<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I go to school in NYC. Unbelievable as it sounds, I'm entering into my second semester of junior year still undecided on a major. I'm scheduled to transfer this spring to 2 colleges, Cuny Hunter or Suny Binghamton. I'm conflicted....</p>
<p>I understand I may need an extra year or so to full-fill either school's GE requirements & 2+ years for my intended major.</p>
<p>What should I do?</p>
<p>Any alumni want to put in their 2 cents? On one hand, I want to walk out with no debt or little debt as possible. I also want to have as many internships/research/volunteer opportunities under my belt. I very much want a social scene as well. </p>
<p>I did my own research on both schools, and it looks like hunter is primarily a liberal arts school with a focus on nursing. Binghamton, however, offers liberal arts, business (SOM), engineering and others. Because I’m undecided, wouldn’t it be appropriate to select the school with a broad list of majors? (binghamton)?</p>
<p>My question would be… is it really possible to be considered a junior without an established major? It is in your junior year, after all, that you start taking specialized classes in your major. Otherwise, if you’re finishing up your third year, I would say you’re a sophomore with a whole lot of extra units.</p>
<p>In California, at least, having that many credits putting you in junior status would prevent you from transferring into most universities. Schools here have a unit cap that, once reached, transfer admissions are rejected.</p>
<p>Yes, I consider myself a sophmore with a whole lot of extra units (electives)</p>
<p>I’ve already gotten accepted to my transfer school. I made a decision to go. I’m aware some credits will not go through & I will need a year or two to make up for it. </p>
<p>With an undeclared major, it makes the whole process that much more difficult.</p>
<p>Is there any comfort to my decision? Will graduating from a university be rewarding? </p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>bummppp
10 char</p>
<p>eh, now I’m thinking its better to stay in the city. I hate to enter a university undecided, wasting money, taking more time then needed to complete a degree. I’m so confused!!!</p>
<p>What you major in doesn’t necessarily dictate what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life. What do you have the most credits in? Go with that. I’m sure it won’t take too much time to complete.</p>
<p>Have you looked at the school’s GE requirements? You’ve probably fulfilled most of them without realizing it. Read the class descriptions for each school and find the closest match. I’d also suggest calling someone at the admissions office that can give you an idea of which credits will transfer. They may not be able to guarantee anything, but they’ll point you in the right direction.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, CuraTeIpsum. Certainly helped relieve some stress off me. However, if the major you select doesn’t necessary apply to the job you’ll get, why do people put so much emphasis on choosing a major with the best prospect? Worst case scenario for me or for anyone in college would be choosing ANY major, wind up with a degree and find out their degree is meaningless due to the curriculum they chose. I would hate to be that person. Can anyone reflect on this? Also, if I plan on going into professional school (may it be graduate, medicine, law, or otherwise), does your major matter too? </p>
<p>I realize I have a lot of questions, but I’m really a struggling & confused college level junior looking to complete his degree and finding his place. Thanks!</p>
<p>I plan on going to medical school and am double majoring in psychology and biology simply because I had to pick something when I transfered. I could very easily major in Art History and Philosophy and go to medical school. I’d just have to complete the pre-requisites…which is practically just majoring in Biology. If you want to go to medical school you should really thrive to work hard to get your name on the author list of published research…which means doing more than just the recommended bulk of science classes.</p>
<p>Law schools don’t have these pre-requisites. </p>
<p>I was torn between law school and med school for a while. Law school because of my family and med school for myself, so I had trouble choosing a path. I’m not even sure what my major really is.</p>
<p>I searched around for an article that really helped me when I was transferring: [Grad</a> school: not a major decision | The Daily](<a href=“http://dailyuw.com/archive/2012/02/03/news/grad-school-not-major-decision#.UPCj_qHBMb8]Grad”>http://dailyuw.com/archive/2012/02/03/news/grad-school-not-major-decision#.UPCj_qHBMb8)</p>
<p>Finding what you’d want to do in your career is less a matter of what classes you take and more a matter of taking advantage of internship and volunteer opportunities in something you’d like. I wasn’t born wanting to be a doctor like so many of the people I know. I wanted to be an artist until I worked at a surgical practice and fell in love with the skillful combination of art and science that is medicine.</p>
<p>I’m taking a gap year to get healthy, so I have tons of wiggle room. Medical school is my goal, but how I get there isn’t about what major is more impressive- it’s what major makes me happy. </p>
<p>The only major truly, truly set in stone with few exceptions in regards to grad school is engineering. Or Nursing. Probably Studio Art.</p>
<p>I’ve met so many History and English majors working in marketing- even Criminal Justice majors working in business development!</p>
<p>If you don’t know what to major in, and you aren’t clear on why you are in college right now, take a leave of absence. Work for a while. Do some volunteer thing. Look around at the world. Think about what you might like to fo with your life.</p>
<p>Then when you have a specific purpose for your education, go back to school. You don’t have to be in college now.</p>
<p>@happymomof1 even students with a determined major would kill for a gap year to reassess!</p>
<p>@happymomof1- You are absolutely right. I was actually contemplating on this matter last semester, but figured there was nothing out there for me, and I didn’t want to waste time, so I decided to continue school. Looking back, I could’ve made use of that gap to do the things you listed. Right now I’m in a sticky situation. I got accepted to BU after I had defer my admission in the fall due to financial & others reasons (like finding my major). If I opt not to go again, I don’t know if I’ll ever get accepted again. I also get financial assistance, so if I take a leave of absence, I’m unsure of how it’ll affect my aid. Can my tap and pell be deferred? I highly doubt it…</p>
<p>My biggest fear is wasting time when I am away from school. Finding Volunteer work/job/internship is no easy task. Traveling around the world could be an option but how exactly would I find myself in school with that? Seems more like a vacation than searching for a purpose…</p>
<p>Pell will still be there if you qualify for Pell at that time. Check the TAP website and at your financial aid office about TAP.</p>
<p>Going to college without any long-term purpose is a waste of your time, your limited financial aid resources (yes, you will get cut off after a certain number of semesters). From here, it looks like you are on vacation right now.</p>
<p>There is plenty to see right in your own hometown, and plenty to make you think. You don’t need to travel to “look at” the world around you. </p>
<p>As for jobs, again look around your own city. There are lots of work opportunities. Since you don’t know what you want to do, take whatever job comes along - bagel maker, coffee barista, sales clerk, anything. Sometimes learning what we don’t want can be a very good thing.</p>
<p>I took a temporary job in the summer, and believe me I’ve use that to reflect upon my life. Obviously the value of an education is highly important. I wouldn’t think any college student would be pleased working at a minimum paid job their entire life. I’m just trying to be optimistic with my entire situation. I appreciate your response nonetheless.</p>