Transfer music programs?

College Majors Music Major
1

I am in a B.A. music degree program at my college right now, I am going into my sophomore year but I am thinking of transferring schools. Not that I don’t like my school, it is really good and I love the professors, but I think I want to do a music industry program. I am doing an arts administration minor at my college but I feel like it’s setting me up for a career working with classical musicians because we just have to do a few business classes (no real music industry classes or experience in a recording studio) and I don’t think I really want to work with classical musicians, I’d rather be an artist manager or work in a recording studio or something like that.

I’m like 75% sure that I want to transfer but I don’t know if I should, I think my biggest worry is I end up not liking it. Someone suggested to me just finishing my degree and then getting my masters in music industry but that makes me feel like I’m wasting time and money because my degree I’m working on now is just general music with like a focus in performance and I like performing but I am not good enough to make a career out of it and I don’t think I could see myself performing for a living.
And I’m not sure if the 25% of me that is unsure is me not knowing if I want to major in that or just me not wanting to leave my college and my friends. And I don’t really want to ask my advisor for help because I’m afraid he will be biased and definitely try and convince me to stay at my current college.

So if anyone could help give me an opinion on if I should just bite the bullet and try to transfer or if I should stay at my current college…
and would it be better to transfer for the spring semester or wait and transfer in the fall???

2

Here are some thoughts that may be helpful (or not).

Sophomore year can often be difficult. You may have heard of the term sophomore slump. It’s a time when students start to really question what they are doing at college. Most pass through it.

Still you have legitimate concerns/questions that shouldn’t be ignored. A transfer is not simple but it’s not impossible. You will need guidance on it. You seemed convinced the advisor won’t help but you don’t know that. You don’t have to walk in and say you want to transfer. But you should discuss your concerns about the program to see if 1) they are valid and 2) if they can be addressed at your current school. Remember you’re an adult so you are asking for opinions NOT permission (you can do what you want). You should also ask the “opinion” of your teacher and any other thoughtful faculty member. And of course you should bring your concerns and the feedback from the faculty to your parents. In the meantime do well in your classes as you figure out your next move.

If you approach this in a mature, open way, you’ll benefit from others experiences. Maybe the teachers would even have some concrete advice (like semester or summer programs) if they better understand your interests. Sure there may be one “clueless teacher or advisor” giving you useless advice but I doubt it will be everyone since you say you like your professors.

Don’t be afraid to open up and ask for what you want. Adults ask each other for advice all the time. They may even help with a transfer or help you see how your current program, with some tweaks, could work for you.