<p>I posted this in the grad school forum, but I was told to post my question here... </p>
<p>I'm a frosh at Bryn Mawr, and I recently spoke to my dean about accelerated graduation. He said I'm more than qualified to graduate in 3 years, because through my high school's dual enrollment program and taking summer class I entered with 20 credits (from Wilkes University to be specific). I am very interested in taking this route. I'd only have to take four more summer classes. It would save my parents a lot of money, and although I like BMC, it is very small and I can see myself getting a bit sick of it after four years. Learning I could graduate in 3 years was a dream come true.</p>
<p>However, I am worried this will negatively affect my chances of getting into grad school. My dean said as long as my transcript doesn't look "thin," and I'm not simply taking all political science courses (that is my major), I should be fine. Also, the courses I took were legitimate college courses. None of my credits were earned through the AP program or anything like that. I'm not sure what my gpa is going to look like, but I'd imagine not absolutely stellar since Bryn Mawr is known for grade deflation. I'm not looking to attend Harvard or anything, but I'm interested in top poli sci programs at NYU, Fordham, George Washington, Georgetown, American, maybe Penn... essentially any school located in New York, D.C., or Philly. </p>
<p>Will graduating in 3 years hurt me that much? I've heard different things. On one hand I've heard that it is detrimental, but others have said that it shows initiative. I really want to do this, because I think I'd go crazy being there for four years. </p>
<p>Also, would taking a gap year be a better option than going straight into grad school? I was thinking I could get some work experience under my belt, or take graduate level courses locally. </p>
<p>Any insight would be appreciated.... sorry the post is so long.</p>
<p>I think a well ulitilized gap year could really boost a grad school app–Meaningful employment related (even tangentially) to the grad school course of study is looked upon very favorably by adcoms.</p>
<p>It could negatively affect your chances, but it has less to do with you graduating in 3 years and more to do with what you do in those 3 years. Political science is a field that emphasizes research experience, and you will be at a disadvantage against other students who started researching the same year you did, but have 3 years of research experience (sophomore year on) and you only have two because you graduated in 3 years. Also, compressing your time to graduation can also mean that you miss out on opportunities that will enhance your application and enrich your experiences, such as study abroad, or a class that’s only offered every other year, or something else.</p>
<p>I got tired of my small liberal arts college after about 2-3 years. My solution? Study abroad. Other options may be domestic exchange (go study at another institution for a semester). Also, this may sound cliched, but it is true - undergrad is a unique experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. I had the option to graduate in 3 years as well, but I took a fourth year partly because I wanted to graduate with my class - we have all kinds of senior year traditions that were much more fun when participated in with the women I had come to school with four years prior.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think thinking you’re going to go crazy at your school is a good reason to try to graduate early. You’re just a freshman and you only started classes two months ago, you have no idea how you’re going to feel when you’re a junior.</p>
<p>Also, a year (or 2-3) outside of academia before entering graduate school is a good thing. Is it better? That’s up to the individual person. I didn’t take a year in between and I wish I had, or 2-3 years. Having some ‘real world’ experience outside of college is beneficial; it helps focus you and really strengthen your desire to go to graduate school if this really is the place for you. You also can do something that will strengthen your research portfolio. Maybe you’ll do a Fulbright, or work abroad in some other capacity or do an internship in Washington or something and learn more about the way your field works outside of academia.</p>
<p>I think taking a good GAP year might be great for your sanity and your overall development, and I love the other poster’s idea of a study abroad year. Though there is something to be said about saving a year of tuition too!</p>
<p>I do not believe poli sci grad schools (or more specifically, any research oriented graduate program in any field) recognize a benefit of work experience (aside from research experience). I do think taking an interesting year off- travelling, working, doing something else- may be very good for you, and indirectly benefit your graduate school goals because you’ll be more ready for it and know you are making the right decision for you. But I do not believe it would do anything to help your application per se. Having a strong GPA, strong GRE scores, and even more importantly, having worked with professors in poli sci, getting strong recommendation letters from them, and showing interest and aptitude in doing graduate research in poli sci will all be great. </p>
