Anybody go back to college mid 20s? NECRO

[Chaotic42]

I did and it wasn't a big deal. I got my BS in mathematics at 30 and I'm planning on going back to start on my PhD next year, so I'll be 33. I was the oldest in most of my math classes, but I took several CS classes and I was about in the middle as far as age went. No one ever mentioned my age or seemed to care.

 

[Merad]

I got a AS at 24, finished my BS last week at 29, and should have a MS by the end next summer just after I turn 31. If you actually go back to school for school you'll probably find that you do much better than most of the younger kids and the professors will love you.

My only real regret is that financially I'll basically be starting at 31 with essentially nothing where most people get that out of the way in their early 20s.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I will be starting college again real soon and wanted to hear some of the experiences of those that went back to school in their mid to late twenties.

I am 26 and will be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. My first two years will be at a local community college and then I hope to transfer to a university for upper division.

Part of what I am curious about is how likely am I to meet people my own age? I am currently taking a prerequisite math class and I am by far the oldest person. I know every city/college will differ but is it common to find older people in classes such as calculus, physics, or beyond? Any other bits of information that I may find interesting?

Not sure if it counts, but I started law school at age 25. Worked during the day and went to school at night. Not going to lie - it sucked. But there were people there my age and older.

 

[edo101]

I got a AS at 24, finished my BS last week at 29, and should have a MS by the end next summer just after I turn 31. If you actually go back to school for school you'll probably find that you do much better than most of the younger kids and the professors will love you.

My only real regret is that financially I'll basically be starting at 31 with essentially nothing where most people get that out of the way in their early 20s.

Hi I saw your response in this thread and I wanted to ask you how things are going. I am think about doing a double major in college but that would mean I would be graduating at age of 29. You said your regret was starting everything at the age of 31. How are things going for you now and what kind of financial considerations should I consider?

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I completed college at age 22. After working a few years I went back to law school (age 26). It was difficult because by then, I had bought a house and so going to school full time was not an option. I ended up working full time during the day and going to school at night. Something I would not recommend anyone do if the can avoid it.

That said, there were plenty of people my age in law school. Demographics are probably different in your situation though.

 

[edo101]

I completed college at age 22. After working a few years I went back to law school (age 26). It was difficult because by then, I had bought a house and so going to school full time was not an option. I ended up working full time during the day and going to school at night. Something I would not recommend anyone do if the can avoid it.

That said, there were plenty of people my age in law school. Demographics are probably different in your situation though.

YEah this isn't law school. This would be getting another undergraduate degree. I am currently in Electrical Engineering but I wanted to get computer science as well. I am 25 right now and people I started school with have left already, some started familes and building their own wealth.

Half of me wants to do it, the other half wants to move on and check out the real world and enjoy the freedom of 20s but with the bonus of money. Unfortunately, my school has this unique organization and program unlike any other school and you can only do it while you're in undergrad. It would be a once in a life time thing and I feel like I will always wonder what could have been. I have missed this program before because of pressure to find an internship which i did and have regretted it more than anything else in my life so there's that angle

kinda sounds weird right?

 

[Dr. Zaus]

I will be starting college again real soon and wanted to hear some of the experiences of those that went back to school in their mid to late twenties.

I am 26 and will be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. My first two years will be at a local community college and then I hope to transfer to a university for upper division.

Part of what I am curious about is how likely am I to meet people my own age? I am currently taking a prerequisite math class and I am by far the oldest person. I know every city/college will differ but is it common to find older people in classes such as calculus, physics, or beyond? Any other bits of information that I may find interesting?

27 when I graduated with an undergrad. 33 when I got my Ph.D. Now I teach many people in that demographic.

You'll excel beyond all the students there because they've got nothing else going on in their life.

 

[cbrunny]

My wife is set to go back for an MA. I started my MA at 23 and finished at 25. Wifey will be 29 when she starts.

The only advice I can offer is simple. Work. Hard.

 

[clamum]

I'm thinkin about going back for my Master's in Computer Science this fall. I'm 33. I'm looking forward to it, actually.

But for you, I think you're smart to do the community college and transfer thing. That's how I did my Bachelor's and I'm glad I did.

 

[fourdegrees11]

No online school from anyone in this thread? It's pretty easy to do while working full time, especially if you're going to be at home wasting time on the internet after work anyway.

People should also look into taking CLEPs. I passed 4/5 when I got my AAS

 

[edo101]

What do y'all think about people that wont start making money till around 29 to 30 then? I don't believe money makes you happy but I mean maybe thats just the 25 year old me talking. Again speaking of doing what I want to do which is skipping graduation and tacking on Computer science as well

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What do y'all think about people that wont start making money till around 29 to 30 then? I don't believe money makes you happy but I mean maybe thats just the 25 year old me talking. Again speaking of doing what I want to do which is skipping graduation and tacking on Computer science as well

http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

A lot of people never start making money, like, ever. Better late than never.

Anyway, I'm 33, still go to college part time, just 'cuz I can and it keeps things interesting. Got a BA/MA in a traditional timeframe, started an AAS at 28, finished that, and started chewing on a second BA last year.

...

No, I don't have kids, why do you ask?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

No online school from anyone in this thread? It's pretty easy to do while working full time, especially if you're going to be at home wasting time on the internet after work anyway.

