How I Efficiently Beat the "4-Year" Plan

I want to start by emphasizing this is not applicable to everyone. I know and understand that not everyone has the same resources available or the same policies at their school. However, this is how I graduated efficiently, and I think it may benefit others considering their options on how to navigate their way through the “traditional” 4-year college route.  

First off, let’s get on the same page of what I am referring to when I say “efficiently”. Let’s turn to the popular and profound, Google.  

ef·fi·cient·ly 

/??fiSH?ntlē/ 

adverb 

1. in a way that achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. 

   “it is essential to make sure businesses operate efficiently to maximize profits" 

2. in a well-organized and competent way. 

   "he worked efficiently to accomplish the tasks set" 

We should be able to agree that “efficiently” is not the most glamorous or the most desirable. However, the details “minimum wasted effort or expense” may be argued. 

To state my point on effort; minimum wasted effort would mean maximum effort given. Therefore, looking at college as squeezing every possible opportunity out of and not taking breaks as time off, but instead using them to your advantage. Again, not the most glamourous. But you may feel swayed when you consider the finances of these sacrifices. 

To state my point on expenses; to do something efficiently also entails avoiding unnecessary costs. Some may argue that doing college quickly will ultimately screw them over since their payments would be so close together. While this is true; packing a year full of college courses can result in a fall payment, spring payment, possible winter payment, and multiple summer payments. However, it is common for the loans to not require you to start paying these loans back until after you obtain your degree. It is also important to note that the faster you get your degree, the faster you can get a full-time salary paying job. You would also not have to pay for university housing, meal plans, textbooks, and other various expenses that come with university life. Although, remaining with some roommates who are taking the “traditional” 4-year route may be nice considering you’d be young, making salary, and able to save significantly during this point in your life; prior to weddings, mortgages, children, etc.  

Consider your ten-year plan. "Traditionally" you attend college from 18 years old - 22 years old. By the time you are 22, most people are planning on purchasing a new car within those next 10 years, getting married, purchasing property, having children, etc. All of this costs money and will wrap you up in debt and interest in no time. Considering you also need to save money for emergencies, retirement, etc. Nowadays, college is outrageously expensive. And more alternatives are becoming available through certifications, self-training companies, community colleges, online courses, etc. However, it is still most common for students to want to attend a university and have an on-campus experience. In fact, some employers even value this traditional route for the adaptability, networking, and experience universities provide. So, if that's your route, consider these expenses and what your plan is moving forward.

Now you’re probably wondering why I’ve been putting “traditional” in quotes. This is because everyone refers to a typical bachelor's degree to be a 4-year degree. However, less than 40% of students are completing this degree in 4 years. And roughly 60% are completing their bachelor's degree in 6 years. Students who are barely adults are getting roped into colleges who advertise “4-Year Plans” and instead manipulate a way to squeeze an extra 1-2 years out of students, adding tens of thousands of dollars to the university's pockets. Let’s not forget the opportunity cost that the student is missing out on; they could have been working and making a salary during that time.  

Hopefully, we are getting on the same page. Being a lover of finance and economics, think of this investment analogy: going to college to further your education is an investment in yourself. When you make an investment, you want the highest return. Therefore, getting through college without getting caught up in spending more time or more money, increases your return on your investment. Working sooner means you are making more money sooner, investing and saving sooner, and paying off debt sooner. 

On the economics side of things, think of opportunity costs. You can either go to college and spend $30,000 a year; or you can get your college degree earlier and go make $60,000 a year. Now don’t get the idea by these statements that college isn’t worth it. While I believe strongly in the no-college workforce route, I also believe strongly in higher education. Both have a variety of endless opportunities; it simply depends on what you want. And if you want to go to college, that’s great. But nobody wants to be drowning in college loans forever, so that is what we are avoiding.  

To share my experience, I am going to go in chronological order of the steps I took and tips I found out along the way.  

Graduating High School Early 

This is not a vital part of the plan. However, if you are looking this early on, there are some things to consider.  

During my first day of senior year at high school, I went to my counselor and asked if I could graduate early.  

