<p>It really comes as a relief for cash-strapped international students to realize that UB runs on a flat-rate tuition for 12+ semester hours per semester.</p>
<p>My question is this: What is the maximum courseload that a student is allowed to take before having to get an advisor’s approval? Also, would it be possible to take a 21 Credits/Semester courseload just so as to graduate early and save on tuition?</p>
<p>At UB you can take up to 19 credits in one semester without approval from your advisor. If you take more than 19 credits you will have to check with your advisor for approval and to see if you meet any overload prerequisites that depend on which college/school your are enrolled in.</p>
<p>The department of electrical engineering is in SEAS (School of Engineering and Applied Science). In SEAS, in order to be allowed to take more than 19 credits in one semester, your UB(all courses taken at UB), Technical(engineering, math, and science courses), and Engineering GPAs all have to be above a 3.0, which means you wouldn’t be allowed to overload your first semester (you wouldn’t be able to try anyway since an advisor makes up your first semester schedule).</p>
<p>My kid just did orientation as a freshman, and it appears that pretty much everyone was saying they had 19 credits. It seems hard to me, buth that’s what the advisers recommended.</p>
<p>Neon are you sure, most advisor’s push 14-16 credits for freshman, maybe something has changed. I have known many students who do great with 19 credits and other who do not so good. We at UB have a grace period like most schools, that in the first 2 weeks or so you can drop a class without penalty. If you son or daughter is having trouble, I really recommend he drop the class he/she doesn’t like to ease the burden.</p>
<p>My son, who will be a Freshman Engineering student in 2 days, was advised to keep the schedule put together by the advisor. However, since he is receiving AP credit for the Math 141 class and is closed out of Calculus II, he will “resign” from Math 141 (but still get the credit) and audit the class. The advisor stressed the importance of going to the class to keep up with the college-level course but that my son won’t have the added stress of taking the tests! GOOD ADVICE!! It lessens his first semester load without losing any of the credits.</p>
<p>Just a follow-up to report that the 19 credits recommended by the advisor for prepharm is working out ok (calc, bio, chem plus seminars). The workload has not been unmanageable, and even leaves room for social stuff. </p>
<p>My other kid took 16 credits, and thought it was tough…so each student is going to have to assess for themselves…</p>
<p>Just as a follow up, my kid was able to get a 4.0 with the 19 credits and said that it really wasn’t too bad. Almost everyone in the Honors Dorm had 19 or more credits, which included a few credits for freshman and honors seminars. The advisor is recommending 21 credits for next semester. The advisors seem to really know their stuff, and seem to have very good reasons for their recommendations. My kid is now thinking about a double major…and is really enjoying SUNY and lots of new friends. The other kid at Penn State isn’t nearly as happy as the SUNY kid.</p>
<p>19 max w/o permission from advisor. Just remember to factor in the amout of time needed to do hw, extra-curriculars, job (I’m assuming you’re gonna work as well, since you can hardly afford 3 yrs of college) and social life. (You’re gonna party on fri or sat nights, so factor that in also) Getting bogged down will bite you in the arse longer than taking it in through regular chomps.</p>
<p>Why don’t you take summer classes instead? 2 classes for 3 years + taking 1 or 2 extra classes during your 3 years would definetly give you enough to graduate early</p>