Can you get the "college experience" at 25?

Student Lounge College Life
21

<p>korzon, you allready got a lot of good reply's and you are applying now. Good Luck! I am also an 'older' (> 30) undergrad, now in my last year in college. Let me add a few comments not mentioned yet.
I got accepted into a school for 'non-traditional' students (General Studies of Columbia University). The school takes into account that most of its students are older, so they don't offer mandatory meal plans and undergrad dorm rooms (but grad student housing). The school also organizes social events and tries to create some sense of community, which means that it is easier to meet people of your own age.
You probably want that. Most 18/19 year students are nice and perfectly cool with the older students in class. I've worked with much younger people on class projects/presentations/homework and it went great. That being said, there is a great difference in experience and interests between 18 and 25 years old, I think much bigger than between 25 en 32. I don't go to keg parties, beer pong, studentbars, whatever. If you made $140K / year , you probably don't want to discuss how to spend the $137.53 budget in a 4 hour board meeting of some student club. Also, if you must or want to do an internship, you will have to search a bit harder for an opportunity where you can actually learn something in addition to your existing work experience.</p>

<p>Finally, I initially expected to be inspired by an extraordinary professor or to find a whole new interest through an awesome class. I took some classes outside my current fields of interests, but this did not happen (yet). Maybe, at some age one is too old to be influenced in such a profound way. </p>

<p>In conclusion, I do have the 'college experience' at a later age, however it differs slightly from the traditional 'college experience'. I also interupted my professional career for no other reason than to fill the 'hole' you were mentioning. I have not regret it for a second yet.</p>

22

<p>korzon, apply to northwestern... its in evanston, about 25 minutes north of downtown chicago. northwestern and uchicago are both top 15 universities and excelllent places to get an education. but if you want the life of a college student, i would recommend northwestern over uchicago because it has a nice college atmosphere on campus and off. UChicago has been known as the school where "fun goes to die".</p>

23

<p>Well as a 19 year old starting college this fall I would have no problem with a older freshman classmate. I would kind of look at him to be more mature than me though. I would say go for it and have the time of your life.</p>

24

<p>I am a 24 year old out of Chicago myself. What schools are you looking at? I would suggest it. It is the best thing I did and with your IDF backgroun in emergency medicine you could work through the school year. I had a buddy sleeping at the firehouse and studying there. </p>

<p>Whatever works.</p>

25

<p>Here's the deal: I'm 19, almost 20, and everyone tells me that I act like I'm about 26. Interestingly, I get along best with either guys my own age or girls who are younger than me, with the notable exception being my best friend who is 12 years older than me. I also get along very well with older folks (30 and up). For some reason, people who are 1-3 years older than me and I have never quite had the right chemistry. Also, every close female friend I have is younger than me and I've only dated girls who are at least seven months younger.</p>

<p>Any thoughts on this? (If it helps, I'm an only child)</p>

26

<p>Hey korzon,</p>

<p>I'm also from Israel and going to Columbia SEAS. I served my three years in the IDF and will be 22 when I start. I think it's worth it.</p>