3 answers
Gabrealle
Student
Santa Cruz, California
3
Questions
Asked
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How can I finish my degree in 3 years?
I attend UC Santa Cruz and am a bio molecular engineering major. I want to finish earlier so I can start my upper grad. I know it’s a little more challenging with my major, but I think I can do it.
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3 answers
Vincent L
1
Answer
Irvine, California
Updated
Vincent’s Answer
Hello Gabrealle,
If your goal is to graduate quickly, then I would recommend taking summer session courses. You could also take around 18-20+ classes a quarter during the general academic year, and it'll be easier if you take online courses whenever possible.
I would advise you to be cautious with this, especially since you have a more challenging major in engineering. I know some people who were able to graduate early, but their GPAs suffered quite a bit in the process.
If your goal is to graduate quickly, then I would recommend taking summer session courses. You could also take around 18-20+ classes a quarter during the general academic year, and it'll be easier if you take online courses whenever possible.
I would advise you to be cautious with this, especially since you have a more challenging major in engineering. I know some people who were able to graduate early, but their GPAs suffered quite a bit in the process.
Jasmine Phan
Audit Intern
2
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Jasmine’s Answer
I am currently a third year Business Administration major on track to graduate early, so I can provide my perspective on this! One suggestion I have to create a 4-year plan as early as possible so that you can preview how many units you will need to take each quarter in order to graduate early. Since you are a STEM major, it is very likely that you will need to take classes over the summer to accelerate your graduation date. I would recommend taking your GEs during this time because the workload tends to be more manageable, as it can be difficult to balance taking GEs and more rigorous engineering/math classes simultaneously. As long as you stick to your 4-year plan and are mentally prepared to take on a higher workload during your time at college, it is possible to finish your degree in 3 years!
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Gabrealle !
There is a reason, and a good one, why Bachelors Degrees are a period of four years. Doing a Biomolecular Engineering degree in three years will slight you of projects, possible opportunities to work on projects, meeting less people who can be good contacts for work, and possibly jeopardize your grades which should be considered since you stated that you want to go to graduate school for a Masters Degree. College is not about rushing things or bunching up courses to quickly get them over with. It's really about learning, understanding and applying the information, processes and concepts that are taught in a four year duration.
The University of California Santa Cruz's undergraduate program for Biomolecular Engineering includes a contiguous B.S./M.S. pathway, allowing qualified students to apply to the M.S. program during their senior year and complete both degrees in a streamlined manner. Admission to the graduate programs is competitive and considers factors such as GPA (minimum 3.0), research experience, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and quantitative skills; GRE scores are no longer required for either the M.S. or PhD. If you insist on short-cutting your education, you can do this path but speak with an Academic Advisor at your college about it. I would highly not recommend it as you will definitely be short changed on experience, projects or meeting people that may be important for later on in the career. It would be disappointing if you get to it and discover that it is not what you thought it would be.
Seeing as though you'll have to take required General Education courses as well as what is required for your Biomolecular Engineering Degree, this is not an easy load to carry. Although you can take some courses in summer session if your college offers it, summer sessions are shorter and you'd still be short changed if you take one of your Major courses in summer. I just do not believe that rushing through or bunching up courses is the optimum college experience. UC Santa Cruz also has a 4 + 1 program which I would not advise doing. The choice is up to you, but I cannot say it's the best path for Biomolecular Engineering. You just may miss out on some valuable experience or opportunity provided by a contact you could meet in four years as an undergraduate.
When you meet with an academic advisor at your college about this, obtain the information about what happens if you do not want to continue with your personal 3 year plan or the 4 + 1. There may be some official thing you have to do to discontinue that program and return to a four year regular path. I would say that it's not a good idea to design a college path duration on your own before you even know what it's like.
I wish you all the best moving forward with the college path of your choice !
There is a reason, and a good one, why Bachelors Degrees are a period of four years. Doing a Biomolecular Engineering degree in three years will slight you of projects, possible opportunities to work on projects, meeting less people who can be good contacts for work, and possibly jeopardize your grades which should be considered since you stated that you want to go to graduate school for a Masters Degree. College is not about rushing things or bunching up courses to quickly get them over with. It's really about learning, understanding and applying the information, processes and concepts that are taught in a four year duration.
The University of California Santa Cruz's undergraduate program for Biomolecular Engineering includes a contiguous B.S./M.S. pathway, allowing qualified students to apply to the M.S. program during their senior year and complete both degrees in a streamlined manner. Admission to the graduate programs is competitive and considers factors such as GPA (minimum 3.0), research experience, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and quantitative skills; GRE scores are no longer required for either the M.S. or PhD. If you insist on short-cutting your education, you can do this path but speak with an Academic Advisor at your college about it. I would highly not recommend it as you will definitely be short changed on experience, projects or meeting people that may be important for later on in the career. It would be disappointing if you get to it and discover that it is not what you thought it would be.
Seeing as though you'll have to take required General Education courses as well as what is required for your Biomolecular Engineering Degree, this is not an easy load to carry. Although you can take some courses in summer session if your college offers it, summer sessions are shorter and you'd still be short changed if you take one of your Major courses in summer. I just do not believe that rushing through or bunching up courses is the optimum college experience. UC Santa Cruz also has a 4 + 1 program which I would not advise doing. The choice is up to you, but I cannot say it's the best path for Biomolecular Engineering. You just may miss out on some valuable experience or opportunity provided by a contact you could meet in four years as an undergraduate.
When you meet with an academic advisor at your college about this, obtain the information about what happens if you do not want to continue with your personal 3 year plan or the 4 + 1. There may be some official thing you have to do to discontinue that program and return to a four year regular path. I would say that it's not a good idea to design a college path duration on your own before you even know what it's like.
I wish you all the best moving forward with the college path of your choice !