student14x

Hi im a prospective Cal student and ive heard that once a student gets into Cal, they will be allowed only 2 semesters to graduate. Problem is im pre-med( haven't started with courses ) and I have to cover pre-med courses over the 2 semesters, which is unlikeley cuz new students have late registration. If i have to take 3 sem will Cal kick me out?

niggit42

Incorrect, you have 4 semesters (2 Years) to graduate with your degree. Basically, if you take longer than that- they cannot admit 1 person that year because the current student took too long. That is why they encourage 15 unit work loads as "minimum" (for engineering at least). For engineering majors, which is what I am-so I can only really talk in context for the school of engineering, you have 4 semesters and you have to petition if you need 1 more semester. But in order to petition you need to show that you have been taking above average course loads and are on track for a degree.

karabear1

Not true at all. You can safely take 4 semesters or two years to graduate, not including summers. Beyond that, you are okay as long as you don't reach the unit cap. I think the unit cap varies by department, but you shouldn't have anything to worry about.


Oops, posted at the same time as niggit

CardinalFocused

From what I've seen, they're even really lax on letting you stay for six semesters (which is far diff from how they made it seem like at CalSo) so long as you don't go over the unit cap and whatnot.

niggit42

I felt like we were being pressured into completing the degree in 4 semesters. My counselor was suggesting summer school, but conceded that finishing out engineering as a transfer or as a starting freshman has become so difficult that 5 is sometimes required (for combo engineering majors etc.)

But I am glad that you got a different vibe CardinalFocused--when were you at CalSO

CardinalFocused

Sometime in July of last year. I don't remember the date

student14x

does summer sessions count in the 4 semesters?

CardinalFocused

No (tenchar)