Tips To Graduate In 4 Years:
- Get a summer job, preferably in a field you are interested in following, to gain experience and see if you like a specific career path.
It Won’t Necessarily Impress Colleges
Lastly, don’t try to graduate high school early to impress colleges. Just by itself, finishing high school in a shorter amount of time won’t give your college applications a boost. In fact, if graduating high school early means you have fewer classes in core subjects, it could even hurt your chances of admission!
Unless you have plans to spend your time at a great internship or another exciting opportunity that will really show colleges who you are and what your skills are, colleges won’t see graduating high school early as a sign of increased intelligence or motivation.
Don’t expect colleges to be automatically impressed that you graduated early.
Decide When You Want To Graduate
This first step is pretty simple: all you need to do is decide how early you want to graduate high school. Do you want to graduate a semester early? An entire year? How long do you want to spend pursuing whatever it is you’re doing instead of attending high school?
When figuring this out, keep in mind that it’s often easier to graduate just a semester early than it is a whole year. If that doesn’t seem like a long enough time to you, remember that even if you only graduate a semester early, you’ll finish high school in December or January. If you start college the following September, that still gives you about eight months of time to work, travel, or pursue another opportunity.
If you still need help deciding, talk to your academic advisor. They’re a great resource to have, and they’ll likely be able to help make this process easier .
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How I Graduated From College In 25 Years With 2 Degrees And Saved $37500
Last Updated: BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner –
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.
One thing that has been on my mind this month is how I graduated with my Finance MBA two years ago.
It feels like a lifetime ago, but then again it also feels like it was just yesterday.
This has also reminded me about how I graduated with my undergraduate degrees over 4 years ago. For some reason, people dont believe thats true, and I was even recently asked to provide proof from a reader
I know, I have a baby face! The fact that I look a decade younger than I actually am is a whole nother story though.
If youre wondering the below, please continue reading!
- How to graduate college in 3 years
- How to finish college in 2 years
- How to get a bachelors degree in 2 years
- Can you finish college in 2 years
- How to graduate college in 2 years
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The main reason why I got so heavily into school was because I wanted to keep busy. I was a freshman in college when my father passed away.
I took four days off from my full-time job after he passed but I quickly went back to keep my mind off of everything that was going on around me. I then worked and went to school a crazy amount of hours to keep my mind off of it. This continued for years and it was my way of dealing with it all.
Companies Administering Exams For College Credit
There are 5 exams that offer Credit by Exam. The most-widely accepted exams are CLEP exams which are honored by over 3,000 colleges.
- CLEP 33 exams available
- Thomas Edison State Credit 38 exams available
- Excelsior College Exams 52 exams available
- New York University Language Exams 12 credits in 50 languages
Isnt that amazing?
These Credit by Exam programs each have more than 30 exams.
You can get between 3 to 6 credits for each exam. Most of the CLEP exams are multiple-choice and are completed in 90 minutes!
As I mentioned, Liberty University will allow you to take up to 30 credits via CLEP exams. Most of the schools Ive encountered accept between 18-30+ credits by exam.
The beauty of this approach is you dont have to get 100% on an exam. At most schools, all you need is a score of 50% and you get credit for the class. Sure beats sitting in class for 16 weeks, dont ya think?
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Figure Out Which Classes The Colleges You’re Interested In Require
Now, we move on from classes that you must take in order to graduate to classes that it’s a good idea for you to take .
Many times, the bare minimum high school graduation requirements aren’t enough to get you into top colleges. For example, your high school might only require you to take two years of social studies, but the colleges you’re interested in might want three to four years.
Check the admission requirements for several colleges you’re interested in attending, and add any additional requirements they have to the list of classes you need to take in high school.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to take more classes in the subject you plan to study in college. So if you’re planning on majoring in biology, you might be fine taking just three years of social studies however, you’ll probably want to take four years each of math and science if you’re hoping to get into more competitive schools.
Top Reasons Why You Should Finish College
Life happens, plans change, and sometimes we are forced to put our goals on the back burner. It could be a change in finances, unexpected family obligations, or a number of other commitments that keep you from obtaining a bachelors degree. We understand that once youve taken a leave of absence, finishing college might not seem feasible. You might even be wondering whether its necessary or worth it to go back to school. Our hope is that, after reading this post, you will not only see the value in completing your undergraduate degree requirements, but you will also feel equipped to start the process to finish college!
Its Not Too Late Yet!
When you think about your goals for your career, family, and finances, its helpful to consider whether they would be more attainable with a bachelors degree. If lacking the necessary qualifications is limiting your opportunities in earning potential and career development, why wait any longer to start making your dreams a reality?
There will always be competition with people who are pursuing the same things you are, whether that be to own a business, manage people, develop a new product, or any professional achievement you want. Finishing your bachelors degree is the best way to meet and surpass those vying for your spot. Your plans of living comfortably within your means, owning a home, or having a competitive edge in the workplace are possible, but its important to take action!
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Sample Timeline: How To Get Your Bachelors Degree In 2 Years
How quick you finish does depend on where you start. To help you get your bachelors degree in 2 years I am going to break it down depending on where you are right now.
Whether this is your first time attending college or if you are coming back to college with a few credits. Or if you have already completed 2 years and have 60 credits already.
You can do this. Choose which one you are and lets get that 2-year degree.
How To Finish College Faster
Home » Fastest Degrees » How to Finish College Faster
Spending years going to college classes to earn your degree is pretty standard, but what if I told you that there are ways you can finish your degree in less time?
Theres no doubt that college is expensive, and scheduling classes around an already busy life can be overwhelming. By thinking outside the box and putting in a little extra effort, I will show you how earning your college degree faster is completely doable.
