<p>Mom60, you are so right - when child is trying, and everyone in agreement, its fine.</p>
<p>We chose colleges carefully to ensure that kids would be able to get out in 8 semesters. Period. One of my kids changed majors about 6 times and graduated in four years (with an honors thesis and a bunch of demanding EC’s). One was on the risk of blowing the four year deal until he was reminded that Mom and Dad loved him unconditionally… but our financial support ended after 8 semesters. (But we’d still love him.) I know kids who’ve stayed for a fifth year for an allegedly “more marketable” double major or minor… dubious results out in the real world, I think.</p>
<p>Kid gets ill, needs to withdraw… that’s a different scenario. But I think your garden variety Super-Senior could have been guided/helped/shoved gently during sophomore year to get the job done in four years. As an employer, I’d rather see a kid graduate on time, get some work experience “out there” and then get a master’s if more credentials or education is required, than get a 5 year bachelor’s degree with questionable value on the margin. But that’s me… I paid for my kid, I don’t need to pay for yours, so YMMV!</p>