should i take 18 units this quarter?

[OS]

I just tallied everything up and I have to take 18 units this quarter to graduate at the end. Should I just suck it up and live hell for a quarter or wait another? The most I've ever taken is 15. I am an engineering major.

 

[Kev]

wait, take it easy, and drink a lot

 

[gopunk]

what courses, and what were your gpa and courses for the past 3 quarters? do you plan on going to graduate school? or just work...

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: gopunk
what courses, and what were your gpa and number of credits for the past 3 quarters?

All the classes left to take are all upper division engineering classes. Nothing soft and fluffy.

I don't remember earlier quarters but last quarter I took 15 units and got straight As except for a B in a 1 unit lab.

 

[Jfur]

Originally posted by: gopunk
what courses, and what were your gpa and courses for the past 3 quarters? do you plan on going to graduate school? or just work...

ok, then. how easy would it be for you to extend one semester? are you covered financially?

if you are relatively at ease with your major and it will just be a lot of work and you are dedicated, I'd go for it.

But sometimes people start acting weird their last semester, so think about the tradeoffs. I often have last semester seniors in my class and even the better students have mini-crises just before graduation.

if grad school, i'd wait for sure and try to work on a few outside projects or research with profs that you can add to your apps

have you done any good internships? you're in LA, right?

 

[HamSupLo]

job market sucks. take the extra quarter unless you have a guaranteed job lined up. If you have a chance to kick it for an extra quarter, why not? there's no hurry to get into the real world. if i were you, i'd take classes that I have a personal interest in and totally kick it.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Jfur

Originally posted by: gopunk
what courses, and what were your gpa and courses for the past 3 quarters? do you plan on going to graduate school? or just work...

ok, then. how easy would it be for you to extend one semester? are you covered financially?

err, I want to go to grad school, but I'm leaning towards getting an MBA or going to law school to become a patent attorney.

personally it's not a big deal if I wait another quarter, but my parents won't be happy. And I'd like to start working because I need to buy a lot of new stuff. I could use a new computer, new home stereo. I want to buy a sports car also.

 

[Jfur]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: Jfur

Originally posted by: gopunk
what courses, and what were your gpa and courses for the past 3 quarters? do you plan on going to graduate school? or just work...

ok, then. how easy would it be for you to extend one semester? are you covered financially?

err, I want to go to grad school, but I'm leaning towards getting an MBA or going to law school to become a patent attorney.

personally it's not a big deal if I wait another quarter, but my parents won't be happy. And I'd like to start working because I need to buy a lot of new stuff. I could use a new computer, new home stereo. I want to buy a sports car also.

well, one semester won't be a big deal, and most of the professional programs go on fall admissions, right? So do something useful with the extra time you have and get something done that will bring you closer to your future goals. Even preparing for the LSAT or something next semester might make a huge difference.

I edited the above to ask if you're in LA?

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: Jfur

Originally posted by: gopunk
what courses, and what were your gpa and courses for the past 3 quarters? do you plan on going to graduate school? or just work...

ok, then. how easy would it be for you to extend one semester? are you covered financially?

err, I want to go to grad school, but I'm leaning towards getting an MBA or going to law school to become a patent attorney.

personally it's not a big deal if I wait another quarter, but my parents won't be happy. And I'd like to start working because I need to buy a lot of new stuff. I could use a new computer, new home stereo. I want to buy a sports car also.

ok, well don't graduate early just to buy a new car, stereo, and computer

so i'm a little confused, you want to go to grad school, but you're leaning towards business or law school, yet you say you'd like to start working? which one is it?

and what jfur said is right, if you're going to continue your education i would wait and do research or internship or something.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Jfur


ok, then. how easy would it be for you to extend one semester? are you covered financially?

if you are relatively at ease with your major and it will just be a lot of work and you are dedicated, I'd go for it.

But sometimes people start acting weird their last semester, so think about the tradeoffs. I often have last semester seniors in my class and even the better students have mini-crises just before graduation.

if grad school, i'd wait for sure and try to work on a few outside projects or research with profs that you can add to your apps

have you done any good internships? you're in LA, right?

oh yeah, I already got my aid for the whole year so it's just another quarter of loans basically, no big deal.

I'm pretty sure I could do 18 units in a quarter, but I want to enjoy more social time towards the end.

