Transferring without a decided major?

Is this a bad idea? I’m currently at a California community college and want to transfer to NYU Arts/Sciences (among other schools). Im aware that a major is required, so I was thinking of declaring something close to what I might enjoy. I’m holding a 4.0 with 4 semesters under my belt. And I’m part of various clubs and honor societies. Would community college be the best way to narrow down a major before transferring? I’m worried that transferring without being sure about my major might limit me. For example, if I decide I like a certain subject after transferring to NYU, and not being able to access it because I didn’t apply to that school.

Thoughts? Thanks for any advice.

Bump. Any advice would be appreciated.

If you are transferring as a junior, you need to be ready to declare a major. If you are prepared (in terms of frosh/soph level courses completed before transfer) for more than one major, it may be possible to change after transferring, depending on the four year school’s policies on changing to the new major for transfer students. You need to investigate all of the possible majors at your transfer target schools to see what policies may apply.

Agreed that looking at your schools requirements for transfers changing majors and even just changing majors in general is important. Some make it easier than others while some make it harder to graduate on time. Also at some schools (ex:NYU) they are housed by different colleges (ex: business/arts and sciences) and may have specific requirements and specifications for switching into certain schools/majors

From your other thread finances are a concern for you.

Without a clear idea of what your goals are, switching to any school that costs more than you are spending now is not a good idea. Transferring to a wildly expensive school that organizes itself by field of study (such as NYU) is an exceptionally bad idea.

Indeed, continuing to stay in school without a direction might not be the best idea for you, especially as TV production (which you mention in your other thread) does not necessarily require a 4 year university degree- your AA might be sufficient (examples here: https://www.cacareerzone.org/profile/27-4031.00). It might be better for you to go get a job in the field and see how you like it. Whether you do or you don’t, you will learn a lot more about what sorts of jobs do suit you, which will help you focus your choices.

Thank you for the responses guys.

@collegemom3717 What about a film major? Would transferring to NYU into Arts an Sciences be bad for that? Would it limit me more than my current situation? What about other schools such as University of Michigan or Fordham. I think they have pretty flexible programs for undecided majors, right? Money might not be an issue for me, as some family members said they might be able to help out, and I could be eligible for aid.

Also, I should mention that I have about 37 transferable credits now. If I did wait another year, I would accumulate the necessary credits to transfer into the UC’s here (60), but I’d be 25 years old, and worry that I’d be missing out on the “college experience” if I were that age by then.

Sorry for all the concerns. Thank you again for your response!

“If I did wait another year, I would accumulate the necessary credits to transfer into the UC’s here (60), but I’d be 25 years old, and worry that I’d be missing out on the “college experience” if I were that age by then.”

You are what, 24 now? Hitting 25 is not going to make a big difference in your college experience.

How is it that you have been at your CC for four semesters, but only have 37 transferable credits? Did you need to take a bunch of remedial classes? Could you only afford to study part-time? It is almost always best for CC students to finish up their full AA/AS degree before transferring, but that is something the Transfer Advisor at your CC should be able to help you determine.

Go to your campus counseling center, and get some help sorting out your career and transfer goals. You need to have a plan for continuing your education that is more than “I want to go to NYU because I think it would be fun to be in New York City”.

Your question has been asked & answered: yes, transferring at this stage without a clear idea of what you want from the new college (besides the ‘college experience’) and your degree is a bad idea.

You do not appear to like the answer, but when you get consistent answers from seriously respected CC posters like @happymomof1 and @ucbalumnus you should pay attention.

Also, I’m sorry, but you have already missed the movie version of the “college experience”- by the time students are juniors, they are getting focused on their major, are taking on leadership positions in their ECs, thinking about internships and grad school and jobs, etc.

COA at NYU is $73, 000 per year. The average award for first year students who demonstrate financial need is ~$35K.* If * you got that much, would your family “help out” to the tune of 40k/year for you to go to film school?

Anyway, I’m sticking with my original opinion: as you don’t have a good idea what you want to do, which in turn implies that you don’t know what college or program would be your best bet, stop wasting money on school and go try jobs in any of the fields you are thinking of, then go back and get the type of qualification that is best suited for that career path.

@collegemom3717 @happymomof1
Thanks for the replies. I guess I was still holding out hoping to transfer for that experience, which is why I wanted to transfer with less than 60 credits as a sophomore. But it might be better to take the slow and steady route as you’re suggesting, so I can at least know what I want to do before I dive into a 4 year school.

I do want a Bachelors however, as opposed to an Associates. I don’t think the UCs require the latter, but I’m not sure if out of state schools do for transfer.

I’m receiving financial aid now, so I think I’m going to stay in CC until I find something that clicks.

@happymomof1
The reason I only have 37 transferable units is because I graduated high school back in 2012 and had some personal issues in my life which made college not an option at the time. From 2016, I’ve slowly worked up from about 2 courses to a full course load now.

Thanks again for the replies.