<p>So, I was an idiot and followed my head instead of my heart at college orientation and registered as a Psychology major instead of a Biology major.</p>
<p>So now my schedule is almost completely worthless...
It is:
College Algebra
Public Speaking
U.S. History
Psychology
English Composition</p>
<p>I need to take Precalculus and English and at least one science class, so that would probably also leave me taking one of either Public Speaking, History or Psychology.</p>
<p>Like all of the sciences are booked this semester </p>
<p>So, I am going to call the college tomorrow to see what I can/should do about getting a different major and what I should do as far as a new schedule.</p>
<p>Any idea what department I should call? And what would I even say...</p>
<p>Call the admissions office and explain to them that you would like to change your major. They will tell you what needs to be done. Don't worry about your current schedule. Those courses won't hurt you as a biology major. You'll have to take most of those classes anyway to help fulfill your general education requirements. Most schools require Public Speaking for all majors. All schools that I know of require English Composition (unless you test out of it). The U.S. History class will be used towards your History general ed. requirement. I'm assuming they placed you in College Algebra based on your math placement test and high school math scores. Depending on how the school works, your Psych. class will be used toward your science or social science general ed. requirement. This is a very typical 1st semester for incoming freshmen (for all majors).</p>
<p>My S was accepted to his college as an undeclared major. About a month later, he decided on a specific major and called the admission's office. It wasn't a big deal at all. The admission's office changed it and now he's listed as his chosen major. It happens all the time.</p>
<p>Yes, but it puts all of my sciences out of wack, which sucks...</p>
<p>What should I say to the admissions office? Something like:</p>
<p>"Hi. I have already registered for classes as a Psychology major, but need to change to a Biology major. And how do I fix my schedule to accomadate the new major?"</p>
<p>Also, I wonder if the tech school would offer Biology and Chemistry that would transfer to the 4 year university?</p>
<p>Just let the admissions office know that after much thought and careful consideration, you would like to change your major. Then explain that you previously registered for classes but you need some advice on how to change your schedule to better fit your new choice of major. They will guide you on what needs to be done.</p>
<p>It's going to be O.K.</p>
<p>Heart: I have seen many of your threads and what I think I know about you is that you are a girl w/ a plan. I have admired your ability to think ahead and I think you may be llike me in the way it makes you feel better if you have a "map" to follow.</p>
<p>That's why I understand that you may be stressing about this switch and how it may throw off your plan and also why I understand that it will be OK. The posters who have pointed out that your course-load for fall is full of things you would have had to take anyway are right but I know you want to get a leg up on you Bio major course work. </p>
<p>So, here is my advice: If it truely is too late to pre-register for classes then do your best to attend the first few meetings of the intro bio and math classes you want, talk to the professors and see if there is room in the class. No gurantees but it is worth a try.</p>
<p>Best of Luck!</p>
<p>Ohhh. I had not thought about that!</p>
<p>Yes, I tend to be very anal with plans...I am type A personality lol</p>
<p>And, here is my rational thinking, after just about giving myself a heart attack... I will be caught up if I take summer classes. I will take Biology and Chemistry 1 in the Spring and Zoology and Chemistry 2 in the summer... so I will then be on schedule. But, I am still going to speak with the head of Biology to see what he says.</p>
<p>I also thought about possibly taking Biology and Chemistry at a tech there, hoping that they transfer. But, I think I had rather just really get myself focused on everything else...even though I HATE not to have a science. I live for science class.</p>
<p>Hey, at least this way I will know who the "best" professor is and can buy books cheaply from others... </p>
<p>I'm hoping it all works out, and I am sure it will. I tend to be very determined and motivated...especially in a science class.</p>
<p>I made a 98A in Biology in 10th grade (highest average in school) and a 98A in Anatomy and Physiology (Patel beat me by a point! And I helped him ALL year, lol)</p>
<p>So, I'm just going to think positive and not dig myself an early grave by worrying to death. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice, by the way...will definitely keep that in mind.</p>
<p>
[quote]
This is a very typical 1st semester for incoming freshmen (for all majors).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is not a typical first semester for a student majoring in biology or chemistry or physics. Students in the sciences need to get started with their majors. As the OP noted, bio majors should be in bio classes starting freshman year. </p>
<p>Does your college have a usual bio sequence for first year students? Is general chemistry a co-requisite?</p>
<p>You need to get into bio class at your college. Talk to the college about the concept of changing majors but also, look in the catalog and on the registration schedule and see what class or classes the other bio majors are taking and how full these classes are. Pick a section of that class and work out a way to drop add yourself into it. Get on the waitlist if there is one. Sit in on the first few sessoins of the class and periodically check to see if you can now become officially registered for the class - this can often be done. </p>
<p>If general chem is a co-requisite for that class, you need to do that for general chem, too.</p>
<p>You don't necessarily need to talk to the chair of the bio department, but you need to talk to a professor who is experienced advising students and is in the biology department to work out a way to get on track with the other bio majors (if you want to finish in four years).</p>
<p>I don't think you fouled up. Sometimes new students aren't clear on what courses are required for graduation. Some think if I'm a biology major, I'll get all science. Thats not how it works. For the most part, the first yr, and sometimes 2 yrs of college are basic courses required of (most) all students before they focus on their high-level core courses. Chances are good you'd have essentially the same courses as a Biology major, Psych major, English major or undecided the first semester.
