Not sure where to go for help

Parents Forum
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<p>Hello, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum, this is my first post here ever.</p>

<p>Okay, so basically I'm a music major at the University of North Texas, and this is my 3rd semester here. At the end of this semester I will have around 75 credits. I entered into the university with many APs, and took a little summer school. I have not taken anything but music classes at UNT itself. Nonetheless it will take me a minimum of 4 years total to graduate as a music major, maybe more. This is due to the huge number of sequential classes one must take, and if I were to continue to be a music major, I'd have to spread about 30 hours of classes over 5 semesters. I have a scholarship that relies on me staying full time, however one of my biggest complaints as a music major is having to take too much stuff, so filling out the extra time with electives is obviously frustrating.</p>

<p>I no longer desire to be a music major for many reasons, and would like to change majors. I've been thinking about changing majors for almost a year now, and even went so far as to start to over the summer, but went back to music due to a variety of things. I'm still far enough out from graduating that I can change to another major and graduate on time, but I'm too far out to experiment and find out what I like. This is a problem. I know that I don't want to do the music major. I do not know what I would do instead. I have scored all 5s on AP english tests, and I feel my strongest skill is the ability to analyze information. I have long been interested in philosophy. I like tutoring students, and think I enjoy teaching. I also believe that I have strong mathematical skills on the basis of easily excelling at music theory, however I'm hindered by the fact that I don't think I had a very good math education in high school. This problem is further compounded by the fact that in high school I was dead set on being a musician, and so only did the work needed to get As, not to learn the material. So doing a STEM degree, which I think I'm fairly well cut out for personality wise would take forever as I'd need many prereqs, they are already dense degrees.</p>

<p>My parents have paid for everything up until this point. I am debt free at the moment. However they have expressed a lack of interest in paying for more than 4 years, and also have said that they'd rather not waste their money on a BS degree (presumably philosophy.)</p>

<p>While I don't agree that philosophy is BS, I kind of agree that there is something wrong if I can complete a degree requirements in what amounts to a year and a 1/2. I would like to think that my degree is not something I could have finished so easily if I had entered into it as a freshman. Also, I'm not a huge fan of UNT, and have heard that it is not a very good school for subjects other than music. So I'm very concerned about that, and also very frustrated. I was top 5% of my class in high school, and am frankly disappointed in myself for being in this situation. I know that is arrogance. I'm not sure who to talk to at UNT to help me see my options at the school. And also I need someone a little objective outside of UNT to just generally help me. I'm pretty sure I'd lose my scholarship (its based on SAT scores from the state) if I were to stop being a full time student at a public university.</p>

<p>I realize this semester is almost over and most classes are fully enrolled already. Life does not always fit into our schedules, and while I wish I had figured out what I have sooner, I didn't. So I must deal with it now. Any advice, or even just empathy would be greatly appreciated. This situation is challenging enough without the added emotional turmoil.</p>

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<p>Trying to figure out what you want to be in this life in such a sort timespan that is college is most definitely not an easy task - for many students. You are not the only one who starts out with certain goals and realizes that maybe it wasn’t the best fit for you. I know that you said you do not want to be a musician, but you did mention that you would like to teach. Have you possibly considered some sort of music education path? That might be a good compromise if that major is offered at UNT. However, if your goal is to completely leave music, I would understand that. </p>

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<p>I have considered music education, however as a jazz studies student the degree requirements are actually more divergent than you’d think. I would probably have to add another year to graduate with a music ed degree as all my jazz classes and ensembles are not counted. Also, I love music and intend to keep practicing and studying in my own time, however my issues are more with being a music major, and would remain unresolved as a music ed major.</p>

4

<p>Ok, thank you for the clarification. I wasn’t sure where you stood on that topic. I can’t speak on the employment options a philosophy major might have, however when you are looking for a career down the road - your employer will likely just want to see that you have a degree (not necessarily where it came from). </p>

<p>As far as your scholarship goes, it is pretty standard for merit scholarships that you must maintain a full-time status. So that is just something to keep in the back of your mind. </p>

<p>I have friends that work for tutoring centers out here in California, and they are making pretty decent money per hour (not sure how the pay or requirements go in Texas). If you enjoy tutoring students, is there a specific subject that you know you could teach well? This might be a possible avenue when you are finished with school and unsure about a specific career, or even as a part-time job in the meantime. </p>

