4 year grads few and far between

Arizona Daily Wildcat

"Students should take as long as they need to graduate," said Lynne Tronsdal, associate dean for the University College. "But if students have a plan they are more likely to graduate in four years."

University of Arizona freshmen have the option to sign a contract called Finish in Four that states if the students do their best to graduate in four years, the UA will do what it can to help them succeed.

"Finish in Four gives every student a four-year plan to see what it takes to graduate," Tronsdal said.

About 1,800 students have signed the Finish in Four contract, which was implemented at the UA three years ago.

The program ensures that advisers are well informed on major requirements, and that they are available to meet with students at least once a semester. It also gives students access to an academic program requirements report, which lists the courses required by a major, and a student academic progress report, which analyzes their progress.

Students are responsible to meet entrance requirements of their colleges, attend scheduling and advising appointments, register through RSVP in the allotted time frame and maintain the grade point average required to progress in their major.

Studying abroad, changing majors, working a lot of hours, internships and testing below college standards are some reasons students may not graduate in four years, Tronsdal said.

"I could've graduated in four years, but I changed my major and then decided to double major in psychology and biochemistry," said senior Dan Deever.

"I managed to add many worthwhile things because of this extra year here that will help me in the real world," Deever said. "I am doing the honors program and I have more time for doing research for my honors thesis."

Communications senior Jeffrey Taughinbaugh said deciding what he wanted to do delayed his graduation.

"I was indecisive about what I wanted to do and what I wanted to major in," he said. "I wanted to take my time and do it right. I hear the real world is not as fun as it is supposed to be."

But it is not impossible for students to graduate in four years.

Josh Brooks, a senior majoring in media arts, is finishing his four years and graduating in May. He studied for a semester in London, took internships, worked two to three jobs at a time during college and took summer precession once.

"It's not that tough as long as you don't fail any classes," Brooks said.

Brooks also took advantage of Pima Community College courses and correspondence courses. In a given year, he would take no less than 13 or 14 units one semester, and balance it out with a second 16-or 17-unit semester.

"I am looking forward to graduating and being out there working," Brooks said. "Being in school has almost put me at a disadvantage because most of my classes deal with theory instead of actually applying the theories."

Colin Capobianco, a senior majoring in marketing, also defied the odds and will graduate in four years.

"It's been a lot of work," Capobianco said. "I had to take most of my major classes at once, but it's worth it."

Capobianco, like Brooks, studied abroad for a semester in Spain, worked two to three jobs at a time since he began college and took one summer of classes.

"I lucked out and got the right start," Capobianco said.

Capobianco said he receives his motivation from his parents.

"My parents will only pay for four years of college," he said. "After four years I have to start paying. So I am graduating."