I have taken college classes concurrently with high school classes for two years, and I have enough credits to cover almost a year at Michigan. So, lets say that I spent three full years and got 90 credits. In my fourth year I would maybe take a class a semester.
My question is this: would the cost of the fourth year be the same as each of the three years before? And if not, then by how much (generally)?
If the course sequence of your major allows and you can finish all requirement for your major, you may graduate in 3 years. If you take less than 12 credits in a semester, you will be counted as a part time student.
And then you pay by the credit.
If you take between 12-18 credits, you pay the same (full time) tuition. Otherwise, you pay by the credit. If for some reason an advisor gives you permission to register for over 18 credits, then you pay the full time tuition plus per credit tuition for every credit beyond 18.
Tuition increases every year. Tuition can also vary by which unit you are in. For example, engineering tuition is greater than Ross tuition, which is greater than LSA tuition.
Also, there is a difference between lower level and upper level tuition. If you have 55+ credits towards progress (which includes transfer credit), then you will be asked to pay upper level tuition. Upper level tuition is significantly higher than lower level tuition.
^ So do you think it’s much better and more worth it for the buck to spend money for at least 12 credits and maybe just take a couple of random classes during the last year?
@BeCambridge I’m having trouble understanding what you’re trying to say, but from what I think you’re trying to say, no it is absolutely not worth it to take more credits to reach 12 credits from a financial aspect. If you want to spend the least, you want to take the least amount of credits if it’s <12. If it’s > or equal to 12 credits, then financially speaking it’d be better to max out at 18 (just from the financial aspect).
Remember that regardless of credits you will be paying room and board which is not lowered by taking fewer class but which is lowered by graduating early. So if overloading by a course or two would result in being ready to graduate early you can save a ton, but obviously only if you are not commuting. If money is not an issue, then I’d recommend staying the 4 years and getting the most out of your college experience.
I know a number of people who graduate a semester early. You can save some money that way. However, if you are trying to maintain a high GPA (e.g., 3.5+), then it is in your best interest not to overload yourself. Classes at umich are not like high school classes. Everybody at umich did very well in high school, and the competition for A grades is very tough.
Yes, if you take a full time load, you should ideally aim to take 15 or 16 credits. Financially speaking, if you are taking a full time load, you might get the most out of your money by taking 18 credits, but you also need to consider what you are capable of handling. If taking that kind of workload means you may end up withdrawing from classes or taking a significant hit on your GPA, then it may not be financially better for you.
BTW, if you are in state, then you are already saving a good amount.
Depending on your major and career goal, it may be more helpful to do a co-op for a semester than graduating earlier. In addition, you may consider study aboard too. To me, college was the best time of my life and one should really enjoy it and make the most out of it. Of course, cost may be a major consideration particularly for OOS students. My D will have ~100 credits after this semester in sophomore year, but she will just take some additional credits for her interest instead of graduating earlier.
I know a few Chinese kids are graduating after 2 years. They study Computer Science in E School and LSA. They are getting offers from Google, MSoft, Air B&B, etc. Actually the one get offer from Air B&B dropped out of school after 2 years. She would rather be a million when Air B&B goes public. She can always go back to school to finish her degree later. My daughter’s two best friends are graduating after 3 years from OSU and MSU. They are getting awesome offers, while my daughter is stuck with a 4 year Nursing program. Graduating early is the way to go, especially when the job market is so hot.
Sorry I meant to say I know a few Chinese kids are graduating after 3 years
It depends on what you study. I did Engineering so I will speak from that perspective.
Take as many prerequisites as you can outside of Umich. You can cover these by taking classes at a community college and AP tests. You can also receive credits by doing well on a language placement test (they were generous with the granting of credit for the Spanish test when I took it). This will save you time and money. It will also probably be easier to register for classes (registration is based on credits). I recommend having transfer/test credit for as many of the following as you can:
-MATH 115, 116, 215, 216
-CHEM 125/126, 130
-Physics 140,141,240,241
-ENGR 101
-Intellectual Breadth (AP tests that do not cover the above will probably be able to count in this area)
In terms of graduating early, it depends. I am not in the “stay because it is the time of your life” boat. Yes, there are enjoyable moments in college. However, I think you can have enough enjoyable moments in 6 or 7 semesters (graduating a year or half year early). You will get tired of homework, group projects (oh you will get upset with group projects), and boring lectures. You will probably get to a point in Junior or Senior year where you are like “can I just get my degree already?” You will probably not miss homework, group projects, and boring lectures if you are working at a job you enjoy, making good money, and enjoying life outside of work.
However, I do NOT recommend taking an ultra heavy course load each semester such that it makes your life miserable. It is probably not worth it. However, you can still graduate early without taking an ultra heavy course load.
Additionally, it depends on if you want to do a Masters. If you want to do a Masters and someone will give you a grad student appointment of 25% or more, then graduate early. As a GSI/GSRA/GSSA (forms of graduate student appointments) you get tuition waived and a monthly stipend!
If you want to do a Masters, but cannot get a grad student appointment, do NOT graduate early. Instead, take classes you would normally take as a grad student and get at least a B in those courses for a semester. The following semester, start grad school. You can transfer/double count courses you took in undergrad to grad. You can transfer up to 15 credits. This would allow you to do a Masters in one heavy semester (15 credits is a lot for Masters) or 2 doable semesters (8 in one and 7 in the other). Keep in mind that a Masters is a lot more expensive per semester (assuming no grad student appointment).
In general, I would recommend graduating early or taking a semester off to do a co-op. You will save time and money. You will probably be able to start working earlier (assuming you get a job). You will not miss the homework. You will not miss late nights doing a bunch of school work. You will probably be a lot happier with your work life balance outside after graduating.