MIDDLE NAME: CONFUSION.. please help!

College Search & Selection
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<p>I'm new to this website, but I see there's information for everyone on everything... So I'm hoping you can issue some advice or opinions on my question.</p>

<p>I'm currently studying in South America because of my parents' jobs. It was a little difficult for my family to have me sent back to the States (we're US citizens living abroad) for college. So in the meantime my parent's had me start college here. And although the education is good, I want to return to the States and settle down. We selected a law degree because at the time, it was the best offer (other degrees were weaker, plus no big variety of majors). I have read a couple of threads (many in fact) of people undergoing this same situation. My degree is short, but is geared to stay here (bachelor's degree-level law degree, this is the law degree provided). This degree not only ties me down here -people will only hire you for legal jobs-, but is also hard to use in the US (different law system and bar exams). Plus, lately with the downward economy not only is it really hard to get a job (+15K people out of a 3M population are lawyers here), but the salaries are a mess (recent college graduates earn $800-$1000). Not a great view. Now that I'm older (I will turn 21 soon) and my family situation is more stable, I would like to pursuit another degree in the States, that will give me a broad range of job opportunities and that will meet my interests better. My sister told me that some, at least a year or so, of credit may transfer..so it wouldn't take that long to complete an additional degree.</p>

<p>FACTS:
1. I want to study another degree (AA or Bachelor's Degree--need opinion on this).
2. Not eligible to many schools because of my prior degree, so I want to make the most out of my limited options.
3. Yes, money is an issue. I'm considered out state (because I don't currently live in the states). So uber expensive places are a no match.
4. Plus side, we were able to pay out of our pockets for my current degree so I have no debt.
5. I want a good education in general -including possible internships and job opportunities-.
6. Not interested in graduate school yet, I rather wait until I have actual job experience, know better in what field I'll be working on and have saved up a little cash. </p>

<p>POSSIBLE CAREERS:
1. International Affairs/Relations: very linked to my current studies.
2. Public Relations: I would love to be involved in PR. I'd would also like to work as an editor, but I guess there's a little bit of that in PR.
3. Nutritionist or Dietitian: I know, totally out of the blue. But I thought I'd mention it because I have actually considered it, and although not related to anything I'm currently familiar with...it's a great job. </p>

<p>*I would like a major that would allow me to pursuit language scholarships and study abroad programs (most of them do, but anyways).</p>

<p>About me: senior attending foreign law school (at bachelor's degree level), very good GPA, Honors student, doing a thesis (which is optional, but I'm still doing one), have attended Certificate Programs, few but good EC's, URM (I'm looking into this still), speak 2 languages fluently (english and spanish) and in learning process of french and german (would like to add a couple more), have little job experience.</p>

<p>I know what I want is not that common, but I'm very sure that this additional degree/change of career path is what I want.. so I'm asking for your help in making the right moves and ultimately...making it happen. </p>

<p>T H A N K Y O U !</p>

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<p>also any info on FA you can give me would be appreciatedddd:)</p>

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<p>Is your school a 4 year college? Is the degree you have equivalent to BA in US? What language do you use in the college? Which country are you from? Have you been to a US highschool? Gpa in college and HS? Did you have SAT/ACT score? If so, list it.</p>

<p>More importantly, how much your parents can afford your schooling in US? Which state you prefer to have your schooling? Do you prefer a public or private U? Do you prefer Urban/Suburban/Rural environment? Large, Medium or Small schools?</p>

<p>Before you answer these above, we have no idea for you.</p>

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<p>Hey artloverplus!!</p>

<p>I’m sorry my bad:</p>

<p>US CITIZEN
Elementary and Middle school in the US.</p>

<p>HIGHSCHOOL: abroad. On a 5.0 scale, my GPA was 4.4. I was Honor’s Roll each year of highschool. Had a decent amount of EC’s which I continue still (at least a couple).</p>

<p>CURRENT COLLEGE: 4 year college, degree equivalent to BA in US. Spanish language. My GPA on a 3.0 scale is a 2.85 (hopefully will end up being a little higher). Will graduate Magna Cum Laude and Dean’s List every year. As I mentioned before, couple of good EC’s. No SAT/ACT score was needed so never took them. But I’ve read online I don’t need those scores because I’ve completed college credit already.</p>

