Newbie Seeking Advice
Hi everyone, I've lurked here for a long time, and I've recently come into a situation where I could use advice from the seasoned vets.
Background: 31-year old disabled veteran with an unrelated degree a from small, liberal arts university in Michigan.
Situation: I was honorably discharged from the Army in 2011 and immediately decided to attend a large university to pursue my Bachelor's degree in Economics. I thought I would be able to immediately reintegrate back into civilian life, but the environment tore me apart. I had no support structure, nor did I seek help, and I failed everything. I was academically dismissed from school. Since being dismissed however, I was able to seek help and receive my Bachelor's degree from another university in an unrelated field, as I believed that's what I wanted to do at the time. Now, as my physical disabilities have gotten worse, and after finally realizing it was not my true passion, I have the opportunity using my VA benefits to pursue a second degree, but I don't want to squander them.
I am torn between readmission to the university I was academically dismissed from to continue my degree in Economics and attending a small, private school for a degree in Accounting. If I were to attend the larger university, there is no GPA/academic forgiveness, so I was told that, at best (all 4.0s over 15+ classes), my GPA can reach ~2.9, but if I were to maintain the average I received from my first Bachelor's degree, then it would only increase to ~2.6. I planned on using student organizations and leveraging networking to increase my odds of success, but I'm wondering if my pursuits are already dead in the water before even getting started, in which case I'll have to pursue the degree in Accounting. The downsides to the small school are that it's primarily known in-state, and the networking opportunities aren't as vast as the larger university. I am also unsure as to what positions are within reason, as my GPA will likely shut the door on bigger opportunities I have an interest in (PWM, hedge fund analysis, etc.).
If anyone could offer some advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. I understand I may be fighting a very uphill battle, but I'd like to know if this is a battle I have a fair chance of winning, or if I need to attack it from another angle.
I have a few questions if I may ask. What did you get your first bachelors degree in? If I am correct, your G.P.A resets to 0.00 when you transfer to another school. How big is the alumni network at the large school compared to the smaller school. What field are you passionate about are you trying to break into?
Of course. My first degree was in Exercise Science, as I initially believed that my best path/calling was physical therapy school. Unfortunately, the school sees this as a readmission vs. a transfer, so I'm not able to have my GPA reset, unless I were able to apply for some form of grade appeal, but I don't imagine that going well.
The two schools in question are Davenport University (Accounting) vs. Michigan State (Economics), so MSU's alumni network is much larger.
A lot of my interests lie in fund analysis and portfolio management but, truthfully speaking, I still don't know an incredible amount of what those fields entail. I don't know if it helps either but, at some point in the future, I would like to own a firm of my own. I just don't know what might set me on the best path.
Well first, I just wanted to say thank for your service. This is going to be a tough decision but it eventually has to be made. An alumni network is very important but so is G.P.A Would you rather get the 2.9 or a higher G.P.A at another school? Are you looking to do a potential internship? Honestly, what school do you prefer? Remember, you can expand your social circle of networking. Every person you meet in the field is a potential networking connection.
Thank you very much for your kind words and support.
I would certainly like to do an internship. I understand they're quite necessary for success in the field, and I lack experience. If I also had to stop and think about it, I'd say I prefer Michigan State.
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