Too Old??? Seeking Advice...

Applying to College
1

<p>Am I too old to start college? I'll be 26 in October, and I have a very interesting background.</p>

<p>I did extremely well in high school (top 10%, Gifted and Talented Program, etc.), but ended up getting my high school sweetheart pregnant and we both took our GED's our senior year (I actually scored incredibly high on that although I don't think it matters).</p>

<p>Anyway, at 18 I received my insurance license and did very well in the insurance business. I ended up eventually getting my securities licenses, and commanding a salary plus bonus total compensation of about $80k per year.</p>

<p>Eventually, I went into business for myself and have done well. Unfortunately, the recession has hit my business very hard, and I've been contemplating going to school (not to mention I HATE the business I'm in). </p>

<p>I've always dreamed about becoming an attorney, and I actually have several friends and clients of all ages in the profession. Based on my business background, and the way I relate to people, I believe I would be an excellent estate or tax attorney.</p>

<p>Of course, I currently don't even have an undergraduate degree. If I started now, I'd be about 30 when I finish my undergrad work, and then straight into law school puts me near my mid-30's to be a lawyer (doesn't seem that bad).</p>

<p>My biggest question is... how do I do it? My parents did not have a lot of money growing up, and I think they pretty much planned that I would not be going to college. They did not pay for me to take the SAT while I was in high school, but I did take the ACT in 7th grade as part of some Duke University study. I scored a 21 in 7th grade and did well on my PSAT, so I'm not too concerned there. I'm well-read, and consider myself to be much more intelligent than a Junior in high school (Additionally, I aced my insurance and securities exams). Do I need to go ahead and sit for the SAT? </p>

<p>At any rate, I completed the FAFSA last Spring, but I'm not sure what to do now. I would likely need to get student loans, but I have no idea where to start. I have also read about CLEP testing... I think this could be an avenue to speed the process up, as I know I could pass many of the test with ease (sat through a Master's level statistics course for fun a couple of years back and had no issues).</p>

<p>Any tips and advice would be much appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>JASPER-
First of all, congratulations are in order as you seem to have done very well so far!</p>

<p>No, you are not too old to go to school. 26 is not old at all anyway. (I was just on another thread where a 36 year old just finished her AA and is applying to schools to finish her undergrad. She will be going away to school in this case.</p>

<p>Before you start with the FAFSA and financial info, you need to determine where you want to go. Locally, if you have a family, or away (there are schools that have on campus apartments for married students, with our without kids. Michigan State University is one. There are others though you may have to start a new tehread for that information.) Community college for 2 years?</p>

<p>I believe you will have to take the SAT’s so call a few schools to verify this. At least take a timed practice test to see how you do. (Some find the ACT easier, as my kids did, so you may want that option too. You can take submit the ACT or SAT.)</p>

<p>Think through your finances as to what you can afford. Private schools give very good merit aid so don’t rule them out. </p>

<p>You seem extremely motivated and intelligent and will likely do very well in school. You can even enroll in a CC this fall, spring, etc to get a head start. You may also want to move quickly by taking classes over the summer (some schools even have 3 summer sessions) and winter breaks.</p>

<p>There is no reason why you can’t go to law school after you graduate. My friend just enrolled at age 46. My brother in law worked full time during the day and went to law school in the evenings (and graduated 2nd in his class) and he was in his mid thirties.</p>

<p>You definitely can reach your goals. Either way you are going to get older. The sooner you start school the sooner you will finish. </p>

<p>I wish you all the best.</p>

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<p>jasper09, I’m guessing you will have to take the ACT or SAT for most schools. I recommend spending some time preparing for it, since part of the score is knowing how to time things, and familiarity with the format. (In particular, the science reasoning section of the ACT and the writing section of both exams.)</p>

<p>You are definitely not too old, although your age, maturity and experiences make some colleges and universities less of a fit for you, I think. My observation is that people with your background are in a great position in large, impersonal universities, relative to some of the young, immature students. No doubt your focus and drive will put you in a great position. I suspect you will enjoy the experience and do very well.</p>

