<p>First post here. I’ll try to keep this short but I think it’s important I give some background about myself and why I want to go to college.</p>
<p>I’m 24 years old and am an Israeli citizen. Israeli males go through three years of mandatory military service. I was a paramedic during my service until I was injured and was transfered to IT.</p>
<p>When I completed my service, I decided to work and travel for a while. I got a job in IT, traveled to Australia and New Zealand for three months and still didn’t feel like college - so I took another job.</p>
<p>My latest job relocated me to Chicago where I’ve been living in the passed 12 months. I feel pretty much assimilated in terms of culture, language and people skills. I work as a presale engineer which means that a big part of my job is forming relationships and I’ve gotten very good at it. I’m also making very good money ($140K / year if you must know).</p>
<p>It seems like I cheated the education system and made it without a college degree. I enjoy life very much, but I feel as if I have a little hole inside of me. The reason being, that as a child and during high school I was somewhat of a different person. I was overweight, kept to myself and lacked self confidence. Today I am very confident, in good athletic shape and have pretty good people skills.</p>
<p>I am seriously considering applying for a 4 year undergraduate college in 2007 (I’ll be 25 when the schoolyear starts) simply for the “experience”. I don’t mind putting my career on hold and infact I am a little scared of not going to college as my job ages me much faster than my biological age. I have a strong desire to get crazy and have fun, and not with 30 year old professionals…</p>
<p>However, I do have some reservations:</p>
<li><p>Obviously the age difference. I will be 6-7 older than the other freshmans. How common are 25 year old freshmans? Are they typically outcasts? </p></li>
<li><p>Will it be more dificult for me to gain admission than a 18-19 year old applicant?</p></li>
<li><p>It’s very important to me to be able to participate in team sports. However, I have no high school background and I’m afraid I just wont be able to make it into any teams. All I have going for me is very good athletic shape (my 10K run record is 34:24)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you’ve read this far - thank you! I would really appreciate any thoughts or advice.</p>
<p>Pfffffffft, you won't be an outcast. The freshies will hit you up to buy them alcohol all the time. Hell, you can probably turn it into a side business getting tips on the deliveries...</p>
<p>Can't comment on admissions...</p>
<p>As far as sports go, there will probably be a ton of intramurals and clubs for you to join IF you are not good enough to play on the "real" athletic programs. They will be open to all ages and skill levels, so you won't have a problem there. You can still try out for the athletic programs if you want(assuming they have walk on roster spots in the sport you wish to play), the worst thing that could happen is you would get cut and be back at square one, but you would have met people in the process and acquired some friends.</p>
<p>I shall soon find out myself. I will be a 25 year-old freshman this fall. I'm trying out for the football/baseball teams, joining clubs, student politics, getting involved just about every way I can. What people will think about my age, I personally don't give a damn. I got into the university of my dreams and I'm going to make the most of it.</p>
<p>dude your making 140 K a year... who cares about the college experience, you make significantly more than most college graduates... i guess it could be fun, but it seems like a steep opportunity cost </p>
<p>if you want to "get crazy and have fun" go to clubs and bars on weekends , im sure youd have more fun there then being the 25 year old at a frat party</p>
<p>25 isn't that old at all. Once you hit 30 then there may be cultural differences and such but at 25 you can still relearn the culture and definitely fit in with the rest of the college kids. I know this for a fact as I knew a 26 year old freshman.</p>
<p>Life is about experiences, not money. Do you think sitting around all day and having people feed you, massage you and clean up after you will make you happy? It will for a few days, because it's an experience - and after that, it will become routine.</p>
<p>Having more money doesn't mean being happier (unless your income level is significantly below average). I'm not any happier today than I was two years ago when I was making $50K / year.</p>
<p>And as for bars and clubs, naturally I spend a good deal of my time there. It is however, a very different experience. Some of the best "parties" in my life were in a tent in the desert with a busted radio and a couple of six packs (during the military service).</p>
<p>no i dont, but theres better ways to have fun and enjoy yourself as the OP desires, than being the 25 year old at a bunch of frat parties... travel the world, go to clubs, take some business risks</p>
<p>I think admissions wise you'd be a very unique and interesting candidate. So.. not bias against admitting you. Have you looked into college programs for professionals? Some colleges offer programs where you can obtain your degree yet not give up your job. Maybe that would work better for you considering you have a good job? Will that job still be waiting for you after you graduate?</p>
<p>Do you plan to live on campus? That is a very big part of the college experience. I don't really think you'd have a hard time fitting in. Once you find your place and some friends, I think you'll have a blast.</p>
<p>Btw, please don't feel like you're cheating the system by being successful without a college degree. You've had military experience, you've traveled, and you're obviously skilled. Be proud that you have enough practical intelligence and people skills to do so well in life.</p>
<p>A few random thoughts ... First, academics; being an older student might likely enhance your academic experience; older students tend to be more focussed. Second, living the college experience; for me at 25 living in dorms would not have been a very good experience because of the huge difference in maturity; however living in an apartment right off campus would probably have been a great way to experience college for me as a 25 y.o. freshman. Finally, sports at college; there are age limits for participating in varsity sports in college which may even come into play as a walk-on: I know these rules differ by division so I'd suggest checking <a href="http://www.ncaa.org%5B/url%5D">www.ncaa.org</a> if you'd like to play for a school team (I believe you're too old do play D1 varsity sports).</p>
<p>You were in the Tzahal? That's awesome. Nice to see another yid on the board. You'll be fine fitting in. Not to mention how much girls love israelis :) b'hatzlacha!</p>
<p>Personally, I think you would be far from an outcast, and you would fit in fine. In terms of participating in sports, a 34 minute 10k is college x-country material and you could run D1 if you wanted to.</p>
<p>Go somewhere with a good graduate school. You'll find more people your own age to interact with and that would be better than trying to hang with the 18 year olds.</p>
<p>Since you currently live in Chicago, I thought I should suggest your applying to the school on whose campus I live and where I will be attending in the fall: the University of Chicago. I know there currently is an undergrad here who is much older than his fellow students - and much older than you are, as well! The graduate student presence on campus is very prominent, as graduate students outnumber undergrads, which I think will be to your advantage. I have audited and taken beginning and intermediate level language courses through the College, and in both cases many graduate students were in my classes, as they were fulfilling language requirements. Students here have friends of all ages, and I have friends who are both undergrad and grad students; this most likely would be your case, as well. The U. of C.'s athletics are not the best, though they are not terrible, and this is something which would fit you well, I think, as you expressed an interest in sports. Have you considered applying to the U. of C.?</p>