I talked to Montclair State yesterday. Their Web site said there’s no limit on how many credits they take, but when I called, the girl said they don’t take more than 60 credits.
But If he starts over in CIS, he’d need to take around 60 credits at Montclair anyway, when you throw in a few Gen Ed requirements. I haven’t checked any other NJ state schools yet. Maybe others will take more.
I called his original school today, and they said he can apply for rematriculation. If he gets admitted, all of his credits will be valid. He’ll just have to meet the Gen Ed and major requirements that are in place today.
I think he might have enough Chemistry to satisfy the BA requirements. That would mean he’d only have to complete the Gen Ed requirements. That would be great, and very low stress, if he decides to go the school route. The only problem is he’d have to restablish residency in NY.
There is a chance his manager would let him work part time. I was even thinking he could ask for a leave of absence. His manager loves him. She recruited him from a company they worked at together previously.
@“aunt bea”, it’s true. There are kids without degrees who work in support, but I don’t think he’s in the right frame of mind to talk his way into a job. He also knows nothing about computer support right now:-) He would need some schooling.
@mom2collegekids, I’m not giving up on the idea of convincing him to see a therapist or psychiatrist, but it’s a long shot.
You posted this on another thread. I’m not sure how those couple of bad semesters will impact his getting aid…but it could.
There is something called “satisfactory academic progress” and one needs to meet this to get continued financial,aid. Your friend being asked to leave implies he had very poor semesters…not just marginal. Is that correct?
He will have to provide his full transcript from his former college. He will,also have to have a good way of showing he is now able to handle the college material without failing.
Honestly…I can’t think of any reason why you would be trying to talk him into finishing a degree. He doesn’t really have “career” aspirations that require a degree. He has anxiety issues that could very well get in the way of completing college courses. He currently has a job. What skills does he have at his high paying job that he could take to a lower paying and less stressful job.
I do want to add…if he truly has an anxiety disorder…the next job, regardless of how unstressful it would be to most people…could very well be stressful to him. So could college courses.
And what happens if college is not successful? Then he has no job…and no new direction…and no way to pay his bills.
It seems like you are pushing him to get his degree. Why?
He doesn’t sound like he wants to do that. @thumper1 s absolutely correct.
Things have changed A LOT since he was in college. Can he adapt quickly to new requirements in his classes? Will he even be admitted if his GPA was questionable?
If he leaves his job, he will be replaced. He won’t have any decent amount of money for school and financial aid will not be guaranteed. This whole situation, to me, is extremely anxiety-producing. What if nothing goes as expected?
What will you do then, push him into something else? Would you be willing to financially support him?
I really think you are doing a disservice to him trying to push him into an unknown future with minimal money, increased stress and no guarantee of completion of his degree or employability.
That is correct. But I think it was at the end, when he was taking Chemical Engineering courses. He was going for a Chemistry/Chemical Engineering double major. I think he got bad grades in the Chem Engineering courses, but it’s not a subject he loves talking about, so I’m not sure.
This guy is one of my best friends in the world. I care very much what happens to him. I think it’s similar to what a lot of us do with our kids. We confuse what we would/could do with what they should/could do. I want the best for him, and it’s tricky trying to figure out how to advise him.
I’m not sure if you saw my last post, but I’m liking his plan better than mine lately.
Yes, I’ve told him that he can live with me while going to school if he chooses a school close to where I live, and that he can live with me if he crashes and burns. My wife is on board. He’s a good friend of ours.
That’s the big unknown. I have no idea how bad his bad semesters were, and schools will promise nothing until you actually apply.
If your friend failed courses…it doesn’t matter when he did so. He failed them. This will show up on his transcript which he will be required to provide. The new university will be the one to determine what this means in terms of admission…and maybe financial aid (the meeting SAP requirement for continued aid is relatively new).
Think you are trying to be a helpful friend. I’m sorry, but if it were me, I would offer lodging and financial,help contingent on him getting help for his anxiety issues. The reality is…this help,could,change his life in a way he just can’t imagine,
If he’s not ready to make the calls to gather college information, maybe he’s not ready to go to school. If this were a teen, we’d be encouraging him to address the anxiety first, then make longterm plans. I agree with the posters who suggested that for him as well. I’d step back and encourage him to seek help from his doctor, then let him decide what he wants to do with his future.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that anxiety follows you everywhere. It’s not his high stress job: it’s him. Gotta take care of yourself, first.
(Also, college makes your anxiety spike like no other. Going back to school is the absolute last thing on the earth that I’d do in his situation.)
Best of luck to your friend. But to echo other comments… I don’t think this path makes sense for him.