<p>My freshman D has been away for just over a month. We have heard very little from her other than a quick email or text, and about three short phone calls and one long one. So, I guess we are to assume that all is going well. She seems to have adjusted to college life, she has a great group of friends that she has bonded with, and loves the city. I’ve been told that the small amount of contact is a good thing but I don’t know, it doesn’t feel that way.<br>
Advice on this?</p>
<p>Second issue. Short phone call on saturday: Mom, I want to change majors. I really want med school as my ultimate goal (this has always been the case), but I think I want psychology or neuroscience instead of engineering. She says she wants to learn through reading and writing, not endless problem sets. My question: can she really be this sure about a switch after three weeks of classes? This school was chosen primarily because she loved it, but also because it has a great engineering program. Advice on this too?</p>
<p>Most kids change their majors three times during their college careers. They generally don’t have to declare a major until end of sophomore year. </p>
<p>If she’s not dropping any courses, and is still taking a full load of engineering type courses this semester, it may be too early to worry about it. Suggest that she talk to some of her professors or to her advisors about what an engineering major is really all about. It may just be that the freshman courses are “endless problem sets”, but upperclass courses are more hands-on. While it may be too early for her to “know” that she doesn’t want engineering, it may also be too early to worry about it.</p>
<p>And if she’s going to an excellent school anyway, and is interested in medical school, not in being an engineer, what’s the problem with not majoring in engineering?</p>
<p>This is a time of exploration. Let her explore.</p>
<p>Engineering really isn’t an ideal major for pre-meds as grading tends to be harsher than in other majors. If she’s pre-med all she needs to do is do well on the MCATs, get great grades in the six or seven required courses for med school and make sure through outside classroom experience that being a doctor really is the right road for her.</p>
<p>I agree with Chedva. I have trouble understanding why a student would major in an engineering discipline if that’s not their real interest. There are so many other ways to prepare for med school–med schools want to see the standard pre-med courses, and after that, it really depends on the student’s interests. my H went to med school as a philosophy major.</p>
<p>And on a practical note, engineering GPAs tend to be lower, which can affect med school acceptance. Since it’s an otherwise excellent school, I see no reason for her to stay in engineering it it’s not what she really wants.</p>
<p>I think the contact thing varies from family to family. I read of LOTS of situations like yours where contact is infrequent and brief, and there are others like my D who calls usually twice a day - generally all pleasant and positive calls - the 2-a-days are what she likes (she’s chatty…) and I’m ok with that as long as she’s also busy with other people and things at school (which she is…). </p>
<p>When she does call you are the conversations worthwhile? If yes, maybe she’s just “all business” and likes to make the phone call, relay the updates and move on.</p>
<p>Staying in engineering during the intro courses if she’s ambivalent about engineering seems like a great way to get the results (a) that she won’t be an engineer, and (b) that she’ll have a hard time getting into the medical school of her choice.</p>
<p>I think she can know if engineering is not for her by three weeks into classes. My mom really wanted me to try out business, so I took accounting in the fall last year. I knew I hated it by about the second or third week in, so it was back to the healthcare track for me!</p>
<p>I agree, I wouldn’t go into engineering if the goal is med school. GPA is so important - why unnecessarily deflate it with engineering, especially if she dislikes it that much?</p>
<p>Thanks so much, everybody. My advice to her was, “Do what you love. The rest will work itself out.” So now I’m thinking that was the right advice!</p>