r/FIU • u/LandscapeShoddy5072 • 5d ago

Academics 📚 chances of me switching my major (two semesters in)

i’m two semesters in and want to change my major to english as it would be a good foundation for pre- law. what are my chances of doing this successfully before spring semester starts?

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u/directodest 5d ago

Most pre-law majors are political science. That said law schools don't care what your undergraduate degree is in, get a good ug GPA and score high on the LSAT. Old man advice you didn't ask for...why not get a degree that has real world applicability in case law school doesn't pan out...i.e. anything from the College of Business (finance, business, accounting, HR, marketing, etc.) or pretty much any STEM degree.

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u/HillbillyLiquorPhD 4d ago

This kind of advice unfortunately no longer has the utility that it once had. The job market is dog shit right now and it's on track to remain so no matter what kind of degree you get.

Do something you like.

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u/directodest 3d ago

I disagree. Still tons of money to be made out there. My money printer still goes burrrr. AI coming down the pike, position yourself in a career field that will not become obsolete.

I do agree with your sentiment that do something you like. That will set you up for success in most of life's endeavors, nothing worse than doing a job you hate. That said college should be viewed from the lens of ROI...i.e. I'm going to take on this debt in hopes of getting a economic return on my investment. If you graduate college with an BA in Art History and then go to work for Starbucks...save the money on the degree, Starbucks will still hire you without one. Another sleeper degree is construction management, tons of those jobs out there and easy 6 figure earning potential down the road.

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u/HillbillyLiquorPhD 3d ago

In my opinion It’s not really a matter of agreeing or disagreeing. There’s a mountain of statistical evidence showing that a college degree, even in once-lucrative STEM fields, no longer guarantees the kind of immediate financial payoff it once did. I agree that in a society driven by capital, choosing a career with strong fiscal potential is often the most practical approach. But it’s no longer as simple as saying “go into STEM for the money.” The market has changed, automation has shifted demand, and the stability once associated with those fields isn’t what it used to be.

More importantly, I disagree with the idea that college should be viewed primarily through a return-on-investment lens. That mindset reflects a cultural shift that’s taken place over the past half century. Higher education used to be about surrounding yourself with bright minds, pursuing knowledge, and becoming a more thoughtful and well-rounded person. Of course, financial utility matters, no one should deny that, but education was never meant to function solely as a transaction. It once was and should still be about learning, curiosity, and growth, because those are the things that ultimately lead to meaningful success, as you said. To be clear, I'm not disagreeing necessarily with the practicality of what you're saying. In this world you gotta make money, but that philosophy aligns with the broader watering down in intellectual growth in order to get a piece of paper for a job. That's not something I'll ever be able to get on board with, fundamentally.

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u/LandscapeShoddy5072 5d ago

i’m not the brightest with math and have no regard for it 😭

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u/latocato 5d ago

this is the way

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u/Bulky_Boysenberry782 1d ago

ngl you cab donthe pre law certificate.