<p>PARENTS’ MONEY: I took an estimate FAFSA (and my EFC is upper 5000 to lower 6000). My parents’ are retired so mostly they would support my living expenses, I think tuition would be too much. Unless it was a instate amount, which I’m not eligible for. Although FSU has a good program in a country nearby, where you could obtain resident status for tuition purposes after 1 year of attendance in said country. So this is good. I would like somewhere with fairly good merit aid (if I qualify) and need based aid. All else I’d pay with scholarships and loans (hopefully federal). As I mentioned I have no debt so far, so as long as it’s not uber loans I’m OK. I don’t know if this matters but my dad is U Nebraska-Lincoln alumni like from early 1960’s. Oh, and also, my mom is talking me into joining the armed force once I finish my new degree (which I wouldn’t mind as long as it’s a good move for my career interests).</p>

<p>PREFERENCES: State with job demand in fields related to the careers/majors I posted above. I lived in the West Coast and loved it…but I have no preference. Private or public means nothing, I want quality education. Rural doesn’t really match usual destinations for my intended careers, so I’m guessing Urban or Suburban. Small or medium schools would be best, but Large is good as long as it’s not chaotic. </p>

<p>Let me know if I missed anything!</p>

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<p>so, apply to some ROTC Schools for a full ride or all the Military Acadamies, including the Coast Guard, as a transfer.</p>

<p>As far as majors concered. Accounting actually goes along very well with your law degree.</p>

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<p>Your middle name is Confusion? That’s nice.</p>

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<p>It seems to me that you need to find out more about the fields you are interested in and then make a choice.
What kind of career in IR-- government, NGO, other? What kind of qualifications do people have to get those jobs? (Maybe you are already employable.) Does an IR career mesh well with your desire to settle in the States?
Same kinds of questions with PR.</p>

<p>Why not apply to a graduate program in your field of interest?</p>

<p>Check out the public schools in the state you last lived. Contact the office that deals with residency issues. You might be surprised to learn you kept your residency there.</p>

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<p>HAHAHAHA thank you light.</p>

<p>Mom58… will look into de residency. As for the different majors, I don’t really know if it’s that usual to have so many interests… I sort of have like a “path” outlined of what I’d like to do with each one (again… I’m very interested in all). I will look into them more. I’d like undergraduate better, in first place, because these majors require strong written and verbal skills and would really like to work on them (I know I have them in spanish, but I’d like to work on my english writing and composition maybe, which I didn’t get to do because highschool and college I did abroad). Graduate work will be more demanding, and I’d like to be well prepared.</p>

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<p>Once you complete your degree, you will be considered an Independent student for financial aid purposes under the federal rules (FAFSA).</p>

<p>One option for you would be to pursue an LLM (Master of Law). Many law schools will let you design your coursework so that you prepare for the Bar exam in that state. Other graduate programs that might work include Politics, History, Public Administration, International Relations.</p>

<p>Once you complete your degree, you should move back to the US, get a job, and work for a while. This will help you sort out your career goals, and will allow you to establish residence in one state or another. For example, here in Maryland you would be considered in-state for a community college after three months living and working here, but the public universities require 12 months. Each state sets its own policy, so you have to check this out. </p>

<p>One thing that might help, would be for you to read through the information at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.state.gov/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.state.gov/) Then you should make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you. They can help you find out what your options are. If no one in that office has worked with a student like you, they have colleagues in other offices who have.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

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<p>happymomof1: thank you thank you thank you… i will look into education usa, and thanks for the good wishes, sure do need them. I didn’t know I could qualify as an independant student, will look into this, I know there’s a larger limit to loans once you’re independant. Doesn’t it matter that I’ll be 21? I’ll ask around, maybe through the FAFSA website. </p>

<p>I’m very interested in changing my career…so taking LLM isn’t really what I’m looking for. Perhaps further in the future I’d take it, if it suits my career goals. What can you comment on the possible careers I’d like to pursuit? I recently opened a new thread on Dietetics (which I’m very interested in, but lack real world insight). Once I’m set in what I want to study, I would really consider attending community college and work (with preference in sth related) and meanwhile earn residency. </p>

<p>Help and insight at this point is much needed :)</p>

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<p>Once you have your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) you are independent. Period. Don’t worry about that one.</p>

<p>Here is a link to one Dietetics program. It will give you ideas for your research: [Who</a> Should Consider the Undergraduate Dietetics Program?](<a href=“http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/DNS/academic/undergradwhoundi.cfm]Who”>http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/DNS/academic/undergradwhoundi.cfm)</p>