Morale swinging down again

[cjsmith]

My outlook on the whole career change thing changes as I get new information, do new things, and encounter new obstacles. If a lot of positive things have happened recently I am cheerful. Right now it's the opposite.

First was the paper from some symposium or other on the financial aspects of a career in veterinary medicine. People are walking out of vet school with an average debt of $122K, and by 2010 that's expected to be a shade over $200K. Back in 1980, a newly minted DVM had a debt load of 91.6% of his starting yearly salary; in 2007, it's 184%, and it's only getting worse. In short, tuition's going up a lot faster than salary. Veterinary degrees are fast becoming something only the rich can afford.

Then there was the meeting with the San Jose State University transfer representative this morning. I cannot transfer from De Anza to San Jose State. I have a bachelor's degree. They are not taking any applications for undergraduate ("post-bachelor" or second degree) work from people who already have a bachelor's. I am allowed to try to take those courses through a program called Open University, but in that program I cannot preregister for classes; I must add them after the semester begins. It will be very difficult to get into any classes that way.

And finally, I got mail from the Honors Program coordinator saying that since I didn't take an "honors course" THIS quarter, that is to say, I didn't sign up for one before I was even in the program, I don't get early registration for spring quarter. That's pretty shitty, and I sent some (hopefully politely-worded) mail saying so, but there may be nothing that can be done to salvage that situation at this point. [edit: Or maybe there can. I think the coordinator got me mixed in with another category/group who were already in, or something. This one might get fixed.]

*sigh*. At least I'm getting good grades. Spanish test = 100%. Anybody need a Spanish/English translator? I could try to become one of those. I'm sure there's no one in this area who can already meet that need.

Comments

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

I'm not surprised that SJSU is not taking second degree candidates...all of CSU (I think) is no longer accepting them. They are having to turn away 18 year olds because they don't have the budget to take them all without significantly raising reg fees.

I think UC is also having this problem...too many qualified students, not enough money to educate them. It sucks.

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

Oh, also, Open University is more expensive than regular registration...isn't that lovely? (or at least it used to be)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yep, it's more expensive. You pay more, you get less. Lovely indeed!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

...and yeah, the guy did say that all the CA state universities are doing this. He didn't mention the UC group, and I didn't ask. Dunno.

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

I remember something in the Merc a couple of months ago mentioning that they were going to cut UC enrollment by 3000K system wide for the 2009-2010 academic year. It only ends up being 300 student per school, but still.

They are edging out those who have already "had" our education, so that those who haven't had it yet have a chance to get one. Makes sense, but it still sucks...

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Does indeed make sense. It's not their fault I didn't have the wit to make my best choice the first time around. :-) My other alternative is to find a way to pay for my own education rather than taking subsidized education. There may be private schools willing to give me coursework with credit. Haven't investigated it yet.

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

Wit has nothing to do with it...who in the hell really knows what they want at 18? I know some do...but the majority? They kinda blunder through those 4 years...

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I envy people who know their own best right answer from such an early point in their lives.

But hey. At least my life won't be boring.

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

That is very true.