Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Transfer Students
1

Hello everyone. Thank you for taking the time to read.

My story is this: I am a rising junior at USC. I am in the Thornton School of Music Popular Music Program as a Songwriting emphasis. It’s a great program, but in my 2 years there so far, I’ve felt very stifled. I’ve learned that although I love music, it may not be what I want to do all the time. Unfortunately, the Pop program is quite intensive, and usually packs my schedule so that I am unable to explore any other kinds of classes. I’m interested in foreign languages, psychology, philosophy… lots of things. But I have so far been unable to explore these interests because my schedule is full of major-required music courses. The only outside courses I’m able to take are the mandatory General Education classes - big lecture hall style courses in which, in my experience, the students and professors don’t seem to care very much.

So now I sit at a crossroads. I’ve formed some great friendships at USC. Professors in the program have a lot of faith in me, and a couple have taken me ‘under their wing.’ I’m in an improv troupe that I enjoy. And I know USC has a great alumni network. But I’m thinking about transferring in the spring, so that I can explore other things besides music.

However, I am paralyzed by fear. Fear that I will be making the wrong decision, leaving behind all these great connections in the industry, throwing away a great opportunity. Fear that I will leave, only to realize that “oh wait, I DO want to pursue music!” I understand that I can play music no matter where I am, but the Pop program is special in its connections to the industry, and is a huge boon to getting your foot in the door. And fear of letting go of my friends!

I regret not deciding to attend a liberal arts school in the first place. I wish I had been able to go through that process of trying many different things, and finding what attracts you. I am afraid I will graduate from USC no closer to understanding what it is I am interested in.

My grades are good. I have been looking at a few schools so far, namely Wesleyan, Bennington, Middlebury, and Vassar. Bennington definitely appeals to me because of it’s open curriculum, allowing students to essentially form their own majors.

So, what do you think? Should I try to stick it out at USC, or take a leap and transfer? Am I being too dramatic about this whole thing? It’s been stressing me out for a long time, and something has got to change: either what I’m doing, or my mindset.

Thank you for any suggestions. It is MUCH, MUCH appreciated! :slight_smile:

-Jake

2

Is there no possible way you can explore these subjects by either learning them independently or talking to your counselor about the situation? You can also take summer classes if this isn’t an option, assuming your summer is available.

3

I believe The Clash is right that if you go there will be trouble/ if you stay it will be double.

Stay.

4

“So now I sit at a crossroads. I’ve formed some great friendships at USC. Professors in the program have a lot of faith in me, and a couple have taken me ‘under their wing.’ I’m in an improv troupe that I enjoy. And I know USC has a great alumni network. But I’m thinking about transferring in the spring, so that I can explore other things besides music.”

I am confused why you can’t explore all these things you mention at USC. USC has a huge LAC component to it within Dornsife. Can’t you find all of those things you are searching for - foreign languages, psychology, philosophy - in classes at Dornsife? Can you double major or take summer classes to fill in what you are missing intellectually? Can you spend a 5th year there to fill the gaps you feel? Or even a semester? For the rest of your life, do you want to say you graduate from somewhere other than USC?

You would be giving up this very exclusive program and all those connections mentioned above and starting over at a school where you would have to find a “new rhythm” with people that have already made theirs as you have at USC. I am very familiar with USC (have graduate and one there), but not so much Thorton - can you talk to your advisor or Thorton professors about stepping back for a semester from the required classes and have a semester to grow in other ways? I actually see how things like philosophy would be great for a songwriter or any aspiring artist.

You are at a point where reality is hitting - school will end, and as an artist, you may be more reflective (maybe call it dramatic) than most or just quicker than others, maybe just more aware. You are wondering if you have gotten all that you can from USC/education before the big world pulls you out of school and into the abyss of its reality (I can be dramatic too :slight_smile: .) But there is truth to that, all kidding aside. I am constantly telling my kids to squeeze everything they can out of college, cause when it ends…well, you know obviously. College kids can’t wait to finish college, that is, until they finish it.

I think you are underestimating the change and leaving all that you know, and all the benefits you have there. If you said you hated your major and everything about USC, or were bored out of your mind, that would be another story. I understand some love USC and others don’t, it isn’t for everybody, but it does seem to have so much you are looking for. Your longing seems to simply be to broaden your education, which you can do there. You are wanting new challenges, but you don’t have to go across the country to find them and abandon all you have. I really think you need to talk to one of your mentors and tell them you are feeling boxed in and need to expand beyond the walls of Thorton and ask if there are ways to do that. Plan something dramatic to do next summer - go to another school for summer school to scratch this itch, or travel, whether a fancy trip to Europe or a grungy road trip across the U.S.

I think many in college wish they could get a do-over or try another school to answer the big “what if” they have. But like so many things in life, we don’t get do overs and just have to make the best of what we chose in the first place. A million people would love to be you at Thorton - envy is not a reason to stay - but you need to really look at what you have there and look deeper into making it more satisfying for you. There is a lot more soul searching and researching you can do there before you head east.

5

Two things to consider:
A different major at USC - possibly keeping music as a minor.
A semester abroad or in an exchange to a different college/university within the US.

Either/both of those options could give you a break from your current program without requiring a complete separation from the things you do like there.

6

How much longer are you able/ willing to stay in undergrad to finish a degree? Many students find that it can take them 3 years to complete college after the trnsfer, because while the credits transfer, they may not meet the new schools specific requirements. If you do think you want to transfer you may want to look at the requirements at the new school to see how much more time you will have to be in school.