<p>Hello, I transferred to University of Wisconsin-Madison from Illinois State University my Junior year. My intended major is Finance but transferring put me behind a about a semester. I might end up having to take en extra year to graduate. I was wondering since I have to do an extra year (5 years total) would it be wise to do accounting instead? I haven't actually taken finance courses yet but I've takes 2 accounting courses at ISU. I did good and got A's. </p>
<p>Anyone have any advice on what I should do? I feel that going an extra year for finance would be a waste of money, but if I do accounting instead I would have to do the extra year regardless.</p>
<p>Also I've been thinking lately that transferring schools might have been a bad choice since I will graduate late now, I am not sure if going to a better school is worth graduating late. When I went to an internship interview one recruiter told me it was a good decision since ISU is not a good business school and not many employers go there and recruit. What do you guys think, was my decision good or not? I get good financial aid so a year would cost me about 8,000.</p>
<p>Northern Illinois is the best accounting program in Illinois. Cost is about the same. Northern has a 5 year plan for accountants (I believe). 5 years is normal for accounting degree. I see many CPA’s with a combo finanace/accounting degree. It seems to work well in this new technology environment. Finance has become a technology in that people are inventing new financial instruments. Some work some dont some blow up (entire countries as a matter of fact).</p>
<p>Just curious TheresaCPA, how is it that Northern has the best accounting program in Illinois when UIUC is ranked 2nd in the nation in accounting?</p>
<p>Because UIUC cranks out big 4 accountants that crash and burn in 2 to 3 years and Northern Illinois puts out accountants with practical life long learning approach to the CPA profession.</p>
<p>When you transfer to another school you have to know what you’re getting yourself into and understand that situations of graduating later are going to happen. Since you transferred and got yourself into that mess, then I would say it was a poor decision. If you transferred to UW because better employers recruit there then I would say yes, you made a good decision. </p>
<p>As for switching to Accounting, sure. Tons of people get accounting degrees and have finance as their professional career. But I would talk to their faculty advisors and tell them where you’re at so you have a better idea of what you have to do and if it’ll fit into your plans before you make a decision to switch majors. Best luck!</p>
<p>I would also like to add that should you switch to Accounting, do so because you have a general interest in it. Not just because of how long it’ll take to graduate.</p>