Howdy,

I am in big need of some advice; I've been losing sleep over this. I have been planning on transferring to A&M for quite some time and I'm also planning on going into the LERE program at A&M eventually, after I get my undergrad. I was accepted in Novemer as a economics transfer, however I really want to be a finance major, so I'll probably apply again as a finance major. However, due to financial aid, I won't be able to transfer to A&M until I am classified as a junior.

Here's the problem, I won't be a junior until January and Mays does not accept spring transfers. Here's my options:

1) Go to A&M in the spring as an economics major. I don't know about this because I've heard that it is a lot easier to apply as a finance major than it is to change majors to finance. Besides, I might not even be able to get into Mays, so I'm stuck with economics which I really do not want to do. I don't know what I can do with an economics degree and there's always the outside chance that I won't be able to get into the LERE program. So then I'm stuck with a bachelor's in economics which I don't know what to do with.

I also don't really want to pay for a bunch of junior-level economics classes that I can't apply to a finance degree.

2) Apply to A&M as an agricultural economics major. Same problems with option 1, but I like the agricultural economics major better than the economics major. I especially like it with the real estate option and ag. econ majors are second only to the finance majors in enrollment numbers in the LERE program. But I don't really have a huge interest in agriculture and I'm afraid the degree will really limit my jobs if I don't get into the LERE program.

I could also transfer to A&M as an ag econ major, then try to change to finance after one semester, although I'll be losing out on the ag econ courses that I took. But IF I can change to finance or IF I stay in ag econ and get into the LERE program, I can live with the ag econ degree.

3) Major in construction science. I already have a background in this and worked in construction estimating so this isn't as oddball as a choice as it seems. However I really don't want to work in construction on the service side. I really wanted to go to school in order to get into real estate development, on the financial deal-making side. I don't know of any former COSC students who were in the LERE program.

4) Transfer into finance at Angelo State spring of '08 as a junior, then apply to transfer to A&M in the fall of '08. I really like this option, but I'm not sure that A&M will accept junior-level finance courses from Angelo. But if I have to stay at Angelo, I'll be able to major in something I really want to do and it's also cheaper so that's a bit of stress off my back. But I don't know how bad that will affect my chances of getting into the LERE program at A&M. I'm afraid that if I don't go to A&M, I won't be able to make myself known to the LERE professors and I'll have a harder time of getting accepted.

5) Go anywhere spring '08 part-time to get 66 hours and then apply to A&M as a transfer. I prefer option 4 over this because I won't be a semester behind. I'm already behind with school and I just want to finish.

I really don't know what to do about it. I like option 4 because if I get accepted to A&M fall of '08, and they won't accept the finance courses from Angelo, I probably can live with that because at least I wasn't sitting on my ass.

But I really, really want to get into the LERE program.

As usual, I'll take this one.

Here is your first problem:

quote:

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Go to A&M in the spring as an economics major. I don't know about this because I've heard that it is a lot easier to apply as a finance major than it is to change majors to finance

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WRONG. Erroneous on all accounts. Whoever told you this was gravely mistaken. I know through sources that to directly transfer into the Business School here requires AT LEAST a 3.8-4.0 to even be COMPETITIVE. In fact, it is the opposite of what you have stated. I did this option. I came in as an INTS major, decided I didn't want to be in school for 30 years and transferred to Business. It's simple, and don't catch me on semantics (we've had these discussions before)... 3.0 in specified/core/CBK classes (there is a list, called the Big 8; MATH 141/142, ECON 202/203, ACCT 229/230, INFO 210, MGMT 211). Make a 3.0 in those classes, and a 3.1 overall in your other courses (you have to have AT LEAST 30 TAMU hours to transfer cirriculum).

All those other options are ok, but they are difficult. I personally like the Economics option. You said you don't like Economics, but if you are trying to do Finance, it's not that much different. Take a look at CNN Money's rankings of earnings of college grads and they usually group Finance and Economics together.

Also, you said you don't want to get behind and just want to finish school. Sad but true, it doesn't look like thats possible. I was going to graduate on time, but since I transferred I had to work on the Big 8 courses and got the business ones (ACCT, INFO, MGMT) out last semester. I'm currently working on one last one but got a waiver for the other 2 that I'm taking (INFO 303 and MKTG 321). You'll probably just have to take the hit and transfer. But on the other hand, you might have taken the equivalents of some courses (say, Math 141 or 142) and they could count as transfer grades, which don't count on your GPR, just as credit.

