<p>I made the choice to attend USC and follow the business path with no financial aid or scholarship because it was the "best" school that I'd been admitted to and I thought it would provide many good career opportunities and I also had the option of graduating within 3 years with the business admin major, as opposed to attending a UC and possibly taking 4 or more years to graduate. However, currently I find that I'm often feeling unhappy at this school and I'm not sure if I want to follow through with business. Changing majors isn't much of an option, as I'd rather not take longer to graduate and burden my family further - I still have another sibling who will be applying to colleges soon. I find my interests lie more so in graphic design or web design areas, which USC is not very well-known for. And I don't really have the option of taking on a minor as it would take me longer to graduate. Currently, my grades are average. There are a few classes that I feel I will likely receive a B in.
Also, I don't really feel like I fit in with the culture at USC. The whole greek life, partying aspect isn't really for me, and my current group of non-drinking friends make me feel left out as well. As I am unhappy with my situation here both academically and socially, is it best to attempt to transfer (and if so, for my second semester or for my sophomore year?) and if I do choose to, should I attempt to transfer into a school I'd already been accepted to (UC Davis was another option that I was considering for the price because I'm in-state) or should I try to pursue a school that does well in the graphic design area, at the risk me potentially finding that I'd rather not pursue that major later on as well?</p>
<p>A gap year may be a good option. It would give you a chance to find out what you really want to do. </p>
<p>Outside of community college, you will be hard pressed to find a school that would take a transfer with one semester of college under their belt. There are a few that prefer Sophomore transfers but the majority want you to be a Junior with all your lower division GE’s done. The UC’s especially want this. If you pull out after this semester or even after the end of the year, you’ll most likely need to go to community college first. That’s not to say that CC is a bad idea and it would help financially. I just don’t know how you, personally, would feel about it.</p>
<p>I will say that it’s common for freshmen to be out of sorts and feel like they don’t fit in their first semester. I can’t tell you how many we know that wanted to leave first semester but grateful they stayed as second semester was when they started to enjoy school. Talk to your family about your feelings. Take advantage of any school counselors available. You’d be surprised at how many kids get some help that way.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the issue with changing majors. At this point, it really shouldn’t slow you down too much. First semester should have been largely GE’s and school requirements anyway. Or did you take all business classes? How sure were you that you could graduate in 3 years? </p>
<p>Don’t plan anything drastic quite yet.
Most colleges don’t allow 2nd semester freshmen transfers. UCs will expect you to have 2 years’ worth of college credits (ie., apply during your sophomore year).
Continue to explore your social options, especially among non drinking friends. See if there are hiking/outdoors clubs, or perhaps academic clubs, crafts, movie clubs…Try everything.
If you’re still in the same mood in February, look for colleges that admit sophomore transfers who apply Spring of freshman year, but don’t expect to get the same amount of financial aid (which can be a problem depending on your circumstances).</p>
<p>Are you UC folks sure about that? The UC transfer page states that it is most common to transfer in as a junior, but that there are a limited number of lower-division students. It doesn’t say anything about the number of classes.</p>
<p>However, going from USC to a large UC may not change your environment. There is a party culture at every college. </p>
<p>If you are stressing about the cost of USC, you probably need to talk to your parents. If you are worried that chaning majors will require you to graduate in 4 years instead of 3 (guessing your AP credits may not apply in that case?) or to take on a minor.</p>
<p>When you say web or graphic design are talking computer work or design/arty work?</p>
<p>As others have said MANY freshmen college students find the first semester very stressful and that it doesn’t meet their expectations. It is hard to be away from home, live with another student, and adjust to college work. Finding like-minded kids can also be hard. It can be a mistake to decide first semester that you can’t find your people at school.</p>
<p>Instead of thinking about transferring just now, why don’t you consider taking second semester off? Consider it a delayed “gap” experience. That will give you time to think about whether you miss USC, whether you do want a business major after all (or you do want to change your major), and time to look at all of your options for further study. If you get a job during the gap semester, you can save up some money to help pay for wherever it is that you do decide to study when you are ready to go back.</p>
<p>@turtletime I’m currently taking 2 business courses. Being able to graduate within 3 years if I continue on the business path should be fairly easy as long as I am passing all of my classes and following the schedule my advisor helped me to put together. If I were to change majors, there may be more credits/requirements that I have to fulfill and my AP/IB credits may not transfer over, depending on what major. But also, I’m not 100% sure I want to change my major as well. The best case scenario would be to be able to minor but I don’t have the space for that in my 3 year plan. As I’ll be registering for next semester’s classes in a few weeks, and I don’t know if I’ll be ready or informed enough to make that change in that time.
@MYOS1634 If I were to attend a UC or a school that charges a similar tuition amount, financial aid wouldn’t really be an issue. It’s just that USC’s tuition is so notoriously high, with my sibling’s academic future in mind, that money is a concern for me. I also don’t think I’ll receive any financial aid this second time around seeing as I didn’t receive any at all when I first applied to colleges my senior year, not including a few academic scholarships from private schools.
@mom2and Yes, I know party culture is in practically every university. But I suppose it’s also the culture of southern california, or Los Angeles, itself, that makes me feel out of place. Also, USC is pretty well known for its prominent greek life.
@TomSrOfBoston @happymomof1 As helpful as a gap year may be, it likely would not perceived as too great of an option with my parents. There’s a stigma attached to gap years and community college (although maybe less so) in their mind.</p>
<p>My kids both graduated from USC–neither was into Greek life or actually much into parties (as far as I know). Both did find their niche at USC. I’d suggest you try to take (or perhaps try to sit in) graphics art course(s), so you can see what they’re like. </p>
<p>Have you tried having interviews with people in the fields you’re considering majoring in? Have you spoken with your advisor and the career placement folks about interviews? When our friend’s S was getting two bachelor’s at USC–on in engineering and one in finance, he was offered a mentor in the field that he spent a significant amount of time with. I believe he found that helpful. I’d inquire to see that’s an option and how to go about getting into that program.</p>
<p>As was said, adjusting to a new school and figuring out what you may wish to major in can be challenging. Try to get the best possible grades and learn as much as you can to give yourself the most possible options. Good luck! When you transfer, your grades MATTER!</p>
<p>Hmm, the three year plan is putting a lot of undue pressure on you. I mean, I get it. I graduated in 3 years but that was 20 years ago when AP’s gold and most everyone took them for credit. How do your parents feel about all this? Were they counting on you graduating in 3 years financially?</p>
<p>Have you looked into taking courses at a community college in the summer? There are some schools that will let you do this. USC seems to have some allowances for pre-approved classes. I have no idea if this would work for you but it’s work looking at. Taking a couple courses at home might help ease the 3-year stress.</p>
<p>I still don’t think it’s a good idea to leave after 1 semester. I’d see the year out if at all possible.</p>