what should I do?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello everyone - sorry if this is in the wrong place.</p>

<p>I’m currently an undergraduate in a private university. Right now I’m regretting not working harder to get into a better school, and I really desire to leave the school and city I’m in. My current school is full of people who love to party (i like to party, but our definitions of party and frequency are off), are apathetic, and very much not like myself in many ways. I desire a school where people are ambitious, creative, innovation, passionate, and want to make a difference in the world they live in. I’ve come to realize my school is not for me because I want to surround myself with like-minded people, here of which there are none.</p>

<p>My high school grades were mediocre, (3.2), my ACT decent (29), very few ec’s. Right now credit-wise I’m approaching my junior year. However, since being here my own effort has been poor, and my transcript record is poor, as is my current GPA. I wish I could go back, but I can’t.</p>

<p>I want to go to school and learn as much as I can about the topics I enjoy - Economics, Philosophy, and Politics. If I could, I’d major in four majors. Right now I intent to get multiple degrees over several years. I’m not necessarily going to school for the degree; I’m working on starting my own business, and I feel like I’ll never actually use the degrees for employment.</p>

<p>Which of these options is the most practical? Keep in mind I’m seeking a school with people like the ones I mentioned above.</p>

<ul>
<li>Transfer (current issue, gpa)</li>
<li>Complete my undergrad degree, apply for a second degree somewhere else (what are the difficulties associated with a second degree and going to a new school?)</li>
<li>Complete my undergraduate degree, go to graduate school somewhere else</li>
<li>Take a year hiatus, maybe 2-3 classes part time to improve gpa, and focus on writing my book, starting my business and working on other passions I have, then reapply (would this give a significant change?)</li>
<li>Other options?</li>
</ul>

<p>Are there any cities that are especially known for passionate, ambitious, innovation people?</p>

2

<p>1) Transferring may be difficult due to your GPA. However, if you try one of your home-state public Us, it might be cheap enough that you could take the time you want to study the subjects you are interested in. In my experience, if you look around at a big cheap public U, you should be able to find plenty of people who “are ambitious, creative, innovation, passionate, and want to make a difference in the world they live in.”</p>

<p>2) Second BA: If you are made of money, this can be an option. However, financial aid usually isn’t available, and some institutions simply don’t admit second BA candidates. You have to think carefully about your goals. And again, your college GPA might work against you at some institutions. The people I know who have completed second BA degrees all did it at their home state public Us because of the money issue.</p>

<p>3) Grad School: Admissions is based largely on your GPA and your letters of recommendation in the fields of study that you mention. So, you if you stay where you are, you need to put in the time necessary to pull up your grades.</p>

<p>4) Take time off to concentrate on your passions: This is what I would advise you to do. Nowhere is it written that you must complete a college degree at all, which means that you are under no particular obligation to complete one within a particular time frame. If you have a viable business that can support you, and you don’t like your college, it makes perfect sense to concentrate your effort on that business right now. If you go that route, you should take time off entirely from college work. This will allow you to have all of your energy available for the other projects. You should ask for a “leave of absence” from your current university so that you have the option of returning there if you feel like it later. But it is most likely that your time away will help you determine where you really want to study, and your experiences in that time will probably make you a better candidate for the college/university that you ultimately decide to transfer to.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>

3

<p>One other option - is there another better college nearby where you can take courses and hang out with more serious students, and it still counts towards your degree? Or you could at least study for a summer or over winter break at a different college. If you do well there, it may make for an easier transfer and you can test that college out.</p>