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<p>Thank you. One of my main concerns with humanities degrees is losing my parents support, since they seem to view said degrees as useless. I enjoy tutoring and have been tutoring music theory here for a little money. I certainly would do it again when I have the time. I probably wouldn’t mind teaching other subjects, such as english, history, math, really anything. I feel no strong passion for any one subject at the moment, but explaining things is fun. I feel I must decide on some sort of path for next semester however, or else I will be even more up against the wall.</p>

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<p>I agree with that fact that you will need to come to a decision soon. As far as your parents go, (depending if you go the humanities route) they might need to see that you have some sort of employment plan in place or a direction you wish to take said major before their eyes are opened to the fact that a major change would be a good plan for you. You might want to do a little research on the types of jobs a certain major (like philosophy) could obtain. I think if they see the more practical side of the humanities (such as going into teaching for example) it might help. </p>

<p>As far as which major to pick, I can’t entirely help you there as I do not know you personally. There are all sorts of occupation aptitude tests though that you might want to look in to. It could give you a starting point. </p>

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<p>Do you know of any aptitude tests that are quality? I took a few free ones and was of course pleased to hear that I met the biomedical engineer AND english literature major with a 97% aptitude…</p>

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<p>Can you take a gap year to work and figure out what you want to study or will you lose your scholarship? If it’s merit based, working shouldn’t affect it like it might need-based aid. You could apply the money you earn toward any extra semesters you might need to complete a new major.</p>

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<p>Oh goodness…unfortunately I do not. I am hoping someone on CC might have more information on those. Does your school have some sort of career services department? They might be able to give you some direction as well. </p>

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<p>Yes, I’m planning on stopping by there tomorrow. I have trouble talking to the advisors in various subjects because none of them want to talk to you unless you are ready to commit to their major.</p>

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<p>I think I’d lose my scholarship if I took a gap year. However throwing money away on a new major I’m not sure about might be expensive too.</p>

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<p>I would verify with your school first that if you were to take some sort of leave of absence, if the scholarship could be renewed upon return. That might then help you decide if you are going to have more time to make this decision. </p>

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<p>Thanks I will.</p>

14

<p>Why don’t you list all of the majors you can declare that will allow you to graduate on time? Pick the one that appeals to you the most. If it’s close, go with the ones that are better for finding a job afterwards.</p>

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<p>Op,

  1. There is a great aptitude test called Johnson O’Conner. Check online to see if there is a site near you. It costs around $700 for multiple day testing and full reports on aptitudes and jobs that use those aptitudes.
  2. I personally thing that a philosophy degree is more useful than a music degree</p>
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<ol>
<li>And taking a year leave of absence might give you more time to figure out what you like to do</li>
</ol>

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<p>I will/have been working on said list, though I can’t tell for sure about the 4 year thing. It seems there is always something missing on the college websites. A year of absence sounds nice in some ways, though in others I’m honestly eager to either find my place in college or be done with it soon so I don’t know. I will check out the test, though I’m not sure about paying for it at the moment.</p>

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<p>You are good at English and like to analyze information…have you ever thought about being an attorney. There are so many different types (and it’s VERY good to be able to articulate well with writing). My DH was a psychology and forensic studies major. He chose those because his guidance counselor told him that law schools like to have students apply from all different majors (too many business), and would probably give more consideration to those that have “different” types of degrees if they have good grades. DH graduated with honors in Forensic studies, did well enough on his LSATS and was admitted to several good law schools. My bosses son majored in Philosphy at IU…to his parents dismay and worry…and decided to go to law school…and was accepted.</p>

<p>You don’t have to be a criminal attorney, as I know that’s what first come to mind. You can go into the business side…my DH is an estate planning attorney. Just something to consider if you would like to go down the humanities path.</p>

<p>Also, I understand the major issue from both sides now. My Dad only was supportive of a degree where I would be a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer or Accounting. He said he wouldn’t pay for a degree in “walking”. I never got to really find a passion. Now, being the parent…I also now try to steer my kids to degrees where they would be more employable. If they had a passion for something…that would be different. Since they don’t, I would steer them more towards degrees that were a “trade” like…sort of what my Dad did. </p>

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<p>Here’s an idea. You finish your music degree and then get a MAT (masters in the art of teaching) I am not sure if they give MATs for music, but an MAT is a one year masters which prepares people with no teaching experience to teach. This approach has the advantage of taking no more time, but allowing you to get a master’s. </p>

<p>I would discuss this possibility with the music department’s director of undergraduate studies and with your college counselor.</p>

20

<p>People who like philosophy and math might like economics. Economics is a “way of thinking,” involves algebra and often a bit of calculus at the undergrad level, and might be more employable than a humanities degree. </p>