<p>Lately, I've been considering a master's program possibly in RF electronics. I have yet to narrow down the schools but I will more than likely take more than 4 years to graduate at UCSB. I intern so I take a slightly lighter load of classes. My GPA is about a 3.3.(tanked freshman year because of all the parties) but my upper division major GPA is at a 3.75 and it keeps improving every quarter. Do grad schools frown upon students taking more than 4 years to graduate?</p>
<p>I can't speak for graduate admissions... but as a person who would look at your application would think. There are about a million reasons you took an extra year. Not all of them bad. Maybe you worked more to support someone in the family. Personal reasons, relationships, health concerns, death in the family. You spent time volunteering and couldn't focus on your studies. </p>
<p>Anyway your case you have a pretty concrete reason, you take less classes because you work part time as well. Basically my long winded point is, no I really don't think someone is going to care. Just don't use it as a way to apologize to them. Like "Oh I'm sorry it took an extra year, I was working too much". Wear it like an accomplishment "Sure it took a little longer, but I gained great work and professional experience. I also needed to financially support myself while in school.".</p>