In Need of Some Serious College Advice

<p>Okay so here is my dilemma (I’ll try and keep the summary short). I attended Syracuse University last year and ended up transferring to Penn State Behrend in Erie for this coming school year. The financial toll of Syracuse was a little too high so I decided to attend Behrend because it is a good school near home so I am able to commute to save money.</p>

<p>However, since I am a transfer student I had to register for classes very late and was not able to get many of the classes I need. I am very undecided on my major. I am currently leaning toward Finance/Accounting but I’m really not sure. Since I registered late I was not able to take even a single intro course in either of these two subjects, which leaves me with a big problem since I have to declare a major second semester and I don’t even know for sure that this is what interests me. It feels like this semester is just a big waste of money. I’m wondering if I should maybe take the semester off and work to save up some money, then resume classes in the spring?</p>

<p>My other problem is that I am unhappy that I left a big university like Syracuse to move back home and go to a small college. I always loved the idea of getting away from home and attending a big university, and because of the change I find myself lacking a lot of motivation when it comes to going to Behrend. I thought about applying to Pitt, since its a state school and would be far cheaper than Syracuse (especially if I could get a decent amount of grants/fin aid). However, I was too worried to transfer there and not like it and then have to transfer once again. It turns out that one of my best friends has decided to go there now, so it really makes me wonder if I should have given it a shot…</p>

<p>Anyway, my question is this: which of the following options would you guys recommend?</p>

<li>Just start Behrend in the fall as planned and give it a shot.</li>
<li>Take a semester off, save up some money, then go to Behrend second semester.</li>
<li>Same as number 2 except going to Pitt second semester.</li>
</ol>

<p>I realize this is post is kind of all over the place, its just sort of a hard situation to describe. Any help or thoughtful advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>If you are not motivated, that is going to sink you.
If you go to B., you can't take anything in your presumed major to see if that's what you want? You would just be taking pre-requisites?</p>

<p>It sounds from your post like you don't want to go to B. It's only advantage is financial.</p>

<p>I would slow down now and look around and apply to places you would like to attend. If you can get in second semester, great.</p>

<p>Can a job while you are waiting be useful? Do they need people to work at Pitt?</p>

<p>You are only talking about a semester off. Pick a college where you are comfortable and can get financial aid and resume in the spring 2009 semester. </p>

<p>So now you have learned to pay attention to finances and to college ambience. What about major? Is Pitt a good school for this purported major? I suggest you don't just apply to Pitt. Surely you can see that something else may come up and make Pitt not feasible and you will be screwed if you have again limited yourself to one school--even if your friend is attending it. So look around and apply to at least a few. Had you done this, not limited your options before, you would have better choices now. So make sure you always have a couple, not one, but a couple, of backup plans in case your original plan doesn't work out, as has happened here.</p>

<p>You're right, I would be taking nothing toward my actual presumed major, just the prereqs that I would need for a degree in the business school (like an Arts class, an econ class, a science class, etc.) </p>

<p>As for my lack of motivation, I was sort of hoping that I would be okay once school starts, however, I really have no desire to be there other than the financial benefit. As I said before, I really wanted to attend a major university away from home, living the college experience and all. Going to Behrend and commuting is pretty much the opposite of that. </p>

<p>I suppose taking a semester off to figure things out would be the most logical thing to do. My main worry is that I will end up not enjoying wherever I decide to attend in the spring since I will be somewhat isolated being the new student and all in the middle of the school year. If that happens I would obviously worry that just staying at Behrend and not wasting the semester migh've been the correct choice. </p>

<p>I'd like to see what kind of other suggestions people have. If anyone has any suggestions I'd really appreciate it.</p>

<p>transfer to pitt. No guts no glory.</p>