Do Undergrad Early Graduates Get Into Top Programs?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of graduating from undergraduate programs in less than four years, particularly regarding admission into top graduate programs. Participants explore whether early graduation affects perceptions of candidates in the admissions process and share personal experiences related to their educational timelines.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Personal anecdotes

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the prevalence of early graduates in top programs and whether such graduates are viewed favorably or negatively by admissions committees.
  • Others express skepticism about the necessity of graduating early, emphasizing the importance of the college experience and foundational learning.
  • Several participants share personal experiences of graduating early, noting both successes and challenges in their subsequent academic pursuits.
  • One participant argues that graduating early is neither necessary nor sufficient for admission to top programs, suggesting that hard work and dedication during the full undergraduate experience are more critical.
  • Concerns are raised about the pressure to sacrifice social life and balance for the sake of competitiveness in graduate admissions.
  • Some participants highlight that many successful graduate students did not graduate early, indicating a broader range of paths to success.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the value of early graduation, with no clear consensus on its impact on graduate school admissions. Some believe it may confer advantages, while others argue it is not a significant factor.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal anecdotes and observations, which may not represent broader trends or data regarding graduate admissions. The discussion includes varying definitions of success and differing educational experiences.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering early graduation, those interested in graduate school admissions processes, and students weighing the balance between academic rigor and personal life may find this discussion relevant.

  • #31


Uhm, timeout.

How do you guys even get a B.Sc. in less than 4 years? At my university this is impossible in about all subjects (maybe except for math... maybe!) due to the interlock of pre-requisites that make such feat unachievable.
 
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  • #32


Jokerhelper said:
Uhm, timeout.

How do you guys even get a B.Sc. in less than 4 years? At my university this is impossible in about all subjects (maybe except for math... maybe!) due to the interlock of pre-requisites that make such feat unachievable.

A combination of high school credits, summer courses, and taking more than the average amount of classes per semester.
 
  • #33


Jokerhelper said:
How do you guys even get a B.Sc. in less than 4 years?

Since you wrote "B.Sc." I'll wager you're not in the US. In the US, the first year of university is more or less on the same level as the last year of high school (or whatever you call secondary school) in many other countries, and it's possible to take "Advanced Placement" (AP) courses in high school that many universities will accept in place of their first year courses.
 
  • #34


jtbell said:
Since you wrote "B.Sc." I'll wager you're not in the US. In the US, the first year of university is more or less on the same level as the last year of high school (or whatever you call secondary school) in many other countries, and it's possible to take "Advanced Placement" (AP) courses in high school that many universities will accept in place of their first year courses.

Yeah but I'm from just above the border, so I can't be that different :smile:
I am aware that AP or IB courses can get you some credits in advance, but I didn't know you could get a full year ahead even if you complete that entire program. For example, I'm quite confident at my university all science or engineering programs require Calc II to be completed by the first year, or you might not be able get into all the second year courses required for your program. Yet at my school - and I imagine also at the other G13 universities here in Canada - you can't get AP credit for Calc II, hence making it impossible to completely skip a first year of studies. I'm sure there are plenty more examples that could apply here.
 
  • #35


Jokerhelper said:
Yeah but I'm from just above the border, so I can't be that different :smile:
I am aware that AP or IB courses can get you some credits in advance, but I didn't know you could get a full year ahead even if you complete that entire program. For example, I'm quite confident at my university all science or engineering programs require Calc II to be completed by the first year, or you might not be able get into all the second year courses required for your program. Yet at my school - and I imagine also at the other G13 universities here in Canada - you can't get AP credit for Calc II, hence making it impossible to completely skip a first year of studies. I'm sure there are plenty more examples that could apply here.

You can get it, but most Canadian universities won't allow you to skip the course. Take UofT for eample
 

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