I finished 4 years of high school but didn't receive a diploma because I failed a test. I do have a certificate stating I finished 4 years of High School. I'm 47 years old and I work as a receptionist in a law firm for about 9 years. Now I would like to go to school and continue my education as legal secretary or paralegal or real estate. Is it crazy for me to go back to school now?
2006-12-13 03:51:57 · 11 answers · asked by Cookie 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
Of course you can!!!
I took the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam), which is like the GED, and passed. If you can pass one of these exams it would be easier for you to continue your education in college. Don't be scared of tests because you were not able to pass that one test!!! These tests are really easy to pass now since there are many really GREAT study books that really help you get prepared for the test. I would highly suggest taking one of these tests!!! They give it a few times a year, so just keep on taking it until you pass.
(In CA) Without a high school diploma (from high school or from one of these tests) you are only allowed to go to a community college and not allowed to be a FULL time student. Being a part-time student means you are only allowed to take a certain amount of units a semester (that's about 2 or 3 classes). However, I was looking over the classes that you want to take and I think it should pretty fesable to do. In CA, a class on real estate meets 4 Sat. and they try to help you pass the test for the Real Estate Licence (and it's not worth many units so you would be able to take other classes too). Go to your local community college and discuss all your options with a counselor! Be sure to tell them they type of classes you want to take, so they understand what you want to get out of the school.
Go now, because you will be able to start the new semester next month (and then keep on working to get your high school diploma while you are taking your college classes)!!!
Community colleges are a life saver for many people!!! My mom is counselor at a college and almost every student has different circumstances on why they returned to college, and the counselors have to design a program for every students individual needs.
I really hope this helps!!! Pursue your dreams!!!
2006-12-13 04:51:20 · answer #1 · answered by Tosca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think going back to school now would be a fantastic idea and a great step for your future. You would have to check with the admissions of your school to see if you are eligible for enrollment, but you can more than likely get a waiver for the requirement to have a high school diploma. Since you are interested in real estate or paralegal, I would recommend looking at your local community college for the courses you will need for your license. You will have to take some entrance exams, but these are to see if you will be required to take certain math or English classes. I would also recommend looking at your state's website to see what the requirements are for your license if you decide to pursue real estate, the educational requirements vary from state to state.
Good for you and best of luck to you.
2006-12-13 04:03:33 · answer #2 · answered by Christopher L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alot of community colleges need the certificate that stated you finished 4 years. Like some other people are probably telling you, they require you to take an assesment test that would determine what level of classes that you needed to take, they wouldn't want to put you into something that was too hard, or too easy. Then you would be referred to a 'counselour' to schedule classes, and they will set you up with financial aid, if you need it.
I don't think its crazy I think its awesome! My dad is 43 and is going to school for business/building management,
Good luck with everything.
2006-12-13 07:08:33 · answer #3 · answered by Ashley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all crazy! Most colleges have "mature student" courses, where life experience counts for your high school diploma. The diploma you receive does not the fact that you attended college as a 'mature student' that I'm aware of.
Most colleges embrace the mature student because they work hard and are generally more successful than the high school kids that come through.
2006-12-13 03:59:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Study like you life depends on it, well it does. You need to take breaks. The first year I was in the books every weekend all the time because I didn't think I could do it. You can, but you will need some relaxation times and friends and family to talk to when you get stressed. Good luck, don't mess it up and Congrats!!!!! It's gonna be a long, hard road, but you'll be there before yo know it and you won't regret it :)
2016-05-23 18:25:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some colleges have open admissions. These colleges admit anyone over age 18 or with a high school diploma. At some colleges with open admissions, however, alternate diplomas or certificates of completion may not be acceptable for admission. Students must check with the college to be sure that the earned high school completion document will meet admissions criteria. Standardized college admissions testing is not required at open admissions colleges, nor is any particular high school course selection. Grades in high school are not relevant. Open admissions colleges may be two-year or four-year. They usually do require students to take a "placement exam" to determine at which level to begin college course work. Students who have not taken an academic preparatory program in high school may need to complete some high school level courses before taking college courses for credit toward a college degree. Such courses are usually available as remedial courses and may be taken at the college. Other colleges have selective admissions requirements. Applicants to selective colleges must meet the criteria set by that particular college. Schools with selective criteria may look for students with high grade point averages, rigorous academic preparation, high scores on the standardized college admissions tests, and strong personal qualities and evidence of achievement. Some colleges are more selective than others. Some standard, commercially available college guides list colleges by the degree of selectivity, or "how hard it is to get in" - from "most difficult" to "minimally difficult." Selective colleges may require applicants to submit high school grade point average and rank in class, scores on standardized admissions tests (SAT or ACT), and letters of recommendation. Some may require a personal interview, and some may be particularly interested in the student's extracurricular activities.
2006-12-13 04:13:03 · answer #6 · answered by keenedge_2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the local Community College and tell them the situation. They probably have had LOTS of students who have this kind of problem.
THey will tell you what to do in order to get admitted. Do what they say and start taking courses. You can get an Associates degree and maybe later even go on to get a BA or BS. Many, many people go back to school in mid-life. You can do it too!
2006-12-13 11:46:04 · answer #7 · answered by matt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Community colleges usually have an "open-enrollment" policy, meaning classes are open to anyone who can benefit from them that has the ability to do the work. Then you can transfer them to a university, if you get that far.
2006-12-13 04:05:08 · answer #8 · answered by Jim C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, you can go back to school. If the cerificate is a GED, then you can be eligible for some type of financial aid.
2006-12-13 05:41:13 · answer #9 · answered by sunshine23511 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure, you'll probably have to take an assesment test but a high school diploma is not required.
2006-12-13 03:59:36 · answer #10 · answered by ´¯0())))»·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.· 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