What's the possibility of graduating from college in 3 years?

Question

Especially from a high-rank schools like Yale or other schools at the same level? Thank you!

Answer 1

If you're an exceptional student (3.5+ collegiate GPA, 4.0 of 4.0 HS GPA) then it's not difficult at all.  Others may find this type of schedule to be grueling at best.

A bachelor's degree requires about 120 semester hours of credit.  The max load (without permissions) at most colleges is 18 hours per semester for fall and spring and 6-9 hours for the summer session.

(18*2)+9 = 45 semester hours per year on a max load.  120/45 = 2.67 (round to three) years.

It's really that simple - mathematically.  Whether you can personally handle 18 hours per semester and 9 hours in the summer while maintaining your performance level and social/family responsibilities is something only you can answer.

Why the hurry though - is something going to happen to shorten your work-life after you graduate?  Think about it, you're going to be working until you're 65+ years old.  Are you really in that big of a hurry to get those years started?

Answer 2

If you're not coming in with credits, it'd be hard, but possible, I suppose.  Take the maximum numbers of credits allowed per semester or quarter, whatever the school has, and see if you can get permission to exceed that limit, and take classes in the summer sessions or winter sessions if they have them if possible.  Also, maybe see if you can take classes online that don't count toward the maximum number of credits per semester or whatever.  A lot of the things I mention depend on the school, I'm sure, these are just things that I know are possible at my school, so I'd look at how these things are handled at each individual school you're interested in.