The only other thing I would tell you is to watch your hours, you can't transfer more than 75, you must have at least 30 residence hours and some other stipulations.

http://mays.tamu.edu/services/upo/currChange.htm

And now that I read it, I forgot one poster corrected me on something. You need a 3.0 cumulative, not a 3.1. It was 3.1 when I transferred in but they must've changed it afterwards.

hth, got any other questions ask me.

And also, what's LERE? Is that the Land and Real Estate program? My roommate is RE right now and other friend is doing Grad work for that... if you have any questions about that I can ask them too.

Thanks for the reply, Represent. However, with the exception of maybe Math 142 and Info 210, I am going to have most of the Big 8 completed by the time I'm ready to transfer to A&M.

If you're telling me that Mays wants me to take the Big 8 all over again at A&M, I can't do that. Not only it is a time consideration but a financial one as well. I can't spend the next five or six years just working on my bachelor's.

So I have to have 30 resident hours at A&M in order to even change majors? So if I transfer in as another major at 60 hours, I can't change majors until I have 90 hours total (60 transfer + 30 A&M)? At that point I might as well graduate with the current major.

But I don't know if I understand you correctly. I was hoping that I could just transfer in with 60 to 75 hours. I think what you are telling me is that it's easier to transfer into A&M as another major, then scratch out all the CBK classes I've taken outside of A&M so I can do them over again in order to try and get into Mays. That's not really an option for me and there's too many pitfalls it seems.

But then again don't I have to be a business major to even take the CBK classes at A&M?

I did consider economics as a major, but I just don't know if I can get the same types of careers in real estate with it as compared to finance. Does anyone have any experience with this?

I could also major in construction at A&M and then get into the LERE program, but I can do the same with economics and not pigeonhole myself into the construction industry.

Represent, ask your friend if he had any letters of recommendation to get himself into the LERE program or if he just focused on the GPR and GRE. I appreciate your help.

Geister,

you really need to do a lot of research into this. It is nearly impossible to transfer into Mays from out of A&M. Best is to get into A&M ASAP in a major and take these "big 8" classes. You dont have to retake them if A&M recognizes your current ones. Once you are in A&M, have 30 hours, and have taken your big 8 classes, it shouldn't be that hard. I have seen a lot of people do this without a problem. However, you should talk to someone that has done this, the admissions people at Mays, or someone that can help you more.

quote:

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But then again don't I have to be a business major to even take the CBK classes at A&M?

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no you don't, that's why they're called "core classes" or "common body of knowledge" classes. I was a biomedical science major and of that "big 8" list, I've taken Math 141/142, and Info 209 (210 for the business folks). my engineering former roommate took all those classes (except the math ones, she had engineering math instead).

fwiw, at A&M:

business non-business
Math 141=Math 131
Math 142=Math 166
Info 210=Info 209
Acct 229=Acct 209

basically, these classes have the same coursework as their "non-business" counterparts, and they transfer.

also, have you looked at the Texas Common Course Numbering System? it's how I made sure the classes I took at juco would transfer to A&M. find the classes you've already taken, see if A&M has its counterpart (which is very likely). the ones that A&M has as its counterpart, those classes WILL transfer.

this website is searchable.
http://ccn.tccns.org/tccns/default.asp?DB=2006&mode=SBIR

[This message has been edited by aggiecheer06 (edited 2/4/2007 1:08p).]

[This message has been edited by aggiecheer06 (edited 2/4/2007 6:10p).]

Stonana, I have done this before, it's where I am now. But he's also right at the same time. You need to get into this school ASAP. You don't have to take the Big 8 if you can get them transferred over from your CC/juco. My friend was in the Business School since she was a freshman but took both Accounting courses back home in San Antonio and they transferred over (very smart, wish I would've done this option). Contact someone in the UPO and see what you have and what will transfer. Transfer as a liberal arts major then take the classes you need to move to Mays.

Also, when you do transfer, sign up for T-Camp in August. Speaking of that, AggieCheer did you go to camp?

T-camp? hell no, I went to Fish Camp. still took classes at junior college for 2 summers so that I could graduate on time.

Hell no?!? Come on, that hurts my soul! That's my life!

Ok, I was wondering how you went to juco and came in as a freshman... but oh well. Are you a business major?

biomedical science. lots of people go to juco in the summers, or even during the semester (easier classes, wish I had done so for physics), that came in as a freshman. I went to juco the summers before and after freshman year.

