<p>My daughter was accepted and admitted to the department of Kinesiology at SJSU and on orientation day (last Tuesday) the school changed without prior knowledge her major to Biology. She is distraught by this situation. We would have selected another college if she had previous knowledge about the change. Do we have any recourse? P.S. I'm deeply concerned because she suffers from depression and her best friend recently committed suicide. </p>
<p>With gratitude for any advice!</p>
<p>Definitely bring this to the school. I share your frustration. </p>
<p>Generally you are accepted to a college and the department admits you after a year or so. Its possible that she will still be able to get the degree she wants with a bit of persistance. Sometimes too this is based on the advisor she is assigned, perhaps they didnt have any available for Kinesiology. Regardless of the reason this should be an open discussion with the school. </p>
<p>Does she have some supports at school ? People who understand her condition ? There may be groups on campus or in the community that can help there.</p>
<p>Dear Mitchklong,</p>
<p>Thank you kindly for your advice. Her acceptance letter clear states Dept. of Kinesiology. She met with both advisors who informed her of their decision (not really supportive) to admit her to Biology, and that she has to wait for two year and apply to the major. I feel that this is so unfair and I’m terribly concerned about her mental state. I would like her to appeal and at the same time don’t want any fall out for taking this to the next level.</p>
<p>There may be a way to enroll in the major after a year or two. I know at some schools for impacted majors students can apply to be admitted after taking (and doing well in) the prerequisite courses for that major. Something to look into!</p>
<p>Edit: Saw your post on applying into the major. I understand the frustration, but it is still possible to apply into that major, if she is dedicated to it. Have you also taken steps to make sure she has the supports she needs when she goes to school? If you’re this concerned about her mental health from a change of major, I am concerned about how she would handle a rigorous courseload or other problems that may occur during college. Wishing you and your daughter the best of luck!</p>
<p>That’s not very nice, to put it mildly.</p>
<p>Changing into kinesiology is described here:
[Impaction</a> Information | Department of Kinesiology | San Jose State University](<a href=“http://www.sjsu.edu/kinesiology/generalinfo/]Impaction”>http://www.sjsu.edu/kinesiology/generalinfo/)</p>
<p>Frosh admission thresholds for the various majors are here:
[url=<a href=“http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/admission/rec-903.html]Info.sjsu.edu[/url”>http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/admission/rec-903.html]Info.sjsu.edu[/url</a>]
Kinesiology is more impacted than biological sciences; perhaps they had an overyield situation in kinesiology? But it is not very nice to change a student’s major in this way.</p>
<p>Call the Dean of Students (or similar office, and make a fuss on the phone). Then put it in writing. If you have the admission to that Dept. in writing, you can send it along and you can make a lot of noise. Squeaky wheel…is it worth the fight?</p>
<p>Don’t send the original of the acceptance. Send a copy.</p>
<p>Dean of students has little to no control/influence over faculty. You need to get in touch with someone in the academic area. You might start with a division chair or associate dean.</p>
<p>Keep in the back of your mind the possibility of attending elsewhere. This would not be a first choice but under the circumstances might be worth exploring if the SJSU refuses to budge. It might be possible to explain the situation and ask if she could still attend at next-choice school, reapply for January, etc.</p>
<p>I agree with the suggestions to advocate and see if she can get into the major, but in practice she may start off with the same classes as the kinesiology major and could then transfer. Still, your daughter accepted the offer of admissions based on an understanding that has now been violated.</p>
<p>The biggest concern, though, is her mental health. If she is this vulnerable, do you really think she is ready to go? Will she be near home? Does she have a psychiatrist and/or therapist all set up? Is she expressing suicidal thoughts after the death of her friend? Would some time off between high school and college, perhaps with a course or two and a part-time job, or some gap year program, be helpful?</p>
<p>Was she accepted into any other colleges in the major of Kinesology? The problem I see with staying is what if she doesn’t get accepted in 2 years? I agree with the other posters who have said to fight for what she was originally promised, but if that doesn’t work then perhaps look at moving someplace else where she is sure to be accepted in her major. Also, it wouldn’t be the end of the world to take a gap year - focus on her mental health - then reappy again to several schools with the major she wants. </p>
<p>If the school would do this to her before she even starts and be less than cooperative to try and fix it - maybe she is better off someplace else. Who wants to be battling for everying your 4 years in college. If the major is over booked will she be fighting for every class the next 4 years?</p>