I’m a mature international student(male 34 yo), super excited about computer science.
Here is a quick state about me
I have +10 years software-engineering(sw-eng) experience (can RA)
2-3 years as a faculty(good rank), subjects like MS SQL, and Java (can TA)
I’m holding a sw-eng certificate(2 years of study, 2007-2010) from a private institute located in India(but I’m not Indian)
Have an entrepreneur mindset. I’m very into startups, and also have got a startup with a beta MVP(am very confident about it, can grow and launch it as a student startup)
So that’s it, I’m very scared. I know many odds are against me, still super excited and determined about it. I’m studying physics, chemistry, and math full time for now. I was told I have to retake the 12th, to pass the HS diploma again.
Also about possible RA.
Sometimes I find very interesting projects/research(labs) as I surf unis out there, which I find myself a possible RA candidate after I read and learn more about the project.
But those researches are mostly for graduate students, and I’m feeling ashamed to contact professors about that. Do you think a professor could help with my application later? IDK, like recommending, etc?
I really cannot afford the tuition, and I need fin-aid, and in return, I would do RA/TA, and participate in any computer/programming activity/volunteering to give it a return.
I know I’m going to make it happen anyway, I would like to have your comment regarding this. Any comment, or recommendation? Like anything I should have in mind(to start chasing) for now to give me more chances later with my application(s)?
International students in the US are limited in how much they can work since they are in the country on a student visa. I believe the limit is 20 hours per week and pay is generally low. It would be enough to cover incidentals but not pay for tuition or a place to live. In order to qualify for a U.S. student visa you must show ability to pay up front or the visa won’t be granted. Other countries may provide better opportunities.
I am also not aware of any school that will hire an incoming freshman as a TA or RA. These are typically offered to graduate students. Some schools do have undergraduate TAs, but these go to students that have already established a track record at the school.
But my larger question to @atsch is: you already seem to be well established in your career based on what you’ve stated (10+ years work experience, tech related certificates, etc.). Why do you feel you need a bachelors degree at this point? And why in the US?
Yes, why a bachelors in US?
Some say it is most expensive degree in the world.
Maybe an employer would sponsor online degree from Arizona State University?
Yes, I admit I’m living with many odds, sorry about that. Still very serious about this. It’s becoming harder and harder, as I find more obstacles and problems toward this(oh you look odd, you can’t do this, just give up, we cannot support you, etc…)
I know financial aid are almost N/A for international students, and that’s why I’m trying to give it a return by doing RA, etc… whatever I can.
Yes, Canada is a 2nd Plan as well, haven’t digged into it yet, will do. I wish I had some local good-quality(satisfying) schools to join(still keep it in my mind as a 3rd plan), most of them are totally anti-supportive, expensive, and low-quality(my ex-students were mostly from those unis).
@DadOfJerseyGirl my experience is mostly relies on applied software engineering(yes I can build quality software, but it’s not a big deal, not satisfying), and the reason I like to go back to a school is dive into computer science more scientifically, and a BS is not enough, I’m thinking to take it till a PhD, and doing research till I die.
@Hippobirdy thank you for stating ASU and possible sponsored programs. Going to learn more about this, sounds very interesting.
Thank you in advance for your time friends. STEM bless us all.
My daughter is a grad student and gets her tuition paid and is an RA for which she gets a stipend ($1300/mo). There are no students in her program who just get to RA for the money, they are in ‘the program’ and it is tuition, fees, health insurance, and the stipend. They are ALL grad students. Occasionally the department has opportunities for the grad students to earn extra money, and that always goes to my daughter (they like her) like manning an info booth or an extra research project. Again,not much money.
It’s really hard. My daughter also works at Starbucks, has very very cheap rent, drives a 20 year old car. She lives in Wyoming so her expenses are low. If you go to school in any city in the US, your expenses are going to be pretty high; most grad students can’t live on just the stipend.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate your time.
Actually back in mid 2022, I tried to find a job in Germany, or Canada(to get there, and start studying later). I was rejected 99% due to not holding a degree(the ones mentioned, stated it out). And as expected, it’s really risky and nonsense to sponsor a case like me.
The federal options(like express, etc…) are score based, as I don’t have any job offer(due to above), nor a degree, so my score would be below the cut-off.
Besides the work path, I tried to contact some investors to check out my project and help me about the process(startup visa, etc…) and same story. They stated visa things are very complicated, we won’t do that for early stage stuff.
Also I was told that companies tend to not do job-offer for a B.S. holders mostly, as they either give up hiring someone as the visa process is kind of very complicated and risky.
