<p>Hi everyone. I'm 24 and I'm at a point in my life where I need a college education. I have a bunch of questions, but I'll start with my background. I'm smart, but I failed HS because of emotional trauma and depression. I got my GED, worked a bunch of different jobs over the years, and realized "Wow I hate all entry level low paying jobs, I'm not getting anywhere doing this, I'm bored and unhappy, I need to change." Of course I know without a college education or some type of certification I'm not going to get a better job. </p>
<p>So, now what? I'm pretty ignorant of the whole process. Where I live, there are a bunch of community colleges close by. Should I do anything to prepare before I go in to admissions or something and sign up for courses? I mean its been a while since I've done any kind of schoolwork, 6 years to be precise, with only one online course - intro to psych, which wasn't exactly what you'd call rigorous or challenging, but it was interesting and I got all As. So what does a clueless person whos been out of the loop for a while do?</p>
<p>My advice would be to call your local community college and talk to an admissions person there. They probably would give you very good advice because they are very used to helping students like you. Local 4 year colleges, too, may have programs for nontraditional students like you, but more than likely your community college will be the most affordable and will be the best equipped to offer the advice and support that you need.</p>
<p>And do keep hanging out on College Confidential. There's good advice here including for students like you. :)</p>
<p>I'd rec scheduling an appointment with one of the counselors at a nearby community college and tell them what you posted. CC's are great for folks who want to return to school, and the counselors have great knowledge in helping young adults in your situation. The cc's out here have placement tests for classes such math and english to enable them to place kids in the correct classes. </p>
<p>Been there. I was smart and starting over too after three years of mundane employment. What worked for me was retaking the SAT. Not only did my score show colleges that I was a good match for them, it showed initiative too. Just before Spring Semester I visited UMaryland in person and was accepted on the spot. And I did well there.</p>
<p>NewHope33, great story and great name.That should give the OP some new hope of their own.</p>
<p>To the OP, I second the CC opinions. A very fine and successful attorney in Austin ,Texas, has an academic history much like yours. He worked as a "house framer" for several years before the academic "itch" got so bad he had to scratch it. His two years at CC (that took him 3) put him in position to recieve a scholarship to UT-Austin for his last two years. The rest as they say -is history. BTW this particular student worked significant hours n CC and took a number of his courses at night and on Saturdays. It can be done. I saw it happen. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Yeah thats going to be another big challenge, once I pick a college and start the work. I'll want to go full time, but I also need a paycheck, and I also need a healthy social life which involves seeing my girlfriend multiple times a week. How am I supposed to manage all that at once? Ugh. </p>
<p>Another question, since I'm interested in Community College, would I still need to take the SAT tests to get into them, and if so how should I practice and prepare for them?</p>
<p>mjk - I too was a non-traditional student. My best advice - go to the local com college and ask your questions - you may not have to even take the SAT - depending on how long you have been out of school. Many cc's have special transition courses/programs for others exactly like you - believe me - you are not alone in this venture as you will find out. If you have any idea in what direction you may want to travel - business, marketing, science, etc....... you would be starting with the basic gen ed's - as all other college students would be doing.</p>
<p>I know many kids who go to cc and handle full time jobs and relationships as well. 12 credits per semester is what will qualify you as a full time student - or you could start out part time and/or week end programs. There are many ways for you accomplish your goal as a college grad - just go fit - make an appointment and find out what you have to do to make it a reality for you.</p>
<p>You should consider both the community college option and the evening classes option. Some universities offer evening classes (eg. the Harvard Extension School) that allow you to enroll for a fraction of the cost of attending their college. Many of the courses meet only once a week, some meet twice a week. So it should be doable and have a full-time job and a social life as well. Talk to the admission offices at each of the colleges you are considering about their requirements for admission, their transfer rate, etc... Colleges like mature students like you who are motivated and willing to work hard. Good luck.</p>
<p>Not sure if you want/need to stay in Massachusetts. But here is an example of what I learned helping my grandson this year. He had been out of hs only one year. He applied to and was accepted to UNH, which is not far from you. They have a "college within a college" called the Thompson School. It offers a 2-year degree in several fields - same campus, same dorms(if you decide to live on campus), so you are part of the overall place. I am told it is especially helpful for "underprepared" kids (who didn't take or do well in all the recommended hs courses, etc. Although it is not "automatic," if you perform well at Thompson, you can then move over to UNH and get your 4-year degree. Might be worth looking into since you are not too far from there. More importantly, maybe some of the Mass. 4-year campuses have similar offerings.</p>
<p>Some 4-year colleges have specific outreach programs for older students. Brown did-- and may still. (I had two friends there who were FT students in their 30's.) Some may offer adult ed classes by which you could get your foot in the door and prove your ability.</p>
<p>Maybe google a few terms like "older college students" and see what you come up with? Also, you might want to find a well-regarded educational consultant in your area who would have knowledge of the various programs for people in your situaiton. CC is one option, and often the best one, but other options may exist too.</p>
<p>Good for you for going after this! You will appreciate it so much more than many who go straight to college.</p>
<p>Just a note about evening classes - it is not uncommon for evening classes to be much more expensive than day classes at the same school - just keep it in mind.</p>
<p>You have MANY options here - you just have to get the ball rolling and chase after it - the ball is in your court tho - so run with it. Good Luck.</p>
<p>First of all I'd like to applaud your decision to go forward with your education. I am also a nontraditional student, and I would be more than happy to help you any way that I can (feel free to email or PM me).</p>
<p>I agree that one good start for you would be to check with the advising office at you local community college. You don't have to necessarily go to a community college (there are many nontraditional programs at four-year colleges/universities) but it is a good place to start.</p>
<p>You should also check your local library--there are some books out there with advice for nontraditional students. I can't think of it off the top of my head, but there is also at least one book with advice on how to find scholarships that are specifically for nontraditional students. You should also fill out the FAFSA as soon as you have a moment to find out what your EFC is, you could qualify for a PELL grant which would help you to go to school fulltime and not have to work as much.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, again feel free to ask me and I'll be more than happy to help. Good luck!</p>
<p>Okay, I just pulled up my book list, I've found all of these to be at least somewhat helpful:</p>
<p>"501 Ways for Adult Students to Pay for College" -Tanabe
"Adults in College: A Survival Guide for Nontraditional Students" -Schindley
"A Guerrilla Manual for the Adult College Student" -Doolin (This is specifically written for those who want to go to school full-time, work, and still spend time with their family)
"Traditional Degrees for Nontraditional Students" -Sargent</p>
<p>You need to check the specific community college for admission requirements. I know the one very near here accepts everyone who applies, and there is no SAT requirement at all. DH did the CC route for two years (beginning at age 28) and transferred all his credits to a four year university where he got his BS degree. His CC had a relationship with several four year colleges and specific programs (the one he was enrolled in was one of those majors) whereby students completed the prerequisite courses and automatically were accepted for the third and fourth years at the four year schools. Oh...and DH went to CC in the evenings, and worked during the days. It was a very hard two years, but well worth it.</p>