<p>DS is a senior and since he was in Elementary school has wanted to be a teacher. Over the last 6 months or so he has changed this to wanting to be a Biomedical engineer. This I think was largely due to a long distance GF's influence. She has medical issues and I believe he wanted to try to help her and he is very good and math and science. He had a list of selective schools he was applying to and would not even consider our state schools except as a safety. He scored very well on the ACT with a 32 and his GPA is around 3.8 or so and he ranked 20 out of a class of 367. His ACT score will probably go up some as he has now had Chemistry and some Physics.</p>
<p>DS and GF broke up and he very confused about what he now wants to do. I truly believe that his heart is in teaching. He is questioning everthing now and is not even sure he wants to go to a big school or small school etc. Our flagship state university is the Univ. of Alabama and he wonders if he would be selling himself short if he decided to go there instead of applying to the more selective schools. He took two summer courses at the Univ. of Ala this summer and made A's in both. Will he be challenged enough? Should he apply to the more selective schools and get his teaching degree from them? Would the education he got be better? </p>
<p>I have encouraged him to apply to both and decide when the time comes. The time is growing short to decide. He has only written about 2 paragraphs of his essay and is now swamped with AP English assignments and is stressed out.</p>
<p>Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Does he really have to decide on one path or the other right now? The beauty of going to a larger school is that he can change his mind. Engineering would be the path I would suggest first ... if he hates it, he can change. If he loves it & then down the line decides to teach, anyway ... he can get certified. It's not all or nothing! </p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with UAB. You could encourage him to apply to a couple reach schools if he finds some he likes. There are many months from now until May 1. He has lots of time to decide.</p>
<p>He can see what teachers do as they're around him but he probably has less exposure to engineers and what they do. I would suggest trying engineering - if it's not for him, it shouldn't be too hard to transfer into a school of education. My guess is that it would be a lot harder to do it in the other direction.</p>
<p>Many or most college students will change their major according to what I've read. Don't worry about his major as much as being sure he applies to good fit schools- schools that work academically and financially for him with either major. It is better to have applied and have choices next spring than regrets for not applying. Therefore I would encourage him to choose some schools beyond your flagship U. I agree with kelsmom, starting with the engineering prerequisites would give him the math and science for teaching plus a taste of engineering- if he loves it, great, if not, he'll know. Flagship schools are usually two-tired, regular and honors, to meet the needs of their state residents, he would have to investigate the honors to know how it compares to his other choices. Good advice on your part to apply to both. I'm sure his HS guidance counselor should have suggestions for schools students of his caliber and interests should consider. Good luck to him, and to you in surviving his senior year.</p>
<p>I think Alabama sounds like a great school. It's on the rise in the US News rankings. My D is applying there (we live in Washington) because they've committed financial resources to attract top candidates from OOS. If you are in state, it just seems like a great option to me. They also offer good academic scholarships for in state students.</p>
<p>Yes, he will be challenged enough. No way is your S smart enough to find himself bored in EVERY SINGLE college course. I thought I would be "selling myself short" by going to my State U, and now I can't see myself anywhere else (am a sophomore now). </p>
<p>I'd suggest pursuing biomedical engineering still. That means he'll probably be at bama's E-school (if it has one?) so for a while he'll be getting his gen eds and general engineering stuff out of the way. If by the end of his first or second year he's still feeling the biomedical route, maybe the gf just opened his eyes to a field that's right for him. If he's not, then by no means would it be too late to switch over to education. Perhaps science teacher? Or professor if he's interested in grad school.</p>
<p>He'll be fine. Hope he enjoys himself! Congratulations to you for having such a wonderful son--he sounds like a great guy.</p>