Amano

I just found out I missed the graduation application deadline by a week to graduate in September of this year, and I've been kicking myself for procrastinating and basically graduating one quarter later than I could and should have.

You're probably thinking what does one quarter matter if you're already graduating late in september?

Through a technicality in the study abroad program I'm in for spring and summer quarters, I had to postpone graduation until after the program is over, and therefore I would have that excuse for graduating in September instead of June. But now, it would look like to potential employers and grad schools that I simply couldn't finish in time, when in fact I finished one quarter early so I could study abroad.

I'm mostly convinced that it wouldn't matter too much. I'm continuing in a joint 5 year masters/bachelors program this upcoming year so my "graduating late" only affects what is on my diploma and therefore what I report to prospective phd programs and employers. So it I don't have to postpone my plans for this coming school year. Also, it's only my bachelors, and I've already been accepted to that 5 year master's/bs program, and will be applying to phd programs in the fall.

I guess I just need a kick in the head for worrying too much about things that aren't that big of a deal, but at the same time, if there are any implications i should be aware of, please let me know

thanks guys (and girls)

Seaver

It doesnt matter. A large percentage of people dont graduate in 4 years, I dont have any statistics... but it's a large amount.

Your degree, activities, grades, and most of all teacher recommendations are what matter. I doubt they'll even look at how long it took.

Harshaw

Not at all.
I was a 5 year senior because I enjoyed school too much. It has never come up.

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This too shall pass.

platypus

5 years here, too. Major of the Month Club problem. I couldn't decide.

It's the fact that you finished with a degree that's important. Not how long it took.

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Cynthetiq

there's no such thing as a timetable in life unless you are talking about Planes, Trains, Busses, and Boats...

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Rodney

It's your GPA and honors that they care about. There are so many valid reasons for not finishing "on time" that no employer will even bother to ask.

Jesus Pimp

6 years here. I changed to a different major after my sophomore year.

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yakimushi

4.5 years, no big deal.

Of course, I don't have a "real" job yet so maybe I shouldn't speak so soon!

RainbowBright

Employers don't even consider how many years it takes you to finish. There are lots of reasons why it takes some people longer/shorter than others. Your degree/experience/honors will speak for themselves.

Harshaw

Yeah, I don't have a real job either. But I think that is because I am riding the Psychology major train to success.

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This too shall pass.

Meier_Link

Reminds me of that scene in Tommy Boy...

Chris Farley: Hey, a lot of people go to school for seven years.

David Spade: Yeah, they're called doctors.

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raeanna74

5 years here too. It hasn't mattered for me at all. I think what the employers look at is your perseverance and drive to finish a job. If you end up with decent scores in the process that's just even better. How long you take can be affected by so many things. Work, illness, and types of elective classes you take as well. So very many people take a little longer than the planned period of time because life doesn't ever go quite as planned.

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bbriggs1

It took me 10 years to graduate (I got a great management level job during that time) and I'm doing just fine. No one will care, and if you play it off right it can be a good thing.

abaya

Hey, that makes ME feel better, seeing as my PhD will end up taking me about 7 years to finish.

And yeah, no one *really* cares. I have friends who did 4 years of college, only to realize that they were still missing one class, etc. A friend of mine walked anyway, and then took another 3 years to finish that damn class (via distance learning). So technically it took her 7 years, but only because she was being lazy about that last class. No one really cared--she still has a great job, and they barely looked at her graduation date.

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jorgelito

Yes, financial. The longer it takes the more it costs.

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Ayashe

I doubt a possible future employer would even care to ask you why. It is so common, everyone has their own reasons as well.

Iliftrocks

Started college Fall of 85, finally graduated Fall of 93.....

Working, time-off, and being broke. I still got my degree. No biggy.....

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MSD

Took me 6 years and now I work there. I think it's safe to say they knew how long it took and didn't care. The problem with taking so long is that a lot of people don't know that I'm not a student anymore, especially since I was a student worker doing the same job I am now.