<p>I have recently completely changed my mind as far as my major. I originally wanted to go into the liberal arts at a small school. However, I have now changed my mind and decided to go into math and physics. I am now registered to attend Willamette University in the fall, but know that it will not be the best place for me. On top of that, I feel like I have settled for a school that is less than what I have dreamed about. I want to go further away from home and to a bigger, better school that will work with my plans. Graduate school is definitely in my future, but it feels like my plans are falling apart. When is the soonest I can transfer? Is it realistic/beneficial to transfer in the spring semester of my freshman year? Any help figuring out what to do?</p>
<p>First, take a deep breath and realize that you can major in math and physics at almost any place, including good quality LACs like Willamette. So try to look at the positive aspects of Willamette that caused you to apply there and later on, accept their offer of admission. Even allow yourself to fall in love with the place again, particularly once you are on campus and taking classes. In other words, let yourself get excited about college again instead of focusing on dreading going to Willamette because of X, Y, or Z.</p>
<p>Second, as long as you take the required freshman calculus courses and freshmen physics courses for math/physics majors, you’ll be fine for this year. If you have AP credit for Calc I and/or Calc II or Physics, then work with your adviser at Willamette to figure out which math and physics courses to take during your freshman year. If you’re still worried about the depth of the math or physics programs by the end of your first semester, then start working on figuring out where you want to transfer during the end of your first semester, over the winter break, and during the beginning of your second semester at Willamette. Get the transfer apps in on time (the deadlines for transfer apps are later than the deadlines for freshman apps), and plan on enrolling at the new school at the start of your sophomore year. </p>
<p>Third, if you decide to stay at Willamette after your freshman year, remember that LACs can provide you with a quality undergraduate degree in math or physics that will allow you to be a competitive applicant for graduate school, even at the top levels. You’ll just want to take as many courses in math or physics as you can, do extremely well in them, try to work with a professor or two on an undergraduate research project, and get to know your professors really well so that they’ll be able to write you great letters of recommendation for graduate school</p>