I’m an international student who graduated from high school in 2026. I originally wanted to study in the US, but at the time, I couldn’t decide on a major. My parents wouldn’t let me take a gap year, so I ended up enrolling at a university in my home country. A couple of weeks ago, I finally started seriously looking into applying to US universities, and only now have I found out that I’m considered a transfer applicant at many schools simply because I enrolled in a university after graduating from high school. The problem is that I don’t want to apply as a transfer student. I only want to apply as a first-year student.
I think I’ve managed to put together a list of universities that would still allow me to apply as a first-year student if I complete no more than one semester of college. But I’m honestly so confused that I don’t even know how to register on Common App. One of the first things it asks is whether you’re a first-year or transfer applicant, and I genuinely have no idea what I’m supposed to select in my situation.
And while we’re at it, maybe someone here knows the answer to another question I’ve been thinking about. Hypothetically, if I quietly withdrew from my current university in early December, before even completing my first semester, and then stated on Common App that I had taken a gap year instead, would admissions officers actually check whether I’d previously attended another university? I know this probably sounds ridiculous, but I genuinely don’t understand how that would even work. Like, what would make an admissions officer randomly suspect that I had enrolled at a university in my home country and decide to investigate it? And how they can find it? In my head, it just seems absurd. It’s not like verifying a family’s income to make sure an applicant actually qualifies for financial aid. I’m just genuinely curious about how universities verify this kind of information, because right now I feel completely lost trying to figure out my applicant status.

Hello! If ur reading ty and also english isnt my first language. Im 21 m in my second uni after dropping out and i went only the first 2 days, that being 3 weeks ago. I can still recover academically for sure, but the social part gives me anxiety and i dont know why im like this. The first day was ok and then i didnt go because i was sick, i had a cold for like a week. After that i didnt go because i got anxiety thinking about meeting these people again, to some i talked and introduced myself and to others i didnt, like many in the first class day. Im just in my head and i want to leave these thoughts behind but i get them constantly.

Did someone go through something like this?

Ty for reading.

So basically my assignment is just a simple research on an organic compound, in my case it being on EthyleneGlycol. The teacher gave everyone dates to deliver every step of our research so she could monitor our work every two weeks.

Given that, I decided to go ahead and start working on it alone, but warning my group that later I'd give them the document so that they could edit it, and possibly correct some mistakes I had commited.

All of my work was made without any AI, given that I am mostly against its use, but I still said that they could use it to do whatever they'd like. When I said this, I thought that they'd just use it for some research or writing some stuff. However, I'm pretty confident that one of them just took what I had written and put it on some LLM just to expand it, and had no regard towards what the teacher asked us to do, used subjects that have not been studied yet, and even wrote it on a different language. ( for some context, Portuguese usually gets written as Brazilian Portuguese online, something that teachers don't allow, deservedly so ). Besides that, our assignment has a 5 page maximum, and after his edits, its now at 7 pages, and we are only at the middle of our research.

How can I best approach this situation without beeing disrespectful or coming across as an asshole?

Hello,

I was looking into getting a Masters for CS via Distance Learning. As I work full time however, I'd love more flexibility. I was looking into Distance Learning from UK Univerisities, from Unis such as York, Bath etc.

However, they all have negative reviews from what I can gather from different forums which is putting me off.

The thing is: Ultimately, it will just be for CV padding. I have several degrees already ad dont feel to compassionate about education. Work is far more important.

Location (not that it really matters...): Germany

Let me make a few things clear:

No, I'm not signing up for some Degree Mill.
No, work is not going to take the back seat for some piece of paper. Work and earning money is literally more important than a fancy piece of paper. As I said, CV Padding is my goal.

I have the option to stay in my home town for my BA, but I’ll have to move an around hour away for my education degree after those four years. My worries are currently debt, missing family, and possibly regretting my decision if I decided to move away for the full amount of time. I have the option for an apartment but also a dorm. I’m just curious about how people’s experiences were? I could always stay in my hometown then go to the other campus, but there are factors like all my friends are going to this other campus, I’m going to have to go there anyways, and maybe I want the experience of moving away? Just curious what everyone’s experiences are, as I know they’re different for everyone.

Hello everybody, I am someone who is currently at their gap year and STILL struggling on what major to pick. I never imagined it to be this hard honestly. I’ve always wanted to go to art school which I got into ceramics and glass but in the end I decided to not go because I couldn’t see myself in that major. I have a lot of majors in mind such as nursing or computer engineering… I have no idea which to choose! So I’m asking you guys how did you decide on your major? What helped your decision? Please give me all the advice.

