Creative ways to finish with masters in < 5 years

[Anonymous]

We’re trying to evaluate options for making out of state more economical. High stats kids majoring in data science or applied math that has publics and privates on list, but we’re in VA, so trying to compare scenarios. We can tell which AP credit will help the cause based on the college’s chart, but curious if anyone has had success with getting DE credit out of state and/or taking a summer class or 2 at Mason. How do you determine what’s possible at given schools? Is this a question for admissions officers?

[Anonymous]

You need to go to the admissions office at the college you want to DE at.

[Anonymous]

This is dicey - IME, admissions officers will promise things that the registrar later doesn’t always deliver.

Be very very specific about class title/institution and what you want to use to replace - gen Ed req, prerequisite, General credit. Don’t assume that if they “accept” it, it will mean acceptance for all purposes.

[Anonymous]

In general, applied math >>>>>>> data science. Data science is currently a bit of a mystery meat major - at some schools it's rigorous, some schools only require a semester or two of calc. Also it's newer and hasn't really been tested in the labor market yet. Applied math is a known quantity with known rigor. Great choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re trying to evaluate options for making out of state more economical. High stats kids majoring in data science or applied math that has publics and privates on list, but we’re in VA, so trying to compare scenarios. We can tell which AP credit will help the cause based on the college’s chart, but curious if anyone has had success with getting DE credit out of state and/or taking a summer class or 2 at Mason. How do you determine what’s possible at given schools? Is this a question for admissions officers?

3 yrs Math program at Exeter and then a 1 ur master at Imperial College. 4 years for both. Much cheaper than America.

[Anonymous]

Many schools will let you “double count” some upper level classes so if senior year is grad classes as an undergrad then the second year of grad classes is the final year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general, applied math >>>>>>> data science. Data science is currently a bit of a mystery meat major - at some schools it's rigorous, some schools only require a semester or two of calc. Also it's newer and hasn't really been tested in the labor market yet. Applied math is a known quantity with known rigor. Great choice.

Agree. Too many data science majors from certain schools cannot get jobs.

[Anonymous]

Some colleges won't let you take summer classes elsewhere - I wouldn't count on it

[Anonymous]

AP credits is the answer. Know a number of kids who are able to do this. One was able to get BS, MS, MBA at an SEC school in 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP credits is the answer. Know a number of kids who are able to do this. One was able to get BS, MS, MBA at an SEC school in 4 years.

State schools will often take a lot of APs that T15 privates will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some colleges won't let you take summer classes elsewhere - I wouldn't count on it

It all depends on the individual college. None of these policies are universal.

[Anonymous]

A family friend finished at Virginia Tech in four years with her Masters in Computer Science and applications with a focus on software engineering after completing her undergrad engineering degree there.