<p>I'm currently considering graduating in 2.5 years. I'm currently at Cornell CALS studying biological engineering - I have over 37-ish AP credits, so it's definitely pretty reasonable (I already have it planned out and everything) - my question is: is it worth it?</p>
<p>Some benefits I see:
I'll save over 70,000+ dollars by doing so.
I currently like my classes, but I think they're kinda pointless. I have a high GPA and all, but I don't feel like I need classes to learn a subject. I'm a very independent student, and I feel classes are a waste of my money + they're mostly busy work. With textbooks / resources like MIT OCW all over the internet, I don't really feel class is necessary anymore. </p>
<p>Some issues:
Workload - Although I am pretty involved (I do research, I TA a class, I do sports / I have friends), it'll definitely dampen my "college experience" slightly. Then again, however, I never was much of a partier. I do wish I could spend more time with my friends right now, however. Currently I'm taking 24 credits and it's going well, but it'd be nice if I could have a little more fun.
Scholarships / Prizes - I may apply to some fellowships / scholarships / awards - will graduating this early affect my eligibility for them?
Minor - I'd really like to take up a minor of some sort, but that'd be impossible in 2.5 years.
But then again, I could just watch videonote (Cornell website that has lectures from over 50+ classes videotaped) to learn the material.. haha</p>
<p>Opportunities like study abroad - Study abroad shouldn't be an issue - I plan on travelling / doing some work overseas after graduation - however, there may be over amazing opportunities that I'll miss....</p>
<p>I was looking into graduating early from Umich. Like a year early from ME.</p>
<p>I decided not to for a few reasons. Less classes a semester allows me to spread them out (slightly) which will help me do better. More "college experience " and then more of that stuff…</p>
<p>Unless money becomes a big issue i’ll stick around.</p>
<p>What I really think i’ll do is co-op for a summer/fall or winter/summer period. Id. Only work toward staying one semester ahead so id still get out in four years</p>
<p>Also, how did you get 1.5 years ahead with only 30 something credits going in?</p>
<p>37 lets me skip 2 semesters - I knock off the extra semester by adding credits to my other semesters (so ~18 credits avg / semester) I’ve already confirmed with the head of my major department that my graduation play is feasible. I’ve also ensured that scheduling conflicts will not arise.</p>
<p>Money is also not an issue for me - however, graduating in 2.5 years is very feasible for me at the moment… I don’t know if I should or shouldn’t…</p>
<p>^ yo MLD, actually you can take ME 495 and 350 at the same time. The only thing that the college won’t allow is taking 450 and 495 at the same time, unless you petition for an exception to the rule(which I’m thinking of doing). </p>
<p>anyway on topic,
Do you want to rush through your college days? I love college, it’s absolutely the time of my life. There’s a balance between school and social life, so I don’t really know if I should graduate early. It’ll save me some money, but I think in the long run, I’d regret graduating early since I’d just be constantly working and probably miss the good ole college days.</p>
<p>After I graduate, I plan on staying at college / sitting in on some classes I find interesting & working part-time. And it won’t be too big of a rush either - It’s only that next semester will be very tough. My final two semesters should be very reasonable. </p>
<p>However, I don’t know about getting a minor / scholarships can be problematic.</p>
<p>Stay for three years. It will give you more chance to network and find job possibilities, or if you plan on going to grad school, more opportunity to find professors who can give you good recommendations. Plus, I hear that graduating in December is rubbish at a lot of places; you don’t get the nice ceremony and commencement that you get if you graduate in May.</p>
<p>There are certainly advantages to graduating a year early, I know many Cornell engineers who successfully did so but I think graduating in 2.5 years is a little unwise. You will also lose many of the benefits of being a full time student.</p>
<p>College experience >>> saving a little bit of money. Remember, college also offers things aside from just classes. Student orgs and research opportunities are abound (and as you mentioned, study abroad)…you might want to spend more time at college just to develop those interests. I’d highly recommend you to take an independent study with a prof…3 years graduation is fine, but 2.5 years is definitely pushing it. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>I agree with you all. My new plan is to take a gap semester during college (that gap semester won’t have any classes) (for travel, independent study/research / part-time job)… thanks everyone. </p>
<p>So, my grad plan is now like this:
semester 3 - 26 credits (i’ll be okay…)
semester 4 - take semester off
semester 5 - 19 credits
semester 6 - 15 or so credits</p>