How many years as undergrad?

[drguitarum2005]

While considering a big change in my life, to transfer schools so late in my undergrad career, I thought I would ask how many years it took you graduates to...graduate? What were the circumstances for why it took however long it did?

[4x4mike]

Cuz I'm lazy. Plus I liked working and riding my bike more than I did school.

[Seanz0rz]

when i finish (middle of my 4th year right now) it will have taken me 6. i kinda screwed around for the first 3 of those, failed alot of classes because i didnt go and didnt do the homework. lesson learned the hard way on that. this quarter im kickin butt and doing very well. plan on getting out of here by spring '11, but who knows with the budget cuts and such. might go for a minor in something too so that will undoubtedly add a bit to mine.

[paddlenbike]

I had to work part time, so I generally only took between 12-14 units per semester. I changed my major three times and I took a semester off to work. 5.5 years by the time I was done and I have no regrets whatsoever. The break let me refocus on how important school was, so my grades were much better when I returned.

[DHC6twinotter]

Way too long for me. :D

I took 2 years of night classes while in high school and received an AutoCAD certificate the same month I graduated high school.

I spent 2 years attending a community college full-time and getting gen ed stuff out of the way. I also worked part-time during this time period.

I spent 2 years attending the same community college part-time and getting more gen ed done. I worked full-time during this time period.

I then spent 3 years at a real college, taking 12-15 credits a semester and working about 20 hours/week.

So, all in all, it took me 9 years and a degree change to earn my certificate and B.S. degree. I also wanted to graduate debt free, so taking work breaks was kinda necessary for me. :thumbup:

[Robinhood4x4]

The average at my school was 5 years for engineering. I did it in 5.25 years.

[oly884]

I got my ChE in 4 years, but keep in mind that was only possible due to 2 summers of summer session.

[CJM]

Still going, so far its been 5 years since im outta HS and I have an AA.

Went 1st semester and did ok, 2nd I had to drop a class, 3rd I only took 2 classes, etc. I basically took between 2-3 classes rest of the time, dropped a few, changed my major once and such.

I have taken the past year off so far to work. Im sick of the daily school grind and needed time to just relax and work and pay my bills.

I estimate it will take me another 2-3 years depending on how many classes I take. I think ill pursue a career tho during this time

[neliconcept]

at my third school, at 4.5 years so far, looks to be 5.5 total to 6 max

where you gonna transfer to David?

[Scuba]

Wow, Well seeing this is kinda discouraging...Im just starting my second semester period. Only taking 1 class, math, cause were (moms payin ! :D) still paying out of state tuission. I need to get on that stuff, Maybe I might take my moms advise and do some summer classes. :bling:

[CJM]

Best advice I can give is to take classes that will transfer at your local community college. This way it costs way less and you get the same credits you would at the big school.

[DHC6twinotter]

Best advice I can give is to take classes that will transfer at your local community college. This way it costs way less and you get the same credits you would at the big school.


I agree. Most of my gen ed was taken at community college. When I transferred into mechanical engineering at a real college, I could have graduated in 3 years. After staying in ME for 1.5 years, I figured math wasn't for me. I switched majors to Geography and graduated in another 1.5 years.

A lot of schools offer what is called a 2+2 program. One of my old roommates did this for some sort of engineering (can't remember what--maybe computer?). Most of the time, these programs will let you go to community college and earn an associates degree, then you transfer to a real college and continue on with your B.S. or B.A. It's a great way to save money.

Also, while this doesn't apply to you since you (scuba) are out of high school already, some colleges have a dual enrollment program. This program allows a high school student to take college level classes. These classes will fulfill both the high school and college requirements, and are free to take, except for maybe a small processing fee. For example, I was home-schooled, but I took college level Spanish I and Algebra II at the local community college. These classes counted towards both my high school and college requirements. So, I took all my CAD related classes, many of my required English classes, Algebra II, and Spanish I at community college during my last 2 years of high school. Price came out to $9.95/semester, plus books and some drafting supplies. Total for the 2 years was under $500. It's a great plan. :D

A guy I know took so many college level classes while in high school, that when he did graduate high school, he only had 2 years of college left. Lucky. Benefit of being homeschooled I guess.

Anyways, sorry for rambling on.

[CJM]

Indeed good advice ^

I am doing the 2+2 right now but took the year off just cause I was sick of the daily grind and wanted some cash instead of barely working and being broke.