- Related Guide: Fastest Way to Get a Bachelors Degree
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If you are struggling with the daunting reality of spending hours in a classroom for the next several years, save yourself some drama and spend a few minutes exploring better options.
The little known secrets Im going to share with you in this article are a good place to start
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College Courses During High School
Did you know that you can get a headstart on college classes while you are still enrolled in high school? During the school year, or during summer break, you can take courses at online or traditional on-campus community colleges and universities. The important thing to do if you decide this is for you is to check with your desired colleges of choice to see if and how the college courses will transfer.
In the same vein, you can enroll in Advanced Placement classes within your high school, if they are offered, which are basically college-level classes. These units should count towards your bachelor degree, which means that when you enter college for the first time, you will already have accumulated units towards your degree. As such, you can pass out of electives and begin your upper division, or major-specific classes, earlier than most which will accelerate the time it takes to earn your degree.
Calculate The Number Of Credits You Need To Graduate
Now that you know when you want to graduate, it’s time to get into the math. Almost every high school requires its students to complete a certain number of credits before they can graduate. Look in your student handbook or ask your academic advisor to find out how many credits your particular high school requires.
As an example, we’ll use the high school I graduated from, which required its students to complete 21 credits, with each class worth about 0.5 credits per semester.
First, figure out how many credits you’ve already completed. You can usually find this information on your report card or transcript, or you can ask your advisor.
Next, subtract the number of credits you’ve completed from the number of total credits you need to graduate. The answer you get is the number of credits you’ll need to take before you can graduate.
The good news for you is that the number of graduating credits for most high schools often doesn’t require you to complete four full-time years of school. Again, for my high school, you needed to complete 21 credits to graduate, but a student attending high school full-time would complete about 7 credits each year, meaning most students at the end of their junior year would already have enough credits to graduate.
The number of credits you need to take isn’t all you need to worry about, though, so let’s move on to the next step.
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Alternative High School Programs
Kahn Academy
While actual college credit is not offered through this program, Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization that provides free learning in many different areas such as history, physics, and computer programming.
Sign up at KhanAcademy.com.
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate is a pre-university program that provides a demanding two-year curriculum thats incorporated in your junior/senior years of high school. You can study six subjects and earn credit based on your final exam. For a full listing of how these credits would transfer, visit the Registrars IBO Transfer Guide.
Find more about International Baccalaureate .
Is Your Ticket To Graduation
Taking 15 credits a semester dramatically increases your chances of reaching graduation. And hey, isnt that sort of what this is all about?
Planning to graduate in four years means you need a financial plan, too. Talk with a UVU Financial Aid Counselor to create your personal four-year college financial plan. With financial assistance, you can concentrate on your studies, work fewer hours and finish college faster!
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S To A Successful Return To College
Going back to college requires learners to complete the steps below. Following this process helps create a plan, obtain financial assistance, select a program, and transfer credit. Admissions counselors and financial aid advisors help incoming degree-seekers with these and other tasks. Family and friends may also play a significant role in supporting students’ academic journeys.
Identify Your Why
Students going back to college begin by assessing their goals. This step helps prospective learners identify their motivation for earning a degree. Common reasons that individuals pursue higher education include increasing their earning potential, supporting their family, and attaining personal satisfaction. Learners may also return to college to qualify for graduate programs.
Prospective learners should discuss these reasons with family and friends. College admissions counselors can also help applicants identify their reasons for returning to school.
Pick the Best Program
Some colleges and universities offer more than 100 majors and minors. The significant number of options may make selecting a major difficult. Prospective students should consider their preferences and goals before applying to college.
Students should also consider whether they prefer to learn on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Each offers advantages and drawbacks. Students can work with enrollment and academic counselors to decide which learning style works for them.
What Do You Do When You Cant Finish College
If you are having trouble finishing college even after trying hard, there are a few things you need to review and correct:
1) Write down all the courses or exams you previously completed even from several years ago. Note down how many credits each of them are worth, your scores or grades, and the date the courses and exams were completed.
Simply taking stock of previously completed college learning can save you thousands of dollars and years of education.
2) Mentally choose a good degree major that aligns closely with your interests and any previous experience or courses you excelled in.
3) Using this consolidated list of previous learning, you can easily enroll into a degree completion colleges for quick and easy completion of your bachelors degree in your favorite degree major!
4) Talk to the college student advisor and find ways to complete the remaining degree requirements for less cost and time.
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How To Skip Classes And Still Get College Credit
Lets say you are getting a degree at Texas A& M University. Heres a list of the general education courses you need and the matching exams that you can do with the College Level Examination Program to earn credit without going to class.
| General Education Requirements |
| Principles of Management 3 credits
Principles of Marketing 3 credits |
Did you see that?
You can get ALL your general education requirement credits through Credit by Exam. Your whole freshman year and half of your sophomore year could be done before you even go to class.
Can Anyone Graduate In Three Years
Most anyone at Grace can graduate in three years. For those coming into Grace with below a 3.0 GPA, our academic advisory committee recommends that you start on the four-year track in order to ensure that you succeed and thrive in college. This is not a hard and fast rule for those of you who have below a 3.0 but feel as though you are up for the three-year accelerated program, this option is still available to you!
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What Does It Mean To Graduate High School Early
In the US, the typical high school education lasts four years. Students who want to graduate early aim to complete their high school in less than four years, usually in three or three and a half years.
Unless you’re homeschooled or attend a non-traditional school, it’s often difficult or impossible to graduate high school if you have completed less than three years. This is because students normally can’t complete all their graduation requirements in this tight of a time frame.
If you graduate early, you will receive the same diploma as any other graduate from your high school. Your transcript won’t have any special indication that you graduated early, other than the fact that it’ll contain fewer semesters than a typical high school transcript does.