[This message has been edited by aggiecheer06 (edited 2/4/2007 3:40p).]

But like I've said before, I cannot go to A&M until I am a junior. So transferring into liberal arts as a junior, then taking 30 hours at A&M before I can even change my major to finance is NOT an option for me. I cannot spend 5+ years on a undergrad.

So basically if I want to get into Mays I'll have to try an outside transfer which I still have a shot at.

Right now I'm really trying to decide if I should be an economics majors at A&M or a finance major somewhere like at Angelo State. The economics major doesn't quite have the classes that I want and I don't know if the same jobs will be available.

quote:

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I cannot go to A&M until I am a junior

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why not? if it's an issue of timing, take a break from school and work to save some money. it shouldn't be an issue of hours, since people transfer in with varying levels of hours.

btw, I was an RA for 3 years, so questions regarding majors were something that my residents often asked me about. my main piece of advice was this: unless you are engineering or wanting to be a CPA, it doesn't matter what your major is, only the skills you pick up and the people you talk to. that being said, economics and finance are similar enough that you will pick up the same skills set and can meet the same people. the best way for Aggies to get jobs in the business world NO MATTER WHAT THE MAJOR is to go to the business career fair, resumes in hand, and talk to people.

Because I'm paying for the entire tuition on an independent Stafford loan, and I get an extra two to three grand a semester as a junior.

Aggiecheer, I understand what you are saying and agree with it, but the thing is that I don't want a degree just to get my foot in the door with any job. I really, really want to go into real estate. I also don't want to have to job hunt.

So I really need to determine if that is possible with an economics degree without too many pitfalls. Are there any econ graduates on board?

real estate is something you can do with ANY major, just like going into business. same as medicine, all that is technically required to practice medicine in the state of Texas is to pass the exam. all that is technically required to practice law in the state of Texas is to pass the bar. all that is technically required to sell real estate in Texas is to pass the real estate licensing exam.

I'm not trying to discourage you from applying to Mays or LERE, but I'm trying to tell you that there are options just in case you can't get into Mays. trust me, it's not the end of the world. I've had several friends who were economics majors because they couldn't get into the business school and they've gone on to great careers. but Represent is right: it is much easier to get into A&M first, then change majors, rather than transfer directly into Mays.

try economics or Ag economics or even general studies for ONE semester, take the business CBK courses that you haven't taken already, get your GPA up, then transfer in that way. if you end up liking economics, then no time is wasted. if you have to stay longer to do what you want to do, so be it. I wasted 6K by going to grad school for one semester and dropping out. now I'm attending nursing school in the fall. so it's going to take me a little bit longer to get out of school than I initially planned, and I'm going to have to take out a slightly bigger loan to do that. however, it's a small price to pay for being happy and doing what you want to do.

think about it and know that all is not lost.

I appreciate the advice, aggiecheer, but like I've said, transferring in and then chaning majors is not an option for me. I will transfer to A&M with around 60 hours. I have to be at A&M for another 30 hours before I can change majors.

I won't change majors when I have 90 semester hours. That, and it is way too expensive for me to waste an entire year of college.

Also, I'm interested in real estate development, not selling it. I am considering becoming a broker, but I want to be in the real estate industry.

What did your econ friends do after college?

Also, if I major in econ with a business minor/BEC and taking business classes as electives, shouldn't I be alright compared to finance majors? I mean, the only jobs I can find that only want accounting/finance majors are auditing jobs that I won't have an interest in anyway. I don't want to count pennies or beans.

Thanks!

Geister,

If you are saying you won't transfer to A&M and then change majors, then you should just accept the fact that you won't be getting a degree from Mays. Transferring in is nearly impossible.

Also, you won't just get into Real Estate Development by chance. You are probably going to have to "job hunt" and network. A lot of people want to do that.

If you really want to get into Mays, then find another way to pay for college beyond just Stafford loans. Life is all about risk/reward. Sure you might have to take out some private loans with bigger interest rates, but in the end it will probably pay off. Maybe you will get scholarships from A&M or find a job that will give you enough extra income.

I don't believe the whole idea that any major can get the same job except engineering and CPA jobs. I think having a business degree would be much better for real estate development.

