Did I screw up my chance at a good college?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm 21 and starting to get my college life on track. I cruised through high school graduated with a 3.0 gpa had a child just under a year later and got married a little over a year after high school. I took CC classes that I coasted through as well because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, while also working full time. I've finally figured out that I really want to make a career in the financial industry and major in finance.</p>

<p>Unfortunately I only need a handful of classes to finish my associates in accounting at CC and won't be able to raise my GPA to more than a 3.3.</p>

<p>I've been working full time for 2 1/2 years and working as a real estate agent on the side for the past year while going to school mostly full time. I've taken 2 separate semesters off due to work scheduling and family.</p>

<p>I've had a loaded schedule the last couple years of my life and am now wondering if that screwed my chances at meaningful career in a big city in finance.</p>

<p>In this economy I saw an opportunity that to me outweighed college at the time. I was able to by a house at 19 and now at 21 I'm in the process of buying another home to rent out. So my time spent not focusing on school has allowed me to accomplish more than most people twice my age, but in doing so I'm going to have to likely go to a a state school. It's unlikely but I'll try *UC Berkeley. I'm probably stuck with San Diego State or San Jose state but neither will do much good in NYC.</p>

<p>Right now I can basically drop everything and focus solely on doing good at a uni relying on my rental income and a little help from my parents to get us by. So should i try like hell for a high GPA and land an internship/job related to finance for a couple years and go for a masters at an Ivy hopefully?</p>

<p>What are my options here to get me into a finance career in New York City or have I messed my college dreams up to much?</p>

2

<p>Have you considered Columbia General Studies? [Admissions</a> | General Studies](<a href=“http://www.gs.columbia.edu/admissions]Admissions”>School of General Studies Undergraduate Admission | School of General Studies)
“The School of General Studies of Columbia University is the finest liberal arts college in the United States created specifically for returning and nontraditional students seeking a rigorous, traditional, Ivy League undergraduate degree full or part time.”</p>

<p>Or Penn ? [Penn</a> College of General Studies Changes Name to College of Liberal and Professional Studies, Offers New Programs | Penn LPS](<a href=“http://www.sas.upenn.edu/lps/news_091608_01]Penn”>http://www.sas.upenn.edu/lps/news_091608_01) “The College of Liberal and Professional Studies is a part of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts and Sciences and allows its full- and part-time students, ranging in age from high school to senior citizens, the means to achieve a world-class education on a schedule that fits with their lives.”</p>

<p>Or maybe NYU [Liberal</a> Studies](<a href=“http://www.liberalstudies.nyu.edu/page/LShome]Liberal”>http://www.liberalstudies.nyu.edu/page/LShome)</p>

<p>I know these are not business degrees, but you’d get a real degree from a prestigious school.</p>