transferring to a better program -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: I am almost halfway through my sophomore year and I still have *no* idea what I want to do with my life. I don't have a passion for any of the subjects that I have taken, and it's become hard for me to imagine any that would. It's not that I don't think the subject matter is interesting, but I can't imagine myself spending the rest of my life dedicated to any one subject. The only thing I really have a passion for is music. Playing, listening, even a little writing. My school has no music department, and this is troubling. I am curious whether I should transfer to a school where I can study music. What do you think?

The A: Transferring to do a major you haven't tried yet is a risky business. I am, however, a big advocate of following your passion. Sound contradictory? Well, let's try another approach. How about taking a leave of absence for a year, and enrolling somewhere else and taking music classes? That way you don't do the transfer until and unless you're sure.

As a former music major - I actually transferred from a school without music to one with, so I know your dilemma intimately - I can tell you that the other thing you need to think about is what you mean by music. Most music programs still don't have significant course offerings in anything outside the Western canon. Maybe one or two ethnomusicology courses, one or two jazz or popular music courses, but nothing like a coherent course of study. So be careful that the place you're checking out has what you're looking for.

If, after a year, you've convinced yourself that majoring in music is really what you want to do, go for it. People will tell you that you won't make any money, why not study something practical, yadda, yadda, yadda. But the truth is, plenty of people make perfectly happy lives as elementary music teachers, piano teachers, wedding band guitarists and the like. And I'd put money down that most people's professions don't even relate to their undergraduate major. The work and discipline are more the point than the subject, anyway. So, follow your heart - just make sure you know what it wants first.

—Anahid Kassabian, Chief Advisor