I am 36,which school is best for me?

Question

On campus or on-line?Should I go back to school or just stay where I am(making $12.00).If I go how can I pay for my classes?Which school is a good school that I can find a good job after I am graduated.

Answer 1

If I were you, I'd go back to school. First of all, to be honest, $12.00 is no where near what you could make with even an Associates Degree under your belt. Second, a degree is like an insurance policy. You can use it to advance with your current employer, or get a better, stable job in an in-demand field.

You can go part time, or full time. And you'll be surprised at the number of "older" students you see in your classes! In fact, some schools offer special programs specifically for older students. It may be worth it to ask about them when you call the admissions office.

Most students pay for their education through a combination of loans and school given, need-based aid. You'll fill out a form called a FAFSA (you can google this), which is sent to the schools you're applying to. They use it to calculate your aid.

I highly recommend that you go to a reputable, brick and mortar campus. Most employers frown on the online programs. Yes, there are some reputable online programs (those tied to real, brick and mortar campuses), but online schools are remarkably expensive. You mentioned cost as a factor, so I don't recommend an online program for you unless you absolutely, positively can not attend classes in person.

You can save money, and get a great education, by attending your local state school. As an in-state student, you're already paying lower tuition.

Many students of your age chose to attend a school that will grant them an Associates Degree after two years of study. They then go on for their Bachelors Degree, if they feel it is necessary. The best place to get an Associates is at your local community college. They are amazingly cheap, you don't have to take any sort of test to get in, and the education offered is a fantastic value.

If you chose to go back to school, and your goal is to make more money than you are now, try to major in something career-focused. In fact, there are a lot of careers which require only the Associates Degree as the ticket to entry.

- Lots of careers in the medical field only require a 2-year degree. Nursing, radiology, medical assistant, physician's assistant, laboratory technician, several others.
- Many office-related careers require an associates. Try office administration: administrative assistant, legal secretary, marketing assistant, sales operations.
- Information technology. There are some IT jobs that require only a 2-year degree, like computer support technician.
- Accounting: Also some in accounting, like accounts payable processor, claims administrator.

And here are a bunch of others, all of which hire directly out of associates programs (although for many, you'll do an internship/apprenticeship while you get your associates)

-Automotive technology
-Electrician
-Childcare
-Engineering technician
-Funeral director
-Paralegal
-And a lot in the agricultural sciences, such as turf management (graduates of strong turfgrass management associates programs can work on a golfcourse and earn HUGE money), aboriculture, forestry, fruit tree management.
-Drafting
-Law enforcement
-Fire safety

I've attached a really good link on this topic. It deals with occupational outlooks for careers where an associates degree is the ticket in.

Good luck. Again, 36 isn't too old at all. It simply means that you may want to major in something very career-focused, since your goal is to get in, get the degree, and get a good job.

Answer 2

A college education is one of the best investments you can make. You can vastly increase your earning power over your lifetime. Many loans and scholarships are available for older and non-traditional students (start at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)

There are many good on-line programs available for working adults. Schools like University of Maryland University College (www.umuc.edu) have a variety of undergraduate programs that can be completed on-line. Also, many traditional schools like Penn State and University of Delaware are now offering on-line degrees.

And yes, employers do take on-line degrees seriously if they are from a reputable and accredited school. (Accreditation ensures a basic level of quality in the education you receive from an institution. It also ensures your degrees will be recognized for the true achievements that they are.)

There are a couple Web sites out there to help you research on-line degree programs such as:

http://www.worldwidelearn.com

http://www.elearners.com

If you are serious about going back to school, you can speak with an admissions counselor at the school about majors and career paths that may be a good fit for your skills and interests.

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

I am going to tell what I told the guy from Africa yesterday. The cheapest way to get a degree is doing your freshman and Sophemore years in a community college. For instance, here in Fort Worth, 60 credits is going to cost around $6,000 or $7,000. The same amount of credits will cost $36,000 if the same person attends Texas A & M.

To pay for your school, ask for grants. Grants money is money that the federal government GIVES you, no need to pay it back. It is FREE money..Our goverment has billions of US $ that it is in a bucket for people like you. All you have to do is ask for it. It seems to me that you might be, without trying to offend you, a person with low income. I am sure you will get grants with no problems.

Go to www.ed.gov to find more information.

Going to college and get a degree, works. In 1996, I was 35 years, I was making $10.20 an hour as a techncian working for Lockheed Martin, I decided to go to college, finished a bachelor degree and as soon as a finished I got me a job as a engineer, and I was making $18 an hour. I went to get a master degree and
now I make $37 and hour.
Don't let anyone tell you that going to college is a waste of time.

Answer 4

No employer will take an on-line degree seriously -- so if you are going back, go back to a real school. A major in one of the professional schools (business, engineering, etc) will be the best way to get a good job when you are done.

Princeton Review has a nice tool that will help you pick a college. It asks questins about your interests and background, then suggests schools that would be right for you.

Good luck.

Answer 5

hi! I, as a individual who were donning uniforms for a very long term, have faith all faculties (all public faculties) would desire to positioned on uniforms. i think of faculty is approximately studying, insted of the thank you to look. i think it the two distracts, and takes useful studying time removed from young toddlers. whilst a instructor has to tell a student to "circulate to the workplace and alter" it takes away time from studying. additionally, it makes the college look extra effective. whilst scholars from a college are considered dressing inappopropriatly, it makes the college look undesirable. additionally, in my view, i admire my uniform!!