<p>This is an old thread. I had a discussion with DD about this and she wants all 4 full years - because it is about the experiences. </p>
<p>Surely that she could get it done in three years, but she want to take "fun" classes, do some "study abroad" programs and some researches. </p>
<p>Because of the generous need based FA she got, we should be able to handle it.</p>
<p>I graduated in three years in '78 with my BA from the U of Washington. My HS didn't have AP opportunities back then, so this was accomplished by taking at least one extra class per quarter, and also a full quarters worth of credit during my internship in DC (poli sci major.)</p>
<p>Screwitlah:</p>
<p>Princeton requires that the AP credits be in specific categories, eg. one in humanities, one in science, etc... Harvard will accept any 4 (with a few exceptions). So, if you have 4 APs that happen to be acceptable to Harvard, you could get Advanced Standing there. But you might not at Princeton if your AP credits do not include the stipulated categories. It has nothing to do with grades.</p>
<p>As for actually graduating with AS at Princeton, I do not know the requirements either for General Education or for a specific major. </p>
<p>S2 was eligible for AS but chose not to exercise that option; neither did his friends, the majority of whom were eligible. Most are like DadII's D: they want to take advantage of the enormous range of courses available. S1 attended a LAC where only 2 AP credits were permitted, and only to skip some introductory courses.</p>
<p>screwitlah, I PM'ed you, as well.</p>
<p>I graduated in 3 years from Indiana ('73), also just by taking heavy loads and a couple summer courses. My son was considering graduating in 3 years from his Ivy, but it didn't make sense. It was going to limit some things for him (honors thesis etc) and wasn't worth it. The saved $$ would have been nice, but a lot of it would have been (was....) used up in summer school anyway.</p>
<p>i graduated with a b.s. in 3.5 years (and this included a change in majors)......by testing out of a couple of classes, entering summer school immediately after h.s. graduation, and by also continuing to attend summer school during the summer sessions. there were no a.p. classes or dual enrollment courses offered while i was in h.s.</p>
<p>My S graduated in 4.5 years from a 5 year dual degree program due to AP credit, if that helps. I believe that statistically across the country however, the number of semesters to graduate has increases (looking at all schools). So I am guessing it is not as prevelant. I knew some people who did it some years ago by going continuously throughout the year (maxed out in summer also).</p>
<p>I just sent a personal message to the OP as I have become annoyed with his obsession with the costs of a college education (more of the same in all of his threads)- the 3 year plan is another way to save money. I know of a math major back in the early '70's who graduated in 3 years to go to medical school after- we chemistry majors had it figured out that she could do it (no AP's back then) because she didn't have the time consuming labs we did...</p>
<p>The only reason to do 3 years is if the STUDENT feels it is better than spending 4 or more years getting the bachelor's degree. A parent has no business pressuring their child to cut short a wonderful time of life.</p>
<p>wis75 - I absolutely agree with you. Both of mine could have graduated in 3 years from top schools. I recommended that they stay for all 4 years and enjoy their senior year by exploring courses they otherwise might not have taken. My feeling is that this is a great 4 years and what difference does it make if you end up working for 40 years instead of 41 years. Your undergrad years are a once in a lifetime opportunity.</p>
<p>Had I started my major freshman year (not switched), I could have graduated in three years, probably with a psych/social work double mahor. Had I choosen just a psych major (and still switched after year one), I could graduate after this year with a psych major (and minor in bio). However, seeing as I am thinking about going into an MSW, it is better to stay in extra year (~$8k), get a BSW, and qualify for advanced standing in MSW progrms than to save that $8k, and have to pay for two years of an MSW program...</p>
<p>My daughter will graduate with a BS in Business from a private college this December after 3 1/2 years. She also changed her major twice. She took one college class at our local community college the summer of her high school junior year. The past two summers she took a class at the community college as well. </p>
<p>I think her decision to graduate early was partly based on finances. She does live at home and saves a lot in that regard. Her Dad and I contributed a fair amount for her education, but she will have a loan when she is done. The prospect of getting a jump on the job market 5 months before her classmates was also attractive to her. </p>
<p>I am very proud of what she has done in such a short time.</p>
<p>I have heard that certain colleges and universities do not allow students to graduate in less than 4 years. University of Rochester is one of these universities.</p>
<p>My D was like ST2's kids -- she had credits to graduate, but what's the rush? She's finishing a double major with her fourth year. I agree with ST2 and Wis75 that the student needs to WANT to do it. Few do, and there are good reasons to spend four years at university.</p>
<p>As for DadII's repeated inquiries as to LEGITIMATE ways to limit college expenses, I say lay off the guy. He's not looking to cheat the system, just make a financial plan for college expenses. That's sensible, right?</p>