<p>I'm concerned that it will take 5 years for a BS in Engineering at Dartmouth. The extra $50K is a big problem for just a BS degree. Is it really an option to get a BS in only four years, maybe with a 2-3 AP credits coming in? Would one be miserable trying to do this?</p>
<p>Also, does one get a BS in a specific discipline (Mech E, EE, etc.) or is it just a general engineering degree?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>DS got his AB in the standard four years and his BE with only two more courses that he took in one term. So it was really only ~$18K additional. He says he could have done both degrees in four years if he had really pushed it, but then he wouldn’t have taken a few electives. </p>
<p>He did enter with some AP credits under his belt so he was able to jump to higher level courses quickly and also was given actual credit for the APs.</p>
<p>One does get the BE in a specific discipline. </p>
<p>What also helps get through both degrees quickly is to major, for the four-year AB, in something engineering-related.</p>
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<p>Can you skip the AB and just get the BE in 4 years instead? I don’t see the need or value of two bachelor’s degrees.</p>
<p>Not at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>The AB is a liberal arts degree. It requires various courses in writing, language, philosophy or religion, etc. One can go to a different school and get a BE in four years, but not at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>It is possible to do the BE in four years, I have a number of friends who did it, but it limits your ability to do things like study abroad, minor, double major etc. Most of my friends who didn’t finish in 4 only stayed for an extra term or maybe 2, though, not a full extra year. If graduating in four years with a BE is really your top priority, it is possible at Dartmouth, but you may want to look into other schools where that is a more typical track.</p>
<p>Definitely possible. I believe a majority of '11 ENGS majors also got their BEs in 4 years. I took an entire extra year (three terms) to get my BE, but I also went on an FSP for my other major. The BE is essentially a second major. It’s doable, it’s a lot of work, but quite a few people do it.</p>
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<p>I think every other school I looked at has this as a “typical” track. I still don’t see the benefit of spending the extra time and money for two bachelor’s degrees.</p>
<p>It may be more typical at other schools, but it’s really the identical track. The difference is that at Dartmouth you can get a non-accredited major in ENGS - the AB. At many other schools, a lot of engineers will take more than four years to complete their program (along with other work-intensive majors, e.g. math, physics, compsci, digital arts). </p>
<p>It’s relatively simple to complete the BE in four years at Dartmouth, you just have to do your planning properly.</p>