<p>Truthfully, the only people I know who are taking 12 units are seniors who are only doing the last few classes they need or people who dropped classes (though they started with 16, then dropped a class and ended up with 12). Pretty much everyone I know who rushed was able to do so with 16-18 units, many who also had jobs. So truthfully, I’d take at least 16, and the worst that’ll happen is that you drop one class. But I wouldn’t “plan” for 12 just simply for the money issues that others have brought up.</p>
<p>If you’re really concerned, you could always take 12 units for a grade, and then 1 elective credit/no credit so that you don’t have to worry too much.</p>