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5 Tips and 20 Schools To Help You Graduate in Four Years

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Noodle Staff March 14, 2012

45% of college students take five years to graduate. Look into these tips or these institutions if you are hoping to graduate within four years.

In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

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A shocking 45% of students take 5 years to graduate from college and the average time to complete a four year degree is now 4.7 years. Consider these strategies to graduate on time and the schools that will help you on your way.

The number of students taking five years to complete their Bachelor's degree is on the rise. 45% of students now take 5 years to graduate and Time Magazine notes that, as of 2008, both public and private schools are only graduating 37% of full-time students in four years. The average full-time student takes 4.7 years to get a 4 year degree according to Complete College America. So what can you do to make sure you graduate in time? Work hard, be prepared and follow the 6 tips below courtesy of Newsweek:

Take AP and college classes in high school. Taking AP or college classes before you get to school can help you test out of some prerequisites and put you as much as a semester ahead before you even set foot on campus.
Pick a major and stick with it. Changing your major in your junior or senior year makes it very difficult for most students to finish within four years. Switching majors, especially in the humanities, often makes very little difference in the working world.
Make friends and COMMUNICATE with your advisor. Plan and coordinate with your advisor frequently to make sure that you're still on track to graduate on time.
Take advantage of your summers. If you fall behind or need to make up a required course, summer is the ideal time to do it. Internships and study abroad opportunities often count for college credit, so if you're planning on taking advantage of them make them count as much as possible!
Think before you transfer. It's not uncommon for credits not to make the transfer from campus to campus with your mini-fridge and laptop. If you're thinking of transferring, make sure that most of your credits will transfer with you.
Apply to one of these schools:

These schools all offer 4 year degree guarantees:

California State Polytechnic University

California State University -- Fullerton

College of St. Scholastica

Green Mountain College

Juniata College

Mercer University

Randolph-Macon College

University of Colorado -- Boulder

University of Nebraska

University of the Pacific

Read this caveat about 4-year degree guarantees before signing up because unfortunately, many of these programs involve many stipulations and requirements.

These schools have the highest 4 year graduation rates:

Williams College

Yale University

University of Notre Dame

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