How common is it to enter college with sophomore status?

[Anonymous]

I think people in the DMV just like to argue and complain. There are multiple recent threads about how college is way too expensive. People are panicking because the hundreds of thousands of dollars they have saved won’t be enough to get 2 kids through undergrad.

But in this thread people are explaining how they easily saved tens of thousands of dollars by graduating in fewer than 4 years, & half the people are like “What’s your hurry?!?” & “Smell the roses!”

I feel the same way about ski vacations to Switzerland. I can’t understand why some people go for only one week, when it’s more fun to go for 2 or 3 weeks. I mean it’s only money.

[Anonymous]

Mine only needed 3 years, took junior year abroad (internship instead of traditional studying - he supported himself on his pay), graduated w class.

No employer cares how long it took you to get through colleges. By some of your logic, 5 years would be preferable. It’s not. Nobody cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine only needed 3 years, took junior year abroad (internship instead of traditional studying - he supported himself on his pay), graduated w class.

No employer cares how long it took you to get through colleges. By some of your logic, 5 years would be preferable. It’s not. Nobody cares.

See, that’s my problem, no one cares. Yet, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it’s the brand, not the education that matters and make us all go crazy .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people in the DMV just like to argue and complain. There are multiple recent threads about how college is way too expensive. People are panicking because the hundreds of thousands of dollars they have saved won’t be enough to get 2 kids through undergrad.

But in this thread people are explaining how they easily saved tens of thousands of dollars by graduating in fewer than 4 years, & half the people are like “What’s your hurry?!?” & “Smell the roses!”

I feel the same way about ski vacations to Switzerland. I can’t understand why some people go for only one week, when it’s more fun to go for 2 or 3 weeks. I mean it’s only money.

Some people in the DMV want to get an education, either for personal fulfillment or as an investment in their future. Starting a career with $10K/yr higher income beats saving money on tuition. (Remember that rent and food cost the same whether you are are in school or not.)

Throwing away opportunity at the very start of your cateer is pennywise and poundfoolish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why rush getting out of college, you get so much more out of 4 or 5 years than 3, academically, socially, fun, etc

I would rather my kid take a biology class at a university taught by a well respected college professor than some disgruntled high school teacher with 3 years on the job and no real world experience with a world class lab.

My DS graduated from UVA college of Engineering in 3 years because the school accepted over 30+ credits from his high school AP courses. He graduated in May '23 in three years, and I gave him 44K, the money I would have to pay for his last year at UVA, to travel the world before he comes back and either starts grad school or works for the NSA. Staying in school for 4 or 5 years only benefits the university, NOT you.

Btw, some of those "disgruntled" HS teachers have degrees from MIT or CalTech, something that you do not have. Be respectful....

When he applies for jobs or tries to create something on his own, he's going to be competing against people with a full 4-year education, some including a masters or a double major.

He also missed out on building connections with the top students at his school who spent the 4th year doing the most advanced work leading to stronger post-college placements.

DP, but calm down. A student who graduates in 3 years from a decent uni doesn't have much to worry about. They will do well no matter what.

Another DP. A friend of my Dd's at UVA had 65+ credits coming in from a Governor's School. She started as a second year and doing only three years never hurt her in the slightest. Here's an old article on the (then) 80+ UVA students that do it every year. She graduated and went right into a master's program and is now a second year in a T14 law school. https://news.virginia.edu/content/class-2013-new-tradition-uva-honors-grads-who-earn-degrees-three-years-or-less

Obviously doing 4 or 5 years after bachelors isn't rushing out of school. That's navigating the ABA's JD scam of requiring far more years of education than an attorney needs.

[Anonymous]

Depends on how many the college accepts. Many of the most selective colleges limit the number of credits students can transfer from HS. My DC graduated with 10+ AP credits + 4 college course credits. School will only allow DC to count 4 courses (one semester); can use some additional credits to place in higher level courses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine only needed 3 years, took junior year abroad (internship instead of traditional studying - he supported himself on his pay), graduated w class.

No employer cares how long it took you to get through colleges. By some of your logic, 5 years would be preferable. It’s not. Nobody cares.

See, that’s my problem, no one cares. Yet, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it’s the brand, not the education that matters and make us all go crazy .

So true.

College education is so much about gaming and money. That’s reality and I must find a way to navigate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people in the DMV just like to argue and complain. There are multiple recent threads about how college is way too expensive. People are panicking because the hundreds of thousands of dollars they have saved won’t be enough to get 2 kids through undergrad.

But in this thread people are explaining how they easily saved tens of thousands of dollars by graduating in fewer than 4 years, & half the people are like “What’s your hurry?!?” & “Smell the roses!”

I feel the same way about ski vacations to Switzerland. I can’t understand why some people go for only one week, when it’s more fun to go for 2 or 3 weeks. I mean it’s only money.

Some people in the DMV want to get an education, either for personal fulfillment or as an investment in their future. Starting a career with $10K/yr higher income beats saving money on tuition. (Remember that rent and food cost the same whether you are are in school or not.)

Throwing away opportunity at the very start of your cateer is pennywise and poundfoolish.

So that thinking will work for you. But there are very different ways to approach it, including return on investment approach, acknowledging that $80-90k x 4 is a lot of money that can be used in different ways. I think many would benefit from doing some calculations just clarify the decision - this very much include college education for personal fulfillment.

[Anonymous]

1,166 of 6,170 at UMD this year entered with at least sophomore status. Besides the advantage of graduating one year early and earning an income instead of paying tuition the fourth year, entering as a sophomore also allows the candidate the option to graduate in 4 years with a master’s.
https://irpa.umd.edu/CampusCounts/Admissions/apps_ug.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1,166 of 6,170 at UMD this year entered with at least sophomore status. Besides the advantage of graduating one year early and earning an income instead of paying tuition the fourth year, entering as a sophomore also allows the candidate the option to graduate in 4 years with a master’s.
https://irpa.umd.edu/CampusCounts/Admissions/apps_ug.pdf

That's great info. I wonder if other schools publish this info.

[Anonymous]

Very common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why rush getting out of college, you get so much more out of 4 or 5 years than 3, academically, socially, fun, etc

I would rather my kid take a biology class at a university taught by a well respected college professor than some disgruntled high school teacher with 3 years on the job and no real world experience with a world class lab.

Yes, & I’d rather dive a Bentley. But saving tens of thousands of dollars is kind of nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My law school friend entered Harvard as a sophomore. She hated the school and applied elsewhere for law school (we went to Berkeley).

Either the "she" above is actually a he, and we know the same person, or there's another person out there just like my male friend who did the same. Hated Harvard. Went to Berkeley for law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1,166 of 6,170 at UMD this year entered with at least sophomore status. Besides the advantage of graduating one year early and earning an income instead of paying tuition the fourth year, entering as a sophomore also allows the candidate the option to graduate in 4 years with a master’s.
https://irpa.umd.edu/CampusCounts/Admissions/apps_ug.pdf

DC at UMD went in with 60 credits. DC is planning to get a dual degree + masters in 4 years. And with merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1,166 of 6,170 at UMD this year entered with at least sophomore status. Besides the advantage of graduating one year early and earning an income instead of paying tuition the fourth year, entering as a sophomore also allows the candidate the option to graduate in 4 years with a master’s.
https://irpa.umd.edu/CampusCounts/Admissions/apps_ug.pdf

16.7% in 2023.
13.1% in 2022.
9.9% in 2021.

There are two ways to look at this number.

1. There are a lot more high achieving kids choosing to go to UMD
2. There are a lot of community college transfers in the second year.

I'm thinking it's #1.