Question to Clarkies. Is it possible to graduate from Clark in 3 years? Do you know any students who could do it? Thanks.
Technically, yes. But it would be very difficult, and I wouldn’t recommend it. Why do you want to do that?
You need 32 credits to graduate, and each class is one credit. Students take 4 classes per semester, but after their first year can take a 5th class. You can come in with up to 4 credits from AP/IB. If you come to Clark with 4 credits, and take 5 courses both semesters of sophomore and junior year, it would be possible.
I have never personally heard of someone doing that, and taking 5 courses for just one semester can be very overbearing, so I feel that trying to graduate in 3 years without an extremely important reason would not be a good idea.
I believe if you score a 24-35 in the IBDP, you are granted 4 credits or one semester. If you score 36 or better, you are granted 8 credits (full year).
Why would you want to do that? To potentially save thousands of dollars would be my #1 reason. #2 reason would be to use your fourth year to complete the Masters program.
There are some schools with set 3 year programs ~ Bates comes to mind. Other schools that give decent IB/AP credit are Mount Holyoke and Barnard.
And FWIW, I would disagree that 5 classes per semester is too difficult for most motivated students, assuming you are able to balance the courses with most difficulty with those you may find easier.
Thank you for your answers. I can’t afford to pay for 4 years. So I really need to try to graduate in 3 years. I am willing to take classes on summer.
so technically it is possible and some students do it? For example I heard that in some colleges like 20% of students graduate in 3 years.
Yes, it is definately done and definately possible. I have two nieces, both who graduated in 3 1/2 years from the UMass Honors college and most likely could have graduated a full year earlier had they chosen to. Only one went in with AP credits, the other did not, and still managed to graduate a full semester early. My D and I will be crunching the financial numbers and graduating in 3 years is something we will be looking at to keep the total price down. FWIW, they both had fantastic jobs within 3 months of graduating ~ one degree was finance, the other was event planning.
thank you @NEPatsGirl for detailed answers.
Does it depend on a college also? I mean in some colleges it’s easier to graduate earlier , in some not?
Absolutely, some colleges have required courses and very little wiggle room so if you couldn’t get credit for those courses with AP/IB you’d have to take them. Its just another way colleges make sure you “buy” at least 8 semesters and hopefully one or two more.
That’s what I thought too… What type is Clark?