Changing Majors?

[tyranosarahrex]

Hello everyone,

While waiting it out, like the rest of you, I find myself freaking OUT. However, in addition to just the "Will my dream school accept me?" concern, I recently developed another one. I applied for the Applied Linguistics program but upon further research, and further freaking out, I'm starting to think maybe Literacy would be a better choice for me.

So now I have no idea what to do! Is it possible to change majors in grad school? If so, when would I be able to? Before school starts? Or should I ask to change my application now or something?

Blah. I appreciate any help you could give.

[UFGator]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q...graduate+majors

:D :D

only because I have nothing to input. Good question OP.

Edited February 9, 2011 by UFGator

[tyranosarahrex]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q...graduate+majors

:D :D

only because I have nothing to input. Good question OP.

Oh trust me, I've been googling like I have never googled before. I found no adequate answers, hence why I came to the experts.

[wtncffts]

I don't know anything about your programs, so let me ask: are these two different subfields under the overall discipline of 'linguistics' or completely separate departments? If it's the former, I'm guessing it's possible to switch, since I believe grad programs often expect that students' interests will change during their studies, sometimes towards other 'subfields' from those they 'applied for'. If it's the latter, I doubt it's possible. You would probably have to apply to that department separately.

All of this is probably also department/school-specific.

[LJK]

I don't think it is really possible for you to change graduate fields once you have applied. This isn't like undergrad where they take a large group of applicants and accept who they will think will do well somewhere in the school. Graduate programs tend to be run pretty autonomously from the rest of the school. They have their own funding lines, their own admissions committees. I think at this point, your choices are to continue you original plan to study Applied Linguistics should you get accepted to a program or to withdraw your applications and apply next year for the department you would really like to be in.

The last, last, last thing you want to do right now is to try to get your application transfered. That will indicate to the schools that you are not interested in their program and that they should reject you, which they will then do. If you want to continue to have the option of going to graduate school next year, don't tell the departments that you don't want their degree, that you want a different one.

Sorry that I don't have a more optimistic opinion on your options.

Edit: if these are sub-fields, you may have the opportunity to switch within the department as wtncffts suggests. But again, I would not do anything to convey your change in focus until you have acceptances.

Edited February 9, 2011 by LJK

[ZeChocMoose]

When I sat on the adcom as a master's student, we had someone "transfer" out of our pool and into another department. I don't know if that person got in-- but we had already voted to reject the person as it was clear that the person wasn't a good fit for what we had to offer. I guess I would find out if the program you want to be considered for has already made decisions or not. If they have, I would just stick with the program I applied to and evaluate whether I should attend if I get in. Also some master's programs can be pretty flexible for their curriculum. You might be able to take some Literacy courses.

[tyranosarahrex]

Well I sent admissions an email just asking hypothetically. I sent it from an email address I don't use so they couldn't trace it. Unfortunately I didn't know it still said my full name in the sender section and they looked up my application! So that's just great. Now I look all wishy washy.

It's actually two separate departments within Teacher's College at Columbia. I wish they were under the same one. Sad. I guess I'll just wait and see if I'm accepted. Or even still considered. Oops.