I have to take summer classes this semester in order to graduate on time (I am supposed to be a senior this coming year but I am a few credits behind, so technically if I do not take summer classes, I would graduate next fall). The reason I am a few credits behind is because I transferred from a school which operated on a trimester system to a school that operates on the semester system.
I have never taken summer classes before and I am a science (biology) major. So far, I am doing really well in my courses and I have around a 3.6 GPA.
I am scared though, that I might not do well in the summer courses (especially since I will be taking both Cell Bio and Physics) because it moves at a faster pace (approx. 3 weeks) and we meet everyday of the week. I feel really worn out from this semester because all the courses I took all science courses this semester which involved a lot of heavy memorization. If I take the courses at my college and somehow don’t do well, it will show on my transcript and damage my gpa. If I take it at another college, and don’t do well, I don’t have to submit to transfer those courses into my college. On the other hand, if I do well at another college, I can apply those courses as part of my credit. Is it better to take summer courses at the college I am attending or somewhere else? fyi, the college I attend is really not close to my hometown.
*****please understand, it is not my intention to not to well in summer courses and I will try my hardest. I am just trying to be realistic and put myself under something that could possibly happen.
Take the courses at a local community college. It will save you on R&B as well as tuition.
In my experience it is not as easy as @Jpgranier said.
It is fine to take a class at another school but proceed with caution. If you take classes elsewhere be 100% certain in advance that your college will accept the credit. Talk to your academic advisor, bring the course description from the college you want to take it at, and get any course you plan to take elsewhere pre-approved in writing. Without getting a prior approval the summer course could turn out to be a waste of time and money. For example, at my son’s college they would not accept courses taken at a CC once a student enrolls at the school. And some colleges won’t let you take classes in your major at another school.
And keep in mind that if you apply to grad schools they will want the transcripts of all classes taken from all colleges.
@happy1 has it exactly right. Get your summer courses approved – for general education credit and for your major specifically if they are major requirements – in writing, in advance before enrolling at another institution.
Some/most universities requires that the “last” X number of credits (45 - 60 credits) be taken at their universities. This is a “hard” rule, but I have seen where universities with this requirement have allowed seniors to take 3 - 6 credits over the summer outside of their university, allowing their student to graduate in four years. I agree, make sure you get this in writing from someone at the U with the authority to approve such courses and the ability to take these courses with only 30+ credits remaining!
Talk to your adviser about what to do…you need to make sure ahead of time that you will get credit for the course.
^ And while you are waiting for approval, start surfing the class schedules because they’re up for summer 2017 pretty much everywhere. Check all the teachers on ratemyprofessor and rank them by preference somewhere in your notes so you can register as soon as you figure out which ones to take.