Do you personally know any one graduated in 3 years?

[Dad II]

I have heard people talking about kids with a lot of AP credits graduate in three years in a regular program. I am not talking about those special programs where you starts graduate level course after 3rd year.

On the other hand, I have also heard that AP credits only allow you to take a higher level of course but does not count for graduation.

I would like to know some real cases, not just those "I heard" ones. DS is on schedule to take 12 AP classes. If these credits could really help him graduate early in some schools, that may change something.

Thanks in advance.

[3togo]

a couple thoughts ...

First, this is going to depend greatly on the school ... so I'd suggest checking the particular schools your son is considering. In general, the tougher the school the more they use AP credits for placment in a higher class and less to skip a requirement.

Second, why the desire to graduate in three years. It certainly can save A TON of money. For my family we're looking at college as a 4 year growth experience and we are not going to try to shrink this learning experience. Said another way ... for a person who is going to retire at 65 they can ... 1) go to college 3 years and work 44 years ... 2) or go to college 4 years and work 43 years. To me, unless finances are pushing the decision I'd opt for 4 years of college (even if it meant backing off the school a bit to a more affortable 4 year option).

[M'sMom]

My S has a friend who will graduate in 3 years from a selective public LAC. I think he had something like 8 APs going in and got credit for all of them. My S took both IB and AP tests and only got 8 credits from his selective private school. It really does matter what school they attend. If my S had gone to our state flagship, he would have started with 30 credits and could have graduated in 3 years. I wouldn't want him to miss out on the college experience. He has the rest of his life to work.

[jessiehl]

I don't personally know anyone who got their bachelor's in 3 years, that I can think of. But I know at least three of the top of my head who got it in 3.5 years instead of 4.

On the other hand, I have also heard that AP credits only allow you to take a higher level of course but does not count for graduation.

It really depends on the college/university.

[thumper1]

We personally know a student who graduated from Wheaton in three years. She took LOTS of courses each term and did have a couple of AP credits going in. However, the primary reason she graduated in three years was that she took extra courses each term she was there. She still had to fulfill ALL of the courses in her major AT the school.

[JHS]

As far as I can tell, this is a public/private college distinction. At my kids' high school, good students tend to graduate with 6-9 APs. It is very common for the ones who go to Penn State or Temple to graduate in three years. The ones who go to private colleges (mostly Penn) don't.

The University of Chicago is fairly free with elective credits, not just for APs, but also for people who can pass university placement exams. I have met one person who graduated from Chicago (many years ago) in a year and a half. By selecting her courses carefully, and essentially never taking an elective, my daughter could have accelerated her BA at least two quarters early, maybe three. We encouraged her not to do that, and she didn't. I know that Harvard, too, offers advanced standing based on APs (and that few students take it).

[katwkittens]

DadII-
The Ap route is only 1 way to graduate early. Attending summer school immediately after high school, dual concurrent enrollment at a CC and multiple AP credits and any combination of those can lead to early graduation.

Son had 17 AP courses upon graduation with mostly all 5's for scores and maybe 1 or 2 4's. Had he matriculated to some of his accepted schools he would have 72+ credit hours toward a BS. He had also participated/completed some college classes (upper-division) during summers so he had accumulated those transferable credits as well.

Even at the VERY picky, with regards to AP units, uni that he is attending he was given the option of taking some time off due to his accumulation of credits.

And that did play into his decision of which college to eventually attend.

He narrowed his list to those where he could stay all four years. Academics was only one consideration. He knows that he will be a life-long learner. He also took into account he has ONLY 4 years as an undergrad. Even now he states he has only TWO years remaining at the university he currently attends and what a rare gift he is enjoying.

Initially his options where ones that were heavy pre-professional schools and some combined BS/BA, BS/MD, BS/MBA but again re-evaluated and opted again for 4 full years of on-campus as an undergrad. He is relishing the experience to say the least. I advised him to think of at least a semester and/or summer abroad but even that was met with resistance.

He again and again maintains he has only 4 great years and he has plenty of time for grad school/working. It will all be there waiting for him. He was not the type to have a "dream" school. But I can honestly say that he is now "living the dream!"

He has whole-heartedly embraced much of what his uni has to offer and has grown more in 2 years than I thought possible. It has given him the room to breathe academically, to take risks and to socially and emotionally grow with a much more GLOBAL view.

I am impressed.

It has opened a world to him (and to us as a family) that we did not know existed. His research this summer took him past his comfort zone and he was forced to stretch and stretch. It opened his eyes to his choices in 2 years. He is also taking 3 more classes this summer at our local 4-year, because he doesn't have enough room in schedule to fit them in! This from the student who could graduate NOW from said picky uni about transferable credits and APs. He overloads credits each semester to make sure he gets in what he wants to take!

He knows once he graduates his course will be more focused. Doors will close. He is trying to maximize his exposure to some once-in-a-lifetime learning experiences.

And yes finances and financial aid packages play a huge part. He has found a way to make it all work. And that also helped with his decision. His school hasn't let him down yet.

Kat

[ST2]

Both of mine had sufficient credits to graduate in 3 years. But since both were on full rides at top private schools, I recommended that they enjoy 4 years of undergraduate and take advantage of exploring academic areas they might not otherwise consider. Both of their schools limited AP credits to a maximum of 15, but both of them averaged 18 to 20 credits a semester. Remember that many top schools limit the number of credits that can be obtained via AP courses.

[Maize&Blue]

It depends on the school, and is very doable at public schools. At D's top 5 LAC, the maximum number of AP credits allowed would equal 2/3 of a year in both credits and for course placement. She could have graduated in December of her senior year, but chose to attend all 4 years. S attended a top 25 OOS public. No limit on AP credits which are applied to the 120 required to graduate (fulfilled elective requirements and some departmental pre-reqs). S also chose not to graduate early, but was very glad those credits were on the books when he did a study abroad semester taking classes that didn't fulfill any of his graduation requirements but that were of great interest to him on his adventure. Many of my former students have entered our flagship state U with sophomore status due to their AP credits. Some of them graduated within 3 years.

[mathmom]

I know several people who got their BAs in 3 years at Harvard, but they all stayed a 4th year for an MA. My son definitely has enough credits to easily graduate from CMU in 3 years if he wants to. He doesn't have to decide right away. It seems to be fairly common for kids to stay for the MA there as well.

[Dad II]

So, the answer is an "yes" within right selection of University. Thanks.

he pretty much knows for sure he is going to get a Ph.D . type of advanced degree. So he will be in school for another 4- 5 years beyond under.

It is purely a financial consideration. Low income families like us need to save everyway we could.

[silverlady]

My very good friend's daughter graduated from a top 25 school in 3 years. It saved her a bundle in tuition costs. She is now in a top law school.

[owlice]

Dad II, you've stated that your income is nearly $10K/month; since when is that "low income"?

[Dad II]

silverlady, do you happen to know how did she do it in 3 years? Is it from her AP credits or taking additional course load in summer?

[Dad II]

Hi, owlice, how are you?? Let it go, will you please?