http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2006-09-21T120800Z_01_N20379527_RTRUKOC_0_US-LIFE-CHEATING.xml&src=rss

"56 percent of graduate business students admitted to cheating in the past year, with many saying they cheated because they believed it was an accepted practice in business.

Following business students, 54 percent of graduate engineering students admitted to cheating, as did 50 percent of physical science students, 49 percent of medical and health-care students, 45 percent of law students, 43 percent of liberal arts students and 39 percent of social science and humanities students."

They do have a point -- if it's standard in the workplace, why not in university?

In other news:

"Banh went to U-Va. with the equivalent of 72 college credits...

His first semester, he took 23 credits and found he had more time than he did in high school to spend with friends....

He had some low points, especially late in April when the workload for his 37 credits seemed crushing, and his grades started to slip. (To some Bs.)"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/19/AR2006091901779_2.html

Cheating is useless if you're facing genius.

Is that the guy who graduated in a year?

Yup.

When you think about it, it doesnt seem impossible.

How many took classes that swapped days 3 days a week or 2 days a week.

I guess he took a 6 day set of courses which got him the 37 hours.  And not to mention online classes.

At first, it seems crazy, but I bet it is doable.

I took 19 hours a semester and I think I got a b b+ gpa.  Of course, when I had it the easiest with 15 and 16 hours...didnt do so hot.

He entered with a ton of Advanced Placement credits and piled on the work. Crazy, but doable.

I used to take 18 credits a semester and with the minimum amount of work kept a 3.5 GPA.

In a good university with good grades? Not likely unless you're really clever.

It depends a bit on what courses he picked.

Still, upper level courses are more difficult and harder to get high grade.

I went to a well regarded school and graduated in 3 years, taking 20-26 units a semester and 6-12 over the summers. Had plenty of time for other stuff and graduated with a 4.0.

You are a genius too!

What school, Mr. Smith?

>> The best part was when he finished his last exam and knew he'd done it: No matter what, he had a college degree. "If bad things happened, I could go out and make some decent living for myself." <<

Degree != decent living

Ask any English or International Studies major.

I varied my load between 18 and 21 hours, plus worked part time.  Graduated with a C++  (2.99)

While I'm not rolling in the money like Dan D. obviously is, I do OK.

Where I grew up if you had a decent GPA in high school you could take courses at the local university for free. For two years the only classes I had at the high school were orchestra and bass lessons. I got a full tuition scholarship to a tiny private college. I took 5 courses a term in college and did summer school and was done in 2 years with a double major in applied math and philosophy.

In retrospect I would have used my college scholarship money to do a bunch of study abroad courses and stayed an extra year.

1 year seems crazy but if he was half done when he went in it isn't impossible.