<p>I'm a Junior philosophy/mathematics double major going into my second year. I could without any trouble graduate next year, completing two degrees in three years. I could also, alternatively, stay another year and bolster my application with a load more experience. So, holding other variables (GRE scores, GPA, letters of rec, etc.) constant between the two scenarios, would staying another year significantly increase my prospects for admission? Is obtaining two degrees in three years worth anything to grad schools, or is it really just the experience that counts?</p>
<p>Grad schools don’t usually care about how long it takes, just how prepared you are. Do you have research experience? Do you have the appropriate upper-level courses to prepare you for research in your intended specialty?</p>
<p>If you already have quality research experience and a solid series of upper-level courses preparing you for research in a specific area, then you are fine. In this case an extra year would not add anything that they would care about. If you lack these things, then spend the extra year.</p>
<p>If you are sure of your intent to enter graduate school, and you have the qualifications to get accepted to the caliber of schools you wish to attend, that is something to consider as well. Staying another year to garner additional experience can only increase your prospects for admission, but the question is whether or not you think your profile is in need of improvement. If it isn’t, then no need to put off graduate school, assuming you know for certain that’s what you want to do.</p>
<p>Thank you both very much. I appreciate the response.</p>
<p>I’m in a similar situation. I’m a senior in my third year, which is because I did a year of college while in high school. I could stay and do more here and there’s some more I’d like to do but I can’t think of enough to make it worth staying and paying another year’s worth of tuition. If you’re already ready for graduate school, I’d just graduate early. If you feel you need more experience, then get that.</p>
<p>In math you may be able to take some grad level courses while still an undergrad. For example, two 3 credit courses each semester next year, plus more philosophy or anything else you elect. Math grad schools are brutally competitive. You will bolster your application with more courses than the minimum required to graduate- your math grad school competition will include students from all over the world, many with advanced degrees from their home country. You are also likely to do better on the math GRE (count on getting an 800 on the math part of the general GRE to be competitive). You want to enter the best program you can- it will matter years later.</p>