Is 6 Years to Graduate the New 4?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My niece STEM major just graduated from VT in 3 years. She took some classes over the summer at her local community college. She got credit for many of her APs.

She did not co-op.

Your point?

[Anonymous]

In state unis 4-6 yrs are possible because core courses are over subscribed. Private schools, less so.

[Anonymous]

In my experience the kids taking 5-6 years are immature as hell who weren't college ready material and need remedial and retakes after failing courses.

None of the smart stem kids I knew took more than 4-4.5 because they had gobs on APs, maturity, discipline and recognized opportunity cost.

[Anonymous]

I think some of the huge state Us might be fine with students taking less than a full load of courses, but I don't think that's the case in Virginia. UVA has you graduate in 4 unless you are adding on a graduate degree.

[Anonymous]

In CA, it's out of control. Students have less control in core courses when they close. Those who do summer sessions can escape 4+ years. But then, that's more than 4 yrs right there. It's not always students' fault. And $chool$ don't mind 4+ year$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In state unis 4-6 yrs are possible because core courses are over subscribed. Private schools, less so.

My DC went to Michigan and never had a problem getting the classes she wanted. So it’s not all state universities. DC2 at a small private college had more trouble not because classes were full but because some classes weren’t offered every semester. Still graduated in 4 years but had to forgo a semester abroad to take a class when it was offered (and required to continue the sequence).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state unis 4-6 yrs are possible because core courses are over subscribed. Private schools, less so.

My DC went to Michigan and never had a problem getting the classes she wanted. So it’s not all state universities. DC2 at a small private college had more trouble not because classes were full but because some classes weren’t offered every semester. Still graduated in 4 years but had to forgo a semester abroad to take a class when it was offered (and required to continue the sequence).

Classes offered only in 2nd semesters usually have prerequisites that must be taken the first semester.
One suggestion I've seen has kids plan out the 4 yr program on paper. They can see better on paper what courses are required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state unis 4-6 yrs are possible because core courses are over subscribed. Private schools, less so.

My DC went to Michigan and never had a problem getting the classes she wanted. So it’s not all state universities. DC2 at a small private college had more trouble not because classes were full but because some classes weren’t offered every semester. Still graduated in 4 years but had to forgo a semester abroad to take a class when it was offered (and required to continue the sequence).

Classes offered only in 2nd semesters usually have prerequisites that must be taken the first semester.
One suggestion I've seen has kids plan out the 4 yr program on paper. They can see better on paper what courses are required.

+1 My primary advice as a professor/undergrad advisor!

[Anonymous]

Nah. We hire engineers (chemical, petroleum and electrical are what we hire) and I'd say the vast majority graduate in 4 years. I haven't seen one who graduated late in fact.

STEM masters degrees though are frequently 3 year programs though. Too intense and the thesis papers are too large to complete in 2 years.

[Anonymous]

My DDis getting a double degree in related stem subjects. She has always been on the five year plan to manage the load. Both degrees are specifically tailored towards graduate study and are difficult, but doable in four years. She could get a double degree after three years in the less intensive track. She also has taken off two spring semesters to work at internships in her intended field of study for grad school. As a result, she has a lot of money saved up and a great resume/contact list. I think after HS, it pays off to know what you need to do to be competitive and also have time to investigate what you want to do. Some can get that in three and some take the longer route. It’s all good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah. We hire engineers (chemical, petroleum and electrical are what we hire) and I'd say the vast majority graduate in 4 years. I haven't seen one who graduated late in fact.

STEM masters degrees though are frequently 3 year programs though. Too intense and the thesis papers are too large to complete in 2 years.

Nobody hires STEM majors and asks this information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah. We hire engineers (chemical, petroleum and electrical are what we hire) and I'd say the vast majority graduate in 4 years. I haven't seen one who graduated late in fact.

STEM masters degrees though are frequently 3 year programs though. Too intense and the thesis papers are too large to complete in 2 years.

Nobody hires STEM majors and asks this information.

PP here. I see the resumes so that's where I'm getting my information from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah. We hire engineers (chemical, petroleum and electrical are what we hire) and I'd say the vast majority graduate in 4 years. I haven't seen one who graduated late in fact.

STEM masters degrees though are frequently 3 year programs though. Too intense and the thesis papers are too large to complete in 2 years.

Nobody hires STEM majors and asks this information.

PP here. I see the resumes so that's where I'm getting my information from.

Nobody puts years to graduate on their resume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah. We hire engineers (chemical, petroleum and electrical are what we hire) and I'd say the vast majority graduate in 4 years. I haven't seen one who graduated late in fact.

STEM masters degrees though are frequently 3 year programs though. Too intense and the thesis papers are too large to complete in 2 years.

Nobody hires STEM majors and asks this information.

PP here. I see the resumes so that's where I'm getting my information from.

Nobody puts years to graduate on their resume.

They frequently put the years attended (someone who also sees a lot of resumes...)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is finishing up her junior year. She is a STEM student. We have been saving our whole lives to pay for her college and currently have 210K planning on 60 or 70K a year. Figured we could save most of the 4th year tuition by the time she gets there.

That said I recently discovered that it is common for many STEM students to take 6 years to graduate college.

How did I miss that?

Did you all know that 6 years to graduate college is a thing?

The stats include people taking breaks from college. For example, DC is a co-op student right know with his university. He is at a work site for 8 months. It will push his gradautation at least one semester. Two if he decides to do another long stint. It also counts those students who change their majors and need another semester or two to graduate in the new major. It also includes those students who come from HS not like the DCUM area wher they do not come in with many basic credits and need another semester or two to get through all the requirements. It slo includes those students (and several of our DCs’ friends are like this), who take a year off between years. Either to regroup and figure out a different major, or work to get more money to pay for college, or to travel on the cheap before retuning to college.

Plus, a large segment does get their degrees in 4 years.

No actual stats?