Last fall, several thousand freshmen attended convocation at Northrop Auditorium on the first day of classes and were welcomed to the University of Minnesota as the Class of 2006. The majority of those first-year students plan to walk back into Northrop in May 2006 to receive their diplomas. With care, planning, and determination, they can attain that goal.

Why four-year graduation is important
A student who graduates in four years gains more than an early start to his or her career. There are real financial savings. With a trend of annual tuition increases at almost all colleges and universities in recent years, each credit postponed is likely to cost more; every additional semester brings an assessment of student fees and technology fees. Moreover, that early entry into the career field means a head start on wages, fringe benefits, and raises that can add up over a lifetime.

Perhaps even more important, students who commit to education as their full-time priority tend to enjoy college more and receive a more fundamentally sound education. They benefit by building on their learning experiences as they take classes that add value to their previous semesters' coursework.

What the University is doing to help
The University of Minnesota has several measures in place to encourage students to develop an academic plan, attend school full time, and finish their degree on schedule.

Four-year graduation plan: Since 1996, the University has had a four-year guarantee in place. First-year students can sign up for the program, promise to complete 30 to 36 credits each year, maintain good academic standing, and work with their adviser to stay on track for graduation. In return, the University will assure that the classes they need to graduate are available, or the University will provide a substitute course or pay tuition if students must return after the fourth year to take required classes.

13-credit policy: Beginning last fall, the University established a tuition cap of 13 credits, and all credits over 13 can be taken at no additional charge. All new freshmen and transfer students now are expected to register for a minimum of 13 credits and are charged for 13 credits, even if they register for fewer credits, unless they receive an exemption from their college. (Students who began at the University before fall 2002 are charged at a per-credit rate if they take fewer than 13 credits.)

Study abroad curriculum integration: The University promotes study abroad as a valuable opportunity for undergraduates. In the past, however, study abroad often became a deterrent to four-year graduation, particularly in highly directed curricula such as engineering, nursing, and design programs, where students were likely to earn credits that did not further their progress toward a degree. New efforts have led to the development of study abroad opportunities that satisfy degree requirements in specific fields and add value to undergraduate programs. Students can take advantage of these programs by working closely with their college adviser in planning their international studies.

Why some students take longer than four years to graduate
In the Big Ten, about 40 percent of students graduate in four years, and the University recently announced a target of 50 percent completing their degrees in four years. While four or five years is the target most advisers recommend, there are some perfectly acceptable reasons for taking longer than four years to graduate.

The 13-credit policy exempts students who

• have significant family or work obligations

• are dealing with medical or other disability concerns that require accommodations that make additional time necessary to earn a degree

• have an extended internship or are on a cooperative work experience program that will significantly enrich their undergraduate education or position them more advantageously for post-graduation goals

Although it might be appropriate under some circumstances for a student to take longer than four or five years to graduate, students and parents alike should weigh their options carefully. Many plans for extended study that at first appear well-founded will not actually benefit the student. For example, the student who plans to change majors may see the advantage of earning a degree in a field that seems more exciting and rewarding, but there are questions to be considered:

• Will the courses a student takes in the new major in fact produce the benefits they are expecting? And is changing to a new major the most effective and efficient way to gain these benefits?

• If the purpose of extending undergraduate work is to position the student more advantageously for a graduate or professional program, will this program, indeed, make a difference? Many graduate and professional programs, like many entry-level professional positions, do not require major-specific preparation. Students may be better advised to complete their original degree and move more quickly to graduate school.

• Is it necessary to take this program as an undergraduate? Could the student return to college for this program after earning her or his degree? There is a lifetime to continue learning, and completing an undergraduate degree should be viewed as a significant step, not a final capstone.

How to stay on pace for graduation
When students fall significantly below a 30-credit average for the academic year, they face the very real possibility of taking more than four years to graduate. The goal is to average 15 credits per semester; students may take 14 credits one semester and 16 or 17 the next.

A good way to make up missing credits is by enrolling for summer courses, either at the University of Minnesota or at a college or university near home and transferring credits back to the University. Before registering for transfer credits, however, students should check with their academic adviser to ensure that the credits will count toward graduation. Courses at other schools may not fulfill U of M requirements, so it is important to check with an adviser before registration.

Students also may find distance learning or online courses through the University of Minnesota that they can take during summer sessions. They should check with their academic adviser to be certain credits will apply toward graduation.