<p>I’m not sure if schools care that much how long you took or didn’t take per se for your course work. I do think they care about whether you have viewed school as a means to an end, instrumentally collecting credits, or seemed to enjoy learning for its own sake (if you are interested in a career in research that is).</p>
<p>You need to be very careful about both your course selection and how you approach learning. Accelerated graduation and multiple majors are topics of concern on many campuses. Faculty observe that both practices result in superficial as opposed to deep learning. Believe me graduate school is all about deep learning and research skills. Both graduate programs I am involved rate students based on demonstrated research skills, grades, strength of course work and attitude.</p>
<p>I like all the above ideas. You are obviously very bright and talented. My niece did HS in 3.5 years and college in 3. She is a go-getter-full of energy-workaholic. I fear she will burn out. Really examine why you want to do this…and do some alternative things as suggested above. Don’t go right into work. You’ve years ahead for that.</p>
<p>Being away from school can be a bad thing- it depends on the field. For example, business majors are encouraged to work before grad work whereas math majors would ideally keep going and not lose the momentum/knowledge. My son could have had his math degree last spring but will be much better prepared for grad school (he is also younger) with the extra year, he is taking some grad level classes along with undergrad ones. Those who love the academic world may not want to leave it by choosing a job or other “gap year” activity before grad school.</p>
<p>First semester freshman year is too soon to know how much you will be able to get out of your school. Ask yourself the same question one year from now. Remember that your undergrad years are the time you can take all sorts of electives for the fun of learning, once you begin grad school you will need to narrow in on courses needed for your field. It may also work out to do a semester abroad and/or take more higher level courses that will benefit you- in your application or grad studies.</p>
<p>You can talk with poli sci professors about the possibilities. It could also happen that by this time next year you discover another passion and want to add or change majors. A bit more time and experience is needed before you make your decision.</p>
<p>One of my DDs finished HS quite young, did 2 years CC and two years at an LAC. She is on track to apply to grad school, but mentor teachers are also telling her since she will be so young with her BA she has time to explore and enjoy, still in her field, but they are encouraging her to take some time for an adventure. She could certainly have stayed on another year, but we cannot/do not want to afford that at private prices.</p>
<p>You can put yourself on track to finish early and decide later. My other DD could have finished early, but there was no reason to do so and med schools are less than enthusiastic. She took the time to take advanced courses in her major and get to know profs better which helped with LORs.</p>
<p>Years later you will not notice the extra year of working, you will have given up 1/4 of your time as an undergrad college student, however. This is the one time in your life you have to enjoy college life. If the financial burden is too great and you remain less thrilled than you expected with your current school consider transferring.</p>
<p>My son just graduated in 3 years. He also brought in quite a lot of college credit from high school. He had planned to graduate in 3.5 years but when a grad school opportunity was presented to him, he decided to finish in 3 years and start grad school immediately. </p>
<p>He was a history major as an undergrad and as a grad student he is studying corporate communications and public relations (which ties in to his minor). The hook: this program came with a grad assistantship and stipend. So, he was fortunately able to jump when the opportunity came along as it’s only offered every other year. Had he stayed an undergrad longer, then he would have missed this opportunity. </p>
<p>Why not plan to graduate in 3 years and stay longer is something comes up that makes you want to stay longer? You can always lengthen your stay, but it can be hard to shorten it as your travel down the road.</p>
<p>Our two sons are in a similar situation (each entered with 41 credits from AP classes). We encouraged both to go for 4 years. One is doing two minors to enhance his degree, and the other is doing a double major to help his chances for med school.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice. I’m going to most likely put myself on the track for graduating in 3 years, but I’m going to stay open to the option of doing all four years. It also depends on how my family’s financial situation is in a few years. My brother going to college in a few years, so that’s an issue as well. </p>
<p>I will admit, I am pretty ignorant when it comes to grad school admissions and how it all works. This is off the topic of my original post, but where can I find admissions rates at different grad schools for political science programs? Or maybe profiles of accepted students? I’ve gone to the websites of several different schools, and searched on here and I couldn’t find anything. Specifically, I’m interested in Lehigh’s program.</p>