<p>The thing is, I'm not 'rushing' through college. I'd be taking a normal 16 credit load. I am going to take two introductory law night courses this summer at a local college(not for credit towards my engineering degree... just for personal enrichment) and I hope to get some exposure to urban planning through my internship.</p>
<p>By rushing, I do not mean taking on more courses than is normal. I mean taking only the minimum required to graduate. In my S's course catalog, there are over 300 courses. He can only take 32 if he takes a normal course load. Even if he took two more per year, that would make 40 courses out of 300. There are more than 40 in his major alone. This is why, though the majority of students at his school come in with the option of taking Advanced Standing, few make use of this option. And among those that activate at the end of their first year de-activate it as senior year looms and they find more and more courses they would like to take, more extra-curricular activities they would like to experience.
As a future urban planner, you might be interested in taking courses in fields such as sociology, psychology, art and architecture, urban history as well as engineering; as a future law student, courses in history and government would be very useful.</p>
<p>Thank you for the comments. I am going to contact some grad schools and see what they say about the courses. I have gotten the impression that civil engineering is a good basis for urban planning grad programs but I too questioned if I should be taking additional classes in architecture, sociology, and poly sci. </p>
<p>I don't need to make any decisions in the near future, but my recent revelation that I COULD POSSIBLY graduate a year early has kind of opened my eyes to the fact that I do have some decisions to make in the not too distant future.</p>
<p>I'm 16 and graduating early from high school. How do I now graduate from college early?</p>
<p>Financial reasons aside, why rush through life so quickly? Just because you can finish college early is not necessarily the best reason to do so. Most colleges have so much to offer -- why don't you take a moment to try something outside of your comfort zone, or to learn something completely new and different? You will surely have plenty of years to spend working, so why rush through the fantastic years you have access to learning at school or travelling the world or working for the Peace Corps or teaching English in Japan or doing research -- you get the picture -- before you begin your career? Once you start working in your chosen field, it is much more difficult to take advantage of these opportunities.</p>
<p>I graduated college at 19 and law school at 22. For me, it was a mistake. I didn't have a true college experience -- taking a bunch of courses just to learn, not to further my profession, partying, studying abroad, interning, going to games or plays, changing majors. I entered the profession too young without having really experienced anything outside of school and so lacked a certain worldliness and maturity. I would suggest either taking extra classes, studying abroad, or doing an internship during that "extra" year. Something to further your development and growth while still safe in the womb of the academic world.</p>
<p>I had the opportunity to either graduate college early (after 3 years) or spend an extra year writing an honors thesis to graduate with honors, take courses & get involved in activities that were meaningful to me. I was very fortunate that the FAid offer fully funded my choice to spend the 4th year in college, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned a great deal writing my honor's thesis, being involved in a national board that had meetings all over the US (which I attended as a steering committee member), taking courses I hadn't had time to take previously, and depending friendships and relationships with faculty.</p>
<p>My brother graduated early from a very expensive private school & came home to our state flagship U to work, volunteer & take additional courses before going off the med school "on time." We all found it beneficial to have the college years to grow & experience the freedom & flexibility & opportunities that are part of being a college experience.</p>
<p>When you have a lot of credits, you have more options, like internships, travel abroad, volunteer opportunities, extra-curricular involvement and so much more. Taking advantage of these opportunities will help make you a more rounded individual & is very attractive to future employers and grad/pro schools.</p>
<p>OP,
from what I gather u shdn't have a problem.</p>
<p>I myslef am just 16 (turned 16 in October last yr) and will graduate in 3yrs cuz of AP credits and extra credits I lan to take in hols. </p>
<p>Its actually a boon. You can now work for a few yrs and apply wherever u want with work experience....ehich is a bonus.</p>