Taking Longer Than Usual to Complete Undergraduate Studies?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>After two years in a respected art program, with a paltry 3.1 to my name, I started at a small state school to begin anew. My major is now linguistics, and minor is computer science (which I may consider making a major, pending feedback). I am also studying Chinese language (the university doesn't even have a fully developed Chinese department, so I do a lot of independent stuff with tutors/the dept. head). </p>

<p>I'm really busting my tail right now getting myself caught up to speed, and so far it's going well. If I were to just do the minor in computer science, I'd be able to graduate in about 2 years. However, I'm coming out of Podunk State University and feel like I really need to make my name extra competitive when it comes to grad school applications. I feel like if I come out with just the CS minor, and then try to get into a top grad program (nothing Ivy League), I will be swiftly smacked down by applicants who were doing calculus when they were sophomores in high school. I am just now preparing to take those courses. </p>

<p>And more than just being a competitive name, I want to take the extra time in undergrad to develop myself further. I don't really see the point of this imperative to be graduated in a clean 4 years - I'd rather take the classes that're most interesting to me, even if I do have to work my way from the bottom up to get there. I bunked off math in high school, and now I'm behind as a result and am going to have to take extra semesters to get to where I need/want to be. </p>

<p>So my question is this: What does it look like to a graduate admissions officer when they see that I've taken my sweet time in getting an undergraduate degree. Let's assume at this point that I graduate with a high GPA in all areas (since it'll be a while before that happens, and I don't have any reason to believe I should come out of here with anything less than a 3.5). I'm taking classes full-time, my professors all really like me (ie: sexy LORs will result), and I don't mess around. </p>

<p>What do you guys think? Should I expedite my graduation, or potentially rack my years spent in undergrad to the 5-6 range?</p>

2

<p>You transferred, and changed to a completely different major.</p>

<p>You are most likely going to finish the completely different major in four years.</p>

<p>Don’t worry about this.</p>

3

<p>Graduate admissions committees will see by your record (transcripts, letters, etc.) that you “retooled.” Given this, in your case, you need not worry about the length of time spent preparing to be a competitive grad applicant.</p>