Looking to switch into accounting

College Majors Business Major
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<p>Hello everyone!</p>

<p>This is my first time posting here, but I have been reading discussions in this site. I really find this site helpful in finding answers about college life, career and undergrad studies overview, so I am thankful that this site and contributors like you exist. Okay, before I sound like I own this site for thanking people, I am now going to cite my case.</p>

<p>I am currently an engineering major, currently at a community college, and already applying for schools to transfer. I'm almost done with completing my pre-requisites for transfer except for my Physics component (I and II for that matter). However, as days go by, I am starting to realize that engineering might not be the right major for me. Sure, I am interested in Science and Math (always have been) and although that is the case for me, being interested doesn't always means you are always good at those subjects. My problem right now with engineering is not the Math, but Physics. This is the second time that I am taking Physics I, yet it seems that I am still not faring well. I had a D the first time I took it, but I still was eager and very much interested to repeat the subject thinking that I would do better the next time. I am also starting to discover, that I think I really am not suited for Physics at all. I am already losing the interest with the subject, and from what I can interpret with myself is that the way may brain thinks is not compatible enough to understand the logic and laws of Physics because no matter how hard I try to study for the subject, I don't seem to do well on my exams. Because of this, I do not know if the university I am applying to would accept me since I don't have a decent grade in Physics to show. </p>

<p>Now, I'm planning to drop the class. I still however have a chance to retake it during the summer, but I think I do not have the patience anymore to redo the class. However, while I was trying to decide to keep the class or not, I tried looking into other majors out of desperation (and depression) that I am not going to make it through the end of my Physics class, then accounting started to get my attention. The more I try to know more about the degree, the more I am getting interested to change my major into accounting. I think I don't mind losing to science as accounting needs not much of science classes, but more of laws and math, and that seemed fine to me. I tried to skim and scan accounting books to see if any interest sparks from me, and it did. So now, I am really getting serious in changing my major into accounting.</p>

<p>There's some few issues that's trying to hold back me from putting the plan into action however. Thing is, I already have applied to schools as an engineering major, and even if I am able to change it now, I think the business schools in the universities may not accept me because I am still missing some pre reqs required on their side. Since I will be coming from a science major, I don't have any business related classes except for one microeconomics class that I took on the side last semester so I will not be able to be a good candidate. I may need to stay at the community college and take my business pre requisites before I might be able to be a more suitable candidate for accounting. With that said, I will have this summer, fall 2011 and possibly spring 2012 semesters to make up for my missing classes if I really decide to change my major. I looked into websites of the prospective schools that I want to go to and I found out that two schools of the top three schools that I prefer to get into would only accept applications for fall semester. If I take classes and be a full-time student during the fall semester, I would be able to complete my pre-requisites early enough to apply for spring semester, and I was planning to transfer during the spring as well. I would like to hear your sound advices on what should I do next for this matter?</p>

<p>The three schools that I want to get into for accounting are:</p>

<p>Texas A&M- this is because my brother will be going there too, and it would be a practical choice in terms of financial reasons that both of us are in the same university. I honestly like this school best among the three as of now.</p>

<p>UT Austin- I think everyone here knows why already. They have a very good reputations in their business school and especially in their accounting degree that they offer.</p>

<p>University of Houston Main- A lot of people say that they have a strong accounting program and their business school is also good. </p>

<p>I really want to go to either UT Austin or Texas A&M, but they only accept applicants during the fall. I was strongly wishing that if I pursue accounting, I would want to transfer this coming spring already. I think UH accepts applicants during the spring semester, so if I really want to transfer, UH is my only choice. I'm still not fully giving up in my chances to be an engineer so this are the options that I may have come up for myself:</p>

<p>-Switch to Accounting major asap, take the classes that I need for accounting and have it all done by the end of the fall semester, apply for spring at UH.
-Switch to accounting major, take some classes this summer and divide it equally so I still can take some classes during fall and spring and apply at UT and A&M for fall 2012 semester.
-Try my last take in Physics and take it over the summer, if I pass, I'll finish my engineering degree. If I don't make the cut for Physics still, that's when I'll switch to be an accounting major, take some classes over the fall and spring and hopefully I will be able to apply for fall 2012 to either UT or A&M or UH.</p>

<p>I just have a mostly the business classes missing in the pre reqs needed to get into the accounting program in case you were wondering that I would be finishing the pre reqs needed for it too fast. From what I remember I'm just missing the Macroeconomics, Acct principles 1&2, another business class, a speech class and statistics.</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post. Any advices on my options? or any other suggestions aside from my options? I really appreciate it. Thank you in advance!</p>

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<p>Cliff notes?</p>

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<p>

Even if you manage to pass, I don’t think you can assume that Physics I will be your greatest hurdle on the way to an engineering degree.

