the requirements for two majors/minors. There is never space for a fun course – and there always required courses in any major that are just brutal courses. </p>
<p>If finishing in three years excites you, then do it. Do you have close friends or a passion for your campus? If you do, then rushing through the college experience might not be such a great thing. </p>
<p>Be aware of the numbers change. People are impressed by the kid who finishes college at age 15. But the difference between 21, 22, 23, and 24 is minimal. You won’t necessarily impress the pharm school folks by being young. It’s ok to directly email the pharm school admissions and ask how they view young applicants. One med school I know actively discourages young applicants. They prefer older applicants. It would be good to know what attitude you will run into before making up your mind. Good luck!</p>