I’m currently a junior in college. This is my first semester on campus – the past two years, I was at another school. I just transferred into my current school. At my old school, I was a Poli Sci major. I was planning on continuing my Poli Sci major at my current school. However, my current school’s Poli Sci department just rejected the transfer credits from my old school, saying that they will not count towards the major. I was not aware of this when I applied to transfer, and they only let me know a few weeks ago (so a few months after I’ve already been at my new school). I am planning to complete a shorter major (History) as I cannot graduate on time with a Poli Sci major. My school will not let me take more than four semesters to graduate (despite being a transfer), so I cannot tack on an extra semester to complete the Poli Sci major. I cannot take summer classes at my school to complete my major.
My parents are unhappy I’m doing History instead of Poli Sci. As a result, they are planning on hiring a lawyer to sue my school. They say I’m being discriminated against as a transfer student.
Here are my concerns:
Transfer students are not a protected class. There is no way, in my opinion, that this law suit will win. What do others on this website think? I am scared a lawyer desperate for billable hours will take on this futile suit (knowing it’ll lose) just to get a lot of money from my parents.
I am scared that my chances of getting a good job post-grad will go down significantly if an employer finds out about this suit. Am I correct in my fear?
Please, please help. I plan on showing my parents this thread to convince them to drop the lawsuit. I am worried my school and my advisor will hate me until graduation. FYI my parents are immigrants and are not super familiar with the American education system. Thanks in advance.
That’s what I figured. But I am very concerned about this – a lawsuit would go over very badly with my school’s advising center and administration. I am very worried my parents are trying to ruin my future. I keep telling them that this is a suit destined to fail, but they won’t listen. Again, they have very little familiarity with the American education system.
I agree with your points and would add to that list the significant likelihood that the case will get thrown out of court because I’m confident the school website states that transfer credits aren’t guaranteed in any way so I’m not clear what the cause of action would be. Lastly, I don’t know if your parents have standing to sue. They aren’t damaged by the policy.
I’d also point out that political science and history have overlap and there isn’t a clear benefit to majoring in one versus the other.
I am surprised your school will not allow you an extra semester or summer courses, especially if you’re willing to take the classes at your school and have the money to pay. Is there any way to appeal that policy?
I cannot appeal the extra semester policy. The reason why I can’t take summer classes is because my school has a very limited number of classes offered over the summer, and they’re not guaranteed to be Poli Sci classes. I think we find out in March (which is too late to declare my major).
I’m very confused. Are you the same student who wanted to transfer out of the Ivy but your parents wouldn’t let you? That thread sure didn’t make it sound like it was your first term enrolled at this college. Is it?
I’m not sure why a degree in history is such an issue. What is your career goal? Many students work in careers that aren’t named in their college major.
A degree in history seems like it could get you to that career goal…what IS that goal? Perhaps explaining how a history degree will get you to your end game will help your parents understand.
Sorry that’s confusing. To clarify, this is my first term enrolled at my current school.
What is your career goal? Many students work in careers that aren’t named in their college major.
I don’t want to get too specific as I’m afraid of being doxxed. I’m not interested in going to grad school immediately after undergrad – I’m interested in any corporate job after graduation (the higher paying the better). I’m not picky at all as to what said job would entail.
I will say…many colleges want you to complete the courses required for their major at THEIR college…because they are awarding you the degree. Perhaps that is this schools policy.
You want a high paying corporate job…I think you need to go and talk to the career center at this college. Perhaps you will get some guidance that will satisfy both your parents…and you.
I can’t imagine any corporate job being offered for a poli-sci major but rejecting a history major. Sounds like a bit of a tempest in a tea cup issue.
For anyone else reading this thread, I would greatly recommend reading in detail the transfer policies of any school you may be looking into. Many of the policies regarding how many semesters you can be at the transfer school, and what credits may or may not transfer are explicitly listed on the college websites.
If you can’t find that information during your research, those are important enough questions to get confirmation from the school in question - preferably in writing…though the school will probably send you the link you were unable to find to give you all the pertinent info.
