<p>So this is my first post here. I skimmed through all the topics and I really couldn't figure out which this would be appropriate in so forgive me, I'm a newb.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm basically searching for any type of advice about college in general because I am beyond lost and I honestly don't know where to begin.</p>
<p>These are my stats:
-(Soon to be) 22 Years Old
-GED, unfortunately
-No SAT/CAT scores or preparatory experience
-Need Financial Aid
-Interested in either English or Interior Design
-Live in the NYC area
-Prefer full time attendence
-Commuter</p>
<p>Basically, I'm searching for a GO! spot on the Monopoly board. Any personal input will be gladly appreciated. (:</p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-M930BST using CC</p>
<p>What type of college are you looking into? A 4-year school? Community college?</p>
<p>I’m 26 with a GED and just started college a year ago…don’t stress yourself out, you’ll do fine.</p>
<p>You said you needed financial aid. Do you have any savings? At 22 you are still considered part of your parents for financial aid unless you qualify to be independent. Read more in the Financial Aid section about this. You would be considered independent if you met any of the criteria below: </p>
<p>Were you born before January 1, 1990?
As of today are you married?
At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014?
Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2014?
At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?</p>
<p>My best advice? You’re going to hate me for it, but since you asked for help here it is: don’t get a worthless degree like English or interior design. Anecdotal outliers ala “my friend majored in English and now he runs IBM” are lousy indicators of what your future would be with that degree. You’ll have more debt and wind up with a job you are already qualified for.</p>
<p>Don’t get mad at me for being the messenger. Society has changed, the job market has changed (even before the Great Recession), college has changed (it’s become more dumbed-down). The old notion that college is a gateway to success is no longer always true. Love it or hate it, college is for STEM, medical, and professional training.</p>
<p>Again, I’m only the messenger.</p>
<p>TomServo, regardless of major, most lucrative jobs want at least a bachelor’s degree. The specific degree (with a few obvious exceptions) does not always matter. Useful majors help, but if the OP is majoring in business when he’s really interested in psychology (or English or philosophy or gender studies) then he will most likely drop out of college simply because he’s bored. He certainly won’t do well. Employers look at GPA and work experience first and foremost, since much of the training happens during job orientation. It is unfair to generalize that college is only for STEM and professional training; not everyone goes to college solely for a higher salary.</p>
<p>Employers do that because in the current economy it is a buyer’s market for labor, and throwing away applicants without degrees is a quick way to shrink the pile of applications. They used to administer iq and similar tests, but the Supreme Court said that was racist or something and so they’ve gone with a far worse option: a four-year, expensive test that the applicant pays for themselves.</p>
<p>Look beyond broad statistics and at the closer picture. The statistics back up the picture I painted above, on average.</p>
<p>To the OP, here is some more advice you might like better. If you wanted to major in English to be a writer, then start writing! Write every day, at least five hundred words, a thousand would be better. Quality doesn’t matter, writing is an iterative process, you improve by rewriting and rewriting.</p>
<p>If you wanted to major in interior design to do interior design, then get started doing that! Work on your own place, work on friends places, work for free to get your skills noticed and word of mouth going.</p>
<p>College would be an impetus to your dreams, not a boon, IMO, unless you’re wealthy and have connections.</p>
<p>I would start with your closest community college. Either use the internet, or calll, or walk in to the department that works with financial aid. Tell them what you told us, and they will lead you in the right direction. In CA, they are extremely supportive of students who are truly interested in getting an education, both in terms of advice, and in terms of financial aid. Be prepared to share your financial information with them - everyone on this board had to fill out a “FAFSA” which is a federal form regarding finances. You will too - people make a big deal of it, but it really isn’t that hard especially for a young person. If you have trouble, there are likely people at the school that will help you. </p>
<p>One other idea… many people who get GEDs had tough experiences in high school for one reason or another. However, if you look back on your high school days, you may find one teacher who was supportive of you and would be willing to guide you. Consider emailing them and asking them if you can bring them Starbucks. They will likely be very proud of you for getting your GED, adn may offer some valuable advice. </p>
<p>I would go for #1 first - then perhaps #2 if you like. Not a deal breaker if you feel uncomfortable, but I am a type of teacher, and I always love it when people come back and tell me their accomplishments. We really do love it -</p>
<p>shoot4moon has excellent advice. Go set up an appointment at a community college. They have dealt with people with your situation in the past and will be able to best direct you.</p>