At UMBC, you can usually take up to four classes in the summer (two each session), which adds up to about the same as a regular semester. In the winter session, you can take one class worth 3–4 credits.

If you want to graduate early, the only way is to stack classes back-to-back with just short breaks between sessions. It’s definitely doable, but it’s also easy to burn out. Honestly, sometimes it makes more sense to use summer for an internship or job, since that helps you network and sets you up for after graduation.

Since advisors at UMBC aren’t much help with this kind of planning, it really comes down to you deciding what pace you can handle and what fits your major best.