You can also talk to the specific department you are interested in majoring in (and the registrar’s office) to get more information on transfer credit before you transfer schools. As this situation shows, it is worth the leg work in order to not be surprised when it is too late to change course.
OP you have through several threads presented a variety of narratives that suggest you need mental health support. In each case you describe a variety of dark forces persecuting you, malicious parents, conspiracies and threats. As an example…
“ I’m a junior at an Ivy who is dealing with extreme depression and anxiety. It feels like there’s no way I’ll be successful for this semester. However, my very strict tiger parents don’t “believe in anxiety and depression” and won’t let me withdraw from this semester/take a leave of absence for the following reasons:
“It’ll be a giant waste of our money – one whole semester’s worth of tuition down the drain.”
“Your mental health issues are just you being lazy, and if you try harder, you can get great grades for this semester.”
“It’s pathetic that you’re at an Ivy and want to take a leave of absence. Do you know how so many kids would kill to be in your position?”
I can’t focus enough to study for my upcoming midterms. I feel behind in all of my classes. I couldn’t go to class this week because I’ve been sleeping 15-20 hours/day. I feel like I’m drowning and there’s no way out.”
I don’t think CC is your best resource. Please seek out and receive the professional help you need.
Originally I thought about doing Econ/Math/Stats instead, but I realized I’m not strong enough in math to complete those majors (and with Econ, I don’t have enough room in the next three semesters to complete the major).
Your parents may want to sue but will they find a lawyer willing to take the case. I’m sure these colleges (which are businesses) have dotted the Is and crossed their Ts.
If history is of interest, I don’t think history vs. poli sci impacts career chances since you’re seeking a high paid corporate position - which is not really a goal by the way - as opposed to - seeking a job in a museum or a job as a car salesman or something specific.
I would not worry about an employer or even the school’s career center knowing you are the cause of legal issues - and thus you hurting long term chances. It is true - no business wants to be involved with someone that’s litigious. However, the odds of someone knowing about this wouldn’t be large.
That said, companies do check social media and otherwise today - so if you discuss on your social media or if your name is listed in a google search, it could be seen - and yes, as companies are typically risk averse, it could hurt.
Did this not happen - the next two paragraphs? If it didn’t…perhaps you can talk to the department chair or dean and explain this…but be sure it didn’t happen.
Please note that transfer credit evaluation occurs only at the time of acceptance. We cannot review transcripts and/or courses for transfer before a candidate submits an application.
Columbia does not award transfer credit for courses that are not analogous to those available at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. We encourage you to review our College Bulletin and Engineering Bulletin to become familiar with the types of courses that are offered here and therefore the courses that are more likely to be awarded credit.
I never got official confirmation from my current school that my major would absorb all the credits – I did get on the phone with one of my school’s advisors back in May, who told me that my credits are most likely going to all transfer into the Poli Sci major but that it wouldn’t be a guarantee. Turns out that wasn’t true, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.
That’s the thing. I’m scared a lawyer desperate for billable hours will end up wasting my parent’s time and money (while also taking advantage of the fact that they are unfamiliar with the American education system), thus ruining my own reputation with both my school and potential future employers.
Another thing my parents said is that they want to sue the school despite knowing that I don’t want a lawsuit. Is it legal for them to bypass my objections and still sue my school? (not on my behalf but on their behalf)
I feel like it can’t be legal but I’m scared it’s possible (or at least a lawyer will think it’s possible).
You really need to move forward toward graduation, and find a solid summer job or internship, paid or not - and today you’ll easily find paid. It doesn’t have to have the words intern but it should have substance.
Imagine a trial:
Defense: Ms Bloomington019 - were you given a guarantee that all your classes would transfer?
Bloomington: I wasn’t given a guarantee. In fact, my advisor told me my credits would most likely transfer but that wouldn’t be a guarantee.
Judge - I move to throw out this claim and have plaintiff pay for defense attorney fees for filing a frivolous lawsuit.
OK - I watch too much Law & Order - but you yourself said, you had no guarantee given.