Slowing down during undergrad for grad school

Graduate School
1

<p>I am planning to take 6 months more of undergraduate school to better prepare myself for grad school.
In short, there are two cases:</p>

<p>Case 1: 5-year program (bachelor + master's degree). However, my gpa will be average, and I won't have the opportunity to take the courses I want to. In addition, I won't have much time to invest on my undergrad research and independent study (which I am EXTREMELY interested in and willing to do more than the requirements). Ultimately, I won't be able to apply to any other grad schools that I am interested (2 very competitive schools)</p>

<p>Case 2: 6 to 6 years and 6 months (bachelor + master's degree). My gpa will definitely improve. I will be able to invest my time on my undergraduate research, internship programs (winter + summer) and independent study. Plus, I will be able to apply to the schools I want to attend. </p>

<p>Financially, I am good to go. However, I just wanted to ask if the additional 1 year and 6 months were necessary since I will end up in the industry anyways.</p>

<p>Btw, I do have a good reason to puruse the master's degree.</p>

<p>Thank you so much!!!</p>

2

<p>Btw, I am majoring in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics.</p>

3

<p>If you’re comfortable taking more time, go for it. The time you spend in undergraduate, as long as it is reasonable, does not affect your admissions to any significant degree. Most of the people I’m doing my MSc with (not in your field) have not come straight from undergrad as I have.</p>