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<p>@crazed - Thanks for the prompt reply and kind words!</p>

<p>I am married and we have one child, so finding living arrangements that would accommodate all of us would be ideal. That being said, is there an advantage to living in student housing? Do most universitites require this?</p>

<p>Is 2 year of community college going to be required in my case? </p>

<p>We have our finances in pretty good shape (minimal debt, etc.), so I’m wondering if it would make since to go to school full-time and do freelancing (copywriting, sales consulting, etc.) to make ends meet? How much financial assistance can I typically count on? Although we don’t have much debt, our assets are minimal (especially as of late).</p>

<p>Thanks again for the great information!</p>

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<p>@midmo - Thanks for the kind words and suggestions. Based on your observation, do any particular universities come to mind?</p>

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<p>You’re never too old.</p>

<p>Much depends on where you want to go. Do you need to stay where you are or are you open to moving? Another factor is whether you have savings or assets which will impact aid. If not, you should be looking at the group of schools that meet 100% of need. These, however are mostly top colleges. For one of them you’ll probably need to move.</p>

<p>Do you need to work part time to support your family? If yes, where the school is should be a big consideration–hard to gets jobs many places.</p>

<p>For most good colleges you’ll need to take the SAT. </p>

<p>Really think through taking too much in loans. Good law schools are very expensive and a lot of undergrad debt on top of that will effect how you live for a long time.</p>

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<p>You answered several of my questions. For more help tell us where you live now.</p>

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<p>@hmom5 - Thanks for the information.</p>

<p>We are not tied down to our current location. Our assets and savings are minimal. Are there some schools that you recommend?</p>

<p>In order to keep the debt load down, I would probably need to work part-time, but I could do freelance work which would pay better than a traditional part-time job. Additionally, my location would not matter.</p>

<p>We currently live in Austin, TX.</p>

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<p>Jasper, listen, when I was in college years ago we had a classmate we called Ben Franklin because that’s who he looked like (he couldn’t have been much under sixty at the time). Another guy was in his late 20’s. At 26 or 27 you’ll stick out a little in a freshman seminar but you will not be much older than many grad students or even a few college seniors.</p>

<p>You could be a good candidate for a Resident Assistant position. Ordinarily one would not be eligible in year one but in your case maybe they’d make an exception. At my son’s school it pays about 8K but I don’t know if that includes or is in addition to the room.</p>

<p>What about your wife? What would she do? A college can be a very nice environment to raise a young child as long as she is content with it. There should be a lot of opportunities for part-time work and recreation (gym, movies, etc.)</p>

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<p>@tk21769 - Haha! Yeah, I don’t think I stick out quite as badly as poor Ben…</p>

<p>My wife would like to take some classes as well. She’s currently a stay-at-home Mom and would likely not want to work more than part-time.</p>

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<p>Clearly UT could be a good choice. Doing well there would be fine if you’re aiming at top law schools. </p>

<p>Aside from that, if you can do well on the SATs, you should look at the schools that meet full need and have a no or capped loan policy. They are generally top colleges.</p>

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<p>Jasper-
I only mentioned Michigan State because I went there for undergrad and grad school. As I expect most large Big Ten (and other) schools have the married/family housing on campus. This may be a good affordable option and they (at least MSU) has day care (so your wife can take classes or work). Good networking and easy to meet others like you too. </p>

<p>The Big Ten schools I am familiar with (MSU, Indiana, Penn State and likely others) have great college towns. MSU had affordable housing in the community too. My nephew was at UGA (univ Georgia) and had very reasonable off campus new apt housing. There will likely be many jobs on and off campus for your wife.</p>

<p>I second tk’s idea to see about a position in the dorm (above RA, which is resident asst and a student position in a single room.) MSU had dorm directors (I think all schools do) in each dorm which comes with an apartment in a dorm. Asst dorm director may be for you. Something to consider but with your freelancing, you may not need this. </p>

