<p>My parents aren’t going to help me at all with this degree and I don’t blame them. This was my choice to go back, and I don’t expect a dime from them. My mom has already helped my out a lot by letting my live at home and I feel guilty about it. </p>
<p>The school isn’t as expensive as some others (since it’s a huge local, public university) and I have enough money saved up to pay for a year of school and personal expenses. But after that my bank account will be in the negatives. Since I’m an only child, I’m sure they would help with books or something if I asked, but I really don’t want to have to rely on them. </p>
<p>I’m friends with some of the Bio professors (and have done a couple outside jobs for them) and they have tried to help me with funding and networking. I"m just in this crucial stage where I’m not experienced (not enough bio classes under my belt) enough to apply for Ecology or General Biology scholarships. I’m hoping I can get one of those if I don’t break the bank in this first year.</p>
<p>Are you sure that you have fully explored the potential for getting a master’s degree in biology? You mentioned that it was “impossible” but is that just because of the policies at this particular college? At some universities I am familiar with, it is not uncommon to grant “admission with deficiencies” status to incoming graduate students who have an undergraduate degree in a different field (say, a journalism major who now wants to study biology!). They spend the first semester or two taking undergraduate classes in their new major to give them the necessary background to move on to graduate-level classes (i.e., eliminating the “deficiencies”). </p>
<p>That would seem a much better option for you, since a master’s degree would make you more “employable” than having just a BS in biology. And it seems like you would have more funding options as a graduate student.</p>
<p>You’re right! I’ve only fully looked into this particular university and here’s why:
This school is my “safety school,” it’s significantly less expensive than other schools in the area or moving out of town. The cost of living is very low here (in the South) and the cost of moving elsewhere I fear will break the bank much sooner.</p>
<p>I would still encourage you to explore the possibility of getting a master’s a little more before giving up. Funding is often available through research and teaching assistantships, plus graduate students are considered independent of their parents so they often qualify for more aid. </p>
<p>I would check with the financial aid office regarding the Stafford Loans. I am quite sure you can continue to borrow until you reach your lifetime maximum (kelsmom says the limit is $31 grand - and that sounds like the number my older D told me as well). If you borrowed for your first bachelors, you might have reached $17 or $18 grand so far.</p>
<p>I also would encourage you to talk to them about institutional grants and scholarships. You might be surprised what they have to offer you.</p>
<p>@ worried_mom I’ll definitely do a little more research! If you know of any schools that offer that option, please let me know (I live in the South).</p>
<p>@ susgeek I’ve already applied for 3 general arts & science scholarships (since those are the only ones I’m eligible for right now). A big “no” on one of them already. I find out about the other two this week. Wish me luck!</p>
<p>Once I take the two general BIO classes, I’ll be able to apply for their BIO scholarships which are much easier to get.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the support and feedback so far, it’s been helping out a lot!</p>
<p>Following worried_mom’s advice, I dug a little deeper into the Master’s program at my school and talked to my adviser about taking some general courses as a non degree seeking student (which I’m already registered for in the Summer and Fall) then applying to their program next year.</p>
<p>Here’s their breakdown to be considered for the program:
3 Upper Division Biology Courses
5 courses in the following subjects: Chemistry I, Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Biochemistry, Physics I, Physics II, Calculus, and Statistics</p>
<p>Here are my stats:
General Chem 1 & 2- This Summer
Elementary Calc, Organic Chem 1, General Bio 1- This Fall
Organic Chem 2, General Bio 2, Stats- Next Spring</p>
<p>I’ll still be missing 3 upper division Bio classes, but I might be able to take them next Summer (which is when my application is due). I will only need one more upper division BIO class when I actually apply for the program (assuming I can take those two next Summer).</p>
<p>What do you think my chances will be to get accepted if I’m deficient one class, have a GPA of 3.4 and do average on my GRE (haven’t actually taken it yet, but I did average on my ACT/SAT back in the day. I hate those kind of tests!)??</p>
<p>I would say so. IT all comes down to your GRE. Being missing one course is never a dealbreaker; colleges will work with you to either see if you can obtain a gre-waiver exemption or take the course at a non-standard time to meet the overall requirement. However, that all relies on getting a decent GRE graduate test score, and while you might not like it you have to study and be prepared or lese it can make you hav eto go back to a CC to finish that one class and then transfer later after retaking the GRE and reapplying to other grad programmes.</p>
<p>Hi, I was just wondering how your situation played out? I am also considering a second Bachelor’s and am doing a little research. I graduated with a Business Management degree and have never been able to land anything but deplorable, low-paying jobs. I would like to completely re-route my career path.</p>
<p>I went back to school for biology and I also got a job at the University working the in Biology department as a lab tech. Unfortunately while taking classes I had a family emergency and it forced me to re-evaluate everything. </p>
<p>I took the Spring '11 semester off of school (while still working as a lab tech). Then it occurred to me…I hated working as a lab tech and I hated working in biology. All the people I worked with HAD a biology degree and they’re doing the same job as me. Why would I invest in a degree that would lead me down the same path?</p>
<p>So I started digging deep, really deep into what I truly find interesting and enjoy. A friend of mine majored in Geography and got a great job right out of college. I had many in depth talks with her and Earth Science professors at my school. I also did my research to see how many Geography jobs were really out there right now. To my surprise, there were tons!</p>
<p>With my current Gen ed’s I would be able to graduate in 3 semesters (3 semesters EARLIER than a biology degree). Just because of that alone, it would save me tons of money. </p>
<p>As far as funding, I’ve put my Journalism skills to good use. My academic adviser and professor offered me a research position over the Summer. As a result of that project, I’m applying for a research grant. This also opens up the door to many internships (including government ones).</p>
<p>This past year has really been a struggle for me, but I really feel excited about this. </p>
<p>My advice for @downsbirming would be to just put yourself out there. Once you know what you want to do, then put yourself out there (and really do your research to make sure there are actually jobs in the field you’re choosing). I really put my Journalism skills to use by being persistent and ALWAYS keeping up with contacts. You may feel like you’re being annoying, but I wouldn’t have this research position if I hadn’t been persistent. Good luck to you and everyone considering a change of career :)</p>