I am an orphan, please help me:)

<p>Hello,</p>

<pre><code> I need someone's opinion on this please. I haven't any parents to speak of, so please help me.

I study Theology and I also study Literature. I have made out a realistic list of schools for Graduate Studies. One of the schools wants me NOW! They want me to transfer and be a combo undergrad/grad student. I would be starting out through independent studies and then I would have to move to where the school is in Cleveland, TN. They have a nice scholarship package and are fairly cheap. At this school, I would only be doing Theology.

The thing is. I have transferred a lot. I went to Community College (part time), then University, then another University (part time), and now this University which wants me NOW!

Is this going to look bad later on? I would have no trouble "taking advantage" of this opportunity. And, I would have no trouble going to grad school at this University. But, would PHD programs think me a ninny or something for transferring about?

I have no one to speak with about this. My former Lit. mentor had a stroke and can no longer teach and my pals do not understand why I like Theology more than Lit. Even though I live in the buckle of the Bible belt.
</code></pre>

<p>Well, not everyone rush at once</p>

<p>I just desire to know if transferring around a bit looks super horrible</p>

<p>Merlin:</p>

<p>What do you want to do with your advanced theology degree? Have you investigated how well regarded the school that is courting you is? What school are you attending now?</p>

<p>If we have more details, we could perhaps give some informed advice,</p>

<p>Follow your heart. Take some time to yourself to think, and think about what feels best for you. Don't worry about how it will "look" to anyone else... you need to decide what feels right for you. Don't be afraid to say no or hold back if you are not ready, but also keep in mind that sometimes opportunities present themselves for a reason. I would assume that if you want to study theology, you would also appreciate that sometimes there is a higher power at work creating the opportunities and pointing the way.</p>

<p>I think ther are some components missing. Will the offer still be there if you graduate from your current school? It seems it should if they want you that bad. Also, perhaps regardless of what PHd programs think... do you feel comfortable where you are, friendships faculty support etc., it so why move. There may be other options on the horizon and completing the program you are at may show some stability.</p>

<p>Did you transfer a lot because you kept getting booted out of schools, or you got bored and liked to move around a lot, or for more valid reasons?</p>

<p>Once you graduate you don't need to aknowlege that you went to CC or several schools. On a resume one just puts their credential and the school that conferred the degree. While it would be nice to have some consistency if this is a good opportunity then it should be considered. Do you like your current school?</p>

<p>
[quote]
Did you transfer a lot because you kept getting booted out of schools, or you got bored and liked to move around a lot, or for more valid reasons?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Oh no. I have always kept a high gpa. I have never been "booted" out of a school before. I did, however, always get caught smoking cigs in grades 9-12! But, that is different. I no longer smoke BTW, that is a really bad habit and bad for the old lungs.</p>

<p>I went to Community College very much part time, had my mother get very ill, and I had to formally withdraw and wait an eternity before returning back to school because I wound up having to take over in raising my younger brothers. The Community College I went to was called Miami Dade Community College and now they are a College. My gpa there was 3.8, but I did totally go part time and did Honors.</p>

<p>Then I went, many years later, to the University of Memphis. I went there for 18 months and left with a 3.6 gpa and did Honors. I did not like the University of Memphis because of the crime and also because of how the Undergraduate Literature Department was very easy peasy. I am not trying to seek validation for transferring. But, that University had a Prostitution ring being run out of one of the buildings and it was just getting to be too dangerous a commute for me. And, the Literature Department kept things very, very basic.</p>

<p>Then I transferred to Southern Christian University. That is a tiny school in Alabama. I have been going there since the summer. I went full time last summer and am now going part time. This school is formally accredited by the SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and I basically triple checked that. My gpa there is 3.9.</p>

<p>But, this Southern Christian University recently changed its name?! And, it also did away with a prime scholarship, but they still advertise as offering it. I think they only offer the scholarship to first semester students as a way to get folks in the door. I have also recently learned that they are not really a school in the truest sense of the word, because they mainly are only online. I was happy there, but since they have done all these changes I get a bad feeling. </p>

<p>So...</p>

<p>
[quote]
I think ther are some components missing. Will the offer still be there if you graduate from your current school? It seems it should if they want you that bad. Also, perhaps regardless of what PHd programs think... do you feel comfortable where you are, friendships faculty support etc., it so why move. There may be other options on the horizon and completing the program you are at may show some stability.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I looked into a University called Lee University. That is a University in Cleveland, Tn (which is basically East Tn, like where Dolly Parton is from). They are in the US News and World Report and have very fair ratings. I like how they like me, if you know what I mean. They have a nice program for Adults and it is called the Center for Adults and Continuing Studies. And, I would basically work that hard and then do as I was told and slide in to being a combo senior/ first year grad student. Their center for adults and continuing studies is very nice and reads well, they have nice Indy Studies and have more ethics than where I go now w/r/t taking tests. I also would not mind moving to a nicer area of Tennessee at all. I currently live in Memphis, Tn. I live deep in the burbs, but the crime is truly everywhere.</p>

<p>So basically...</p>

<p>I would like to do this very much. And then get my PHD at the Memphis Theological Seminary or a few other places I have on my list. My question is that I wonder if my transferring more than a few times will look odd later on down the line? All I desire to do is either become a Chaplain and/or teach Theology or Bible at a humble Private School or University.</p>

<p>Merlinjones:</p>

<p>I do not know any of the schools you refer to, except perhaps for Miami Dade.<br>
If you have done good research into the school that you wish to transfer into and it seems to have the program that you want, then it's fine to transfer. It won't make a difference down the road that you transferred several times. What will count is you Ph.D. from a reputable university.</p>

<p>Merlin</p>

<p>As an orphan myself, who actually got booted out of seminary and ended up just taking theology courses and going to law school, I feel for you. BELIEVE and PERSERVE. Nobody is really going to care about your transfer history. What they will care about is YOU.</p>

<p>No, it should not matter. It looks like a nice program (from the web site). Have you visited?</p>

<p>This is a tiny bit of their US News and World Report listing. They are number 19. I do not really take to the reports and all, personally.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3500_brief.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3500_brief.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>This is what I would be doing</p>

<p><a href="http://caps.leeuniversity.edu/info/degree-options.asp#Bachelors_Degree_in_Christian_Ministry%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://caps.leeuniversity.edu/info/degree-options.asp#Bachelors_Degree_in_Christian_Ministry&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>And then later on, I would do this- but in that combo way they offered. Not all at once.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.leeugraduate.com/religion/info/MABTS.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.leeugraduate.com/religion/info/MABTS.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>This is where I am going to University now</p>

<p><a href="http://www.southernchristian.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.southernchristian.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I triple checked their accreditation. But, they really have left me lacking. </p>

<p>I thank you all for your responses. I wish that I at least had my Lit mentor back, you know? But, you guys have been great and I appreciate all of your responses.</p>

<p>I had never heard of Lee or the Southern Christian you currently attend. But I do like what I see of Lee from the links you posted. And I see why you are getting a bad feeling about the changes at your current place.</p>

<p>I don't think another transfer will hurt you. And I think finishing your undergrad and beginning your grad studies at Lee may work better, reputation-wise, than staying where you are.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>