I recommend you speak to academic counselor to get a better understanding of how courses progress toward ones' major, and try to tailor future semesters toward your goal.
Question to Op: you said "Like all of the sciences are booked this semester". What do you mean "like all the sciences"? Do you mean "All of the sciences are booked this semester"? Might be a good ide to keep the English Comp course</p>
<p>Why can't you just drop some of your current classes and add some of the ones you need (don't drop until you know you made it into the class you want)? If they're full, waitlist and at many schools there's a good chance you'll make it in. This is done all the time. If you don't make it in the first semester the world doesn't end - there's still time to do it - especially with bio as opposed to engineering.</p>
<p>Well, the classes I need are: Precalculus, Unifying Principles of Biology, and Chemistry.</p>
<p>Biology and Chemistry are totally full with long waitlists. And here is another problem I just realized. I took Algebra 3 my senior year, instead of Trig...Trig or an SAT score is needed to get into Precalculus...I did not take the SAT.</p>
<p>What am I going to have to do to get into precalculus?</p>
<p>Do you have time to take Trig this summer at a community college or in an on-line course?</p>
<p>Check the class times of the courses with waiting lists. There may be an early morning or evening class that has a shorter wait-list or even has space available.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>No, I do not have time to take Trig at the tech this summer.</p>
<p>So, I need to take Trig as a prerequisite of Precalculus seeing as to how I did not take trig this last year... no biggie, right?</p>
<p>Wrong. I have to freaking get my folder from my psychology adivsor.</p>
<p>Take that to the registrars office to have my major changed and then back to a new advisor in Biology JUST TO HAVE MY MAJOR CHANGED!!! That is not including what I am going to have to do to get into a Trig class at VSU.</p>
<p>And it is critical to have the Trig this semester...if not I am going to be behind in everything else (math and sciences)</p>
<p>I have asked my sisters line dancing instructor to please put me on her waitlist for her Trig class this Fall. She teaches math at VSU. So maybe she will have pity on me lol</p>
<p>This was just God...</p>
<p>I was panicking calling VSU, talking to a recruiter over there on a forum, seeing what he said about the switch in major and adding trig...</p>
<p>And as I waited for him reply, I hopped in the shower and began praying about it. I did not ask him to put me in a Trig class...</p>
<p>Get out, and see "Bethany, I've placed you in the Trig class. Your Alg III from high school does not meet the "equivalent" described in the catalog (this means a college level class; not a high school one) but my Director said if you felt this confident that you could do well in the class I was to place you in it."</p>
<p>Praise God! That totally took my stress level WAY down!</p>
<p>I am going to moms college library to check out a Trig book to get started on it.</p>
<p>So now I just have to get my major changed, no big deal there.</p>
<p>Oh, and I am going to apply for the teach grant, which will give me $16,000 since I plan on teaching High School Biology...</p>
<p>Heart,</p>
<pre><code> I'm happy for you. Good luck.
</code></pre>
<p>Thank you! I'm really excited again, now that all the problems have been fixed.</p>
<p>My new schedule! There was literally 1 biology spot left and somehow, I got it! So, my new schedule:</p>
<p>Trigonometry MWF 8:00-8:50
Public Speaking MWF 9:00-9:50
Biology TR 11:00-12:15 and F 11:00-1:50
English TR 2:00-3:15
Psychology R 5:00-7:45</p>