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University of Virginia Student Graduates in One Year

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the new-meaning-of-zoom-zoom dept.

An anonymous reader writes "18-year-old David Banh of Annandale, VA recently graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Physics and Mathematics, and an education paid for almost entirely by scholarships. What's truly amazing is that he did it in one year, bringing in 72 Advanced Placement credits, then taking 23 credits his fall semester, 37 credits his spring semester and 3 credits in the summer. His brief undergraduate career didn't leave him much time to explore college, so he's now working on his master's degree. He says he may eventually pursue law school as a part-time student in hopes of becoming a patent lawyer."

6 of 796 comments (clear)

  1. Moo by Chacham · · Score: 5, Informative
    Useless fact:
    Meanwhile, he had mastered bridge -- yes, the card game -- competed in tournaments all over and ran the school club, which doubled in size.


    What he did:
    He was helped by the fact that U-Va., as a public school, costs a lot less than most private colleges. And that the university accepted many of his Advanced Placement credits from high school; many of the most selective private schools wouldn't. As it was, he doubled up on course credits and took more physics over the summer to finish his second major.


    Where he going:
    He expects to finish his master's degree this academic year


    What he wants to do:
    Where he wants to He wants to be a patent attorney.


    ===

    Counterpoint:
    Many professors would like students to explore and experiment in college rather than cram in as much as possible at top speed.


    How he did it:
    His college education, almost entirely covered by a patchwork of scholarships, cost him about $200. And he sold back textbooks for more than that. Now he's starting graduate study at U-Va. with a research grant.


    ===

    Basically, it's a neat feat that took years to prepare for, like going through a process to be "pre-qualified", but he isn't quite Doogie.
    --
    Have you read my journal today?
    1. Re:Moo by gatzke · · Score: 5, Informative


      I am surprised they all counted. You can take a ton of AP classes, but a lot of it will never help you to a degree. Any idiot can sign up and take the AP exam even if the AP class is not offered at a high school.

      I recently had a student come in with 60, but 72 is amazing. I encouraged her to take more electives and get into undergraduate research.

      The other thing, most places limit you to 23 hours per semester. He must have gotten a waiver for 30+. With night classes, you oculd easily do 37. I did 23 one quarter at GT, it wasn't that bad.

    2. Re:Moo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      UVA in fact only accepted 60 of his 72 credits. He also had to get dispensation to take as many credits as he did in a single term. The article in the local newspapers also mentioned that he did have two classes that met at the same time, and he was allowed to do that, too. http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pag ename=CDP/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&c id=1149190702105

  2. Many schools no longer accept AP credits by PlatinumRiver · · Score: 5, Informative

    Many IV league schools no longer accept AP credits. They want you to get an education from THEIR institution. If you enroll into a school with 72 credits, about half of your university education doesn't even come from the university you attended. This is why many schools are following the examples of the IV league institutions.

  3. Re:Congratulations, Mr. Banh... by bladesjester · · Score: 5, Informative

    College has been about both since around the time it started. There are old letters from European university students writing home to ask their parents for further funds. I read quite a few examples of such texts in medieval history classes that I took while at college.

    One of them stuck in my mind because of a quote contained in it that basically said without Bacchus, Apollo grows cold.

    Whether you like it or not, one of the really important parts of college are the experiences and bonding.

    --
    Everything I need to know I learned by killing smart people and eating their brains.
  4. Re:Missed opportunities. by JBradley · · Score: 5, Informative

    I saw an interview with him last night on the local news. One thing mentioned in the interview (that wasn't discussed in the article) is that a primary motivation for him to finish school so quickly was a desire not to burden his parents or himself with any debt. He has younger brothers (can't remember the exact number) and didn't want the cost of his education to negatively effect their ability to go later. I am sure he missed out on a lot of the "college experience" but with the cost of tuition nowadays, not sure I blame his desire to get it over with as quickly/cheaply as possible.