<prompt> Human: Hi, this is probably all going to spill out, Ill try to provide all the info I can.Im a first-semester sophomore pursuing a BS in animal behavior. Originally I wanted to do research in a lab. This choice in a science-y major and vague career path is due in large part to my PhD-laden family, all of whom are in the medicalscienceresearchetc fields.However, I have zero desire to sit through intro biology got a 5 on the AP Bio exam but still required to take the intro course, and instead find myself choosing to sit at home and work on the HtmlCSScoding of my lucrative website and subreddit. This account is a throwaway, so here is a breakdown of my finances: On average I make 800week, before taxes. Im self-employed this is the first year so Ive been setting aside 30 of my income for taxes. Rent is 525 Electricity 70 Internet 40 Groceries 150month Gas 60monthStudent loans 12,000 in Wells Fargo private loan, interest is at 9.3, will not accrue interest until 6 month grace period ends after graduation, or until I drop out do I still get a 6mo. grace period then? Direct subsidized stafford 487 4.66 Direct subsidized stafford 2,250 4.29 Direct unsubsidized stafford 4,965.67 4.66 with 212 accrued in interest Direct unsub. staff. 1,000 4.29 with 4.81 accrued interestMY PLAN Drop out now, focus on working and making , pay off as much as possible of unsubsidized and private loan and subsidized loans in that order Start honing my programming skills learn C and Python in free time - Udacity, Coursera, MIT, etc - I only know a bit but love computers, love programming. However I am pretty competent in HTMLCSS. I am sure, and have been sure for a long time that this is what I want to do. Im just now deciding, fuck it, I dont need to stay in science like my whole family expects Spend the year doing the above, and then in fall 2016 start taking community college courses to further develop my skills this wouldnt be a vocational school kind of thing would it? In Fall 2016 I hope to have a lot of loans paid off, programming skills at a decent enough level to step back into school, and be going to community college because fuck loans and I dont need a Big Ten degree do I?Im at what feels like a big crossroads right now. Half of the people tell me I dont need to be in debt for a BS. But the same people panic when you mention dropping out to pay the loans, get on track, and then step back into the water. I guess what I want to know is your thoughts. Is this an awful idea? Play devils advocate. Break me down. What am I missingwhy is this dumb or not dumb?  <response>: you should get a BS in CS at the college youre already at. yeah its not strictly necessary, but youll be working much much harder to get your foot in the door without it, and it will probably set your career back several years at least... at no point will people really stop looking down on you for not having a degree.worry about an extra 10-20k in loans is silly when an entry level programming job will pay 50k 