I can't help about anything in the future such as Cheer and Stonana are talking about, I can only help with the transfer process and I agree that you pretty much can only try for a direct transfer unless you find another way to fund your college career other than Stafford loans. There are millions of different loans out there, although if I'm not mistaken Stafford loans are federal and they just lowered the rate on those so I see why you would stay on those... but seriously, if you compare numbers on how much you save getting a higher interest rate loan to the education you would get and the connections from A&M/Mays... I think you'd be better off with the latter. They don't call it the 'spirit of Aggieland' and 'the Aggie Network' for nothing.

I'm not taking out any other loans besides the Stafford due to family obligations and the need to keep out of much debt as possible.

That, and once I am a junior, the Stafford will pay for my tuition and most of my rent, groceries, etc. so I should be okay. A&M doesn't seem to offer any scholarships for spring transfers so I'll have to wait until I am already there for one.

Also, you say that life is about risks and rewards, but I'm not going to college for risks. I mean, at this point in my life if I could take more risks, I'd become a construction subcontractor or something. I decided to go to school instead so I can minimize the risks.

My #1 with Mays is not with getting in, it's with the fact that they do not accept spring transfers. If I go to A&M in January it will be as a junior, but like I've said I'm not going to spend 30 hours just to change majors to finance.

So you're right, I've more or less scratched out the idea of going to Mays for an undergrad. We're on the same page there.

But I don't really believe what you say about a lot of people wanting to go into real estate development. A lot of people don't even know what it is. Hell, when I say real estate a lot of people assume real estate agent/broker. That and the LERE program doesn't seem to even get that many applicants a year; I think last year was about 78 applicants total.

Also, stonana, I kind of believe that as well regarding the majors and jobs. When it comes to English majors for example, you're right, I don't see them getting a career aimed towards business majors.

However, when it comes to these business jobs, I think there are a bit of overlap. Accounting and finance majors can get the same jobs. I can't think of any careers that are geared only for economic majors, so there has to be some business jobs that economic majors can get as well.

I would really prefer to go for finance, but right now here's what I'm trying to decide on. I can go to A&M as an economics major, or I could go to another school in Texas as a finance major. Would the prestige and networking of A&M, even if the degree is in economics, outweigh any finance degree from any other school in Texas?

Geister,

I may be biased, but I think an Economics degree would be MUCH better than some finance degree at another lower tiered Texas school. If you go to A&M you will have a much better chance of getting into the LERE program since you will be here and can get to know some people in the program. You will also be able to get your foot in the door with the business majors by companies recruiting Aggies. At another school they may not even try to recruit any students. Business degrees are a dime a dozen, but a degree from A&M will help you in the long run.

What I think would be good is to finish where you are and transfer into A&M into the Economics degree with the Business track. Finish that degree up ASAP and then go into the LERE program. All the while gain contacts in the real estate development field and faculty that might be able to help you out with your future.

By the way, I got a degree in engineering so I know only what I have learned from my Business friends. I don't think Mays is as elite as people make it out to be, and it is not the only way to achieve your goals. I know this might sound contradictory from what I said earlier, but I thought you were trying to decide what to do at A&M. Now that I know you are considering A&M or another school, then I would say A&M Economics >>> Other Texas Finance. Just my opinion of course.

this website should help you out:

www.fastweb.com

I'm still a student (U3) still, so I don't necessarily know how well known we are outside, but yes and no to Stonana's reply about Mays. We do have a strong program now called Aggies on Wall Street and the bigwigs are noticing us because of our hardwork. We are ranked around 18th or so overall for Business Schools and are quickly garnering a good reputation.

Like I stated before, an Econ degree is that much better than anywhere else BECAUSE of the network here.

Thanks for the advice, stonana! That's the direction I'm leaning towards now. You're right about the business degrees anywhere else being a dime a dozen. I didn't think of it that way, thank you.

I thought about going to Texas State for finance but I can't stomach going to that school. I don't really like the crowd there. That's why Angelo State was higher on my list.

But I feel a lot more comfortable being in College Station than any other college town in Texas. The people are a lot more friendlier in College Station, too.

If I get involved with the real estate programs at A&M, know the professors in the LERE program, keep my grades high, and study for the GRE, I should have a pretty good shot at getting in.

If not, I think I can pull of a decent job with the economics degree, what do you all think? I saw one job posted on this board that was for acct/finc majors only and it was a auditing, beancounting job anyway. I wouldn't have interest in that.

Represent, I think Mays is a damn good school but I think they are getting a little too elite. A lot of the Mays undergrads are going to get normal 8-5 careers right outside of college, so you shouldn't have to do what you did in order to get into Mays. But McCombs is not any better than Mays, way more expensive, and a bigger pain in the ass to get into.