Anyways, its a good idea if you can to try and take some summer classes. I always worked fulltime and then some every summer so I couldnt, but several friends did and even if its only one class thats 1 more less you gotta take during the year and since its summer most of its more relaxed then the regular semesters b/c well everyone else is relaxed.

Either way so long as it doesnt take you forever when you get that paper your good. Some jobs even offer to pay for bettering yourself. So say you get a job and explain to them you are still going to obtain the degree but already have say your AA-they may pay for it!

[mastacox]

I took 5 years for my Mechanical Engineering degree (normal at my school is somewhere around there). Mainly I didn't do it in 4 because I wasn't willing to take 17-20 credit semesters and stayed around 12-15 credit semesters instead, which I feel helped me concentrate on the classes better and still have time for a part-time job, hobbies (my 92 4Runner), and a social life. I was also able to take a few extra classes in addition to my regular course schedule, which helped me branch out a bit into computer science and philosophy.

If you can do it in 4 tuition will be a year cheaper, but stress levels can hit critical levels when you're doing school 24 hrs a day 7 days a week IMO.

P.S.- Summer classes are a great idea I wish I took more advantage of. I took one summer class for my entire college career; it ended up not only being one of my favorite classes, but basically got me my job too.

[Scuba]

Thanks for the advice guys, ill look into all that...Time for a math test...lol...:bling:

[Seanz0rz]

basically engineering degrees at my school (cal poly pomona) take 5 years. very very few people get out in 4, most in 5, and more and more in 6 or later. i got stuck doing some math classes that i didnt feel i should do. they were so easy that i didnt do the homework or study, so i ended up failing them. i never failed classes because i partied too much. in fact, so far ive had alot more fun in highschool than i ever had in college.

for me there were some barrier gateway classes that i couldnt pass (either because i was too lazy or because they were genuinely difficult). i have just recently gotten through those, so now im kickin butt and flying through these courses that are both interesting and challenging. i am learning alot, and enojying it. the problem with those low level classes like basic physics and math, i did those in highschool, so i had the attitude that i was "better than that", something that is very dangerous in college... treat every class like its the most important class, and give it your all... haha.

[Small_words]

4 years for my Mechanical Engineering degree. I had one semester where I took 18 hours, the rest were 21. If you're an engineer, spend as much time in the lab tinkering as you can. The theoretical stuff is good, but playing around with a vehicle is a great way to learn how the different disciplines work together. The reason developing countries try to make cars is because it takes a high level of manufacturing and design expertise to make a decent car.

[oly884]

P.S.- Summer classes are a great idea I wish I took more advantage of. I took one summer class for my entire college career; it ended up not only being one of my favorite classes, but basically got me my job too.


Summer classes are the best, since no chemical engineering classes were offered in the summer, I took core classes/prerequisites and loved it. At MSU, we had 6 week, and 12 week courses, monday through thursday (3-day weekends, oh yeah), longer classes, but to be done in 6 or 12 weeks is so awesome. No BS, just go in, learn, test, etc, and get out. I'd take my entire college career like that!

I HIGHLY suggest taking summer classes to not only speed up the process, but also make it easier to get the boring/troublesome classes out of the way.

[surf4runner]

6 1/4 i was 2 units short to grad, so i paid out the ___ to get those last 2 units=internship.
took a 5 break after HS... since i already knew everything.

i paid for it myself and went to 4 yrs of CC then transfered to UCSB and graduated.
student loans were paid off in <2 yr2 that way!

[tulsa_sr5]

4yrs, but that was for a business degree, no way I could have done an engineering degree in 4. From this thread I appear to be the only non-engineer on the site?

[CJM]

4yrs, but that was for a business degree, no way I could have done an engineering degree in 4. From this thread I appear to be the only non-engineer on the site?

Im not an engineer, I am going to school for criminal justice. Right now I have an AA in liberal arts..

[DHC6twinotter]

4yrs, but that was for a business degree, no way I could have done an engineering degree in 4. From this thread I appear to be the only non-engineer on the site?


I'm not either. I've got a Geography degree. :hillbill:

[Scuba]

longer classes, but to be done in 6 or 12 weeks is so awesome. No BS, just go in, learn, test, etc, and get out. I'd take my entire college career like that!

I HIGHLY suggest taking summer classes to not only speed up the process, but also make it easier to get the boring/troublesome classes out of the way.
I get what your sayin, its just gonna suck being 18-19 and have my summer filled..

