<p>My son is currently finishing up his second year at UC Davis as a managerial economics major. He can graduate next year as a junior and move on to graduate school to pursue a MS/MBA or he can stay for another year and most likely double major in something else (possibly poli sci or ir). Also, my son has just found an internship and seems eager to learn from it. Obviously staying for another year means another year of tuition, but money isn't really a deciding factor for me. </p>
<p>So the question is, what are the advantages and disadvantages of graduating in three years and going to grad school earlier versus staying the full four years with most likely a double major?</p>
<p>I can’t see where his double major adds anything that would be a bump up for employment or grad school applications. But it will expand his knowledge.</p>
<p>Usually, the summer after junior year is a good one to get an internship in his field. This boots on the ground experience can be VERY valuable. A lot of parents on CC are reporting that having these kinds of internship opportunities are key to finding employment after graduation.</p>
<p>I guess staying an extra year might give him more opportunities to find another internship. Is it worth it for him to stay another year just to get more knowledge and experience or should he just graduate after the third year?</p>
<p>A second major or minor that complements the first major, or can lead to opportunities not covered by the first major, may be helpful. For example, additional courses in advanced math and statistics may open up job and career possibilities in quantitative areas of finance.</p>
<p>Can he spend some time next fall taking the GRE, applying to grad school, looking for a job in his field while also applying for internships? If the opportunities are not presenting themselves, then staying an extra year makes sense. If not, then why wait if he has a good opportunity.</p>
<p>If he hasn’t established the kind of relationships with faculty members who will be writing letters for jobs or graduate programs, another year of advanced classes will provide an opportunity to forge those contacts.</p>
<p>I have two nephews who blew through undergraduate years as fast as they could to save on tuition/fees, but it was a mistake, in my opinion. From what I could see, their job searches were hampered by the lack of a good relationship with useful faculty members.</p>
<p>My son completed his undergraduate studies in 3 years and then went on to complete his masters degree in the standard 2 year time frame. </p>
<p>Pros: Saved us tuition money and since we have 4 kids to put through college, this was a huge blessing to us. </p>
<p>Cons: There were no disadvantages to him. He did everything he wanted to do in 3 years including a semester abroad. He was able to develop relationships with his professors so letters of rec for grad school were not a problem. </p>
<p>Since he ended up getting his grad degree from the same school he was already attending and had a high enough GPA, the GRE requirement was waived. So, he did not have to cram in GRE studying. He did not live on campus, so he was not ‘giving up’ the campus/college experience by finishing early. </p>
<p>Bottom line: for my son, there were no downsides to finishing early. He has no regrets at all. In fact, a huge plus is that he met the young lady he wants to marry and he will be able to marry her this summer. Had he spent more time as an undergrad, he would not yet be done with his graduate studies and therefore not able to marry her for another year. Of course, this would not be everyone’s experience, but life situations do change so it was nice for him to be done with his studies sooner.</p>
<p>I too graduated early, got accepted to grad school, but delayed and worked for a year. I never experienced any downside. By the time I had stated “soph” year, I was in Honors with current junior students. My ECs and LORs were in place. I guess it depends on the field, and if your son is enjoying the college.</p>
<p>A friends son did just that graduate in January. He could have graduated at the end of his junior year and was looking for graduate programs (Ph.D) and was not getting aid. However one of the professors whom he had been in contact with got back to him around October and told him that the grant he was expecting did get approved and he would like to start right away and that he really could not wait till next fall. My friend’s son quickly turned around his plans, graduated in December and joined graduate school in January. May not work for everyone and in this case the student had something lined up and staying the extra semester gave him the flexibility to jump on the opportunity he had wanted.</p>
<p>To me college is a unique time to explore and grow as a student and individual … and …</p>
<p>regular path through college …
4 years of college
43 years of work</p>
<p>graduate in 3 years …
3 years of college
44 years of work</p>
<p>Unless there is financial pressure or the student really is ready to move on and not getting much out of their undergraduate experience I typically vote for the full 4 year experience … people spend decades in the work world why rush into it!</p>