Adult Re-Entry Student help...

[Sheilynn]

<p>I'm hoping there are some people here that have (or are) in the same situation that I currently find myself in, and would be able to provide advice to the highly confusing maze of applying to colleges as a transfer student.</p>

<p>To give you the short on stats, I’m a 35 year old female who miserably failed the first time out in the college arena, and have been “starting over” by taking a couple of classes each semester while working full time for the past few years. I currently have a 3.7 GPA, but between work, classes, and studying, I haven’t had time for anything else…as for SAT/ACT, I have no clue – it was 18 years ago! I recently lost my job, and have made the decision to try going to college full time. </p>

<p>I have taken enough classes (at community college) to fulfill an AA degree, but finally decided that I would like to go into the engineering field (either computer or mechanical [possibly in the aerospace field]), in which I fall somewhat short of the lower-division classes required by most 4-year universities as a transfer student…at least, I think so. That’s where the confusion sets in.</p>

<p>In looking to apply to a few 4-year universities that offer the degree programs I’m interested in, there seems to be conflicting information – the majority of them state that they want a prospective student to fulfill certain lower-division criteria before they apply, but then they turn around and say that the classes you take may not fulfill their requirements. I say, huh? What’s the point of taking the classes if they may not count? <em>sigh</em></p>

<p>Most of the universities I’m looking at are similar in their qualifications. If you don’t count the “not sure if they qualify” intro core classes, I believe the classes I’m short in are: one Calculus, one Chemistry, and two Physics classes – possibly a natural science class too.</p>

<p>At this point, I guess I’m asking if I should even try applying for Fall 2005 if I’m short on lower-division requirements. Should I try for Fall 2006 instead? (I’m not getting any younger, though.)</p>

<p>I’m a little discouraged at this point, and could use some advice. </p>

<p>On another note, I could also use some suggestions in what schools to apply to. As much as UC Berkeley and MIT have great reps for the field I’m looking at, I’m not comfortable in urban settings – way too ‘busy’ for me. I could probably deal with suburban, though. I was thinking of Cornell and Stanford as my ‘Reach’ schools (though Stanford is pushing the urban setting, I grew up in the Bay Area and know where the ‘quiet’ pockets are on that side of the Bay), and UC Colorado at Boulder as a match – other than that, I don’t have any clue as to other colleges to add to my list. I’m currently living in CO, but am open to going out-of-state for my education. I guess you can say that my only criteria for college is quality of education and a quieter setting than somewhere like Berkeley or MIT (though it doesn’t have to be as suburban as Dartmouth).</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated!</p>

[Northstarmom]

<p>What is the field?
Assuming you are female and the field is science, I think that either Smith and/or Mount Holyoke may have programs for mature students like you.</p>

[cangel]

<p>Ga Tech is supposed to have a good aerospace engineering program, although it is urban, but you could commute - it might be an economical choice. Smith has both engineering and adult re-entry programs.</p>

[stacy]

<p>Seconding cangel--definitely look into Smith. It has a new engineering program (graduated its first students last May) and the Ada Comstock program from non-traditionally aged students. I go there (though I am not an Ada, or an engineering kid) and I LOVE it.</p>

[mini]

<p>I would think Smith is by far the first choice. They will work closely with you to design the program that you need for their engineering program. They are not just the only all-women's engineering program in the country, but the only one (I think) that has substantial requirements in the liberal arts - they don't only want to produce engineers, but engineers that can go into management.</p>

<p>10% of Smith students are ADAs - ranging in age from 24-69, with the average being 36. 84% receive financial aid. The Dean of ADAs (a wonderful woman named Erika Laquer) will work closely with you to figure out pre-reqs., requirements, housing, aid - it is very highly individualized. There are also paid summer internships for all students, and a highly motivated alumnae network for employment connections.</p>

[blaineko]

<p>Listen to Cangel's advice. Also check out: </p>

<p>Bryn Mawr (have program for returning students)
Wellesley (also program for returning students)
Trinity C (IDP program)
Tulane (University College or regular undergrad)
NYU--McGhee (spelling might be incorrect, but also an adult program)
Brown (RUE program)
Lafayette (adult program--can't remember the name)
UMassachusetts-Amherst (University Without Walls, can take Consortium classes too)
Skidmore (University Without Walls)</p>

<p>Again, just a starting point. Hope this helps you some. Good luck. :)</p>

<p>PS--I've been out of school a few years myself, and I am negociating the same maze. Keep your chin up.</p>

[mikemac]

<p>Congratulations on your determination to complete your college education! </p>

<p>While I'm not in your situation, let me pass along a few suggestions.</p>

<p>1) search the web for adult reentry programs. blaineko gave some good leads as well, and there is a web page at <a href="http://adulted.about.com/cs/adultedassns/a/adulted101.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://adulted.about.com/cs/adultedassns/a/adulted101.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>2) as far as prerequisites go, I think they're negotiable for someone in your (adult reentry) situation. The stock requirements are for traditional undergrads who they want to have enter as a junior or at have enough core classes in their intended major to show they will succeed. However many colleges also have separate adult reentry programs, and for these they understand that applicants may have interrupted their college career for a variety of reasons. The reentry programs tend to be small and thus can give much more personal attention to each applicant and their preparation. The point is you can generally enter from where you are and then take the classes needed to the degree. Since it is November time may be short for applying for Fall '05, but my suggestion is to compile a list of programs you may be interested in and then call them ASAP and explain your circumstances and see what they suggest.</p>

<p>3) If you haven't worked in the aerospace or computer field I would suggest making sure it is what you want to do before spending the considerable effort in getting a degree in the area. Talk with people in the field, take advantage of the groups that help women (such as <a href="http://www.awc-sf.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.awc-sf.org/&lt;/a> or <a href="http://www.swe.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.swe.org&lt;/a> ), etc. I've heard there is age discrimination in engineering, and that offshoring is a big threat, so its worth understanding the terrain before you start.</p>