<p>Hi Lily, I was in a similar position in college as a pre-med wannabe writer (about 20 years ago). I went to a writer’s workshop where I got to work with 6 different highly successful writers and asked each of them individually about my situation, and every single one of them said the same thing: don’t foreclose your options, writing is a really, really hard way to make a living, and it’s actually really helpful to know about something other than writing so that you have something interesting to write about. </p>
<p>So my suggestion would be, don’t argue any more, just figure out how you can do as many writing courses and English courses as you possibly can while still getting the prerequisites for a “respectable” major. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hate to suggest being dishonest, but let him believe you are going to head to med school, until your senior year. Then, tell him you changed your mind…after the tuition is paid.</p>
<p>(MaryMac15535’s mom here) Lily, I can understand your parents’ concern about you earning a degree which will make you employable; my husband & I have similar concerns about our own daughter. (She keeps changing her mind about what she would like to major in when she gets to college, but is currently talking about getting a teaching degree in English, because she loves to write, too.)
You wrote earlier that you don’t have room to double-major because you’re already taking 2 business minors. Perhaps you could combine & expand those 2 business minors into a business-related major? Or maybe you could still manage to squeeze in Gr. 6-12 teacher certification in 1 or more of the subjects you’ve taken the most classes in? (Depending on the college, earning secondary teacher certification in whichever subject you’re majoring in might mean just a semester’s worth of education classes, plus a semester of student teaching - and some colleges will let you finish up the requirements in a “9th semester” tuition-free if necessary.) Talk to your advisor about it, and see if what you’ve got so far can be turned into a teaching degree.
You certainly don’t have to become a doctor to support yourself - but writing for most people is not a “day job” by itself; it’s a hobby and (usually) one of several skills used within the context of the “day job.” Good luck, whatever you decide!</p>
<p>It seems that your father is primarily concerned that you get a well paying job. You should talk to him and see if you both could come up with an agreement on another job that pays nearly as well that you may end up enjoying more.</p>
<p>I would just like to point out that Michael Crichton, the author of the Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, Westworld, and other successful books which became movies was a practicing MD before his writing career took off.</p>
<p>As a parent who has a senior this year, I too have made certain conditions on the support I would give for college. A degree in something that could be used as a fallback for employment is one of those conditions. Luckily, she does want to double major in both economics and history (both of which appeal to her). </p>
<p>Another condition I had was the schools I would be willing to pay extra for (given that she has been accepted into the University of Michigan and we are in-state). Schools like Princeton, Chicago, and Yale would be worth the extra money (in part because of their highly ranked history AND economics departments), but other schools with perhaps an equal reputation to UofM but costing more would not be “worth it” in my mind. Also luckily, she loves UofM this this is also not an issue.</p>
<p>And maybe these conditions have not been issues because my daughter and I (and my wife) have had frequent discussions over the past few years - communication can be everything sometimes.</p>
<p>My dad was the same way. His dad wanted him to become an engineer and he never did (instead, he became an architect). My dad regretted his own decision, so he made sure to force it into my mind that I was to become an engineer. I wanted to go into medicine and he despised that, but he later got over it.</p>
<p>One day my younger brother decided he wanted to become an engineer (because of my dad) and my father pretty much ignored me. I got furious and decided to follow a long lost dream of going to culinary school, which I did. My father disowned me and despised me. Then, I changed my mind and switched my profession to nursing. He pretty much disowned me.</p>
<p>It’s okay for your parents to be worried or concerned about your choice on a career. When they go to the amount of despising and disowning you, that is another thing. If your parents cant accept your decision, you don’t have to subject yourself to them.</p>
<p>You are having a bad time, but don’t worry. Try to convince your dad, if he doesn’t develop your interest for neurology, its an amazing field of study.</p>
<p>lol… i cant even imagine how lucky u r. they r begging u to be a doctor and everything is ready; fee, and many resources. imagine someone who is every determined to be a doctor but cant avoid the fee. U DONT UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF LIFE. STOP BEING SELFISH AND BE WHAT UR PARENTS WANTS U TO BE. GIVE RESPECT OR LEAVE.</p>
<p>This may be a little sly, but you could use reverse psychology. You can be like, “Sure, I’ll be a doctor. It’s going to be awesome, 'cause my daddy’s is going to pay the WHOLE $200,000 tuition plus med school!” When he goes “oh crap”, you suggest a cheap liberal arts school/ state college that’s “not good enough” (even though you like it.) </p>
<p>Or maybe act sad/ guilty. You go to your dad and say, “I know you want to major in pre-med/pre-law/ some practical major, and I would, but I know I would just feel too guilty for wasting your hard earned money on something that is too good for me.” </p>
<p>Or maybe question him with thought provoking questions. Like if he wants you to be an engineer, ask him, “When I was young, did I play with Legos or Barbies? Did I ever once disassemble the VCR and put it back together? Did I ever learn C++ on my own?” Well, something like that. Make your dad realize he is a bit deluded by explaining why you WOULDN’T be a good doctor/ lawyer/ whatever. He might concede and support your ambitions, or he might need a little more persuasion. I did this one on my own parents, and it kind of worked. They don’t question me about med school anymore.</p>
<p>Maybe seven years ago that would be permissible. But in this current economic climate, it’s just too risky( I’m assuming that you have to take out a bunch of loans since your father can afford to foot the bill but won’t). </p>
<p>Love writing? No problem; write on your free time. Do it as a hobby. Pick it up as a minor. What ever you do, just do something practical for your degree. I’m sure there has to be something practical that you are good at and may enjoy. Just DON’T BE RECKLESS!! </p>
<p>I’m not a parent btw, just a guy in his mid twenties with somewhat of an idea how the real world works.</p>