<p>As far as community college, no, you can go directly into a college/university as a freshman. It was mentioned as a way to save costs and keep you in the housing you are in now and also to jump start credits (they will transfer to a college) that you will need anyway. This is a way for you to transfer credits to the university you end up in for Fall of 2010.</p>

<p>I think you should make an appt at your local college or local community college to get some of these things answered regarding what classes you should consider to take if you start at a CC this fall. How will financial aid work for you. </p>

<p>As smart as you are, UT Austin may be a good fit for you. In-state tuition is a bonus for you. Call or go on line to see if they have married housing. It is something to consider. </p>

<p>Get going on the SAT and ACT too. You will need to register on line for the tests which are this fall. This is your only chance to take them for your applications. You need to fill out applications this fall. Most are due in Jan but the sooner the better. Try to get most out in Oct/Nov. Spots do fill up. Many schools use the Common Ap (commonap.com, if I remember correctly) with many colleges using the same applicaiton. Cuts down on work on your end. Other schools have applications right on their website. You will need to contact the high school that you graduated from and have transcripts sent to each college you apply to. There will be a check list on the college websites for what you neeed (SAT or ACT scores, high school transcript, letters of recommendation…)</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

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<p>Housing:
UT Austin: [Division</a> of Housing and Food Service - University Apartments](<a href=“UHD Homepage | University Housing and Dining”>UHD Homepage | University Housing and Dining)
MSU: [Future</a> Students Neighborhoods | Campus Living Services](<a href=“http://liveon.msu.edu/futurestudent/neighborhoods]Future”>http://liveon.msu.edu/futurestudent/neighborhoods)
MSU: University Village Apts (tore down the olda nd rebuilt in 2005):
[Michigan</a> State University | Housing&Food Services | Construction](<a href=“http://www.hfs.msu.edu/construction/univ_village.html]Michigan”>http://www.hfs.msu.edu/construction/univ_village.html)</p>

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<p>Penn State: [Housing:</a> Graduates: White Course Apartments](<a href=“Home Page | LiveOn”>Home Page | LiveOn)</p>

<p>With my searches, I think many schools have married housing available.</p>

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<p>I know Stanford can arrange special housing for couples. I’m not too sure about families though.</p>

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<p>jasper 09,</p>

<p>As a Texas resident, you are eligible for in-state tuition rates at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) as long as you meet ACT and gpa requirements–the requirements are not particularly tough to meet.</p>

<p>It would be a pretty inexpensive option, and Fayetteville is a nice college town which, it seems to me, could be an attractive option for someone with small children. I believe there is married student housing, although one of the complexes was closed a couple of years ago while a replacement was being built.</p>

<p>You should be sure to find out what the requirements are for married student housing. Some campuses restrict it to married graduate students, although I think an older undergraduate might get a waiver.</p>

<p>Some info about tuition and fees at U of Ark. (Remember, you will be eligible for in-state rates, in all likelihood.)</p>

<p><a href=“http://treasurer.uark.edu/tuition.asp?pagestate=Average[/url]”>http://treasurer.uark.edu/tuition.asp?pagestate=Average&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It looks like about 14K per academic year, not counting books.</p>

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<p>Someone who went to Harvard with me was about 28, married with a couple of kids when she started college. She graduated and then got a law degree from BU.</p>

<p>No, you are not too old to go to college.</p>

<p>I have friends who started college in their 50s, including one who got a doctorate at about age 70. I read about a woman who got a law degree at about 58.</p>

18

<p>You are not too old.</p>

<p>Some colleges give course credit for life experence. You already know what younger guys take insurance and business classes to learn.</p>

<p>Do you want to go to a top law school or just “hang out a shingle” and practice? I don’t know about Texas but in our state a law degree from a non-accredited law school and passing the bar (no easy feat!) lets you practice.</p>

<p>Find out the requirements for the State in which you want to practice.</p>