<p>Being a horrible procrastinator, I put off choosing my college until last week, leaving myself very stressed. I had essentially narrowed it down to two schools that I wasn't particularly excited about (couldn't go to top choices), but then the night before my decision was due, everything changed.</p>
<p>With my two choices in place, I made a crazy, out of the blue decision. I decided that I really wanted to major in Middle Eastern Studies, and I wouldn't be happy if I didn't at least try it. Neither of my top two choices have that exact major, so I decided I must go to UC Davis.</p>
<p>I hate UC Davis. Okay, that's a strong word, but I don't like it. I have never wanted to go there. It's only forty minutes from my house, I don't really like the town, I don't like the location, the school is huge, the weather is warm, the bikers are crazy, I know lots of people going there, and the list goes on. I know it's a good school, but I don't like it. But I decided that my major meant more to me than anything else. </p>
<p>Ever since I sent in the deposit I have been nothing but miserable. I am on the verge of grabbing the phone and calling the private school in Oregon I was accepted to and asking for a chance to enroll still.</p>
<p>My question is, and maybe this will help other kids in the future, should being able to do the major you want trump every other aspect of a school when considering a college?</p>
<p>Sorry for ranting, and thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Your first paragraph describes me as well.</p>
<p>For me, I would definitely not put a major before a school just because there is so much chance that you will be discover something new and change your mind. For you though, if you have that one thing you feel passionate about then it could be a good choice.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t put a major before the school. But, then again, life goes on. Maybe you’ll start to adapt to the school’s campus lifestyle…</p>
<p>So, you have three options:</p>
<p>1) Call the other school and see if they will still take you. It’s a long shot, but you might feel better if you try. But don’t bother if you don’t see yourself being significantly happier there.</p>
<p>2) Go to UC Davis for a year and if you don’t like it, transfer.</p>
<p>3) (My advice if you were my kid) Take a gap year and reapply to a list of schools that would better meet your needs. If you can find something that would give you exposure to the Middle East, so much the better.</p>
<p>First, I think choosing a university because it offers a good program in your intended major is a smart choice. Sure, you may change majors – but if you’re at a school like UC Davis, that shouldn’t be much of a problem. But why not go to a place that offers what you want to study.</p>
<p>Now on to your dilemma.</p>
<p>I think that M’s Mom has correctly set out your choices at this point. However, I disagree with her analysis.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I think there is a reasonable chance that your otherschools will take you unless it is oversubscribed. They wanted you, and it’s not so far past the deadline. Sure you forfeit your deposit to Davis but maybe it’s worth it. (Given where you are, this would be my recommendation).</p></li>
<li><p>You know, you may really love Davis. Personally, I think your college experience will depend on what friends you meet, how your classes are, etc. And if you don’t love it … transfer.</p></li>
<li><p>Unless you’re the kind of person who will let this consume you (and stop you from applying yourself to your studies), I would not recommend a GAP year. This is your time to go to college. Part of this is that, assuming that a student is mature enough to go to college, I am not a big fan of a gap year between HS and College.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>By all means call the school in Oregon. If that doesn’t work, I know a lot of kids who felt exactly like you do about UC Davis before they went, and now, as sophomores are having a great time. If Davis winds up your only option, I’d keep an open mind and give it a shot.</p>
<p>I think your panic is unfounded. Davis is a great school, you will be happy there, many of our friends and their kids went there and they loved it. I think you should live up to your decision.</p>
<p>I know someone who panicked after turning down Berkeley for Davis. He said he planned to transfer after a year. A year later, he was absolutely in love with Davis and had no intention to transfer (and is now a proud alum). Give it a try - you might be pleasantly surprised.</p>
<p>zephyr, my recommendation for a gap year was based on three things:</p>
<p>1) OP wasn’t happy with his remaining choices (he clearly didn’t follow the dictum ‘love thy safety’)</p>
<p>2) his maturity level is a suspect: the procrastination followed by impulsive decision followed by knee-jerk buyers’ regret, followed by who knows what? A desperate call to a school that doesn’t offer his major asking to be let in? </p>
<p>3) a year in the working world will, without fail, increase his enthusiasm for the opportunity that higher education represents, no matter where he ends up. And his goals may change again entirely. </p>
<p>A year to mature a bit and to find colleges that better fit the bill makes more sense than following the herd off to college. I’m not sure what it means when you say “This is your time to go to college” It’s not as if his biological clock is ticking and THIS moment would never come again. In fact, it is 100% guaranteed to come again and this time, he’ll be better prepared.</p>
<p>That said - UC Davis could be a great school, as some posters have pointed out. And he can always transfer if its not.</p>
<p>M’s Mom</p>
<p>If my post came off as being critical of your views, I apologize, that was not my intent. I have read many of your posts here and generally agree with the advice you give.</p>
<p>I also agree with much of what you say concerning a gap year, though I think I view the situation slightly differently than you and may have a philosophical difference of opinion.</p>
<p>To a degree, I share your suspicion of OP’s maturity. When I recommended against a gap year, I did qualify it. If by going to Davis OP would be consumed, and would not be able to apply himself to his studies, I certainly would not recommend it. This was an oblique attempt to raise the question of maturity. However, in reading OP’s post, I’m not convinced that it wasn’t a case of buyer’s remorse rather than lack of maturity. However, I don’t know OP at all.</p>
<p>While the gap year is obviously called for under circumtances – finances, health, family situation, lack of maturity or failure to get into any acceptable college. I generally do not favor it between HS and College. (And here is where I suspect you and I have an honest difference of opinion or philosophy). If you want to discuss this either off line (send me a PM) or open a thread for this, I’d be happy to do so, but it would take a bit too long to go into all my reasons here. However, I think either pursuing his original first choice or trying Davis (which is an excellent school with strength in what OP wants to study) are, in general better choices.</p>
<p>FWIW, I am much more favorably inclined towards the gap year between College and Grad school.</p>
<p>Z</p>
<p>No offense taken, zephyr. And I could easily argue both ways on Gap Years. It’s just a choice that I wish more kids had in their arsenals when they are anguishing over less than perfect options. If you know that no one is ‘making you’ go to college, its easier to look for the positives in whatever place you do end up.</p>