I’m currently attending a top 10 university but I don’t enjoy what I’m studying and they don’t have a program in the field I’m interested in pursuing. However, my state school does and is well ranked in the area. I think I would enjoy studying there and be more intrigued in my classes than now, and I could get a job doing something I feel is more rewarding. I would also be able to graduate debt free (or almost) from my state school and would probably have more than $60ishK in debt at my current school. But I’m hesitant because my current school is so well regarded by some people and my mom especially. If it wasnt for my current university’s prestige I feel like the decision would be a no brainer. Am I thinking the right way?
Can you tell us which state university you are considering?
Even not knowing this, this still seems like a no-brainer. Graduating debt free, from a university that has a strong, well ranked program in your major, sounds like a huge win. A $60k debt from a school that doesn’t even offer your preferred major seems like a big problem.
“I could get a job doing something I feel is more rewarding.”
Another huge win. This is probably the most important thing.
And…, you have a very good reason to transfer that will make a lot of sense when the admissions officers look at your application.
If the transfer application deadline has not passed, I would send in my application today or tomorrow.
It’s still a no brainer. Go where they have your major, it’s well regarded, and you’ll enjoy your studies.
Yes you are! It IS a no brainer- regardless of what your mom says.
Graduating from an expensive “prestigious” U with a degree in an area that does not interest you makes no sense when you can graduate debt free from a fine public U !
Apply to transfer asap!
Good luck!
Ditto.
Apply for the transfer. If you are admitted, go there. Do well.
I’m planning on going Clemson to study agricultural sciences they seem to have a lot of resources and good opportunities for ag majors and cool courses. I’m glad you see it the same way thanks
What is your current major or area of study ?
Really need more information. If I understand correctly, your current school is one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Chicago, Columbia, Duke, Penn, Northwestern or Johns Hopkins. And your total indebtedness will be about $60,000 when you graduate from your current school.
When did you develop an interest in agricultural sciences ?
Are you a freshman ?
I do not think that the answer is as easy as other posters do. You would be giving up a lot to enter into an area of study which may or may not remain interesting to you. A degree from any of the eleven listed universities is not only prestigious, but also quite valuable in the job market.
“I do not think that the answer is as easy as other posters do. You would be giving up a lot to enter into an area of study which may or may not remain interesting to you. A degree from any of the eleven listed universities is not only prestigious, but also quite valuable in the job market.”
@Publisher
I disagree.
regardless of the prestige of the OP’s current college, if it does NOT have a major in the field that the OP is most interested in studying, then staying there would be a waste of $$ and time
My DS transferred to a top 5 U that did not have many Profs who were interested in the area of Geophysics that held his interest .
He quickly realized his mistake and returned to the U that DID have multiple supporting profs who shared his passion for his eventual major. And he graduated without debt, which can be a financial albatross for college students for DECADES.
OP. go with your gut.
I totally agree. This isn’t a case of, I’m unhappy with the social life and want to transfer, which in many cases sticking it out makes sense. Something so fundamental as not having the major the student wants presents a very simple choice, in my opinion. The school the OP plans to attend is also well regarded in OP’s major, which is more important than the overall prestige of the university. And no debt? It’s really a very simple choice.
Although at first glance the choice seems clear, we really do not know if OP is just experiencing an uncomfortable adjustment and thinking that the grass is greener in a more familiar & less competitive environment.
Any well trained professional, whether a doctor, lawyer or therapist, knows that the first reaction should be to ask more questions in order to get more information before recommending a course of action. For example, what if OP’s interest in agriculture is a recently developed interest based on talking to friends at Clemson and is subject to change with the next mood change. Could be a long term, well thought out interest or could be a recent whim. We just do not know without asking for more information.
What we do know is that OP would be sacrificing a lot in the real world & especially with respect to employment opportunities. We don’t even know OP’s current major & options at his current top 10 university.
Those are good counter points @Publisher that my mom has brought up. I feel like my interest is pretty well based I’ve liked botany, food science, ag, etc. Since I was at least early teens and my family homesteaded for a bit but I guess I never seriously thought about pursuing the degree until I got in college. I think its hard to be 100% sure about what you want to do but this is as sure as I’ve been about anything. Im currently undeclared studying broad classes like bio, environmental science, etc but I’m not sure what major to pick at my current college maybe bio or envscience. I guess my fear is graduating with a broad degree not knowing what I want to do, in debt, and ending up going to grad school at clemson or similar anyway just to get a degree in the field I want. Thanks you all.
Have you missed the transfer deadline ? If so, can you enroll in summer courses at Clemson. Have you thoroughly investigated your options at your current top 10 university with the help of an academic advisor ?
Deadline appears to be July 1, 2019.
In answer to your question: Transferring because your current school doesn’t offer your major is a solid reason for transferring.
@Tykovsky : If you are certain that you want to make the move, then it may help to share with your Mom that you are transferring from a top 10 university to a top 10 program for your major (if true).