<p>pnyer ~ I think it’s a common concern at UCSD, perhaps at some of the the other UCs at the moment? You’re closer to it than me, and I suggest that talking to the admission department might get you a clearer answer. But the guides comment was definitely confirmed by admissions last spring, when we visited. Will it still be true in 2006? Your guess may be better than mine since you are on top of the situation.</p>
<p>reasonabledad, my D knows a few kids who are in UCSD. Shall try and find how hard it is to find the classes needed to graduate on time.</p>
<p>Here are some actual facts on UCSD’s graduation rate:</p>
<p>Bachelors degree-seeking students completing a bachelor’s degree
Graduation rate within 4 years 52.8 %
Graduation rate within 5 years 78.1 %
Graduation rate within 6 years 82.9 % </p>
<p>source: the US Department of Education. </p>
<p>Note: a 52% graduation rate is about on par with most large public universities. Some do better, some do much, much worse. I seem to recall that the average for all private colleges is about 60% but I would need to double check on that so don’t hold me to it.</p>
<p>In short, it is very possible to graduate from UCSD in 4 years if you take a full load of courses each semester and use some of your AP credits. The students I know who have taken longer at UCSD often either (1) have to work to pay for school and thus take a lighter load each semester (2) switch majors halfway through and thus have to make up credits, but I’m sure there are other reasons as well. I don’t think it is a matter of not getting INTO classes. I have looked at UCSD’s online registration system several time over the past few years and it doesn’t seem that classes fill up any faster there than at other schools. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>We visited Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia Tech during Spring Break. Oldest S wants to go into Engineering. Both he and younger S (Freshman) liked Georgia Tech best - I think it was a combination of the intensive program we attended (Connect with Tech) and the good weather! We hit rain and snow as we headed north, so I think that dampened some spirits.</p>
<p>2sonmama,
Welcome to CC! It’s great that you’ve joined the party. With your screen name, I have to ask — Do you live in Arizona? :)</p>
<p>To the other junior parents, I posted a thread today on my college blog about the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) and their annual “College Space Survey” which every May lists schools that haven’t yet filled their classes for next year. I’ve noticed over the past few years that the schools that make the survey seem to be slightly more generous in admissions the following year and offer more merit money to make sure their class is filled. I think the schools on the survey are therefore good bets for admissions next year. If anyone is interested, I’ve pulled a few of the names from this year’s survey and written a brief description of them. You can get the link for my blog by clicking on my screen name to the left and then clicking on “Visit carolyn’s homepage”</p>