<p>Here is my dilemma: I am a first year freshman at a private college, I am wanting to transfer to a community college and then a state school. However, my parents are against the idea. My reasons to transfer are (specifically the state school): the state is school is the best education school in the state (my major is Elementary Education), it is cheaper there (within four years I can save my parents about $15,000), this school also offers me A LOT more opportunities compared to my rural college, with my approximations I can get out in four years easily, there is a lot more social opportunities at this prospective school compared to my current one. Another benefit is that my boyfriend and a few of my friends go there, but that is not the sole reason I want to attend this school. I have friends here and my social life is not crippled at all. The school I am currently at offers me a small university and block scheduling (two to three classes, eight weeks long, so it's like taking six classes at the other universities). I also kind of feel my school is tainted to me now because I had a lot of pressure from my parents to choose this school opposed to the other. Any ideas as to how I can make my parents understand? Do I do it for myself or suck it up for my parents? </p>
<p>I would also like to add that this state school also is great for networking. College is about the education, but also the networking and a career. Which the state school can offer me for being well known, but they also have a teacher career fair, and my current school just does not have the networking capabilities due to the size. Most graduates stay in the area because this area, which I do not plan to do. </p>
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I’m not sure what you mean by this. Who will be paying for school? You or your parents? If they will then you need to get them on board. You’ve worked out a fairly good argument for the transfer. Have you tried broaching the topic with them?</p>
<p>I feel that my parents kind of pressured me to do the major that I started out with and the school that I am going to. My sister even said, “If you go to UNI I am not talking to you anymore.” So with that I made the decision that made them all happy. But what I am realizing is that I may not have been listening to myself and what would be best for me. My parents are paying for my tuition and books, while I am paying for everything else. The whole reason why I am considering transferring it when I told my parents I wanted to change my major, they freaked out and said that I had to transfer, but then changed their minds a few days later, I would not have considered transferring at all if that argument hadn’t happened. So now I am in a tough spot. Because if I stay the money will be hanging over my head (I have two younger sisters and an extra $15,000 saved would be nice for my parents). But if I transfer, then they would not like my choice. The state school was my second choice. I understand they want the best for me, but I wish I had the opportunities here that I can grasp at the state school. I have kind of talked to them about it, but my mom was completely against the idea and my dad was somewhat understanding. However, I have not talked to them about the networking, I also worked new numbers so the costs are different, but otherwise they know most of everything else. Those close to me (beside my parents, including my friends, boyfriend, and family members) feel that transferring is a great idea and are fully supportive of any of my decisions.</p>
<p>Give your parents a bit more time to get used to the idea that you want to change your major, and that you probably need to change your college/university too in order to be best prepared for that career.</p>
<p>Is this UNI in Cedar Falls? If so it probably is a better option for an education major than whatever LAC you are currently enrolled in. Your sister simply doesn’t know what a difference that can make for you professionally.</p>
<p>It is UNI in Cedar Falls. Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it.</p>