Getting Masters EE in 3 1/2 years? Is this possible?

<p>Ok so I'm a highschool senior going to USC this fall.
I have AP credits for Calc I and II, Chem 105, and General Education I (Euro) (16 credits)
I also want to take Writing 340 and ISE 460 abroad before my junior year. (7 credits)
This leaves me about 24 units of free electives, even to graduate in 3 1/2 years.
I looked up at the requirement for masters degree and I had to fill in 27 units (I'm interested in aerospace controls emphasis for MSEE)..
Is it then possible to graduate with BS/MS in 3 1/2 years?
I also want to do Co-Op at USC (which will take 1/2 year), and graduate within 4 years since I'm trustee scholar..
My goal is to go to graduate school like MIT or Stanford and study until I get PhD degree in EE.
Or would it be smarter to just double major in subjects like applied math/math/physics?</p>

<p>"Or would it be smarter to just double major in subjects like applied math/math/physics? "
YES.
A brilliant friend of DS is graduating after 5 years with a double major in Math and Physics. He has been accepted at every top U for his PHD studies that he applied to and will be starting his PHD after a year in Cambridge, on a Churchill Fellowship. DS[ who was also bumped up to Trustee] is graduating with a Major in Geology and minor in Physics and is starting his PHD in Geophysics at Cal Tech in Sept. Take full ADVANTAGE of the 8 semesters of free tuition that a Trustee scholarship gives you and do a double major. Do research with some of the fantastic profs here- which WILL help you when applying to Grad schools. There is no advantage in trying to rush through.</p>

<p>No, it is not possible. By your math, the bachelor’s degree will take 3.5 years. You need at least one more year to do a master’s degree. Plus, you will die. No really, if you try to do an EE BS and MS in the shortest time possible, you will die or have zero social life/activities/anything besides school, so it’ll basically be like you’re dead.</p>

<p>Anyways, here’s the practical problems with it.</p>

<p>First, while it is technically possible to do WRIT340 and ISE460 over the summer in the Viterbi summer study abroad program, getting into the program is no sure thing.</p>

<p>Next, grad school level classes are 3 units, and a typical load is 3 classes, for a total of 9 credits each semester in grad school. That’s 3 semesters typical to finish a master’s degree. You could take more classes of course, but your grad school tuition only covers up to 12 credits per semester. Now, you could apply for PDP and get a third of those 27 credits required knocked off, meaning only 18 credits for a master’s. But that’s still two additional semesters. You’re only barely getting undergrad done in 3.5 years, how are you going to do grad school in zero time? 4.5 years looks to be the bare minimum time possible to finish both degrees.</p>

<p>Oh, and your trustee scholarship is only good for undergrad. It expires after 8 semesters or until you get your first degree.</p>

<p>If you want to do a co-op, that will necessitate not taking any classes for a semester or a year, meaning you delay graduation for however long your co-op is. Typically one semester.</p>

<p>Here’s a better plan: take some classes first and see if you even like EE. What you’ve outlined here is a bad plan and is not only foolish, it is detrimental to your health.</p>

<p>The dual enrollment Bachelors/Masters at Viterbi will take you at least 4.5 years, if not 5. I know several people who did it.</p>