Hard to graduate in 4 years?

<p>According to the financial aid brochure UC sent me, it said that an average student graduate with a bachelors in just over 4.1 years if I remembered it correctly. Although I'm not sure whether summer sessions were completed or not. However, it said that students complete it in just over 4 years by taking 15 units per quarter? That is a lot right?</p>

<p>But the more units you take per quarter, the higher difficulty for you to ace all of them right? So would it be better to play it safe and probably take 10-12 units per quarter and instead graduate in 5 years time?</p>

<p>What do you guys think?</p>

<p>It would cost more money, so financially it would be more difficult...</p>

<p>If you take only 10 units per quarter when the norm is 15 you will most likely not be considered a full-time student and lose your eligibility for financial aid.</p>

<p>Here at UR, 15-16 credits per semester is the average if you want to graduate in 4 years. 12 credits is the minimum you can take and still be considered a full time student. 15 to 16 credits isn't hard in itself, it really depends on what you take. Most semesters, I've taken 17 credits plus two credits for theater practicum.</p>

<p>Just as a note, some majors require you to graduate in 4 (or at the very lastest 4.5) years, such as engineering, business, and econ (I think...). Also, at Cal you can't take under 12 units without a petition. Make sure you know your requirements before you choose your classes.</p>

<p>Also, staying a fifth year will naturally cost more $</p>

<p>Most people I know in engineering would have to kill themselves to graduate in 4 years, I don't know where you got that from Saxon. </p>

<p>Personally, I've taken about 12-14 credits per semester, and I'm still (most likely) going to graduate in 4 years. I've just taken a few summer classes too, is all.</p>

<p>AUlostchick, I'm pretty sure that Cal engineers have to graduate in 4 years because, well, I am one =O</p>

<p>Wasn't the national average 6 years?</p>

<p>I'm an econ major and law and society minor, and because of APs I'm likely to graduate in 3 years. And because econ has like no prereqs other than math.</p>

<p>Speaking of which, I need to take calc II and III. Owie.</p>

<p>Lol, okay, Saxon, fair enough, but that must be some rigorous program you're in, because I know of no engineers at my school (which has one of the best engineering programs in the south) who graduated/will graduate in four years 1)without nearly dying from exhaustion, or 2) without having a serious lack of a social life.</p>

<p>^^ futurenyustudent, calc II and III are pretty fun classes. Just come at them with a positive attitude =P</p>

<p>^ AUlostchick, my school's engineering program is known to be pretty rigorous =P. And to be fair, quite a few people here do die from exhaustion (drop out to something less demanding like biology or business). Then again, even more Berkeley engineers seriously lack a social life. Thank God I'm <em>somewhat</em> normal.</p>

<p>So that means if you take 12 units per quarter, you will also need to take every summer session to graduate in 4 years? But that would leave no time for any work experience whatsoever.</p>

<p>deutsch- you will be fine with 15 units, plenty of people ace at this courseload. That's only just 5 classes. When you hear of 15+ units, usually they come with labs because of the adiditional course hours.</p>

<p>I know many people who have taken 15 hours and have done well (sometimes even more)...</p>

<p>Why spend 5 years in college? get into the real world quicker, make more money, have a normal life. The main problem most students face is that they are scared of reality.</p>

<p>Only spend more than 4 years in college if that time includes getting your Masters/PhD/etc.</p>

<p>^^^ Yeah, I agree...</p>

<p>Dude, I have another 5 years of schooling EVEN IF I graduate early. Oh, the joys of getting a law degree.....</p>

<p>A lot of engineering majors have to take an extra semester or two to complete degrees...unless they want to cram it all in 4 years which could possibly disturb their mental health...the amount of class requirements is a lot more intense than other majors</p>

<p>but if you cram everything then you might end up with a lower GPA?</p>

<p>yes it is hard because things happen.
The class you need is full
The class has been canceled
The class is only available certain semesters
Financially you can only afford a certain number of courses
Something happen so you have to take time off or drop the courses</p>

<p>There are a bunch of other reasons</p>