Honest Opinions, please

helloimaleks
Thu, 01 Nov 2012 23:34:21 +0000

Hello all! This may get long, but I am in a bind. I appreciate any input, really.

I am in my sophomore year of college at Florida Atlantic University (FAU.) However, I am 60 credits in due to advanced placement courses in high school, so I am techincally a junior. I originally applied to UF, FSU, UCF, and FAU, and was accepted into all. In the end, I chose to go to the FAU Honors College, which is a separate college from FAU with all classes being Honors level, accumulating to a Bachelor Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a concentration in an area (mine was literature). I enjoyed the school; it is extremely small and I lived on campus. The people I met were very genuine, and it was easy to feel at home there. However, this summer, I was picking out a fall schedule and realized that the course offerings in literature were very limiting, among having to commute to the main campus in Boca (45 mins away) for other classes. So, I decided to save money, time, and gas and move back home to attend the main campus. This is where I am now.

Here is where I am stuck: FAU is a good school, if you take advantage of what it has to offer. However, I have found that the courses are not up to par with what I am used to. I graduated in the top 25 ranking in my high school. I am not being challenged, and I was always used to being challenged, and enjoy it. I live at home now, which I didn’t imagine being a part of my college experience. I worked hard in high school, and still do, so when I am not challenged I feel more like I’m regressing. I keep myself busy with work, but I can’t help but want to transfer to Florida State University, which I have visited multiple times, know of their English department/what it has to offer, and have always been drawn to. I guess I’ll list out pros/cons: my options are either to finish at FAU, or transfer to FSU in the Spring.

My goals, as far as career/opportunities: degree in English (creative writing concentration) and a Teaching English as a Second Language certification and minor in Linguistics. I am passionate about education, and my hope is to teach for 1-2 years through a fellowship program in an underseved county within the country before grad school. Then, go on to graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology, followed by a second masters in creative writing.

Pros to staying at FAU:
-I can graduate by Spring 2014 and get out and on with my future plans
-Save a lot of money (which, in turn, can be put to grad school and studying abroad)
-I have a wonderful job at the university writing center
-editor-in-chief of a literary magazine
-know the professors, be part of the English Honors department

Cons:
-no challenge
-lack of college experience/personal growth

as selfish as it seems, just not being content with where I am because it was not originally what I chose. Believe me, just reading this makes me scoff at how selfish my cons are. C’est la vie.

Pros to FSU:
-stellar English department, with specific creative writing track
-Enjoy the area/college life
-lovely weather and beautiful campus
-larger school with more of a reputation and resources
-hopefully more of a challenge; hopefully leading to being content with where I am and like I in the right place.

Cons:
-starting over
-I am technically a junior. I spoke with advisors there and they said it’s fine for me to transfer, but would it be worth it for a year and a half?
-7 hours away from home

I would have to transfer in the Spring and have no clue where to live

more expenses



Well, folks-- there you have it. Please be harsh, or please don’t be. All I ask is for honesty. I appreciate any input! Have a lovely day, and thank you for taking time to read this and, if you do so, respond. All the best!