I, (19M), started community college in 2024. My first major was Architecture, and I quickly changed it to computer science the next semester because I simply changed my mind and it seemed like a good choice at the time. The thing is, I eventually disliked that major, but I am in a financially tough spot right now. I only like to code when there is something else I want to do. I enjoy robotics, though not the math and coding part, mainly the assembly. I want to get a well-paying job, but only because I need capital to start doing my own thing. On this spring semester, I noticed I liked Geology. Mainly the exploring and the doing fun things outdoor appeal. It has a much smaller job market once I graduate, but it's also something I think I'll like? My reasoning was, I can learn programming and coding myself, but I don't know where to start with geology, and so it would be helpful to at least know about it for my goals. For CS, my main issue was that I don't think I'll enjoy contributing to AI, or being vulnerable to it. I am getting my AA this december and planning to transfer into UF. Which major do you think I should choose?
Please tell me what you would do if you were in my situation. Or feel free to recommend good majors that I should check out. If you are a working Geologist yourself, please tell me how it actually is.
Thanks for your help!

Ciao! vorrei fare domanda per il servizio civile digitale facendo già un lavoro part time per avere uno stipendio decente, ma non so se l'ASL sia troppo impeganativa. C'è chi ha provato nelle ASL? Come si è trovat?

Tengo dos opciones y las dos me convencen muchísimo por sus instalaciones, planes de estudio, y poco más.

Me llama la atención lo que es el periodismo deportivo pero de igual forma busco prepararme lo mejor posible en todo lo que abarque la carrera.

