Can I major in philosophy? How do I know if it's for me?

I'm assuming you're talking about the U.S.

You mentioned that you receive no financial support from your family and would have to depend on loans for any further education. My comments are based on this. Also, I have no insight into your job prospects in computer science, nor any idea as to how much you hate studying computer science.

Three things: (1) Why don't you just major in philosophy and keep computer science? (2) If you can't get into a top-14 law school, don't go to law school. Seriously do research on this, because if you can get into a top-14 law school, then law school might be a fiscally ok option; (3) if you want to go get a MA or PhD, then you better schedule some chats with your professors about whatever you think you're interested in studying further. Committing 2-3 or 6-7 years for a MA or PhD is obviously something that takes more consideration then "well I like reading philosophy so why not".

Further thoughts on (1) and (2):

Law school is indeed expensive and is probably the reason why you have been universally told to not go to law school. Two other reasons why you shouldn't go to law school: law school is stressful as hell and being a lawyer can be mind-numbing.

But also: you mentioned that you are a first-generation college student. That's a plus (as far as non-GPA and non-LSAT things go) for law school admissions. This means that if you can maintain a 3.6-7 GPA and get like a 168 on your LSAT, you're looking at some of the top law schools. These top law schools have good employment statistics. For example, with the aforementioned GPA and LSAT, you have a good shot at NYU, where upon graduation, you're looking at pretty good employment prospects..

I could go on and on, but at the very least, this should be enough for you to do some digging of your own.

Honestly? If the money isn't right, get a job with that comp. sci. degree of yours and just read philosophy on your own time.

/r/askphilosophy Thread