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So I've amassed enough AP credits to graduate a year early. Is it worth it?

My main concern is that I will be missing out on the post-college opportunities my fellow 2008ers will have in terms of internships and recruiting.

By Incog (Incog) on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 12:02 pm: Edit

i've also amassed enough AP credits (gotta love NU for accepting so many AP credits). however, i don't think i'll be graduating earlier.

what i plan on doing is double majoring.

By Azntoccata (Azntoccata) on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 02:09 pm: Edit

Don't. You only go to college once in a lifetime. Don't miss out.

I can graduate a year early too but i'm leaving it as an option and not planning to use it.

By Mosquito86 (Mosquito86) on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 05:19 pm: Edit

Actually,

You may want to think about it. I mean if money is a bit of a concern to your family, saving the approximate $45,000 one-year Northwestern cost (shopping, traveling, etc included) is definitely a great thing.

I don't know how much you might miss out on in regards to internship and recruiting. I would talk to an advisor about that next year.

However, I think you should get a more feel of the place before you decide on skipping a year. If I were you, I would come in w/ the intention of graduating early. Try to accumulate the credits for your major. In your second year, if you decide you want to finish in 3 years, then you are in a solid place to do so. If you decide against it, well you just got a good deal of your major out of the way...and you have more room to explore other areas or relax.

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 07:22 pm: Edit

Bumping the NU threads, 'cause I'm a troll like that...

I'm graduating a quarter early (but plan on staying near campus and working on campus), but I generally agree with the assertion that you are a college student once. Why cut that time by 1/4 when you could be doing research, field work, or any number of other academic endeavors. Then again, if you're totally miserable at college and can't wait to get out, I guess graduating early is a valid option.

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 07:56 pm: Edit

I also have the option to graduate a quarter (with major and minor) or two quarters early! (with only a major.)

However, I feel I'm gonna stay the full 4 years (unless something happens where I just leave a quarter early) to take some practical courses that can build on my resume. I maybe eligible for senior Honors so writing a Senior Honors thesis or doing independent study with a faculty member is a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the undergraduate level. Do whatever is best for you.

I have a friend who is graduating a year early. However, he does not like NU and plans to head straight to grad school, so don't think everyone is like him.

By Imblue (Imblue) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 07:55 pm: Edit

Most of the people I know (including myself) who graduated college early did so because they already had specific goals in mind, e.g. medical school, pharmacy school, graduate school. Knowing that you'll still be a student for several more years may provide more incentive to graduate early.