<p>I am currently a junior in engineering in a Canadian university, who was planning to graduate in four years. My previous reason for wanting to graduate in four years was to prove to myself I was one of the better students in the school ( ~ 1/3 graduate from our engineering program in 4 years) and to save a year of time.</p>
<p>Right now however, I do not see much sense doing so. If I was to extend my education for another year, I would only need to take 3 or 4 classes (instead of the regular 6) for each semester. This extra time would allow me to: continue working part-time at this engineering firm; get more involved with school and engineering related activities; and get 1 extra summer to find a prof to get some research experience (in the event I want to grad school instead of the industry). Also, my tuition is basically proportional to the number of classes that I am taking (aside from some $100-200 admin fee), so finances should not be too much of a concern.</p>
<p>So basically, there seems to be much more benefits to take an extra year to graduate. Are there any problems from employers or grad school who would seem to think I am slacking in my last two years due to basically taking half the course load? Do any experienced engineer have any comments about taking one extra year to graduate?</p>
<p>I know a TON of experienced engineers who took more than 4 years due to various reasons (money, took a year off, military, new baby, double major, etc) and well…</p>
<p>Since I know them and they disclosed this at whatever workplace I was at, evidently they were working and were at various levels in their career, sooooo…</p>
<p>while tuition may be proportional to classes taken, room and board is proportional to time.</p>
<p>You will make a lot more as a full-time employee than as a part-time intern.</p>
<p>Now, if you can make enough part-time to pay your costs of school, then coming out without any loans is a worthy consideration.</p>
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<p>Hah! you should know that by now, or have a very good idea.</p>
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<p>If you don’t find anything between your Jr and Sr year, what makes you think you will be more successful between your Sr and 5th year?</p>
<p>If you have something now, and want to extend the amount of time doing research, that would be a consideration. But, to extend your education by 1 year on the chance that you can find a research position that you have not yet been able to find, is like betting on the come.</p>
<p>@OperaDad, my university is a commuter school, so most of us live at home and don’t need to worry about those things! Also, I thought I had wanted to leave university asap and join the workforce, but right now I’m confused at what to do (i.e. do a M.Sc/Ph.D?) which is another reason I want to to slow school down a bit to think some more about my future. Either way, I am pretty sure I’ll be able to get out of school debt free whether I stay an extra year or not.</p>
<p>Even for people with a ton of AP credits graduating in four years often doesn’t end up being their reality. People change majors, do co-ops, study abroad, drop classes, pick up a minor, etc and many people end up being set back by one or some combination of these things.</p>