<p>I went to school when I was 18 and I didn't know what I was doing so I dropped out and went to community college and also working a lot at always getting different jobs ranging from out door work to an office job. Recently I started going back to school (community college) and I'm close to getting my associates and I would like to go on. I'm now 23 and I will be done when I'm 24, I don't plan on living in a dorm with freshmen as I will technically be a junior there anyways and i'd like to live in either a upperclassmen dorm or an off campus house. I do not want to go away to party as much as meet some new people and get my education. There are two main reasons I wanna go away,</p>
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<li><p>Schools that have what I want to do aren't close to me at all.</p></li>
<li><p>I would like to get some experience not living at home/as stated earlier also meeting new people. </p></li>
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<p>That is in short what I want to do, my fear is that I'm to old to do this. What are you opinions on a 24 year old going away to school?</p>
<p>My opinion is that there’s nothing at all wrong with it. I recently turned 28, and I’m in my third year of community college. I’m transferring after the end of this year, and going to UIUC. I’ve gone on a lot of different campus visits, and you’d be amazed at how many older students there really are at most universities. There are going to be students there that are considerably older than you or I. </p>
<p>Dorming sounds absolutely horrible to me, so I’m planning on getting an apartment very close to campus. As a slightly older student, I’ve found that I have a much more level head than a lot of students. I’ve gotten the angst of being young out of my system, and I’m able to approach things with much more concentration and focus than many students. I don’t think one could ever be too old to return to school. </p>
<p>I’ve just had a fear that I’d be making the wrong choice. I’ve got a job right now that I would have to leave. Its not a bad job but I’d be stuck at the same pay with not much opportunity to advance without some sort of education. I’m also worried that going away at a slightly older age than normal would make me an outsider at a school and I would just be stuck by myself mostly. </p>
<p>Sure, why not? I remember once telling my Mom that I would be THIRTY before I got my advanced degree! I thought that was really old (Oh, to be 30 again). She said, “You are going to be thirty ANYWAY. You might as well be 30 with the degree that you want.” Good point, Mom, I thought. </p>
<p>Now is the time, when you are young and unencumbered, to do these things! You will be fine and will be barely noticeable as older at just 24. If you were 40, that would be different. </p>
<p>Most schools have special transfer days for new transfer students to get together and meet one another. Many of them have transfer specific housing. At 24, you’ll find that you’re a very far cry from being one of the “older students” generally speaking. Even at 28, I’ve never really had much trouble communicating and making friends with other students. Both younger and older. There are a ton of students that are basically the same age as me. </p>
<p>Being ‘older’ was one of my concerns when I first start college. I was worried that I’d be seen as “the old guy coming back to school” by most of the younger students. The reality has been that most of them don’t even realize that I’m that much older. I know some students that are in their 40s and 50s, and that’s a bit different. I don’t think many of them are really all that interested in making friends with the younger crowds though anyway. If you have the chance, I’d suggest going on some campus visits to the schools you’re interested in. Go in the middle of the week when classes are going on. Take a stroll across the main quad and around campus, and just look around at the people. You’ll see a lot of them that are your age, and older. That might help to put your mind at ease about it. </p>
<p>I just have that fear of going away and being the oldest person by far and ending up being alone for the next 2-3 years i’m there. I’m trying to look at schools with the average age around mine. I’m also curious how transfer housing for non traditional students works if anyone knows. This is a big step in my life trying to achieve something I had given up on a few years back. So pretty much I’ve just been thinking of all the things that could go wrong, my age being the biggest concern of all right now. </p>
<p>I can tell you that, without question, you will not be “by far the oldest person.” Not even remotely close. Seriously. Your age should not be of any concern whatsoever. I can really relate to the concern, but it’s going to come to nothing. 24 is not even “older” in any practical sense. </p>
<p>You’ll be fine at 24, as the above person said; 24 isn’t “older” especially when it comes to being an undergrad. 25 and older is considered non-traditional. It’s one thing to be pushing 40 and older, but you’re in your 20’s. I too was worried about if I’d fit in or make friends, I’m also 28, but in my second year in community college. I’m about to transfer to four year school in the fall. I might even live in an upperclassman dorm my first year (kind of dreading it though). From my visits on a few campuses thus far, people seemed very friendly towards me. My point in this rambling mess, is that age especially in your 20’s isn’t a big deal.</p>
<p>When you apply to transfer, ask about housing on and off campus for students your age. Some places will put older students like you into grad student housing. You might like that better because the students would be closer to your age, and chances are that some of them will have had work experiences similar to your own.</p>
<p>I would go to a university not a college because the university will have a sizable graduate student population who will be your age and you’ll likely find more social opportunities. </p>
<p>Anecdotally, I dropped out after two undistinguished years in undergrad. Joined an army, wandered the world, had odd jobs to make the rent. At 24, I decided that learning was actually enjoyable. Went to a school halfway around the world for my junior year and transferred to my state flagship for the final year. Before I dropped out, I was a solid 2.2 student; after I returned, learning and studying came easy (I believe because I really wanted to learn), and had a 4.0 for the final years. Took the LSAT, got a law school scholarship, and graduated when I was 29 (near the top of the class). </p>
<p>Being older for the undegraduate portion (law school was populated with older students) was, I thought, an advantage; I knew my limits in partying, knew how to budget my time, and was less prone to becoming distracted by the whistles, bells, and shiny objects all over campus.</p>
<p>No employer cared - in fact being a bit older was a huge advantage in interviewing, developing a life outlook, and maturity.</p>
<p>Thirty years later, with hindsight, I wish I had dropped out earlier (or not gone to college right out of HS). I tell my kids (both of whom went straight to college) that one of my regrets was wasting those first two years of learning opportunity.</p>
<p>I’ve been planning on going to a Suny school since money is also a factor in this situation. So a university is not really an option for me. And as for being in a better mind set to do work I most defiantly am than I was when I was 18-20. I have a lot of work experience from working out doors to working in an office. I was just worried about the age gap there might be when I go. </p>
<p>Re-read post #2. Go into the career & transfer center at your community college. Sit down with them and run your FAFSA and discuss scholarship options and financial aid. Run NPCs for some dream schools you would like to attend. You are presuming that SUNY is the only affordable option. Is this really a time NOT to do the research, but to just assume and fly by the seat of your pants?</p>