<p>I suggest sitting down with him and discussing this dropping of classes the way he has. I get the distinct feeling that things were not going well with his classes, and this abrupt about face is about saving some face. What he wants to do in terms of changing his major and career choice is not the issue. It’s the smoke screen, distraction. It’s what he’s doing with his classes right now. You are also facing some hard decisions on what you are willing to pay and support. It doesn’t seem that your son understands that these classes cost money, and that you have your limits (if you do) as to what you will pay and not. If he were on full financial aid or scholarships he might not have ANY opitions in paying for future courses with the stunt he is pulling. How much more accommodating should you be? If you are willing to pay for whatever he wants, then you are in for an expensive ride enabling a spoiled brat. I say that as a parent who has gone on some of those rides. Do not recommend it. Not good for the kid or for you.</p>
<p>That was my question too, I think we got confused a bit. I wasn’t questioning the son’s talent or his ability to get into the band. I was just wondering if the music program at his school allowed people to just switch into it when the semester is nearly over. Do they have auditions every week or something? I’m not familiar enough to tell if that’s a realistic plan.</p>
<p>If he’s taking a month off to work then that might explain why.</p>
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<p>After a certain point, some schools have “withdraw pass” and “withdraw fail” and I don’t see a big difference between the latter and a D or an F in the class.</p>
<p>Honestly, these are things that the student should be taking the lead on though. It should be up to the student to research the consequences of dropping courses, the availability of audition spaces, his ability to transfer freely from one department to another, etc. If he’s already done this, then he should be on track. If he hasn’t, then he should start by finding out what his decisions entail before he makes them instead of after.</p>
<p>He is going to have to decide what to do with his own life. If there are strings attached to your financial support, then you need to make this clear. But don’t twist his arm into a life of regret.</p>
<p>A clean transcript is a priority. See if he can withdraw with “W”'s. If he can see a psychiatrist and get a diagnosis, he might even be able to withdraw without the “W”'s. And the increase in impulsivity could signal some new onset of a problem, so mean that sincerely and not just as manipulation of the system.</p>
<p>Post this on the music major forum and you will hear different responses. Many parents see music as an impractical (at best) major but it actually can be a fine area to study with many career options and access to grad and professional schools as well. </p>
<p>Also, music and technology intersect in many ways these days. The music forum can help your son with that. There is currently a thread on music production, for instance, which can be studied at many state colleges.</p>
<p>I would encourage your son, but also have an ear to the ground as to what is really going on. Perhaps he needs to regroup a bit. A semester spent working instead of doing school can be very motivating:)</p>
<p>And hope he can withdraw without penalty. </p>
<p>the issue here is not CS vs. Music, I hope. Let him choose his major (especially if he’s “behind” an online class, ie., failing) as forcing a student into a major they don’t want, regardless of practicality, never ends well. The issue is “what’s going on?” Is he failing more than stats? Is he having oher problems? Does he feel he was “pushed” into CS when in fact he wanted to major in music all along? Can he drop Stats and finish the semester without penalty, or can he take a leave of absence without penalty? Is there something else (medical, social…) going on?</p>