So I realize at this point I am a unique case, and I’m trying to wrap my head around this entire process. Before I joined the military I graduated with a Game Design Degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I’m not proud of my GPA, and I ended up joining the Navy to jumpstart my career. I served 4 years doing work in Information Technology, with an advanced specialty school in RF and Satellite Communications. I currently work for a large DoD contractor doing engineering support, and I’m finding that in order to grow into better opportunities I need to go back to school.
I’d really like to go back to school for a CS degree, and Carnegie Mellon is the first school on my radar because of their legendary program. As someone who has been out of college for a number of years, I’m finding the navigation process difficult since I’m not a high school student. The primary question on my mind is “What are my chances?” I don’t know what to expect, and I hope my positive career history overshadows my poor performance my first time around in college. I’m also curious how much will transfer to CMU. I have my undergrad of course, but I also have 36 credits from the military that revolve around IT. How much can I expect to transfer, and how much will it lighten the load? I would like to find a part time job at least during my studies, so I can maintain my DoD security clearance.
Anyone have any insights or experience trying to wade through this type of complex situation?
Do you mean a second bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree? usually there is no financial aid for second bachelor’s degrees unless GI Bill benefits could be used.
You need to communicate directly with the Transfer Admissions office about this. They will be able to tell you what is workable. You also could check in with the Veterans office there. That advisor may have useful information for you too.
While you are at it, ask about Masters degree programs. It is possible that you have enough credits in the subject area, and enough experience, to skip straight ahead to an MS instead of a BS.
Would it make sense to consider a distance-ed program like http://www.umuc.edu/ or https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/ that you could complete part-time without leaving your current position? Check with human resources, and find out what sort of degrees they prefer, and if they will help pay for them.
I would be using the GI Bill for a second bachelor’s . Ideally, I’d like to be a full time student, that way you get the full benefits of the housing assistance. It would probably be a waste to go part time at a cheaper institution since the GI Bill covers up to 36k a year and pays a housing stipend. If the school you go to is cheaper than that, then you don’t get any extra.
Hey there badzee. I’ve met many undergraduate students coming from a delayed or late education background – in fact, one of my closest friends in my graduating class is in their late 30s, has two kids, and gained their G.E.D. a couple of years before applying*. That being said, your attempt to do this is entirely feasible, and you wouldn’t be alone through and after the process.
Like another user mentioned, please contact the admissions office for steps needed to be taken. If you’d like any more generalized information on the experiences of the older folks that I’m acquainted with in the Bachelors programs, send me a PM. I’d be happy to give you more details.
*Note: This person applied to a school within the College of Fine Arts.
Also check Yellow Ribbon schools. My understanding is that they pay what the GI bill doesn’t cover, although not sure how that works for a second bachelors. However, I’d also talk to them about just getting a masters. Many of you new 36 credits may serve as the base you need to start a masters.
Tufts has a special program to make it easier for “non-traditional” students to go back to school.
https://students.tufts.edu/academic-advice-and-support/real-program
Tufts CS is smaller and more undergrad focused than Carnegie Mellon and it does not offer a degree in IT. Tufts does have an extensive research partnership with the Army in Cognitive Science, which is a multi-disciplinary area that includes CS. The virtual reality portion of this research could leverage your previous work in game design, if you still have an interest in that area.
http://www.centerforabcs.org/
There is also a relationship with Draper Labs which is a local non profit research lab that does a lot of defense work and is very supportive of education. This could facilitate part time work.
http://www.draper.com/news/draper-s-education-commitment-runs-deep
http://www.draper.com/about
Best of luck
Carnegie Mellon is a fine reach school to have, but CMU is a reach for everyone. You will need multiple schools on your list. If you are local, look at Pitt. Otherwise, is there a particular area of the country you are interested in moving to?