Adult non-traditional student need help deciding colleges

College Search & Selection
1

Looking for any advice, suggestions, etc. about which colleges I should apply to.
Don’t really know a whole lot about the schools, in other words to me they all seem to be fairly close in terms of standing, reputation, etc. All I know is from what I just know in general, i.e. having heard of the schools on tv, advertising, sports success, etc.

Assuming cost isn’t an issue, based on reputation, long-term goals (I want to go to Law School or possibly another graduate school), reputation amongst potential employers, ease of acceptance, support/size of non-traditional veteran student population, etc., what are the goods and bads about each?

  1. Michigan State University
  2. University of Georgia
  3. University of South Florida
  4. Cal State Long Beach
  5. Florida Gulf Coast State Univ
  6. University of Nevada-Las Vegas
  7. Auburn University
  8. University of Alabama
  9. Mississippi State University
  10. Arizona State University
  11. Valdosta State Univ

If I stay local/resident:
11. Wayne State University
12. Oakland University
13. Central Michigan Univ
14. Ferris State Univ
15. Walsh Business School
16. Northwood Univ
17. Grand Valley State Univ
18. Saginaw Valley State Univ
19. Davenport Univ
20. Baker College

2

Money almost always matters. Do you have any budget restrictions? Are you paying for this with GI Bill money? Or do you have upwards of $250k sitting in a college fund somewhere?

Law School admissions is heavily numbers based. Your GPA and your LSAT score matter a lot more than the name of the university you study at. Where you want to practice law, and the kind of law you want to practice will matter when you apply to law school. Are you aiming to return to your hometown and join a local law practice that handles just about everything? Then public home state U followed by public home state law school could well be the way to go. Chat up the folks at the place you’d like to work, and get their advice.

Grad school admissions can depend quite a bit on the relationships between your undergrad professors and their colleagues at the grad programs of interest. Again, the name of the university may not matter at all.

Are you sure you need law or grad school? What are your career goals? What majors interest you? For example, if you want to design amusement park rides, or gear for the sets of Cirque du Soleil, the only place on your list worth considering is UNV-Las Vegas for the Entertainment Engineering program there.

3

happymom thanks for the reply. I have GI college fund, that will cover my Bacholer’s, then if I do go through with law or grad school, my post-911 will cover that and whatever it doesn’t will be out of pocket. My goal is law school, but things can change, ultimately I want to go something helping people. That’s why I mention grad school, if I don’t end up going to law school then I would like to get into counseling. I had social worker on my short list but after researching I don’t the the Masters Social Work doesn’t seem worth it. Money isn’t my primary goal, but at the same time after reading so much negativity about becoming a social worker, how little they make, etc.

I realize I’m in different areas of the country for school, and have given that thought to pick a school where I may settle at, would likely help if I get into private practice or something having gone to school local. I’m local in MI right now, but not sure if I plan to stay here long term. Lived in the south for many years, having trouble getting used to this weather again…lol!

I’m still trying to decide on my major. I have a pretty decent computer background, so still kinda lean towards a Computer Science degree, probelm is I am WAY behind on math, it will take me at least two years just to get to beginning Calc level. Plus, ideally I don’t want to stay in IT, although the money and ease of finding a job in the field is a big pull. That being said…Mainly trying to decide between Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, English, Political Science, Biology or Business degree. Have also entertained pre-Physical Therapy, and Respiratory Therapy.
So pretty much all over the place, just need to figure out my major quickly though, so I can get enrolled next semester.

Ideally I want something that will help if I do follow-through with law or grad school, and at that same time a degree that if I go no further than a bacholers will help me get into a good career field. I enjoy reading, writing, history, politics, science, learning new things, health and fitness, learning about people, helping people…WAAAYYY behind on math, basic science…am very good with computers how they work, networks, programming, troubleshooting, very analytical, good with numbers, but don’t really like I.T., and know I HATE accounting and sitting behind a desk in a stuffy corporate environment…lol!

4

If you’ve been away from school maybe a community college would be good to get your feet wet. Take a study skills class to start.

You sound a little like my dad. Got out of the Navy, went to night school for business but never used it. Fixed planes. Hated desk work.

Maybe look at degrees that let you work in the field. Geology or Geo Information Systems. Anything Medical like Physical Therapy won’t be behind a desk.

Checkout military friendly.com or similar sites. We visited Syracuse University. It seemed very veteran friendly. Nice new Veterans Resource building.

5

Regarding law school…

http://schools.lawschoolnumbers.com/ has some information on how selective each law school is, as well as other tips on undergraduate preparation for law school (“APP PREP”).

https://www.lstreports.com/schools/ can give you post-graduation employment stats for various law schools.

6

Have you attended any college after high school graduation (including community college or other college courses while in military service)?

If so, you will need to investigate each college’s rules on whether you will be a frosh or transfer student there.

7

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I am starting with community college, then transferring. But thing is I have to submit a full 4-yr plan from the get go for the VA. That’s why I’m all of the sudden under the gun to decide my major. Initially, I didn’t think I would have to until I got closer to transferring to a 4-yr.