<p>I'm currently a sophomore at a public university. I've been going back and forth on my major since freshmen year. I really love cities, urban environments, and architecture. At my current school the closest major to that is geography. There's another public university (actually in state for me) that has urban studies. The problem is I love the college I'm at. I like the people, professors, honors department, etc. The other college has the major I'm interested in, and it would be a little cheaper. Anyone's child face a decision like this? I could do geography, or transfer. I'm not sure what to do. Thanks!</p>
<p>Just tagging because I’d like to see what people say.</p>
<p>I don’t have experience with this, but if you’re sure you like urban studies better, I’d transfer. Geography isn’t at all the same. Have you researched the types of jobs you could get with both majors?</p>
<p>The grass ain’t always greener. If you like your school now . . . stay. Your UG doesn’t matter much. Go to grad school.</p>
<p>You need to explore the possible majors more thoroughly. Do you WANT to be an architect? Do you have the artistic talent for that? Urban studies has a whole different set of job potentials than architecture. What specifically do you have in mind? What type of work could you see yourself doing? What is our major now, and why are you considering abandoning it?</p>
<p>I say stay put. Loving the school and having it “fit” will help you succeed. Going to the different school might open you up to a major you think you’ll like, but if you’re miserable what’s the use?</p>
<p>The OP said he liked architecture, not that he wanted to be an architect. He was thinking of geography. Unless you’re going to go on to graduate school I’m not sure I’d major in that.</p>
<p>I would stay and try this if possible…</p>
<p>Major in Geography. If you can, get your emphasis in GIS. There are a fair number of jobs in that area many of which involve the mapping of urban envrionments.</p>
<p>Many schools require you to get a cognate minor/self developed minor emphasis in addition to your liberal arts major. I would create my own cognate area in urban studies. Look for classes in Political Science, Sociology, Art, even Education that deal with urban issues, policies, buildings, etc.</p>
<p>You would be prepared for graduate school in geography or urban studies.</p>
<p>
My point is that he/she doesn’t seem to have thoroughly explored what motivates his interest in these fields, and where they could potentially lead him. More study and introspection is needed before making such a major life decision.</p>
<p>Hi all. Thanks for the responses. I’m a “she” btw.</p>
<p>I am not interested in majoring in architecture (no way!). I like historic architecture and how it affects the neighborhood/city it’s in (density, identity, history, and general appearance); how people affect the spaces and evironments they live in, and how they create identities for those places. I’m also interested in historic preservation and revitilization. I could see myself working for a city government, preservation society, or neighborhood revitilization effort. I’ve just recently become interested in urban evironments specifically. One of the neighborhoods in my city is experiencing a revitilization effort. Watching them balance the historic nature of the neighborhood and the current needs of the neighborhood (safety and low occupancy for one) interests me very much. </p>
<p>I think I’ll stay at my current university. I like it too much to transfer. I’m definitely going to set up a meeting with a career counselor, and the geography department to see if my interests can be pursued in their department. Or if my interests will even yield a decent career/job after I graduate! :)</p>
<p>Yes, Op, do just that. As a sophomore, you can start to imagine what you want to do AFTER you graduate from UG.
Do you plan to work? Can you afford grad school? Are there any interesting internships you can apply for related to any aspect of your interest?
I also see connections with
Anthropology
History of Art
Living abroad in a city and exploring it
Political Science
Good luck- do not worry that your interest does not fit exactly into an academic subject or major!</p>