Also checked some scholar options, they are more likely for M.S., and PhD programs. Some years ago I visited some local uni to transfer my certificate and start studying, but no chance!
Thanks for the explanation. I hope you understand I’m saying the following with good intent.
Let’s leave aside for a minute the overwhelming odds you face as a non-traditional international student seeking full aid. Let’s say you get in, with sufficient aid. And later you get into a fully funded PhD program. What next?
You say you want to do research. To me, that means academia. It is extremely competitive to get a faculty position, and in your case you will also need the university to sponsor you for a work visa. For them to go through the cost and effort of doing that, you will need to be a far stronger candidate than all the other American PhDs applying for those same positions.
Alternatively, you might say you want to find a research position in the industry (not many exist these days in your field, by the way), but again you will need sponsorship. You will be in your mid 40s by then, and I would love to say there is no age discrimination in hiring because it’s against the law - but having spent 2+ decades in corporate America (in tech and finance), I would be lying. The odds will again be overwhelmingly against you.
My point is: for your plans to work out, a lot of low probability events have to all come through for you. In other words, bluntly stated: your chances are nearly zero. Is pursuing this plan the best use of your time, energy and money? If you want to firm up your CS knowledge more formally there are plenty of resources - books and online courses for example, that are easily accessible and relatively inexpensive. You can also do CS research on your own because for the most part you don’t need a lot of infrastructure or investment. You don’t need a college degree to be successful at your age and with your experience. And you certainly don’t need a US degree.
It seems that will be my only choice unfortunately. Most of them are low-quality. They mostly tend to teach things(very limited research, they take things easy, not any hard challenges). But still an option.
It’s very hard to get admitted(have to pass some hard off-topic subjects like Arabic-lang for any major), but once you get in, it will be very easy to graduate. Not good at all.
@DadOfJerseyGirl really appreciate your time writing this, and yes they are all logical and fair points you mentioned.
It just feels very bad as everyone encourages you to just give up, IDK, maybe my time has passed, and I’d better cool down.
I’m sorry, I know this is your dream. I understand and respect that.
I’m not simply trying to be discouraging. Instead, I am trying to provide a realistic view and I suggested an alternate path that will be much more attainable than the path you’re currently looking to pursue.
In any case, I wish you the very best. Keep us posted.
It is very difficult to do what you propose, to get an undergrad degree while working for it. That’s difficult for a US student to do who can qualify for work study, for US government loans, who is willing to work more than 20 hours per week.
As an international, you can’t do any of those things as our laws restrict the number of hours you can work on a student visa and you aren’t eligible of work study or loans.
People have suggested Canada or your own country for an undergrad degree as, while still difficult, it’s more likely to work for you. You could then try for a grad degree in the US (but still difficult).
Since you would need to retake 12th grade, I assume your 2-year certificate is not equivalent to an academic diploma from secondary school - or, do you have that?
I’m wondering whether you may be able to first move to a low cost of living European country (mostly in Central Europe) and complete a program in English before you use that credential to get into a reputable university in CS or Informatics.
French and German higher education programs are free but you need to speak either language very well.
Free programs in English are rare and would be more likely in countries where the language isn’t very commonly taught abroad (ie. Finland, Romania, ¨Cek Republic)
Quebec has a “transition college” for 2 years. Most students are 17-21, but a significant percentage are adults who are retraining or getting advanced training. Some of these are in French, some in English. These colleges would offer a 3-year certificate that would reduce time to receive a BS if you chose to go that route, or would make you eligible for a job&application to permanent resident status. For your best shot you’d have to be willing to go outside the main population centers, especially to Northern colleges, but I don’t know if they have programs in English
Oxford and Cambridge have fantastic colleges for mature students if you’re considering colleges around the world. They regularly accept people in their 30s and 40s who’ve not had traditional experiences.
I’m confused. Where are you planning to do this research?
Your plan is to come and work in the US? Is that why you have decided that the US is your only option?
I have to agree with @DadOfJerseyGirl, that according to your needs, of “All or None”, for a US research position, you’ve restricted what you are willing to accept.
It seems that if you want an RA position, without any knowledge of how the US educational college system works, that you really are in dire need a reality check. That, in itself is very difficult. But, you also want to do this in the US, so, as a non-citizen, you would need to be sponsored. In the US, a sponsorship would have to go through US immigration.
There are thousands of students who want to be sponsored. There is a very long line because, US employers are mandated by US immigration laws, to find and employ US citizens first and foremost. It is very difficult for a non-citizen to find positions available to them. Employers do not want to hassle with the paperwork, expense and time of sponsoring a non-citizen.
I understand that it’s your wish to redirect your goals, but unless you choose something that will work for your situation, you may be stuck.
