[chachee52]

I have had similar problems in the past. some of which I don't regret what i did, and another I regret a lot of not jumping on it.
when I first started college I thought I wanted Physical Therapy. I started at a very good school, well known (I'll leave the name out), and has a great rep in the field. When I got there, it wasn't the school for me. I was having trouble and went to my advisors and they told me "just go into the tests (mid terms/finals) and know that you will probably fail and we'll figure something out after" (I'm not joking, that's actually what they said). At that time I was really sure i didn't want to be at this school, but had done some work in the field and PT was what I wanted. So I transfered and found a school that I really liked.
So for that part of picking schools, make sure you feel comfortable at the school you pick. I think that I picked the first school because of it's reputation and not what I wanted out of the school. So if you can find an Alumni group if you can't see the school in person. Talk to people about the school and find out what they really think about the school.
The second story that I regret is after school I wanted to head to Alaska to live for a year or two. There were tons of jobs (and they paid great). My nephew, who I was also very close to, was young I think maybe in Jr High and I consider myself as a father figure to him at the time. When I went to talk to him he asked me not to go. So I didn't because of him. Now I am married, have a house (which I don't regret either), but have never lived in Alaska. My nephew is off doing his own thing and I don't see him much. I very much so regret getting away from "home" and not seeing Alaska.
So follow your heart and do what YOU want/need to do. And good luck. It's a tough descion