<p>hello CC,</p>
<p>i am currently a freshman at USC, majoring in biochemical engineering, and as my work-study program, i work at the school of architecture woodshop.</p>
<p>ever since i started working there, i have been fascinated by the things the students design, the utility they use, and the time they expend to get their assignments done. i feel almost passionate for architecture. it is not surprising, however, because my parents both thought i had that architecture-esque quality within me since i was a boy: always constructing lego buildings, drawing, etc. and, my dad being a chemical engineer, i have always had a knack for chemistry. </p>
<p>i went with biochemical engineering wanting to help communities in third world nation because i have always had a passion to help other - partially because of me being an asian immigrant in america. i thought, i would be contributing more to society if i went that path, and plus, chemistry was interesting to me. now i realize, i can't see myself doing anything else besides architecture, but it has only been merely a month into freshman year at USC...</p>
<p>i am lost, confused, and depressed because i don't know what to do right now. i expected USC to be something a lot more different but USC and southern california, in general, is superficial, shallow, and dangerous (we're located right in the middle of the ghetto and a student was murdered last week). then there is the problem with salary difference, a greater demand for chemical engineers especially with global warming and alternative fuel outlooks.</p>
<p>should i just stick with engineer or architecture at USC since their program is one of the best in the nation. or should i settle for a little lower-ranked school i might love. does architecture and engineering even matter in terms of school ranking? if architecture is more of a regional major, and i hate southern california, should i just relocate to a school in a different region? my parents think i should just stick it out and give USC a chance, but i am very discouraged. they say i should stick with engineering because of financial advantage, but i just don't know. any help?</p>