For students on a strict budget or those who want to enter the workforce a bit faster, completing your bachelor’s degree in 3 years can be enticing. It is possible to complete your bachelor’s degree and graduate college in 3 years, but it takes solid planning and forethought. Here are some things you should consider before opting to complete the college experience faster. Plus some tips if you decide it is the right course of action for you.
Can You Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in 3 Years?
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Yes, you can complete a bachelor’s degree and graduate from college in 3 years. However, it will take a bit of planning ahead from the student. Starting too late on this plan can result in the degree taking 3.5 or 4 years as expected. Many students even take longer than 4 years to earn their bachelor’s simply due to the time commitment it takes to be a full-time student. In fact, a recent study found that over 50% of students take 6 years to get their degree.
But just because you can, should you complete your bachelor’s in under 4 years? There are a few benefits and downsides to consider:
Benefits of Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree Faster
Earning your degree in less than 4 years can bring several benefits including:
- You can save potentially thousands of dollars on college expenses such as room and board, fees, and more.
- You can enter the workforce faster.
- You could start on your Master’s sooner.
- There are already some programs designed to help students graduate in 3 years.
Downsides of Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree Faster
On the other hand, graduating from college in 3 years has some roadblocks that could stop you from this achievement such as:
- You could have to get approval from the school.
- You will need to cram credits which can get overwhelming.
- You’ll miss out on some of the college experience.
- Some majors are so intense that completing them in 3 years can result in burnout.
How to Finish a Bachelor’s Degree in 3 Years – 8 Tips
If you decide that you want to complete your bachelor’s in 3 years, creating a game plan as soon as possible will help you achieve this goal. These 8 tips should be a part of your strategy to increase your chances of success.
1. Take AP and College Classes in High School
One of the fastest ways to earn a college degree faster is to start sooner. While you won’t be living in a dorm room when you’re in 11th grade, that doesn’t mean you can’t take college credits. Many high schools offer AP courses and college classes to ambitious students. These classes also look great on college applications and tend to be much less expensive compared to a college credit on campus.
To receive 1:1 college credit from an AP course, the student will have to earn a 4 or 5 on the end-of-year test. The student may still be able to earn credit for a 3 on the exam, but it will likely count as an elective.
College courses are often offered through the local community college but at your high school. Students in these classes will be expected to complete college-level coursework. As long as your future school takes transfer credits from the community college, you will be able to transfer those credits to your new school.
If your high school offers Freshman English 101/102 or AP English, for example, this can be a great way to get a head start on your college experience. Freshman English is required for almost every incoming first-year college student, and having that credit taken care of frees up a lot of time. You’ll be able to focus on other classes and even take more advanced English courses.
The more AP classes and college courses you take in high school, the less you’ll have to take in the next 3-4 years.
2. Talk to Your College Advisor
Some colleges won’t let you simply decide to cram credits to graduate in 3 years. You may actually need to get permission from your advisor to take on that amount of coursework and prove that you have a plan to do it.
Your college advisor can also help you create a schedule that works for you and your ambition. You should meet with them regularly to ensure you’re on track for a 3 year graduation date.
3. Select an Accelerated Degree Program
Some majors are easier than others, and if you’re trying to cram 4 years of coursework into 3, you could easily become overwhelmed in some areas of study. However, many colleges actually offer Accelerated Degree programs for subjects like nursing, business, medicine, and law. You might want to look around at colleges that offer these types of programs to see if there are any that offer programs within your area of study.
4. Plan Ahead
Cramming a ton of credits into one semester is one thing, but you need to look ahead to future semesters, too. Some classes will only be offered in the fall or spring semesters, and some courses may have more favorable start times one year compared to the next. A bit of this will come down to luck, but the more you can plan out your schedule over the next 3 years, the better.
This is where working with your college advisor will come in handy.
5. Take Placement Tests
Colleges and universities often offer placement tests for certain subjects such as language and math. If you can take those exams and pass them, you could get credit without ever having to sit for the class. These might be offered during your college orientation, but reach out to your school if you’re not sure.
6. Opt into 18+ Credits a Semester
To be a full-time student at a college, you need to take at least 12 credits. Most colleges recommend 15 credits on average per semester in order to graduate within 4 years. If you are aiming for a 3 year timeline for your bachelor’s degree, you’re going to need to increase your workload.
Many students who have this goal in mind will have to take 18+ credits a semester. If you’re going over 18, you might need to get a waiver from your advisor, too.
7. Sign Up for Summer Courses
If you want to lessen your load during the school year, summer classes can be a great way to get ahead, too. These tend to be more intense than spring and fall courses since you’ll be covering more substance in a shorter time. But, you will be able to make more headway on your college requirements.
It’s important to note, though, that most schools won’t have their dorm rooms open in the summertime. If you don’t have a place to stay nearby, you might be able to get around this hurdle by opting for online summer classes instead.
8. Make Coursework a Priority
With the amount of coursework you’re going to have over the next 3 years, you’re going to have little time for anything else. It’s recommended that you study 2-3 hours per credit hour. For STEM students, that goes up to 3-4 hours. If you’re taking 18+ credits a semester, you’re going to be in the library a lot with your schoolwork.
Therefore, it is not recommended that you have a job if you’re aiming to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in 3 years. All of your energy is going to go towards attending your classes, completing homework and assignments, and studying.
9. Don’t Beat Yourself Up If You Fall Short
Without an existing Accelerated Degree Program in place, earning a bachelor’s degree in 3 years can be tough. It’s okay to find out a semester or two in that it is too much for you and to take a step back.
Talk to your college advisor sooner rather than later if you discover you’re struggling. It is more important to pass your courses than it is to graduate in a shorter time frame or you could find yourself at college for over 4 years.
If you ever find you are experiencing the symptoms of stress, burnout, or other issues, reach out to your school’s health facilities as soon as possible.
Graduating college in 3 years is not for the faint of heart. If you are thinking about trying for this timeline:
- Start early.
- Talk with your college advisor.
- And create a plan for the next three years.
Finding the right program is half the battle in completing college in under 4 years. If you’re interested in Accelerated Degree Programs, our College Match tool can help pair you with the right schools for your goals.
