Is my current fate inevitable?

Transfer Students
1

<p>This post is going to be rather long, but I am in desperate need of some serious advice. Anyone who takes the time to read my post and reply, I sincerely thank you. </p>

<p>I feel as if I have lost control over my current situation and the future that lies ahead of me. I am a sophomore student at a branch campus of Penn State who currently is on track to be an accounting major. Throughout high school, I always hoped to have a great college experience by leaving home and attending a major university that contains a lot of school spirit and is academically respected. Last year, I attended a university that fits all of the previously mentioned criteria, but I had to leave at the end of the year due to financial difficulties. As a PA resident, Pitt seemed to be the perfect school to transfer to, since it is in state and the big city experience seemed exciting as well. However, my parents do not make much money and told me that most of my college debt will fall on my shoulders. They eventually convinced me to save 10k per year by going to a Penn State branch campus and just commuting. Though it was far from my "dream" experience, I decided that it was the logical choice since 30k per year (room and board for 3 years) + tuition costs would be a ridiculous amount of debt for just a degree from Pitt. </p>

<p>Problem is, I'm miserable. Life here is horribly dull. I didn't realize just how miserable I was until I got back this weekend from visiting my friend who goes to Pitt. Things like walking around the campus, being told about all the things that there are to do and all the exciting stuff that goes on, going to the football game, seeing the big city, etc. reminded me of just how much I'm missing out on while living at home and commuting to a small school. It doesn't help that most of my good friends went to schools out of state, and the only ones that stayed in town I have fallen out of touch with long ago. Honestly, if it wasn't for my current girlfriend I would be sitting at home with no one to talk to day after day, because making new friends is seemingly impossible while commuting. </p>

<p>To make matters even worse, I have recently realized that accounting is just not for me. I don't want to be sitting at a desk organizing numbers all day. I chose the major because it seemed to guarantee me at least a decent job, but I realized that I want to actually enjoy life (and college experience as well) and do something that actually interests me rather than waking up every morning and preparing myself for a day of monotony.</p>

<p>To sum it all up, I desperately want to get out of here and go to back to being at a major university where I was happy. Pitt is my primary choice, as it is not too far away, is in a big city, is an excellent school, and many of my high school friends are there. Yet my parents insist that I would be crazy to incur all that extra debt upon myself and that I should just suck it up and continue with my accounting major. I don't want to look back on college with huge regret my whole life, wondering how happy I could have been elsewhere. I have thought about taking a year off and working full time to save up money and also give myself ample time to consider a new major, however, once I am out of school for 6 months I have to start paying back my student loans and I would not be covered under my parent's healthcare any longer. I don't know what to do. I feel like im trapped on a conveyor belt that is pushing me right along towards two and a half more years of misery and a life long career of unhappiness. I want to transfer so badly, but I don't see how I can do it without incurring so much debt upon myself that I would be drowning in it when I"m out of college. </p>

<p>I'm sorry for the length and potential "sob story" feel to this post. I could truly use any advice that anyone has to offer. Thank you so much.</p>

2

<p>Hi, I'm assuming that either way you are taking out a large loan to cover most of your tuition + rooming costs. I'm not entirely sure what the rates are for loans, but I am under the impression that you can negotiate how much you are able to pay back per month.</p>

<p>Ask yourself this, is saving 30k total going to make a difference in the long run? Assuming you total around 80-100k in debt normally, how many years do you really shave off when paying back your loan if you're paying instead 50-70k? You also need to take in account of how much financial aid you might get in the future, scholarship applications, salary increases for your future career, and what type of career that you end up taking. I might also add that I know a few people who also need to loan a large amount of money, so I know that there have been people in the same situation as yours that have presumably lived fairly well later on.</p>

<p>If you really love the experience at a major university, and saving 30k doesn't make much of a difference when paying back your debt in the long run, then I'd say it makes more sense to transfer. You do not want to live with regrets.
I don't know if it helped, as I am also a sophomore so I'm not necessarily more knowledgeable about loans than you are, but I would have looked at the long run and see how big of a difference saving 30k really makes. If you are still unsure, I recommend asking an adult who have been in the same situation as yours. (start with your parents!)</p>

<p>As for changing your major, thats completely normal. Take your time and see what you really enjoy doing. It doesn't affect your financial situation at all, so really it's just psychological stress that you can definitely eliminate. There is a financial aid forum too, so I would make a thread there for more accurate advice.</p>

3

<p>Have you considered applying for scholarships and really dedicating yourself to finding them? Or maybe finding away to attend community college and then transfering? I am not responsible for paying my college bills but it couldn't hurt to at least look at all possible options if you are truly miserable. As far as the accounting major goes I wouldn't judge it too harshly. I am an accounting major, and have done some extensive research and from what I have learned it doesn't seem that you spend your days behind a desk crunching numbers...well at least not if you are a public accounting. Because of the growth in technology much of the nitty-gritty work associated with accounting, isnt done by accountants anymore. Computers take care of the number crunching and the accountant does the analytical work. According to a CPA I recently interviewed she spends more of her day giving presentations and working with clients than sitting behind a desk. Also, if you stick with accounting you are almost guaranteed a decent job that may allow you the financial stability to take on those extra student loans to go to pitt. However, if you truly do hate it i would suggest getting out of it because lots of jobs will allow you to obtain a decent job. If you are a sophomore you should be able to change majors relatively easily and without losing many credits.</p>