<p>So the story is- I study at a tier 1 university right now in Kinesiology. Every class I've been in I got either an A or A+ so my GPA is flawless. I just finished my Sophmore year and am on track to finish in 4 if I wish to continue down this path. The problem is that I am completely unsatisfied with my academic experience's educational/practical value. I wish to chose a more difficult major or attempt to get into a more educational school. The problem with money is that I have to pay full tuition (which I feel is a complete rip off for what its worth). I don't want to switch majors and have to pay even more money (by virtue of losing credits) for an undergraduate degree which already seems like an extremely generalized academic certificate. I would be willing to transfer to a school where I could pay a lower price for school costs or look for anyway decrease the cost of my current schooling. Undergrad seems pointless and I know right now that I want to go into grad school. If this makes any difference my assumed 'new' areas of study would be in the area of biochemisty, neuroscience or neuropsychology, cognitive sciences, physiology. I was hoping my high GPA would help me out of a situation where I feel like I either have to overpay for a degree in a field that's simply not difficult enough or having to pay even more money for a different degree that will be more difficult but still fall into the watered-down aspect of an undergrad degree. Any help would be useful. Sorry if this is extremely vague- I wish to answer any questions to help you, help me.
Thanks</p>
<p>Take a leave of absence for a semester/year, get a job or do volunteer work related to your current field of study and/or projected field of study, and think about your long-term goals. Research the admissions requirements for grad programs in the fields you think you’d like.</p>
<p>My bet is that you can get into grad school with your current UG major from your current university, provided you keep your grades up, and choose the right elective courses. But if you are truly miserable, you need to change schools (how about your home state public U?) so that you will have the emotional wherewithal to keep those grades up.</p>
<p>I don’t think there will be a problem with emotional wherewithal to keep up my grades. And do graduate schools require certain electives or are some more preferred than others?
I really like the process of learning in class and the idea of being in a school- but not this one- So although I am not reluctant to taking a year off, it would not be preferred. Alternatively I’m looking to see if there is a chance of transferring and getting a fairly substantial scholarship if possible.
And the instate option would be possible, but I live in Massachusetts and the instate tuition is equal to that of out of state for many top tier universities.</p>
<p>Very few colleges offer merit aid to transfers.</p>
<p>I figured that would be the case. When students take a year or semester off, what do they usually do in hopes to find a more fitting major or school. Also, I have heard of a program where you can transfer to a school for one semester- a study abroad type deal but staying within the states. I tried looking up some stuff but I couldn’t find much on it. Are any of you more familiar with this?</p>
<p>Search for “academic exchange” or “guest semester” at your own university website. Some departments have formal exchange agreements with departments at other universities, and sometimes students arrange a guest semester or year on their own.</p>