College students: Take an extra quarter?

[oiprocs]

Would you take an extra quarter (graduate 3 months later) if it meant taking a lighter load for your last year? Say, 3 classes instead of 4 each quarter?

Consider that you're working 20 hours a week.

 

[ChaoZ]

Yea I'd do it.

 

[Kirby]

YARRRR.

 

[MotF Bane]

Yes.

 

[Kreon]

Yes!

 

[miketheidiot]

i took an whole extra year pretty much for the lulz.

 

[kedlav]

save 5k and work hard vs. pay 5k more and be a lazy shit

Disclaimer: I graduated early and took 16+ hours of math classes my senior year all 3 qtr's

 

[imported_Imp]

Hell yes.

My last 2 years were nightmares. Effing design projects. Finally figured out time-management my last semester, and had all projects done a day before they were due.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: kedlav
save 5k and work hard vs. pay 5k more and be a lazy shit

Disclaimer: I graduated early and took 16+ hours of math classes my senior year all 3 qtr's

Tuition is 2.5k here. But if you're talking overall cost for 1 quarter, I'd push that to 4k since I live at home and commute.

Also,

taking another quarter != lazy sh!t

 

[ScottyB]

It will give you more time to look for full-time work during this recession. And won't have to pay back your loans for just that much longer. Plus you can concentrate on some extra-curricular activities that you wouldn't have time for when working the 20+ hours and the four classes, nor when you graduate and do work a full-time position.

 

[Tiamat]

No, since the scholarship would probably run out and you'd have to shell out the tuition. Also, taking 4 courses isn't too much of a load. 3 courses would be breeze easy. I know several people who did the opposite of what you are asking. They took 5 courses per quarter/semester for 3 years straight so that they could graduate 1 year early, they survived, although they did work very hard.

However, if the lighter load allowed me to work part-time with an employer that I wouldn't mind working for, I'd take that option since in days like these, it helps greatly if you have a foot in the door in the company you want to work for when it comes time for applying for a permanent position.

 

[chorb]

I took the extra quarter, was able to work more at my internship, get better grades across all my classes, then get hired into the company at a higher pay rate as it was based of grades.

 

[speg]

I about to do the opposite. I have been taking lighter terms for the past 2ish years. Next term I am going to double up and get the hell out of here!!!

 

[nageov3t]

no way... I busted my ass to graduate in 4 years with a dual-major as it was. I wouldn't pay an extra half-year's tuition for the lolz.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Sure, if you want more student loan debt and be 3 months behind your graduating class infinding a job. :roll:

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Sure, if you want more student loan debt and be 3 months behind your graduating class infinding a job. :roll:

I don't know about that. I was set to graduate next December. An extra quarter means graduating the following March. Seems like a 3 month advantage on all the June graduates.

 

[nageov3t]

4 classes/semester seems like a light load as it is.

 

[ric1287]

Originally posted by: kedlav
save 5k and work hard vs. pay 5k more and be a lazy shit

Disclaimer: I graduated early and took 16+ hours of math classes my senior year all 3 qtr's

i take it you didn't have a job while in school.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: loki8481
4 classes/semester seems like a light load as it is.

The classes are all upper-div engineering, if that matters any.

 

[rocadelpunk]

take an extra quarter and enjoy the college life.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: oiprocs

Originally posted by: loki8481
4 classes/semester seems like a light load as it is.

The classes are all upper-div engineering, if that matters any.

It doesn't matter that much. The upper level engineering courses are not bad since your brain should be programmed to have a good grasp on those concepts anyways (that is, if you paid attention during your earlier engineering courses).

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: oiprocs

Originally posted by: loki8481
4 classes/semester seems like a light load as it is.

The classes are all upper-div engineering, if that matters any.

It doesn't matter that much. The upper level engineering courses are not bad since your brain should be programmed to have a good grasp on those concepts anyways (that is, if you paid attention during your earlier engineering courses).

And if you didn't?

 

[Turin39789]

I'm working 40+ hours a week and taking 9 hours(+3 by correspondence)


Next semester I'm trying to get it over with. Working 40 hours and taking 19 hours.

 

[CountZero]

There are a few things to consider that have been mentioned but if you don't already have strong job prospects upon graduating the extra 3 months or whatever would probably be a good thing. If, on the other hand, you have a job essentially lined up I'd graduate asap to be sure you get that full time offer.

December seems like an awkward time to graduate. I think most companies wouldn't even know what their new hire situation will be until January at the earliest.

 

[BurnItDwn]

No. Waste of time and money.