Kinda confused by that last statement but the only thing I would say lastly is please, for the love of Yahweh/God/Allah don't go to Texas State. Talked to a friend of a friend who just got a nice job at ExxonMobil and was telling him how I wasn't really worried about a job out of here and he said, "Well my friend is having a hard time finding a job and he did finance too." I said, "He went to A&M?" and he goes, "No, southwest (Texas State)"... and it was just understood right there that it was a bad example.

I just mean that it's ridiculous that you have to spend a semester or two busting your butt and fall behind just so you can transfer into Mays, yet the State of Texas allows their top 10% high school students (which doesn't mean much) in to begin with. Sure, it's not too hard to be in the top 10% of your class, but it shouldn't be so much harder for everyone else to get in.

You don't have to worry about me going to Texas State, I HATE that school. Most of the kids there think it's some sort of playground for four years until they get that magical degree which will immediately grant them financial prosperity.

The school is good for some programs and has some LEGIT students, like for social work and government jobs. But other than that, it's a joke. Idiot kids throwing up alcohol off of campus buildings, wanna-be alt-rock weirdos, uppity kids majoring in international business and advertising with a minor in Spanish thinking they are going to get a fancy job in South America, yet they spend most of their time finding the keg parties, etc.

Hell, I think I met some girl once that actually transferred FROM A&M to Texas State for some bull**** major. I guess she wanted to party in Austin or something. What an idiot!

I did some planning today and think I can make A&M economics work, so I'm definately going to take a shot at it.

Good luck with it man, hope it turns out well for you. Also, I strongly suggest you look into T-Camp... it's a great way to get to know people and learn more about A&M. I'll be a Chair this year for one of the camps.

t-camp.tamu.edu

Geister,

Good call on Texas State. You described two people I know perfectly. The alt-rocker guy and the girl that transferred to TX State from A&M for interior design or something..

By the way, when Southwest Texas changed its name they claimed that they would refer to as "Texas State-San Marcos" and not "Texas State"...that was part of the reason they were allowed to take on that name, apparently that didn't last long

You all sound pretty cool. I might like A&M after all!

Interior design is kind of, sort of a legit major, but I think it's too specialized to be able to get many jobs with. But most of the other specialized majors at Texas State, like fashion merchandising, family & consumer science, etc. are just crap. If these majors were any good they would be offered at A&M.

Personally, I think rearranging their name is stupid as hell. The school is between Austin and San Antonio. It's never going to be a flagship institution because it's always going to attract kids that want to live in the Austin area but can't go to TU for whatever reason. A lot of them just want to party day and night without any sort of direction in life.

That, and another problem is that the school is at least 60% Houston kids. I don't necessarily have a problem with kids from Houston but I prefer meeting people from all over the state. That and it seems like most of the kids from Houston with a little more class end up at A&M anyway.

I'm not going to win popularity by saying this, but A&M wasn't my first choice school. I was scared of the devotion some of the Aggies put into the traditions. But I realized that overall the students at A&M have a bit more class and direction than, say, the Texas State students.

THAT is why I'm aiming for A&M.

Aggie Economics major are hot. At least that is what i hear...

Where did you hear that from? As far as careers go?

I'm sorry I meant as in attractive. I know Represent so I wanted to elict a response from him. But on a more serious note, I was a Finance major before I transfered here. I'm now a double major in Economics and History (Law School Bound) and I really like it. I'm not sure what career you're intrested in but if you're genuinely intrested in Finance you'll probably like Econ.

[This message has been edited by agr0n9 (edited 2/7/2007 10:53p).]

You got it... I heard Econ majors were nerdy looking Mexicans from Yankeeland... at least that's what I hear...

And Geister, before I took a visit here Freshman year back home at my community college I was the biggest sip you had ever seen. Came up here once for a football game to watch my Dad's alma mater and thought Aggies were crazies. I watched every T+1 game hoping to bury the maroon mercilessly everytime. This is terrible but I laughed at my Aggie friends when Bonfire fell. Now I'm here and one of the most RAMFs you have ever seen. Important thing is not when you saw the light, but if you did at all or not. Welcome to the family.

[This message has been edited by Represent830 (edited 2/8/2007 1:52a).]

Dallas doesn't equal Yankeeland.

Bull****. It's north of where I'm from. Yankee...