Hello friends, I was just wondering how possible it is for students to graduate a semester early at UM. I’m OOS and the cost is pretty steep. Cutting off one semester would really help, so any opinions are appreciated. I was accepted LSA and applied pre-admit to Ross, which is where I hope to be eventually. I will most likely have around 20 AP credits coming in (Biology, US, Euro, Spanish Language, US Gov, AB Calc). I know it’s probably a long shot but I was wondering what others think. Thanks!
It’s not impossible, especially with AP credit, but it won’t be easy. You’ll need to take 18 credits a semester, which is definitely doable, but be prepared to study hard if you’re planning to be in Ross.
I will say that I know very little about Ross, but I’m assuming it works like any other school at Michigan.
Dual enrollment at near college?
Understand that college life is VERY different than high school. The work is much more challenging and demanding. Your classmates, for the first time in your life, will be as smart and smarter than you. My advice? Talk to some students at Ross. Ask counseling to hook you up to Ross students. They’ll tell you the truth about time commitment, work load, etc.
It would be hard for Ross as it is a 3 year program starting in sophomore year. Other than that, it may depend on your course sequence (if for another major). Nevertheless, I do know a quite a few students graduated in less than 4 years. AP credits can certainly help. Some would also take some classes in community college over the summer. Note that you will only get half credits on some courses from AP unless you take the next level course. You should look up the AP credit policy for LSA carefully. In addition, make sure the credits are useful for your major. My D got 33 AP credits and 5 credits from CC. Now she just need to keep the 12 credit minimum requirement to graduate in a total of 3.5 years. She could have more than enough credits to graduate in 3 years but the course sequence would not allow her.
@MaryGJ I wasn’t asking because I assume that I’m smarter than everyone and could easily graduate early, I just wanted information about the process/ how doable it is. Trust me, I know how competitive umich is, and I’m not expecting to be the smartest person in any room on campus.
@billscho Thanks for the info. I have looked at he AP credit policy, and I believe the only class with half credits for me would be AP calc. I have also considered community college classes during the summer, but I would ideally have internships later on, so I’m not sure how that might work. It’s nice to know that others have done it though.
@GoPack87 My D actually took the class in community college in the evening after work during the summer. It is manageable if you are not taking too many classes at the same time.
Again, make sure the AP credits are useful for your major and graduation requirement, otherwise, it may just make you to pay upperclassmen tuition earlier. In CoE, for example, having more than 13 LSA/humanity elective credits from AP would not help you further.
I came in with 20 highschool credits from AP and will be graduating a semester early with never having taken more than 16 credits a semester.
One of my friends came in with 50ish credits and graduated after Sophomore year
@nomerci Do you mind if I ask your major and what AP credits you had?
I dropped out of beauty school, started at Michigan in January and graduated with the class that entered the previous September-- but I stayed on campus and attended summer sessions between each of the regular academic years to make up that “lost” semester. Granted, this was in the dark ages ('77-'80), but thanks for the reminder. Good times.
@GoPack87 sorry for the late response, haven’t been on in a while.
Economics major (LSA), 20 AP credits. AP courses: Statistics, Literature, US History, Physics I, Government.
Ross is set up so that you have to spend at least 6 semesters here once you enter Ross (which nobody does until at least their third semester at UM). Their curriculum is very structured.
If you choose to come here from out of state, don’t expect any sympathy for having to pay that level of tuition. If you go out of state, you are doing so at your own will. You have the option to stay in state if you have difficulty affording out of state tuition.
I knew a girl who graduated from Ross last term in 3.5 years. As far as I know, she didn’t take any classes in the summer. Understand from her that a number of her classmates also graduated with her so it’s not that rare.
I know that had been the case but I now thought the newer Capstone requirement required at least part time status through the sixth Ross semester.
It was possible in the past, but it is not likely with the current curriculum.
She just graduated last month. So yes it is possible and I’m as surprise as you are.
According to what I have heard, the curriculum was just changed last year or so. If she has graduated, it would be the old curriculum. The students under the new curriculum have not graduated yet.