Graduating early because of finances, but going to grad school?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>So I need some advice/input. This is pretty long too, so sorry bout that.</p>

<p>I'm currently a sophomore, and I'm studying to be a speech language pathologist. If I wanted to, I could graduate next year with my major, in my third year of college. It's a totally feasible option. </p>

<p>But should I? The main reason I'm considering it is because I'm in a pretty rough financial situation. I still owe the university $1400 for this spring semester (my parents can't help much, I'm maxed on financial aid, and I can't get a private loan- I've tried many times and failed, due to lack of a cosigner, since my parents have declared bankruptcy and I have no other adult in my life that can do it). I still don't know how I'm even going to afford next year. Graduating early would save me quite a bit of money, and since I have to go to grad school anyway, I could use it. I think I could find a way to pay for 4 years, but finances play a big role in my decisions. </p>

<p>I was going to double major, but the second major I don't need, and I can easily forgo it to graduate in 3 years. Heck, if I decided not to graduate in 3 years but start on the path, I could finished that major in my fourth year if I finished my speech path major next year. </p>

<p>My advisor is actually the one who brought this idea up to me, but he hasn't been able to provide much insight about it. I'm just worried if it'll affect my chances for grad school, which I need to go to to work in the field. I mean, I've barely thought about grad school admission, and if I go this route, I should be getting on that pretty soon.</p>

<p>Graduating early, I'm just really worried I won't have the experience they're looking for to get admitted to the school. I don't really have any relationships with professors or persons in my field; My current job is just as a cashier, so it's not like I'm pumping my resume there and gaining experience in the field; And my GPA dropped pretty bad (it's down to a 3.2), so leaving early wouldn't give me as many opportunities to increase it, which I am doing, but I don't think it'll be good enough. Then there's the GRE, too.</p>

<p>I'm just conflicted and would appreciate any input on the subject, especially because I'm not that knowledgeable about grad school admissions. I just don't know what to do.</p>

<p>I could also just graduate early and then maybe volunteer/work in the field for a year? I don't know.</p>

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<p>Dude. </p>

<p>Work out a payment plan with the bursar so you can clear your debt. </p>

<p>Graduate early.</p>

<p>Volunteer at either a nursing home or a school so you can at least have experience within one of the two settings you might find yourself working in later on down the line. </p>

<p>Please also learn of the governing body for speech language pathologists in your state. Every state has something like that, right? Learn more of that and then you can kind of virtually network a bit and learn more.</p>

<p>Keep on working hard as a cashier as well :)</p>

<p>You are very lucky and fortunate to have an academic advisor who thought of you graduating early. Believe it or not, some academic advisor’s are mean and sometimes tell folks to bail of all things. So, you are very lucky. </p>

<p>The economy has changed the playing field, if you will, within the world of academics. Do not worry about what you have to do in the here and now to earn your undergrad and take things to the next level.</p>