[oly884]

longer classes, but to be done in 6 or 12 weeks is so awesome. No BS, just go in, learn, test, etc, and get out. I'd take my entire college career like that!

I HIGHLY suggest taking summer classes to not only speed up the process, but also make it easier to get the boring/troublesome classes out of the way.
I get what your sayin, its just gonna suck being 18-19 and have my summer filled..


To be honest with you, I didn't feel that way about my summers. Classes went by quite quick, and most are early in the day for a few hours.

For example, I had one summer where I took a 12 week course and a 6 week course. The 12 week course started at 7 and went to 9:30, the 6 week went from 10 to 12:30

Once the 6 week course was done, I was in school from 7-9:30 monday through thursday. It left me plenty open.

It also made the rest of school during the fall and spring MUCH easier. Since they were core classes I took (philosophy, chemistry, etc) they were pretty laid back, most of the students taking those classes were pretty cool, and it was an enjoyable experiance.

[Scuba]

Wise words, Oly?, I appreciate the reassurance !!

[oly884]

Wise words, Oly?, I appreciate the reassurance !!


You bet man, college can be quite the experience, the words of wisdom I go, is to keep a balance, go to college to have fun (party, all those crazy things) but also remember why you are there, to get an education. You'll be incredibly successful at not only college but life, if you find the balance between living life for today (partying, etc) and focusing on your future (studying, working, etc.) The balance isn't the same for everyone, it's something you need to find yourself.

You're always welcome to shoot me a PM if you have any questions about college, summer school, etc!

[Scuba]

The thing about the ballance, I think Ive got it down, I have plenty of fun with my few friends every now and again, But As of now im mainly working to save up cash for a new truck. When thats over with, I work so I have gas to get to school and work and maybe some beer money every other weekend. I like that song by josh turner, WARNING COUNTRY MUSIC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYmbqQlWCn8), Its great with all this crap going on in the world. Anyway, Sorry for the off topic. lol, And oly, That is your name right ? Ill keep that offer in mind !

[oly884]

The thing about the ballance, I think Ive got it down, I have plenty of fun with my few friends every now and again, But As of now im mainly working to save up cash for a new truck. When thats over with, I work so I have gas to get to school and work and maybe some beer money every other weekend. I like that song by josh turner, WARNING COUNTRY MUSIC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYmbqQlWCn8), Its great with all this crap going on in the world. Anyway, Sorry for the off topic. lol, And oly, That is your name right ? Ill keep that offer in mind !
excellent, and a GREAT song as well!

Haha, you can call me oly, or David works too, most around here call me oly though.

[Scuba]

Sounds gooood :thumbup:

[YotaGirl]

It took me 6 years to get my B.A. in Liberal Studies. I changed my major once and had plenty of fun partying with my sorority sisters.

Dan, that's good info about attending CC while still in high school. My brother did something similar. He was taking ground school for his private pilot's license in gliders at the CC while he was still in high school. Then doing all his flying on the weekends. He had his license by the time he graduated high school.

I'm planning to homeschool Caity and I really hope she will take advantage of the local community college once she reaches high school. Surprisingly, we have a really good one up here in the High Desert.

[DHC6twinotter]

My brother did something similar. He was taking ground school for his private pilot's license in gliders at the CC while he was still in high school. Then doing all his flying on the weekends. He had his license by the time he graduated high school.

Awesome! I don't think I knew he did that while in high school. I took ground school at the local CC as well, but that was after I graduated HS. Still a lot of fun, and only $60 or so. :D



I'm planning to homeschool Caity and I really hope she will take advantage of the local community college once she reaches high school. Surprisingly, we have a really good one up here in the High Desert.


I really enjoyed it. Our family traveled a lot, so it gave us some flexibility in our schedules too. Plus none of us kids had to put up with stuff that goes on in high schools. It's easier to take advantage of the CC option when homeschooled as well. :D

[Osiris]

Well, the disadvantage to all those homeschooled is you can't sleep with your teacher!

Lord, I 'pologize...........

4 years undergrad - Corporate Finance/Accounting double major
1.5 years master's - Accounting/Taxation

I'm another non-engineer, but I did take some Criminal Justice classes as a non-degree student for enjoyment.

[Nick]

Well, the disadvantage to all those homeschooled is you can't sleep with your teacher!


which is exactly how I got through three classes in high-school :D