Tip #1: Talk about this with your counselor early on. Do not wait until senior year. If you are thinking about it, talk about it.

Tip #2: Do not go register for classes at a community college without talking to your prospective colleges first. I called all the universities I was interested in and learned that if I attended a community college, I would then become a transfer student and lose all freshman scholarships, including my merit award, which was my largest scholarship.  

I was able to graduate high school a semester early. With this time off, I worked full time as a restaurant manager and used this money to save for college.  

Freshman Year of College 

During my first semester of college, my advisor made my schedule for me. This is normal at most universities, but that doesn’t mean you have to go with it.  

Tip #3: It is important you make sure all your AP credits and IB credits are accounted for. Your advisor has hundreds of students they are responsible for, you need to advocate for yourself. 

When I got my schedule, everything looked good except for my course load. I quickly noticed I was only registered for 12 credits, the minimum number of credits to be considered a full-time student. However, I could take an additional 6 credits for no additional cost. I looked at my program evaluation and picked out some classes that I was interested in taking and scheduled a meeting with my advisor.  

Tip #4: Meet your advisor early-on. While this is not high school and you are expected to do much more on your own, advisors are great to help guide you. Let them know your thoughts and plans. Do not rely on them to make everything happen for you but do consider their advice and opinions. They typically have good insight on what classes will be offered before they are even listed.  

Tip #5: When you get this schedule, take note of the workload. 12 credits make you a full-time student. However, you can normally take up to 18 credits with no additional costs. During your first semester of college, you are taking lower-level classes and commonly in a “First Year Experience” or “University 101” class. That class is not meant to be difficult by any means. And your basic required gen-eds, foundational core classes, or electives are on the easier side compared to you upper-level major-specific courses. In short, don’t settle for the meager 12-credits if you think you could handle another class or two. This will put you ahead and allow for more flexibility down the line when your course-load becomes more difficult.  

Tip #6: Be careful when you have a major that requires consecutive courses with consecutive pre-requisites. Some majors will have Course 1, Course 2 (requires successful grade in Course 1), Course 3 (requires successful grade in Course 2), all the way up to Course 8, making it a class you need to account for each semester to stay on target. Missing this class can result in adding an additional semester (if the class is only offered during traditional semesters – no winter or summer semesters).  

After meeting with my advisor, I was able to sign up for an additional class. My advisor talked me out of taking a full load of 18 credits during my first semester. And while I understand why and the large transitions made during this time (college life, leaving home, etc.), I also wish I would have signed up for that other class because I could have had more flexibility later and graduated another semester earlier.  

I went on to create my own college timeline. I only came in with 6 AP credits which provided credit for a gen-ed English course and a psychology course that counted as an elective. Other than that, I had to acquire the 120 required credits to obtain my bachelor's degree. Thankfully, I discovered CLEP exams, placement tests, and departmental exams.  

Tip #7: After you meet with your advisor and know your first semester schedule, write out your own college timeline. Look at what electives you want and when certain classes are offered. Look at what pre-requisites and co-requisites are required. Look at the number of credit hours some classes are. Pay close attention to mapping out your plan. 

Tip #8: When making your college timeline, to get through classes efficiently, look for classes that overlap or “double-dip”. I found that some electives also counted as core-credits or honors classes for my program, allowing me to knock out two requirements with the same course. It is also important to note that if you claim a minor (not all programs require you to have a minor), you can use your required electives to obtain credit for your minor. Some minors have classes that overlap with your major, making them very easy to obtain and adding little to no time. 

Tip #9: Have a back-up plan. You will want to register for classes as soon as you can. They can fill up fast and you can be left on a waitlist. Have classes on back-up, in case your first choices fill up.  

Tip #10: If you can take an internship for credit, do it. Real world experience is vital. Apply early and look for a paid internship; that way you are making money while getting class credit. Yes, working while you are in school can be overwhelming; but remember, if you are graduating early, that means you need to get experience early, as well. When you go to apply for a job, you can’t just be the person who graduated early. That doesn’t do anything for your employer, experience does.  

