[fcsol]

I'm currently taking Cognitive Science at Univ of Toronto (going to 3rd yr. this fall '08) and recently got accepted to OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design) for Environmental Design. I've always wanted to study art and design but I focused more on what would make my parents happy, that's why I chose UofT after highschool. They're not thrilled that I'll be transferring schools after 2 years of hard work at a prestigious university, and feel dissappointed that I'll have to start all over again. I want to stay and finish my degree for the sake of my parents and since I'm halfway through it, BUT at the same time, I don't know how much longer I can stay at UofT, it's driving me nuts . I hate my program, I have crappy marks, but I get to finish after 2 more years and I can help my family after graduating. I'm excited to study at OCAD and do something I actually love, but I start at 1st year again and art school fees are no joke.

I've thought of just switching majors but my school is not really big on art and design courses or programs. There is Fine Arts, but is limited to first year students for the required courses (I'll have to be waitlisted, and there's only more or less 100 spots).

What would you do?

[krit]

I'm sure you won't start at rock bottom again (will you?) Won't your humanities, sciences, and other general requirements transfer over? You should have at least a yr, a yr & 1/2's worth of transferable credits. It's hard to imagine they wouldn't take the credits (unless your basic credits were all C's)

If I were you... i'd finish getting some sort of degree there, but only if I could manage a 3.0/B overall gpa. (I think even a 2.7 gpa is pushing it) Having a background in design and science/whatever-you-choose-to-major-in will be extremely beneficial once you finish your undergrad education. You'll have a broader market to pull work from, but if your grades are lousy, then it'll take away from the edge of having a UT degree, and possibly limit you to just your creative side. (which would suck, because then those 4 yrs of suffering wouldn't serve any purpose)

Have you visited the Art dept @ UT? Spoken to the chair or any advisors? Or maybe just look at the majors offered throughout the university & their requirements to see which ones you can stand (and possibly enjoy) doing till you graduate.

anyway, good luck.

[shaf]

I've been in you shoes before, back in secondary/high school, my parents never really did force me to choose this, that or the other but you could tell what would make them happy and me being me, never wanting to hurt anyone or go against their wishes I just followed what I know they wanted me to do and that wasn't doing much for me. So one day I pretty much told them that I'm gonna be studying Graphic Design and that there isn't anything else I can excel at no matter how hard I might try cos I cannot get into it, and today I'm studying Graphic Design as I've wanted to.

I know it can be hard but you got to realize if this is what you truly want, are you in this for yourself or your parents? At the end of the day its you whos going to be the one getting up every morning to attend a class you might hate.

If I was in your case now I'd transfer, yes it'll make my parents unhappy but truly how long for?

[fcsol]

Thanks guys. I have until May 28 to decide whether I'll be transferring to OCAD, and still undecided lol! I talked to my parents and they gave me the "do what will make you happy" line.