People should also look into taking CLEPs. I passed 4/5 when I got my AAS

I can't stand online courses. TBH, part of it is lack of self-discipline - if I don't have to be in a room 3 hours a week, I slack off. But I really get a lot out of lecture/presentation.

 

[edo101]

http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

A lot of people never start making money, like, ever. Better late than never.

Anyway, I'm 33, still go to college part time, just 'cuz I can and it keeps things interesting. Got a BA/MA in a traditional timeframe, started an AAS at 28, finished that, and started chewing on a second BA last year.

...

No, I don't have kids, why do you ask?

Thanks for the input. Its kinda reassuring. I'm very tempted to do what others my age are doing but I know last time I did it, i never felt at peace with it and still don't. I really hate to be the odd one that stays in college past what I NEED, a bunch of people think its a waste. I know I wanna give the program at my school one more shot. I just don't know if I'm wasting the "best years of my youth" 20 -30 that is

 

[adairusmc]

No online school from anyone in this thread? It's pretty easy to do while working full time, especially if you're going to be at home wasting time on the internet after work anyway.

People should also look into taking CLEPs. I passed 4/5 when I got my AAS

I live 5 blocks from my university but work full time, so most of my classes are online. Almost finished with my BS in Business Administration, and I am accepted in the MBA program for this fall. I started when I was 31, I am 33 now.

Working full time making good money allows me to spend the BAH I get from my GI Bill benefits on cool things, like snowmobiles, guns, suppressors, and various other toys. Love getting paid to go to school, plus it is easy.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

What do y'all think about people that wont start making money till around 29 to 30 then? I don't believe money makes you happy but I mean maybe thats just the 25 year old me talking. Again speaking of doing what I want to do which is skipping graduation and tacking on Computer science as well

I didn't start making ATOT minimum wages until this year. 34. Before that I lived off of intermittently stopping school to start small tech firms and working as a research assistant.

Wife and I are 300k in. However: you only have to pay back 10% of what you make above 150% of poverty. Which amounts to less than interest. Then it's forgiven after 20 years, 10 if you work at a non-profit or government job (which all good universities are).

All in all I found that the system was fair, if not a bit overly advantageous to those who make poor choices; like had I gotten a Ph.D. in English or some nonesense like that.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

No online school from anyone in this thread? It's pretty easy to do while working full time, especially if you're going to be at home wasting time on the internet after work anyway.

People should also look into taking CLEPs. I passed 4/5 when I got my AAS

For the most part real pay-back comes from a BS or better, and that requires regional accreditation. Many online places are gags in that regard.

Further, the value of a college education is being challenged to think differently by a person who enables that thinking. That an't something we do too well online.

 

[DainBramaged]

I got my BA when I was 32 and I'm in law school now. Interesting, but generally positive experiences as a non-traditional student.

 

[edo101]

I got my BA when I was 32 and I'm in law school now. Interesting, but generally positive experiences as a non-traditional student.

What were you doing before if you don't mind me asking?

And the wealth thing starting at a lower time, does that bother you?

 

[SketchMaster]

No online school from anyone in this thread? It's pretty easy to do while working full time, especially if you're going to be at home wasting time on the internet after work anyway.

People should also look into taking CLEPs. I passed 4/5 when I got my AAS

For the most part real pay-back comes from a BS or better, and that requires regional accreditation. Many online places are gags in that regard.

Further, the value of a college education is being challenged to think differently by a person who enables that thinking. That an't something we do too well online.

And the ones that are accredited are mostly for-profit schools that will drain your bank account.

I did online for a while, but I found that giving up a few happy hours a week to attend a local college is much, MUCH cheaper. An Eng 101 class at an online college I attended for six months was $1,200. Most of the classes at a community college where under $500 easy, and they even offer interest-free payment plans.

An online college makes sense if you are a single parent or have a job that doesn't offer any flexibility AND you can spend that kind of money. It's just not what I'd recommend for the average person getting into/go back to college.

 

[DainBramaged]

What were you doing before if you don't mind me asking?

And the wealth thing starting at a lower time, does that bother you?

18-24: Doing school sporadically, full-time, part-time, or not at all.
24-29: Did five years in the USMC, taking a total of 12 credits, completed my associate degree.
30-32: Performed junior and senior years of undergrad at University of Illinois.
32-present: Law school at Northern Illinois University

What did you mean about the wealth thing starting at a lower time?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

And the ones that are accredited are mostly for-profit schools that will drain your bank account.

Depends. Regional vs. national accreditation is a thing. Most of the for-profits have national accreditation, which is about on par ethically with the "we'll pay you for a AA bond rating" scams the banks were running prior to 2008.

Some regional accreditations are a fairly big deal, and colleges/universities (both for- and non-profit) work hard to get and keep them.

Summary: http://www.elearners.com/colleges/regional-accreditation-vs-national-accreditation/

Ultimately, it just depends which group is doing the accreditation and why. Accreditation from a reputable accreditation agency is a good indicator of educational quality. Even if a university wasn't regionally accredited as a whole, it might be worth attending if they're accredited by the trade group or whatever that is relevant for the degree you're considering. (Some are mentioned in that article, but most disciplines have at least one that people think matters.)

 

[edro]

I've always thought college would be a breeze now that I have been in the field for 10+ years... but I am probably over simplifying.