Tip #11: You can go into course overload. Yes, you need approval, and no, advisors don’t like this idea; but if you can handle it, you should consider it. Only do this if you truly must. Anything over 18 credits during the normal semesters, you must pay for out of pocket at the per-credit hour rate. And if you are out-of-state, you are paying that hefty out-of-state per-credit-hour price.  

Tip #12: Some schools allow online summer classes to be charged at in-state tuition rates. This can make them much cheaper. While summer classes are faster and more independent, you can still go into overload with granted approval. And if you get the in-state per credit hour rate, this is cheaper than going into overload during the fall/spring semesters. However, remember these classes are faster and more hands-off. 

Tip #13: Most scholarships and housing requirements require you to be a full-time student. When you are making your schedule for that last semester of senior year and you notice you only have 1-3 classes left and you can’t squeeze them in anywhere else, look to see what minors you are close to getting, or if you are close to a double-major. You’d be surprised to know that sometimes you’re only a couple classes off from another certification. If not, or if you prefer this route better, look into graduate studies programs. Many schools offer “senior privilege” for students at the senior level to take MBA level courses during their undergraduate degree at no additional costs. This is what I did my last semester. I only had two classes left for my undergraduate degree, so I took 2 MBA classes. This made my entire MBA only add an additional 9 months following my undergraduate degree. This also made adding my MBA way cheaper since those two classes were covered under my normal undergraduate tuition rate. So, I applied for the program and got my BA and MBA in 3 years total. MBA classes are nice since they are typically in the eveving or online to be available for working professionals. So yes, the university squeezed some more money out of me. But having my MBA tacked on an additional $20,000 to the average starting salary in my desired industry, making it worth it.  

CLEP exams are kept quiet. In fact, some people in the university feel the exams make you “off-brand” from the college since you did not obtain the credit through the university. However, it basically works the same way as AP/IB/transfer credit.  

CLEP exams are offered through College Board. Not all universities accept them. But if they do, the exams are worth looking into. You get approved to take the exam from the university, you purchase the exam (mine was $80), and then you study on your own and take the test. If you pass, you get the course credit. If not, then you end up having to take the course the traditional route.  

I was also introduced to the idea of departmental exams. Since I graduated early, I was removed from all AP classes my senior year of high school, except for Spanish because that was the level I was in. However, since my diploma says “Graduated: December 2017,” I was not allowed to take the AP exam in the spring (the only time it is offered), since I was no longer a high school student. This was aggravating, to say the least. I had studied Spanish for 6 years, obtained my seal of biliteracy, and studied abroad for a summer in Spain. Yet the university still did not find this a valid reason to grant me college credit. They wanted me to take either a 5-credit Spanish level 1 course, or place into a higher-level (harder) 3-credit course and take that.  

Now, I will admit placing into a higher-level course did have its benefits. For one, the 3-credit course opposed to the 5-credit course meant you could fit another course in your schedule, keeping you on track to graduate quicker. Also, my university allowed you to place into a higher class and if you passed it, you fulfilled all the lower-level classes. You did not get credit for all these classes, as that would ultimately take place of all your electives. Instead, it made it so you were only a class or two away from obtaining a minor in this language. While this is very attractive, it is also another way to get you to sign up for more classes.  

I spoke to my advisor about the predicament I was in. She proposed the option of taking a departmental exam. If I passed, I got credit. If I didn’t pass, I could then go to the Board and appeal to obtain the credit through my experiences and showcase my knowledge in a presentation to convince them to award me credit. Luckily, this went smoothly. I sent an email to the Language Department Chair, got some paperwork signed, paid $40, prepped for the exam, took a 2-hour test, passed, and got my language requirement filled.  

Tip #14: Look into CLEP exams, departmental exams, placement tests, etc. If you take advantage of any of the opportunities, study for them. There are tons of resources and study materials online for these exams. That $80 test could replace a very expensive course and typically, they are a one-shot opportunity.  

Tip #15: Be ready to explain to individuals why they should sign-off to allow you to obtain credits elsewhere. To take the management CLEP, I talked about my business class in high school and experience working as a full-time manager post-high school directly before attending college. They can deny these requests, so be prepared to explain your reasoning.  

