<p>I'm thinking of staying in undergrad for 5 or 6 years, since I see that undergrads have many of the same privileges as grad students and none of the responsibilities (they can take grad lvl courses and do research). And my parents are willing to fork out all of the cost (and they're willing to pay for all my textbooks, food, random purchases, etc - but they're going to quit once I go into grad school). </p>
<p>But do grad students have freedom in ways undergrads do not?</p>
<p>For starters, they have the opportunity to actually get a graduate degree from their graduate courses and research. This also enables them to have more job opportunities and a higher starting salary. In addition, they may also have stipends that cover a substantial portion of the costs of living, tuition, etc.</p>
<p>I think you're missing the point of a grad program.</p>
<p>People go into grad programs to get a grad degree, as mentioned by Matthew. People want a grad degree to move forward in a particular career.</p>
<p>Why do you want to stay in school for that long to take grad classes? You say you're planning on going to grad school. If so, staying and taking extra classes like that is a total waste of time and money (even if it is not your own - more on that below). When you apply to grad school, they will be unimpressed with and extra 2 years spent taking grad classes during undergrad. They will see you as unmotivated to move forward. They will worry that you will not finish your grad degree within a reasonable amount of time. If you do get into grad school, you will have to take many of those same classes you already took - again - because your grad program will not transfer more than one or two (and maybe none).</p>
<p>Additionally, whether your parents are willing to do this or not, it's pretty irresponsible and selfish to expect your parents to pony up for an extra 2 years of tuition and living expenses for you when it's unnecessary. it sounds to me as if you are afraid to leave your safety cocoon and make it on your own. But it's time to grow up and be an adult.</p>
<p>Finally, of course grad students have more freedom. For one, grad students have the right to take grad classes and do grad research. Undergrads need permission, and they only get it if there aren't enough grad students to fill it. grad students also have advisors, who will guide them in their research and publishing. As an undergrad, you will not get that same kind of attention. Grad students regularly go to conferences, and they are often assisted (through both time and money) in this regard. Undergrads do not get this, either.</p>
<p>The issue is this - I don't have a particularly high GPA, but I'm quite cognizant of the fact that prestige of grad school really matters. Staying longer in undergrad will help me get research and courses needed for getting into a better PhD program. And can grad students take grad level courses in other departments? (for example, a physics grad student taking grad courses in chemistry?)</p>
<p>I also entered university 2 years early and realized that public school killed my imagination - so I pretty much took a year to study a lot of things by myself (and wrote a lot of things) - and found that I had a much broader imagination afterwards.</p>
<p>And actually - my parents are encouraging me to stay for 6 years.</p>
<p>
[quote]
But do grad students have freedom in ways undergrads do not?
[/quote]
Oh dear, yes. I think there's quite a bit of freedom in picking/being given a research subject and given unlimited time to figure it out. As an undergrad, you have the pressures of class -- class is, after all, your reason for being there. As a grad student, your research topic is far more important than the classes you're taking, and depending on your program, you may not need to take very many classes at all. </p>
<p>For me lately, it's just been 60 hours a week of a particular subtype of neuron. It's very free! :)</p>
<p>EDIT: Whether you can take classes in another department as a grad student depends on your program. My program, for example, requires a certain number of classes, but they can be any courses I want to take; not all programs are so free-form.</p>
<p>Would you consider applying to PhD programs before taking a fifth year of undergrad, seeing where you get in, and deciding whether or not to take a fifth year after you see where you get in?</p>
<p>
[quote]
EDIT: Whether you can take classes in another department as a grad student depends on your program. My program, for example, requires a certain number of classes, but they can be any courses I want to take; not all programs are so free-form.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Ah, interesting. Yeah, that will depend on the grad program itself. </p>
<p>
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Would you consider applying to PhD programs before taking a fifth year of undergrad, seeing where you get in, and deciding whether or not to take a fifth year after you see where you get in?
[/quote]
</p>
<h1>I thought about that for a while - the question is - would profs remember you from previous years? (I have very unusual life circumstances, which is definitely going to go on the SOP, so I'm the person who easily makes impressions on people's minds). And if so, is it mostly outcome-neutral?</h1>
<p>In retrospect, if I had the choice, I'd drop out of HS to homeschool myself for two years (though I could use the university as a way to do this - by going low on class load - which is what I did for one year of UG - I'm a rising junior now). Right now I don't feel emotionally or academically prepared enough to go to grad school in only 2 years.</p>
<p>"The issue is this - I don't have a particularly high GPA, but I'm quite cognizant of the fact that prestige of grad school really matters. Staying longer in undergrad will help me get research and courses needed for getting into a better PhD program. And can grad students take grad level courses in other departments? (for example, a physics grad student taking grad courses in chemistry?)"</p>
<p>As I already pointed out, though, staying an entire two years extra in undergrad will likely hurt your chances, not help them.</p>
<p>Whether your parents want you to stay 6 years is really besides the point. You have no reason to stay an extra two years. What are the reasons your parents give for wanting you to stay 2 more years?</p>
<p>If you feel you are not going to be ready for grad school when you are supposed to graduate (and that's understandable, as if I recall correctly you started college early?), graduate on time anyway and do something for a couple years that will actually help your application. Apply for a Marshall or Fulbright. Teach English abroad. Work for a nonprofit. There are a million more productive things to do then sit around your undergrad institution. You will gain maturity and confidence, and your app will be better (grad schools like people who have real-world experience).</p>
<p>
[quote]
And if so, is it mostly outcome-neutral?
[/quote]
As far as I know, yes.</p>
<p>And I should probably amend my classes statement above -- probably almost all graduate programs would allow you to take classes in other disciplines. The aspect that would vary is that not all of them would allow you to get credit toward your degree for them.</p>
<p>
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And can grad students take grad level courses in other departments? (for example, a physics grad student taking grad courses in chemistry?)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The simple answer is yes. The actual answer is it depends on how it applies to your research/degree. If your physics department research requires knowledge of a course offered in the chemistry department, then you will be allowed and encouraged to take the course. But there are restrictions, most programs have a limit on the number of hours that can be used towards a graduate degree outside of your department.</p>
<p>However, if the point of your question is to cheat the system... then it won't work. Most schools have policies that prevent students from applying to one graduate program with the intention of taking classes in another program. A long while ago, people were found to have been applying to an easier program so that they could take classes in a better and harder-to-get-into program in the school. If no one caught on, they could meet the requirements of a program they weren't originally admitted to.</p>