I went back to school in 2007 when I was 31. I’m graduating in a couple of months (AS transfer degree). I started out with a list of about six schools that I wanted to apply to. In the end, though, I ended up only applying to two: university of the pacific and occidental.
I don’t know how my age may affect my chances. I got a lot of different advice when it came to writing my essays. Some people insisted I shouldn’t mention my age at all, while others thought it should be the focus of my essay. Some people thought my essays should be all about the schools I was applying to, while others said it should be more about me.
Ultimately I went with an essay that was about me and the influences in my life that lef me to go back to school in the first place. I don’t know if it is the essay that will get me into one of those schools, but it is the one that needed to be written.
If I don’t get accepted I will stay at my cc and take a few more math and science classes (I am a geology major). I feel the main thing working against me is that I only have calc I. (Although I consider that quite an acheivement considering two years ago I only tested into pre-algebra and now I have already made it to calculus and work as a math tutor). Hmm… maybe that is something that should have gone into my essay…
I’m curious to hear about other older students and how the transfer process has gone for them.
I was admitted to Columbia GS having only completed Pre-Calc, so I wouldn’t think that would be a major deterrent. So long ad you are making forward progress, Id like to think thy would be fine.
As far as essays, I like to take the unconventional position of seeking as little advice as possible on writing essays. I believe admissions wants to get to know you, and too much advice could distort who you truly are. Keeping in mind that most schhols seek to build a diverse student body, I would think life experiences as an older student would foster a different diversity. I don’t know, write about you, let your voice be heard. Nobody here is in admissions so it’s all speculation.
I also got a bit of a late start (I’m 32 now), but so far it has only been a benefit. I started at Santa Barbara City College three years ago and now I am ready to transfer to UCSB (decision still pending). But I’m not worried about getting in to their anthropology department - I’m just worried about whether I’ll get a scholarship or not.<br>
Being a little older has set me apart from most of the students. I am more committed than most of them and have been able to maintain a stellar GPA. I’m hoping that universities will see an up-and-coming, get-up-and-go anthropologist when they see one.
The essay is the opportunity we get to show the admissions department that person. Good luck on your college career.
hey anthroman! we’re in the same boat in a few ways! i’m also 32 and an anthropology major. i’m at berkeley city college and applied to a bunch of schools (both UC’s and east coast schools).
where else did you apply?
depending on your FAFSA student contribution (efc), you can still get wonderful aid packages. i received nearly a full ride from davis, i’ll only have to borrow $5k. of course, this won’t cover all my adult bills (car payment, insurance, pet costs, etc…), but i can appeal to borrow more, or just work a few more hours.
here’s to being the older kid in the classroom… i took the sat’s this january and the high schoolers had some interesting looks for me. it was quite amusing.
Hi this may sound bad or trite or typical or blah blah negative adjective. But I gave my essay to ********* and they REALLY helped. I got in so far two of my top 3 schools, Northwestern, Wellesley, and I am waiting on Hopkins. I have two dream schools Yale and Stanford but those are a little bit unrealistic. I used the same essay for them all but changed them up to personalize them to each school. I dont have any college calc, but i did that in HS but the AP exam didnt go well for me so I did not turn my AP scores in. I sent my SAT scores in but most of the schools didnt require it, but I think it added that little extra pizzaz that made me look good.
As far as my grades… they were NOT perfect. Back in 03 I started college and got 2 Cs and a D. I took off for forever and went back this 08/09 school year and took all honors courses at CC and got straight As and overloaded and got ridiculously involved in the campus. I was chief newsletter editor, VP of the honors club, member of an honors society, did lots of fundraising, promotions, etc. blah blah.
I THINK for SURE the essays should be about you… but there are the essays that are the Why X school, and you should certainly say why YOU would fit at THAT specific school. I went on the website and totally picked apart the program and said it was perfect for me. If you want advice on how to form the Why X college, smash all the questions from the penn essay and put them in your essay =P
To be honest, I’m not sure how you COULD avoid discussing your age. Virtually everyone 24 and older gets classified as a non-traditional student, and that means that they have to go through separate admissions processes at most institutions, especially private ones. And, heck, your birthdate will be right there on the application. You can’t hide it; trying to is pointless.
There’s a difference, though, between making your age the focus of your essays and making you and your accomplishments in all that time the focus. Rather than talking about having to overcome your age or something like that, just detail all of the wonderful things you’ve done and show your confidence in yourself. Admissions officials really like to see confidence in non-traditional students, since they want to make sure you’ll be able to handle being in an environment dominated by often less-than-understanding traditional students, so I would aim for that.
I came here wondering if there were any older students, like myself, and here you all are. Huzzah. I’m finishing up my community college stint in hopes of transferring (or applying as a freshman since some places don’t take CC credit). I have some questions, but I’ll put them in their own thread. Nice to see you all here
oxgirl, the only college I know of in the entire country that has a policy against accepting community college credit is Duke. Where are you looking to apply?
I got accepted at University of the Pacific and waitlisted at Occidental. I also got laid off so I can’t afford to move before Fall 2009. So I am reapplying to Pacific for Spring 2010. I talked to someone in their transfer admissions department and it sounds like the reapplying thing is mostly formality and my spot will still be there.
Hi! I’m in Vermont and I want to get my degree in Chinese language, so I’ll apply to UVM, Dartmouth and Middlebury. The last 2 don’t take community college credits. Kind of a drag, eh?
I found a cool website that gave me a free assessment of my admissions essay–I’m also a nontraditional applicant that got the crazy idea to go back to school for an engineering degree. Call me a masochist! Anyway, if you’re looking for some free feedback, I found it valuable, then just made the changes myself. Email me if you’re interested–I understand advertising names isn’t allowed in this forum.
I am in need of advice. I am an older student (36yrs), and I have a set life on Long Island, NY. I am getting close to graduating with my A.A. in early childhood ed soon. And I need to find a college/university to continue with my degree. I am not sure if I want to go upstate to go to college. HELP ME!
I have done some research on the SUNY website and now at least have a direction…SUNY Oneonta. Which I hear is well known to be a party school (it’s nickname is Stoney-onta). Since I live on Long Island I will have to dorm there. And I am unsure of the reception I will get from my ‘younger’ contemporaries
i’m at berkeley city college and applied to a bunch of schools (both UC’s and east coast schools).