<p>with 120 credit hours, what would i have to do?</p>
<p>I have 15 credit hours for my first semester...</p>
<p>Why do you want to graduate early?</p>
<p>Maybe take courses during the summer and/or winter sessions.</p>
<p>15 every semester equals 8 semesters to get 120 credits. (it's simple division to figure that out) If you wanted to graduate early you could take summer classes, or up your course load to 18 every semester(or whatever the max for credits is at your school. here it's 18, and after that you have to get special permission), or both. How early are you wanting to graduate? 1 year? If so, then that would mean you would probably have to do something like this: 15+15 freshman year, 9 summer, 18+18 sophomore year, 12 summer, 18+15 junior year. Then you would graduate after 3 years. However, that doesn't really leave much room for internships or a minor or just a really interesting sounding class you might want to take. Also, 18 hours is a b-tch... that's 6 classes to keep up with. Personally, I don't even really like 5 (prefer 4 at a time), but have done it before with good results, although other things (social life, etc) suffered.</p>
<p>EVERYBODY enters college thinking they can graduate on time or early but things happen...</p>
<p>That class you need to graduate? Opps its full</p>
<p>Come down with a flu and you miss classes? Now you have to retake the class since participation is 50% of your grade.</p>
<p>So don't bank on it. Just make the most out of college because saying you have a degree might get you the interview but its the other stuff like internships , study abroad, etc. that gets you the job</p>
<p>Here is something that you should use: Your</a> Best Friend</p>
<p>So then, graduating after 4 1/2 or 5 years isn't that big of a deal? </p>
<p>Is it possible to graduate in 4 years with one/two good internships, some research, and one/two study abroad? Has anyone done this?</p>
<p>It's not that unusual, except maybe that most students interested in research are science majors who have very limited options for going abroad (and study something related to their major!).</p>
<p>Yes, tnguyen08, that is exactly my resume and I graduated in 4 years, no problem.... okay, I had to wiggle my way in one of the required classes that's usually wait-listed. I did research. I went abroad for a semester (and summer). I had 2-3 top-notch internships.</p>
<p>Just because high school felt like forever when you get your diploma, it doesn't mean that college will too. I spent a week in denial after my college graduation trying to figure out where those 4 years went. :)</p>
<p>Thanks lol that's good to know :)</p>
<p>I just found out that one of the classes I really wanted to take was FULL...I was sooo upset, but I'll try and talk to my advisor to get into that class.</p>
<p>First of all, why do you want to graduate early? If the answer is 'just cause it would look better on my resume' you might want to think about that. College is awesome, you can make great friends, have a wonderful time, etc. and I wouldn't skip a year of it for anything. But if it's for financial reasons, well, I mean I feel fortunate that I was able to stay in college this long but I realize college can be a LOT of $$, skipping a year could save you tens of thousands of $$.</p>
<p>But anyhow, if you're going to be a freshman and want to graduate early I would make sure to let your advisor know that as soon as you know who he/she is. It also helps (especially if your advising isn't that great) to look at your school's undergraduate handbook and see what the requirements are for your major and to get a degree. Also see if you can figure out (from calling departments, looking on previous years' schedule of classes, etc.) whether certain courses are offered only in certain semesters. That way you might be able to figure out a rough guesstimate of what courses you will take each semester and you can prevent the if-I-had-only-taken-that-one-course-last-semester-it-would-have-worked-out.</p>
<p>As far as graduating in more than four years go, just keep in mind that some forms of federal financial aid (and many private or school scholarships) are only offered to students who spend four years as an undergrad (double-check this, I'm not quite sure about it).</p>
<p>The OP might want to read this:
10</a> Tips for College Students</p>
<p>keep on reading, it may not be immediately obvious but there is a large focus on how to manage a heavy course load and graduate early. The author says he graduated with a bunch of AP credits and only 3 semesters of actual college; the above article is actually a follow up article to this: Do</a> It Now by Steve Pavlina</p>
<p>Honestly, I believe 30 units to be a bit insane. I recently took 28 at a community college and it was very rewarding and I'm glad I did it but I just didn't entirely enjoy it, didn't have much time for anything else, and plan on sticking to 14-18 throughout college. With that said, don't be so afraid of an 18-20 unit load unless that includes a few classes that are notorious for giving students a lot of trouble.</p>
<p>As you've already seen, scheduling doesn't always go the way you want it so don't worry about graduating early instead see if you could pick up another interesting degree, minor, research, EC.</p>
<p>EDIT: Do not aim for a lot of credits your first semester because you're still adjusting; you want to get a good start and GPA not burn yourself out.</p>
<p>I am one of those strange students, I take 21 hours at a time sometimes…this last semester for example…because I love it. Yes, I will graduate early but it is not because I want to…its because I have these high standards for myself to take more than the limit. We are only allowed 18 credit hours without permission, so I asked the Dean for more and he gave me more. Yes, I made a B or two so far…but they were in classes I knew I tried my hardest in and nearly 65% of the class made failing grades. </p>
<p>I guess my point is, if you want to graduate early go ahead…but have a great reason besides “just cause”…I really want to double major…so that is one good reason to get a little further ahead…because I will be in college a while anyway…Ill only graduate early in terms of one degree. Then there is a masters in one of those and a PhD. in the other. </p>
<p>School is terrific though! I look forward to every class! Even if it is not my strongest subject!</p>
<p>The only reason i would see graduating early is to save money or jump into a masters program earlier.</p>
<p>I could work it around to get out a year early, but outside of money, there’s no reason to. Its not worth upping my credit load to about 18 a semester.</p>
<p>Instead I’ll work it so i only need 5 of the next 6 semesters, which will keep me at a nice 15 or so credits a sesmester. And then that semestr</p>
<p>Semester I’m off i’ll co-op. That’ll help me save/earn money, give me a break, and make me a better higher.</p>
<p>But i realize **** happens. This is just my plan, i have all the classes lined up, but we’ll see.</p>
<p>I am a big supporter of graduating early.</p>
<p>I entered college with 46 AP credits, then took 15, 21, 20, 18 credits over 4 semesters to graduate in 2 years. I still had time for internships and consulting work during the school year. This past year I did a 1 year masters.</p>
<p>In three years I came out with a BA, an MS, and now have a great job. Speeding up my education was a fantastic choice. The gain was one year less tuition at $40k and one more year of making money at $80k. Spending another year to graduate in the traditional 4 would have effectively cost me $120k.</p>
<p>Well **** if the school takes that many of your AP credits then by all means go for it</p>
<p>Why in the world do you want to graduate early? Just hang out, dont put pressure on yourself, and enjoy life!</p>
<p>College is the most fun you will ever have, dont rush through it.</p>
<p>One word my friend …$$$$$$$$$$</p>
<p>Only reason I see to graduate early is to save money and maybe get started on a Masters earlier. For me I plan to stay for another 3 years and graduate at the usual time. My friend Dylan had a meeting with his advisor and worked it out so that he’ll graduate in 2 more years, but he’s going to be taking a full load every semester including summers. To me, doing that leaves little time for other important things, such as getting work experience at a part time job, studying abroad and also putting a good internship or two under your belt. LOL, but Dylan doesn’t want to do any of that so for him its all good.</p>