Pros and Cons of Graduating Early

originaloog
Mon, 13 Feb 2006 13:04:01 +0000

Because our son will be able to graduate a semester early in Dec 07, we talked about this during semester break. His college does have a five year BS/MS degree program which he could complete in 4-1/2 years and the extra semester would almost certainly be tuition free.

But…

He has always been anxious to move on to the next challenge, adventure or new thing and thought that by senior year he would be prepared to do so again. His plan is to use his senior thesis research as a stepping stone for launching a start-up business. He has several ideas in his head, one of which is so simple that I can’t believe it hasn’t been patented already, but he is now looking into it.

If he is serious, prepares a business plan suitable for leasing low cost space in the college’s small business incubator, and is willing to invest the $50,000 which should be remaining in his college fund, I told him I would invest enough “venture capital” to support him for 3 years minimum.

Our son doesn’t seem to be as academically inclined as most students inhabiting this niche of cyberspace. He was excited to be able to move off campus soph year and begin living on his own, albeit with 10 other students. He would rather apply kmlwolege already gained. And he kids me, "Dad you know who a PhD is? Someone who knows more and more about less and less until he knows everything about nothing! Actually I think I told him that, but he enjoys reminding me about it on occasion.

Anyway, the bottom line for us will probably be his graduating in 3-1/2 years if there are good prospects on the near horizon.