<p>So, I’ve been taking post secondary courses since last year (I’m a senior) and now I’m trying to figure out what I want to do when I actually go to college. I’ve applied for Kent State, which is where I’m attending now, and Cornell. My only problem is that with the amount of coursework I’ve done I’ll be starting as a junior if I go to Kent. I’m planning on graduating in 3 semesters if I go there which although it sounds great in theory I’m afraid I’ll miss out on the whole college experience. I won’t have time to do band or many other extracurriculars. Plus I’ll be literally 5 minutes from my house and I’m scared I won’t branch out if I’m that close to home. Cornell is farther away (a LOT farther away, which is kinda scary) and I’ll have more time to make the most of my undergraduate, however almost all the work I’ve done for the past 2 years won’t transfer and it’ll take me that much longer to graduate.
So what do you guys think? Is it smarter to spend longer as an undergrad or to graduate early and get on with my masters?</p>
<p>Is cost a big issue? What will be your major?</p>
<p>I qualify for full rides based on need alone plus merit and local scholarships. I plan to major in astronomy if I go to Cornell and physics research if Kent (they don’t offer astronomy).</p>
<p>Does Kent State require you to graduate that early if you come in with the number of credits you have?</p>
<p>Also, are there other schools you are interested in where you would have the option, but not the requirement, to graduate early, and which are affordable?</p>
<p>If you are very advanced in your major, you may want to consider schools with a strong graduate program in your major, since you may want to take graduate level courses and/or do graduate level research as an undergraduate.</p>
<p>Some people like you at my school can take graduate courses while they are still undergrad, so by the time they graduate undergrad they will already have completed or almost completed a graduate degree. And also, about the college experience, yeah you learn a bit about yourself, make friends, etc, but I don’t think it’s anything special, but everyone has different preferences. It’s a struggle, mostly, since you try to balance coursework, exams, sleep, and social time, and there’s a lot of stress. But hey, we have to make it through. Being far from home may be a good experience, though, but it does not have to be done through undergrad experience.</p>