Hi Hershey -
Mike's list of reputable vendors (B&H, Adorama, and KEH (for used gear)) is exactly the same list I would have come up with. Also, his comments on "hand feel" and other aspects are right on the mark.
There's only a few things I would add to his and all the other good comments you've already received:
a) If you switch to a photography major at school, there is a good chance that they will require that you use a camera that can be put into a completely manual mode. Not only will this be useful if you switch majors, it is incredibly useful for regular shooting, as well as if you want to learn the basics on your own. I think that most of the cameras mentioned in this thread have a completely manual mode, but do check for this feature before you finalize your purchase.
b) In addition to hand-feel, with digital SLRs, there is also the pesky issue of menus. Most cheaper DSLRs force the user to wade through a system of menus to change basic parameters such as ISO, WB, exposure compensation, single vs multiple shot, etc. As you get better and start to shoot fast moving sports or kids, being forced to use the menus will almost certainly infuriate you.
In contrast, higher end DSLRs have dedicated knobs and switches for these functions. Good photographers become so familiar with the layout of their camera that they can make such adjustments without ever taking the camera from their eye. This can be very important in "getting the shot". So, you may want to consider an older used high-end camera such as a d200 that allows this.
c) You should also be aware that most photography degree programs don't spend a lot of time on basic camera operation. They will cover this in one or two of the intro courses, but will move quickly on to other topics such as aesthetics, business and legal matters, printing and display, the various photographic specialties, etc. Look at the list of required courses for the degree and imagine yourself taking each of them. If you aren't interested in learning about these aspects of the profession, think carefully about switching to a photography major.
HTH,
Tom