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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."

24 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 TCQuad · · Score: 5, Funny

      Meanwhile, he had mastered bridge -- yes, the card game -- competed in tournaments all over and ran the school club, which doubled in size.

      Yeah, the other guy in the bridge club was excited to finally get someone to play with.

    2. 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.

    3. Re:Moo by jazman_777 · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Counterpoint:
      Many professors would like students to explore and experiment in college rather than cram in as much as possible at top speed.


      Also, the administrators would like you to take as long as possible to get your degree, to increase the revenue flow.

      --
      Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
    4. Re:Moo by buswolley · · Score: 5, Funny

      What a waste of a genius. A lawyer.

      --

      A Good Troll is better than a Bad Human.

    5. 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

    6. Re:Moo by Brickwall · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm an engineer, and I didn't think Economics was a "bullshit" course; I found it useful and interesting. It sure helps to have some grounding in the subject when discussing taxation, for example. Much of the misery we inflict on ourselves is a result of so many people having no understanding of economics whatsoever.

      --
      What was once true, is no longer so
    7. Re:Moo by xant · · Score: 5, Funny

      Patent lawyer, no less. The kind of person who makes sure to cram as many patents into the system as fast as possible, regardless of their worth.

      --
      It's rare that you're presented with a knob whose only two positions are Make History and Flee Your Glorious Destiny.
    8. Re:Moo by blincoln · · Score: 5, Funny

      I have noticed that more and more bright kids want to be lawyers or MBA's.

      Maybe because they're bright enough to notice that those are the people who make the most money, while incurring the least risk?

      --
      "...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
    9. Re:Moo by Metasquares · · Score: 5, Insightful

      He's not necessarily a genius because he graduated in one year. He simply found a system that allowed him to do such a thing and decided to take advantage of that system.

      When I went to high school, it wasn't even possible to take 72 AP credits. Similarly, most colleges will not allow you to take more than 18-22 credits per semester without permission of the dean; 37 would be completely out of the question.

      He blazed through college in a year, probably missing out on a lot of the transformative moments as a college student, not the least of which is the ability to get a feel for what mathematicians and physicists do. It's no surprise to me that he wants to become a lawyer.

      He is considering a doctorate in math "if he wants to stay in college". That's the wrong attitude to go into a doctorate (speaking as a first-year CS doctoral student myself), because you will be miserable every second of the program if you go for that reason. It should have nothing to do with whether you want to stay in college and everything to do with whether you have a fascination with a narrow area of knowledge that can only be sated by deep study of that area.

  2. Congratulations, Mr. Banh... by avalys · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...you have completely missed the point.

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    This space intentionally left blank.
    1. Re:Congratulations, Mr. Banh... by bladesjester · · Score: 5, Insightful

      College is also about social interaction and trying new things.

      Don't get me wrong - classes are important, but making new connections and the experiences you have are as important or, in some cases, even more so. A life where you do nothing but work is no life.

      --
      Everything I need to know I learned by killing smart people and eating their brains.
    2. Re:Congratulations, Mr. Banh... by Catbeller · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I powered through school in order to become a programmer, back in the day. 12 months a year, 23 credits a semester, one, two jobs at the same time. I thought I was in a hurry.

      In my old age, I know realize that the facts I learned weren't the education. I missed an education. I never had time to make friends or go to a party or watch TV.

      The education is being with people as smart as you, as young as you. It's watching Battlestar Galactica together and learning about how other people think about moral questions... it's about making friends with your professors and the TA's. College is where you start making the friends that will connect you with the world as you leave school, giving you access to jobs and communities and a life.

      If I had a summary, it would be: goof off in college. Spend an extra year there. Talk to everyone. Take a difficult course twice. Don't be afraid to change concentrations. Go to parties. Get drunk. Meet the opposite sex, even the same sex if that floats your boat. Maybe even at the same time. Live. Learn everything. Cheat authority at every turn, 'cause that disrespect and ability to bypass idiot rules will give you real success at life -- conformity makes you a loser, no matter what toys they give you. There is no other time or place in your whole life that will let you be yourself again, so grab it while you can.