I haven't done any internships, just worked jobs not really related along the way. Yeah I live in LA.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Jfur


well, one semester won't be a big deal, and most of the professional programs go on fall admissions, right? So do something useful with the extra time you have and get something done that will bring you closer to your future goals. Even preparing for the LSAT or something next semester might make a huge difference.

that's true, thx. Yeah most grad programs start in the fall. I still need to do more research about it.

 

[Jfur]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: Jfur


ok, then. how easy would it be for you to extend one semester? are you covered financially?

if you are relatively at ease with your major and it will just be a lot of work and you are dedicated, I'd go for it.

But sometimes people start acting weird their last semester, so think about the tradeoffs. I often have last semester seniors in my class and even the better students have mini-crises just before graduation.

if grad school, i'd wait for sure and try to work on a few outside projects or research with profs that you can add to your apps

have you done any good internships? you're in LA, right?

oh yeah, I already got my aid for the whole year so it's just another quarter of loans basically, no big deal.

I'm pretty sure I could do 18 units in a quarter, but I want to enjoy more social time towards the end.

I haven't done any internships, just worked jobs not really related along the way. Yeah I live in LA.

ok, don't laugh. But do try a GOOD internship. Even if you don't want to go into engineering. Several of my friends in college did stuff at JPL. Looked great and they learned a lot, too.
LA is filled with such opportunities.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: gopunk


ok, well don't graduate early just to buy a new car, stereo, and computer

so i'm a little confused, you want to go to grad school, but you're leaning towards business or law school, yet you say you'd like to start working? which one is it?

and what jfur said is right, if you're going to continue your education i would wait and do research or internship or something.

I kind of have expensive tastes.

People work and go to grad school at the same time.

 

[Jfur]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: gopunk


ok, well don't graduate early just to buy a new car, stereo, and computer

so i'm a little confused, you want to go to grad school, but you're leaning towards business or law school, yet you say you'd like to start working? which one is it?

and what jfur said is right, if you're going to continue your education i would wait and do research or internship or something.

I kind of have expensive tastes.

People work and go to grad school at the same time.

The top programs will not want to to be working full-time while in school. Unless you have A LOT of experience and are doing an executive MBA thing.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare
I just tallied everything up and I have to take 18 units this quarter to graduate at the end. Should I just suck it up and live hell for a quarter or wait another? The most I've ever taken is 15. I am an engineering major.

DO EEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTT!!!!!!!!

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Jfur

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: gopunk


ok, well don't graduate early just to buy a new car, stereo, and computer

so i'm a little confused, you want to go to grad school, but you're leaning towards business or law school, yet you say you'd like to start working? which one is it?

and what jfur said is right, if you're going to continue your education i would wait and do research or internship or something.

I kind of have expensive tastes.

People work and go to grad school at the same time.

The top programs will not want to to be working full-time while in school. Unless you have A LOT of experience and are doing an executive MBA thing.

jfur's wise

i'd just like to add... don't forsake your long term benefit for a quick buck.

 

[Ameesh]

i took 24 units twice in college, man it up, you'll do fine.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: NutBucket


DO EEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTT!!!!!!!!

You know, I just remembered, I don't think cal poly lets you take more than 16 units at once. It might already be decided for me.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: NutBucket


DO EEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTT!!!!!!!!

You know, I just remembered, I don't think cal poly lets you take more than 16 units at once. It might already be decided for me.

Uh, yeah you can. I've done it and friends have done in excess of 20.


[EDIT]You can't register for more then 16.[/EDIT]

 

[gotsmack]

don't do it guy. If you know whats best for you you'll take 12 and 6

 

[ed21x]

take it easy on yourself and kick it for the last two semesters, it'll probably be your best

 

[bUnMaNGo]

last fall I had to petition to register for 25 units- all upper division CS and CE classes, at UCSC. Analysis of Algorithms, Compiler Design I, Intro to Operating Systems, Computational Models, and Intro to Computer Networks (classes are 5 units each at UCSC) I ended up withdrawing from a class (Intro to Computer Networks) a few weeks into the quarter because it was boring as hell. One thing though, I took two of the classes for P/NP UCSC rules hehe... I got B's in the other two classes.

 

[OS]

ok well, I tried to add everything I needed, but some of the classes were completely full. I need to add 6 units of very specific classes before I can get out.

This kind of sucks, I sat down and I figured that an extra quarter will end up costing me up to 10K in terms of lost salary and additional loans.

I'm going back to argue with my department tomorrow.