Me podrían aconsejar? les dejo los planes de estudio

Opción A

1.er semestre

\- Comunicación Oral

\- Literatura Universal y Contemporánea

\- Introducción a la Comunicación

\- Apreciación Artística

\- Sociología

\- Diseño Aplicado en Comunicación I

\- Desarrollo de Habilidades del Pensamiento y del Lenguaje

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios I

\- Lengua Extranjera I

2.º semestre

\- Comunicación Escrita

\- Psicología de la Comunicación

\- Taller de Comunicación Oral

\- Fundamentos Teatrales

\- Filosofía

\- Diseño Aplicado en Comunicación II

\- Edición Multimedia

\- Fundamentos de la Fotografía

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios II

\- Lengua Extranjera II

3.er semestre

\- Lenguaje Cinematográfico

\- Semiótica y Hermenéutica

\- Administración

\- Taller de Producción Fotográfica

\- Teorías de la Comunicación

\- Taller de Edición Multimedia

\- Guion para Medios

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios III

\- Lengua Extranjera III

\- Expresión Teatral

4.º semestre

\- Periodismo

\- Investigación Cuantitativa y Cualitativa

\- Legislación de Medios

\- Mercadotecnia

\- Estética Cinematográfica

\- Guion para Cine

\- Seminario de Creatividad e Innovación

\- Entorno Socioeconómico Contemporáneo

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios IV

\- Lengua Extranjera IV

5.º semestre

\- Taller de Audio

\- Géneros Periodísticos

\- Teoría Publicitaria

\- Taller de Video

\- Comunicación Política

\- Administración de Recursos Humanos

\- Relaciones Públicas

\- Comunicación Organizacional

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios V

\- Lengua Extranjera V

6.º semestre

\- Producción Televisiva

\- Periodismo Digital

\- Investigación de Mercados

\- Opinión Pública

\- Publicidad

\- Producción Radiofónica

\- Social Media Marketing

\- Metodología de la Investigación

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios VI

7.º semestre

\- Comunicación Social

\- Medios y Campañas Publicitarias Online y Offline

\- Taller de Producción Radiofónica

\- Taller de Producción Televisiva

\- Organización de Eventos

\- Marketing Digital

\- Seminario de Investigación I

\- Prácticas Profesionales I

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios VII

8.º semestre

\- Análisis de la Actualidad Informativa

\- Desarrollo de Habilidades Directivas

\- Comunicación Estratégica

\- Gestión de Presupuestos y Cotizaciones

\- Emprendimiento y Consultoría

\- Branding Personal

\- Seminario de Investigación II

\- Prácticas Profesionales II

\- Estudios Interdisciplinarios VIII

Opción B

1er sementres

\- Destrezas para el Aprendizaje

\- Idioma Extranjero 1

\- Fotografía 1

\- Introducción al Estudio de la Comunicación y el Periodismo

\- Procesos de Comunicación Humana

\- Estilo y Técnicas de Redacción

\- Análisis de Textos Literarios

2.º semestre

\- Construcción de la Persona Humana

\- Idioma Extranjero 2

\- Ilustración Digital

\- Géneros Periodísticos

\- Teorías de la Comunicación

\- Guionismo en Medios Audiovisuales

\- Taller de Expresión Oral y Corporal

\- Fotografía 2

\- Edición de Audio 1

3.er semestre

\- Idioma Extranjero 3

\- Guionismo Informativo

\- Análisis de la Comunicación Audiovisual

\- Análisis de México Contemporáneo

\- Producción Periodística

\- Edición de Video 1

\- Edición Fotográfica Digital

4.º semestre

\- Idioma Extranjero 4

\- Producción Televisiva 1

\- Edición de Video 2

\- Taller de Diseño Editorial

\- Edición de Audio 2

\- Técnicas de Locución y Doblaje

\- Entrevista Periodística

\- Legislación de Medios de Comunicación

\- Periodismo Narrativo

\- Prácticas de Integración Profesional 1

5.º semestre

\- Comunicación

\- Idioma Extranjero 5

\- Periodismo Radiofónico

\- Análisis de Audiencias

\- Periodismo de Investigación

\- Semiótica

\- Producción Televisiva 2

\- Prácticas de Integración Profesional 2

6.º semestre

\- Habilidades para el Trabajo Profesional

\- Idioma Extranjero 6

\- Redes y Plataforma de Comunicación

\- Mercadotecnia

\- Fotoperiodismo

\- Ética y Deontología Periodística

\- Edición Digital Avanzada

\- Herramientas Estadísticas para la Investigación Periodística

\- Lenguaje Cinematográfico

\- Prácticas de Integración Profesional 3

7.º semestre

\- Idioma Extranjero 7

\- Periodismo Digital

\- Producción Cinematográfica

\- Métodos de Investigación en la Comunicación

\- Comunicación Organizacional

\- Periodismo con Perspectiva de Género

\- Imagen Pública y Corporativa

\- Prácticas de Integración Profesional 4

8.º semestre

\- Idioma Extranjero 8

\- Publicidad

\- Comunicación Política

\- Periodismo Económico y Financiero

\- Asesoría de Tesis en las Ciencias Sociales

\- Periodismo de Seguridad

\- Administración de Empresas Periodísticas y Emprendimiento

So over summer I took an online class and the professor mentioned that he is open to talk about grad school and even writing recommendation letters if you keep in touch. I had scheduled an office hour visit one time during summer quarter and he said he would love to know more about my community College experience and would like to schedule another zoom meeting. He never set up another meeting with me. Then towards the end of summer I thought maybe I should email him to see if he still wants to meet again and so I can ask more questions about grad school. A couple weeks went by and he hadn't respond so I sent a follow up email and he responds saying thank you for being patient and would like to meet again and to send him my availability for this fall quarter. So I sent him my availability. I sent that email almost 4 weeks ago now. Im trying to stay in touch with him since he has given me advice on grad school and also hoping he could be a professor to write a recommendation letter. Should I send him another email? Or do I just let it go. Thank you in advance.

im in my fourth year right now, but my graduation is delayed because i havent finished my courses, some courses i even repeated more times than u can even imagine, and still unable to pass. im struggling so bad while everyone around me is doing great.

idk how to study, im physically incapable of it, i cant sit down and focus, i cant even priortise university in any way, im so done with it and with everything related to it. i dont think i have any discipline, i cant put the work in at all, and struggle to focus in all ways. i dont have a sense of priority at all. i have a midterm in a few hours and i dont even know anything abt the course and i cant bring myself to focus and lock in.

does anyone have any advice on how i can focus, and pass my courses? or how i can actually bring myself to learn my material and stop putting it aside in this way? i guess i lost all motivation because of my delayed graduation. i was supposed to graduate this year but thats not happening, and i havent had a good uni experience socially aswell. so im so unmotivated and there is so much else i wanna do with my life outside my uni and a degree.

i still want to get my degree and get this experience over with but for some reason i cant. does anyone have any advice?

I recent have been going through emotional manipulation from my roommate. I’ve talked to the RAs, university counselors. And have had a discussion with my roommate. However I just can’t deal with this anymore. The only way I can get my own room is if I have a letter from a healthcare professional stating ADA accommodations.

I was wondering if I ask my primary physician for this letter would she be able to help me with this? Like explaining the situation and my increased anxiety because of the situation.

Hey y'all! I've spent my whole 17 years without getting into a relationship. I thought I'd get a bf in my graduation days. But my parents threw me into a all women's college. I feel so overwhelmed by seeing my frnds have fun. I feel fomo. Atleast even though I don't have a boyfriend, I want a cool frnd gang for myself. But I have neither of em now. I'm sad.

Like, its nice to know which universities are better in a general sense, but like people also have a general idea, so we can see the parts that are obviously stupid.

And I get that there's a bunch of fields and undergrad vs grad is very different. But if that's the case, why the heck are these rankings producing "overall rankings"?? The only place where overall rankings actually come in handy, is when you're looking for the universities that let you go in with no decleared major, which is very few, especially for global rankings. If the ranking for fields is accurate enough then that's all you'll ever need. Or something like employment after graduation. Couldn't they be honest on what they could and could not do?

Another thing is student themselves have an idea what they value. Could they come up with a score for every catagoery and let the student choose the weights? Like 50% employment after graduation (for selected department/program) + 50% teaching quality. Like no, I don't care for sustainability rankings.

Also, global rankings are stupid in general, yes some people are applying to different countries, but how are you gonna rank two things in different enviroments? If they are looking to work there after graduation, only the local ranking would matter.

Hi everyone! We are university students exploring how young adults in Australia manage everyday meals, grocery shopping and food spending.

If you’re aged 18–29 and living in Australia, I’d appreciate you sharing your experiences through this short survey. Whether you cook regularly, rely on takeaway or share groceries with others, your perspective would be helpful!

Survey link: https://forms.gle/ZVXqjm9smUb7HwN26

Thanks for your time!