What’s the disadvantage to this option?</p>

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<p>“Even if you manage to pass, I don’t think you can assume that Physics I will be your greatest hurdle on the way to an engineering degree.”</p>

<p>That is the harsh truth which is the main reason why I started looking out for another major. Physics and math is something that I’m going to live with engineering. I can handle the math, but I don’t think I can handle Physics anymore. In short, I suck at Physics so engineering is not really a good idea for me anymore.</p>

<p>“What’s the disadvantage to this option?”</p>

<p>For me, the disadvantage of that option is that, I will still have to wait for the next fall admissions to apply, when I could be able to complete my remaining pre-requisites by the end of this coming fall semester (given that I don’t fail a class or drop). I was hoping to apply the soonest semester as possible which is the spring 2012 semester though waiting to apply for a fall 2012 is not a big deal for me.</p>

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<p>Could you just transfer in UT Austin or UT A&M as a general admit? I think that might be easier than trying to go for the direct admissions route straight into the b-school or engineering school.</p>

<p>Also are you having trouble with calculus derived physics or normal physics?</p>

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<p>I’m not sure about UT, but I know that A&M only takes transfers as direct admits.</p>

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<p>I was in the same shoes as you, but what really killed me was chemistry, not physics (well, as much). If physics is really too difficult, then switch. Otherwise, I’d say to stick with engineering because I mean come on, it’s engineering. We need engineers out there to improve whatever field you were planning to go into. Anyways, if you really want to attend one of the schools that only admits you during the fall semester, and you’ll have to wait, then just wait. Take some courses that might interest you if you have an extra semester (assuming that you’re not throwing money in the garbage), and then continue on. I used to think that graduating late was horrible, but not anymore.</p>

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<p>"Could you just transfer in UT Austin or UT A&M as a general admit? I think that might be easier than trying to go for the direct admissions route straight into the b-school or engineering school.</p>

<p>Also are you having trouble with calculus derived physics or normal physics?"</p>

<p>I have already applied at A&M declaring engineering as a major. I’m still waiting on the decision right now, but if they deny me in the eng’g department, but take me as a general admit, I will transfer definitely this school year. The problem is if I could get in for the semester.</p>

<p>I am having trouble with a calculus derived Physics. I think the main problem I have in Physics is that my understanding of theoretical part and the way I set up to solve problems clash. </p>

<p>“I was in the same shoes as you, but what really killed me was chemistry, not physics (well, as much). If physics is really too difficult, then switch. Otherwise, I’d say to stick with engineering because I mean come on, it’s engineering. We need engineers out there to improve whatever field you were planning to go into. Anyways, if you really want to attend one of the schools that only admits you during the fall semester, and you’ll have to wait, then just wait. Take some courses that might interest you if you have an extra semester (assuming that you’re not throwing money in the garbage), and then continue on. I used to think that graduating late was horrible, but not anymore.”</p>

<p>As of now, I see Physics as a difficult subject for me. I was fine with my Chemistry though. Yes, I agree that it is after all, engineering! :slight_smile: I really, really do want to become an engineer, but how could that happen if I couldn’t really grasp its ways? Constantly failing in Physics feels a bit parallel to crushing my dreams. I’m not being dramatic but it does hurt lol… May I ask you if you are still taking engineering now? </p>

<p>Thanks for all your input guys, I appreciate it.</p>

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<p>Oh, no, I quit my dream of engineering. Just as you said, if I can’t “grasp” the basis and foundation of a science, then how can one even pursue a degree in that field? I’m now going into accounting, but I’m not really enjoying it that much. However, we have to sacrifice things in life.</p>

<p>Just to let you know, I had trouble with calculus-based physics as well, but I was willing to put the effort into that. It was the chemistry that killed me…so if you’re okay with chemistry, maybe you might want to pursue something in that field. I don’t want to push you away from accounting, but it’s more of the fact more scientists=better. Also, not many people can be good at chemistry compared to physics, so I say if you can, go for chemistry or chemical engineering.</p>

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<p>@ijamjl I did fine but it wasn’t that stellar…I think that the only reason why I passed chemistry is that the exams had some theory questions and the twists of solving word problems is pretty much easier to set up than those Physics problems (in my point of view, and in my case)… Chemical engineering and any science based major I think would still need to undergo the set of calculus based physics for all I know… I’m willing to retake Physics, but I’m not that enthusiastic as I started anymore since I already took it 2 times already but to no avail, so I’m kinda losing hope on that.</p>

<p>“I don’t want to push you away from accounting, but it’s more of the fact more scientists=better.”
–I definitely second this statement though. I just don’t know if I still have the potential to be science and math inclined if I can’t get through a General Physics (w/ calculus) course…</p>

<p>Thanks a lot! I appreciate it!</p>

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<p>Only thing you have to worry about as a general admit is if you go to the school and apply to the business school and DON’T get in, you’re screwed. UT is a top 10 school nationally so its not going to be easy to get in, A&M is great too, and believe it or not, UH Business school is one of the best colleges at the university. I know people in all 3 programs, i think. I go to UH and I know all the people here LOVE Bauer. But A&M has family going for it, and UT is just hands down the best. Tough decisions to make. </p>

<p>I myself am trying to figure out whether to go into Business school, Computer Science, or Hotel/Restaurant Management.</p>

<p>Also make sure you get the full details for the transfer requirements into the schools, like UH is changing their entrance GPA from 2.75 to 3.0 this fall. I don’t know what your stats are like, but I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.</p>

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<p>If you can pass physics you might be okay. I have a lot of engineering friends that did so-so in calculus derived physics and did fine in their later classes.</p>

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<p>@Volminator: I heard they have a strong business program too (UH) for that matter… I am currently checking out the school as well… and I’m definitely going to try to apply there too… I’m having the dilemma if I should really fret over which school i should go to as I have read here that the school you went too would sort of affect you capability to get hired it even if it isn’t the thing that entirely matters… I have also read that once you get your CPA license, the school you went to won’t really matter anymore.</p>

<p>@Thanol: so that means giving a ‘go’ signal to re-take physics this summer and decide what happens after the re-take given that I still wouldn’t want to give up the engineering field right?</p>