I’ve just finished my 3rd semester of undergrad, which marks the halfway point of my schooling there, since I am eligible to graduate a year early. Of course, I’ve started to think about grad school since I definitely want to continue on with my academics (I’m an English major and I wish to get my Masters in English). This is what I can tell you for sure:
I already have a minor; I do not wish to double major or minor in anything else.
I have a 3.7 GPA (the school I'm really hoping to get into does not require MA English applicants to submit a GRE score if they've maintained at least a 3.4)
I do not want to study abroad and I am eligible to get internship experience through my department.
I guess I just need some input on if my early graduation will actually impact my admission to grad school. Also, I know I’ll get a lot of “take a fourth year and have fun” comments, which I definitely appreciate, but as it stands now I’m not the happiest at my college and as a result I’ve become very dedicated to my coursework so that I can achieve my goal of graduate school at a faster rate. I’m definitely still taking the GRE and applying to more than just my top choice school. Just looking for some thoughts and opinions!
Not necessarily, not as long a you have acquired the things that make English students competitive for graduate admissions. The only potential problem with graduating earlier is you have less time to complete all of the things that will make you competitive, but if you know that you are on track to do those things, finishing earlier in and of itself doesn’t look bad or lower your chances.
Do take the GRE and apply to PhD programs which should be funded (v. Master’s program which typically aren’t).
Overall if you’ve done everything you could (coursework, foreign language prep, thesis/research, being a TA or learning assistant) within your Dept. then you shouldn’t be at a disadvantage.
As has already been noted, graduating early will not be held against you in any way, but anything you sacrificed in order to do so will. So if graduating early came at the cost of GPA, or research, or relevant coursework, then you could find yourself at a disadvantage when compared to others who took the slow route and had more opportunities to do the things the admissions committee want to see.
Also, what is your objective in getting the masters? I ask because it is almost certain to cost you time and money to acquire, and I am not sure what career improvement you will see with just the masters.
Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend getting a PhD just because it’s funded. There’s an opportunity cost, too, particularly if the OP doesn’t want a career that requires a PhD. An MA in English can certainly provide additional career opportunities.