Tip #16: Don’t be afraid to appeal courses if you feel you deserve the credit. While presenting in front of a board can be stressful, it is also calming knowing they are simply people and this is routine for them. It’s all just a conversation. While I never had to do this, I had some friends in college who did. One of my roommates completed a 2-year IB history class with an A but the university denied the credit. She presented to the board and they happily awarded her the credit. It’s worth a shot.  

Moving along, I made sure to stick to my plan and stay on top of my classes. When completing course work faster, there is less room for error.  

Housing Arrangements  

During my college years I made very careful decisions when it came to living and meal plans. My university required students to live on campus and purchase a meal plan during the 2 years following the graduation date printed on the student's high school diploma. This typically meant your first two years were spent living on campus. However, since I graduated early, I could move off-campus during the middle of my sophomore year.  

While many students choose to live off-campus as soon as they can, I denied this option. I went to a university located in a popular hurricane region that was notorious for evacuations. During my freshman year, I was evacuated for 3 weeks, sophomore year was another week in the fall and the COVID-19 pandemic in the Spring. While these are not common situations, it is important to note the university did reimburse students who were living on campus during each of these circumstances for both housing and meal plans. This was nice considering individuals who were living off campus were stuck paying rent.  

I know some people do not have a choice. If you are going to be living in your college’s town during the summer, you may need to have a more stable living arrangement, opposed to the semester-leases the school offers. However, it is important to map this out. Tons of students go home for the summer or find internships out of state and are stuck trying to find someone to sub-lease their apartment for the summer. This could be very beneficial to you if you are looking to stay in the area and still get the benefits on living on campus during the academic-year (campus bus/trolley transportation, closer to campus dining services, etc.). 

Tip #17: Watch what you sign up for. Living off-campus can seem like a very attractive option; but remember, efficiency isn’t always the most attractive. Signing a year-long lease for off-campus housing binds you into a contract that is typically non-refundable. If something were to happen, you are stuck paying rent and you are denied any possible refunds, whereas the university is more likely to work with you. When you live on campus, you pay for housing by semester (normally) which means you are only signing 4–5-month leases with the university, allowing flexibility to transfer, get internships/jobs anywhere, go home for summer, travel more freely, etc.  

I lived on campus my entire time during college. This worked out best for me since I was required to my first three semesters. I stayed for my fourth semester since I knew I was starting a summer internship in a different state and planned to go live rent-free at my parents' house that summer. This also worked out well since the university kicked everyone off campus due to COVID-19; therefore, sending us all reimbursement checks. My fifth semester was my last semester and since I was only going to be there for 3 months, there was no reason to sign a yearlong lease when I was graduating and open to working anywhere. I was lucky to have parents who let me come back home and save money, living with them. Again, not the most glamorous; but efficient, as I have been able to save tremendously.  

To Wrap-Up 

I know this may not be ideal. I know some people want to take a gap year to travel or move to receive in-state tuition benefits. I know some people already have full-time jobs and are completing college while they are already balancing so much. I know some people need breaks and time for themselves to mentally take on the hardships of college. I also know some people simply want four full years of the great college experience they have dreamed of. All are fair points and should be considered in your decisions.  

Doing college this way for me did not take away much. I was able to balance 2 jobs throughout college, lead a club and consulting organization on campus, have a thriving social life, graduate magnum cum laude with honors with a BA and MBA, and travel a ton. Now yes, I did miss out on an extra 3 semesters with some of my closest friends. However, graduating quicker opened the opportunity to make salary quicker, allowing me to save tremendously and fund travel to be able to see my college friends. Having this time allowed me to save, network sooner, and open more opportunities and potential to grow quicker, leading to a higher income faster.  

And I know, I know, “you have your whole life to work, you’re only young once”. I’ve heard it a thousand times; but I’d rather be young and work hard to have money to do things. There is a lot I want to do both professionally and personally. They say work hard while you can; and right now, I have the motivation, drive, and abilities to do just that, and I don’t want to take it for granted. Who knows, maybe I’ll retire young.