Early graduates feel excited, regretful

In June 2015, junior Nathan Choe will be one of many undergraduate students who graduate early this year. There has been a considerable rise in the number of undergraduates who decide to forgo cap-and-gown tradition with their classmates and graduate early instead.

Choe, an economics major, believes that graduating early will save money and time and allow him to expand his interests in applicable fields. Currently, he has two job offers: one in Baltimore with Teach for America and another in Capitol Hill as a legislative correspondent for a congressman. If Choe chooses the latter, he will be in a tie for the youngest staffer in Congress.

“Johns Hopkins doesn’t really have core classes,” Choe wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “I mean, there are distribution requirements, but the choices are really flexible and aren’t too troublesome. If you come in knowing you want to graduate early, plan a little statistically, and take some classes you don’t really want to take at times you don’t really want to take them, it really isn’t all too difficult.”

The lack of a core curriculum, a set of courses necessary for completion for all undergraduates regardless of major, means that students are free to pursue topics and courses that interest them.

Like Choe, other undergraduates cite saving money on tuition as an incentive to graduate early.

Jon Smeton, who graduated in 2014 as a biology major with a minor in Global Environmental Change and Sustainability (GECS) after three years at Hopkins, explained that he also graduated early for financial reasons.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t have a spare $50,000 burning a hole in my pocket during college, so I figured I’d save myself the pain of debilitating debt and finish a year early,” he wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “I’ve heard some people use it as a reason to take a year to themselves to travel, but that isn’t really my style.”

Smeton is currently working in a nonprofit, entry-level position in the Baltimore area.

In 2013, Hopkins had 153 students graduate early, a 50 percent increase from 2012. Comparatively, in 2011, 100 students graduated early, whereas in 2010, only 78 students did.

Students reported that the Academic Advising Center and the Pre-Professional Advising Office were helpful resources, although most undergraduates who interviewed were self-driven enough to prepare most of their materials by themselves.

“Sure, I learned a lot and I don’t just mean academically; Hopkins has taught me how to manage my time, prioritize responsibilities, balance work and play, etc... but I’m not sure if that’s a skill-set that Hopkins alone could foster,” Choe wrote. “I haven’t had too many chances to work with advisors, but, the times I did, they were nothing but excellent. I think I ended up prepared without too much of their assistance, but it would have probably been easier if I took advantage of the resource.”

Gabrielle Stephens, a sophomore who also plans to graduate early and is majoring in GECS with minors in social policy and math, agreed on the accessibility of support.

“I think Hopkins makes it very feasible to graduate early if you so desire,” Stephens wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “It just takes some hard work early, but if you are passionate about your decision, the advisors here respect your decision and try to help you along your path.”

Stephens hopes to attend law school and later to work as an environmental lawyer for the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Professors here take an interest in their students and really try to advise them both on a personal and academic level,” Stephens wrote. “This is one of the reasons Hopkins is so unique. Further, the pre-professional advising as well as the academic advisors take time to get to know you so that they can set you along the best path possible.”

She cites wanting to start inspiring environmental change as her motivation for graduating early. Although she is excited to start a new beginning, she will also miss spending a senior year at Hopkins.

“I honestly believe Hopkins is the best college campus in America, and I will very much miss having a senior year here,” Stephens wrote.

Choe also expressed nostalgia.

“One thing I would like to add is that graduating early is not just sunshine and flowers,” he wrote. “I do have some regrets about it. I couldn’t take advantage of study abroad opportunities, I didn’t really see joining a fraternity as much of an option and I will miss the fun college lifestyle.”