I am about to graduate with a molecular Biology degree and regret it. If I could go back, I would go for a chemical engineering degree instead. Is it possible to apply for another 4-year program after I finish this one and start fresh with the major I want?
Also, I am absolutely broke and have been lucky to get financial support from my current university. I am not sure how the financial aid would work if I apply for another school.
What are your career plans after your second degree? From what I’ve seen, your major might not matter as much in the professional world.
Mentor said:
What are your career plans after your second degree? From what I’ve seen, your major might not matter as much in the professional world.
Depends on the job field. But yeah, a lot of times, your major doesn’t make a huge difference.
Why not just get a master’s instead? Many of the prerequisites for a master’s are the same as those for a second bachelor’s, and you wouldn’t need to redo general education classes. A master’s in chemical engineering might be a faster and more efficient path.
@Samuel
I went through a post-bachelor track and didn’t have to take any general education classes again. Since it was less than five years since I graduated, they transferred those over.
Terry said:
@Samuel
I went through a post-bachelor track and didn’t have to take any general education classes again. Since it was less than five years since I graduated, they transferred those over.
I mostly hear about post-bachelor programs for medical, dental, or vet school. What program did you do that let you pursue a different degree entirely?
@Samuel
Post-bacc programs exist for various fields. I did mine in philosophy to improve my GPA for grad school in international development. It was self-directed, and I took a mix of law, economics, government, policy, and philosophy classes. I had no intention of getting another bachelor’s degree but was accepted into grad school with a 3.75 GPA.
@Terry
That’s interesting, but it’s different from OP’s situation. OP wants an entirely new degree. In your case, you didn’t need a new degree. A second bachelor’s would mean repeating some gen-eds, so a master’s might be a more practical option for OP.
@Samuel
I understand, but I was just pointing out that not all post-bacc programs are the same. In some cases, you don’t need to redo gen-eds, and it’s worth looking into different programs to see what’s possible.
@Terry
I’m not saying post-baccs aren’t an option, but a second undergrad is different from what you’re describing. A post-bacc typically provides certificates or grad school preparation, not a full degree. For OP’s goal of getting a second bachelor’s, they’ll likely need to retake some gen-eds. It’s not the same thing.
@Samuel
A second undergrad technically counts as post-bachelor at my university, so I don’t think it’s that different. Universities may treat these programs differently. OP should definitely check around for specifics.
@Samuel
I had to take a bunch of core courses for a bio degree after completing another undergrad. You don’t usually have to repeat prerequisites like math classes, though. It depends on the college and their residency requirements.
@Samuel
I’ve looked into it, and I’m not sure I’d get accepted. I only know up to Calc 1 and basic physics, and that seems insufficient.
Lynskey said:
@Samuel
I’ve looked into it, and I’m not sure I’d get accepted. I only know up to Calc 1 and basic physics, and that seems insufficient.
You could always take the necessary prerequisites as a non-degree-seeking student. That way, you’re more prepared when you apply for the program.
Yes, you can apply for another degree, but you’d technically be a post-bachelor student. Whether or not it’s a good idea depends on your goals. If you need a better GPA for grad school, it could be worth it. If your job requires a specific degree, like teaching, it might also make sense. But yeah, finances are a big factor.
If you’re in the US, it depends on the school. Some schools don’t allow a second bachelor’s, while others have specific programs designed for it, like Accelerated BSN programs. I worked with someone who earned a second bachelor’s degree after staying an extra year at the same school.
@Donna
Yeah, it really depends on the school. For example, certain campuses of the University of California don’t accept students for second bachelor’s degrees at all. But other schools, like Oregon State, have dedicated online programs for second degrees.
Why not stay at your current school? Do they not offer a chemical engineering program?
When I got my second degree, they counted a lot of my electives. I finished in just two years instead of four. You might not need to redo as much as you think.
Does your current school not offer the degree you want? That might be the easiest route since they’d transfer the most credits.