      This kid has educated himself into mediocrity.

    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:Congratulations, Mr. Banh... by Crazy+Man+on+Fire · · Score: 5, Insightful
      College should be about learning, not socializing, binge drinking, wanton promiscuity, or what have you.
      I agree, college should be about learning. However, there's much more to learn that what's in the books you read or the notes you copy down for the chalk board. As you said, you don't need a prof up in front of the room to learn from a book. That said, there aren't many times, other than college, in your life where you are as free to experiment, try new things, and "open your wings". Learning about yourself and growing as a person (being social is a HUGE part of this) are the most important parts of college. Being successful (and happy) in life isn't always about what or how much you know. It is very often about how you present yourself (social skills) and who you know. College is a critical networking and personal growth opportunity.
  3. 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.

    1. Re:Many schools no longer accept AP credits by nizo · · Score: 5, Funny
      ...IV league...


      Wow, they now have a whole new class of schools just for people taking performance enhancing drugs? Do you have to take them via IV, or are other ways acceptable too?

      --
      I Am My Own Worst Enemy
  4. What a shame by Moby+Cock · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It seems to me that this guys has missed the point of university. Yes, his feat is just short of miraculous and he is clearly a smart guys, but it sounds like he was there merely for the credential. Simply to get the degree. University is supposed to give someone a chance to explore the universes, or the parts that seem interesting. To experiment and experience things. Not to simply vacuum up credits. In a way, I am sorry for him.

  5. What he missed by Southpaw018 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Okay. 37 credits your spring semester. That's pretty much 9 AM to 5 PM in class, five days a week. Add in study time and prep time plus time to do assignemnts, and (judging by what I did carrying 15 credits at Penn State) he was working an additional 6+ hours a night, seven nights a week, for his classes. That's it. That was his life for a year.

    See, to me, college was about learning first and foremost, about obtaining a well-rounded academic education. The key here is "well-rounded." If you're literally spending 13-14 hours a day on class, what else are you doing? Nothing. That's not well-rounded. This kid missed out on everything that makes college, college. Friends, relaxing...hell, dorm floor-wide LAN matches in CS and UT99 (as in my case). Oh, and football. Sweet, sweet football. On the other hand, I can guarantee you that he did nothing but eat, sleep, work, and study.

    I'll take a party here and there and some video games, please. I would not do what this kid did, nor would I consider it, or consider letting my children (someday) do it. It's just flat out not worth it.

    --
    ACs are modded -6. I don't read you, I don't mod you, I don't see you. Don't like it? Don't be a coward.
  6. 135? by aleksiel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    christ, i graduated with a single major (computer engineering) and i had to take 140 credits. all he had to take was 135 for two.

    where's my second degree? :(

  7. Extracurricular by otacon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apparently he didn't have enough time for a minor in female anatomy.

    --
    In a world of acronyms, the words are the real victims.
  8. Re:The punchline by tverbeek · · Score: 5, Interesting

    He should be pretty happy as a patent attorney. My brother-in-law does that, and the job doesn't leave a lot of time for a social life... which this kid obviously doesn't have, and certainly didn't learn anything about in his year at college.

    --
    http://alternatives.rzero.com/
  9. You're all wrong. by Fysiks+Wurks · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This guy hasn't missed the point of going to college. He got it right. He's taking advantage of the TIME VALUE OF MONEY. Facing the extreme price increases in tuition why not take as many transferable AP classes as you can. Then if you get someone else to pay for your collage that's even better. And instead of wasting 4 years of valuable time (where you could be making money instead of forking it over the university, landlords, beer vendors, or pot dealers you can get on with life and start doing what you want. The more you earn/invest today, the better off you will be tomorrow. The less debt you have today, the more you will have tomorrow.

    Universities have become a money making shell game...they require you to take a load of irrelevant course work (to broaden your horizons) at over $300/credit then they offer limited sections of these classes which delays your graduation a semester or two. Yeah, the university has your educational interests at heart.

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    P226
  10. 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.