I want to go to college...Where do I start?

Question

I am 24 years old, I am married and I have a full-time job. I want to go back to school but I don't know where to start. I didn't go to college after high school...I got married instead. Now I want to go and further my education. If I go into Business Administration, I can possibly get tuition reimbursment from my company...But I'd like to stretch into other fields evenutally...medical or maybe law...or maybe both. What do I need to look for in a college and what do I need to do to enroll.. I have no idea how to get started. Please help!!! (I'd like to stay in my current position...I might be able to work part time and go to school too...)
And what about grants, scholarships and financial aid...what do I need to do and where do I need to go to apply for some financial help?

Answer 1

For financial aid go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ however I would suggest contacting college you might like to attend. You can check out their websites on the internet and make requests for further information on the web from their.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

First, you can do this! Lots of older students ( some much older than you!) have gone back to college and succeeded!

But you should take things slow. And you should look to see what financial help you might get. If you have a job in a big company, they might have some benefits that would help pay for a college course or a college degree.

You can check out the Community College and or state university near you. Community colleges are specifically designed for people who have limited funds and who don't have a recent background in school. At the CC you can take a few courses fairly inexpensively. Probably it would be good to start with a basic English composition course or a basic math class. You are probably out of practice on that stuff, and the classes could help you get your hand back in before you took anything too complicated. Then after that you could take another English course or something like the beginning psychology or sociology course, Everyone likes those courses and they are not too hard.

After you have done a couple of terms in school then you will have a MUCH better feel for what kinds of courses you would like to take, what area you might want to major in, etc.

When you feel confident, you can move from the Community College to the local state university. Or, if you can get a financial deal or scholarship, go to a private school. But I don't think for someone in your position that a private college has much of an advantage.... the State Universities are very respectable. You can stay there for as long as it takes to get all the courses you need to finish a BA or BS degree, or even a Master's.

There are some very good books about how to choose a college. I don't think they apply directly to you, but they may have some information that you will find useful. Check with the big local library near you and the librarians will help you find a book that could be useful.

Answer 3

There are several options, but one that works well for many people is community college. There is usually one nearby and the teaching quality is often just as good as at larger universities. There are lots of night classes so you can continue to work. Cost is low so you wouldn't even need a scholarship. Once you have 2 years' worth of classes, you can then explore the next level, but you will at least have an associate degree at that point.

Answer 4

well i think that you should take advantage of the tuition reimbursement that your company has. you can save a lot of money this way. i know it may be irrevelant to your dream job, but you know, you'll basically go to school for free. you'll ge the grasp of things!!! i really do hope you take full advantage of the offer. So what if you have a business adminstrative? you can possible do the business aspect of law or medical. you don't have to be a dr or a lawyer (unles you really want to- then go for it) but you could handle the business aspect of the hospital or law place... yea???
you should definitely do FAFSA> i think it's fafsa.edu.gov. you can apply for scholarship, grants, whatever, there. it's helpful and they'll tell you wha tyou're qualified for depending on your circumstances of family, income, depending children.. etc. you just need your tax info, i think! wait.. i STILL have to do mine. haha..

anyway, you should just take things slowly at first, if you've never been to college. they are a pain, so if you take baby steps. you'll succeed greatly. and i wish you the best of luck.

Answer 5

I would suggest speaking to counselors at your local community college. It may be a place to start taking classes part time, and they have career guidance options and information on the four year schools in your area.

They can assist you in finding financial aid and filling out the information for that also.

Answer 6

To begin with, you need to decide where to apply. For working adults (you) the best choices are public universities--they will almost all hae evening classes and other features tha tare designed for you (tey are llso cheaper!). If you have a good community college (2-yr) in your area, this can be a good option since these are often cheaper. But check with whatever 4-year school you eventually plan on going to--to make sure the credits will transfer (normally this is no poblem if they're both public institutions in the same state). This can also be good if your high school grades were not good--community colleges usually have "open admission" policies--and your record there will be what a 4-year school looks at--the high school grades won't matter, good or bad .

Its a good idea to get on the websites and get some info. The main thing you need is the Admissions Department/Office. They are the ones who will guide you through the applications process.

Documents: Your high school transcript (but you need to have this sent by your high school directly to the universities you apply to--the Admissions offices can give you the mailing infoto pass along to your high school)
You may need other documents--ID, of course, probably immunization records, etc. The school will let you know after you're accepted.

Financial aid: After being accepted, you can go to the fin. aid. office--but here's a way to short-cut the process (and it's almost certainly required, anyway)--go to the federal website for student fin aid applications:
fafsa.ed.gov
and apply online--and have them send it to every school you apply to. In all likliehood that will be all you'll need to apply for all forms of fin aid at the school you go to (no kidding--this is one part of the system that's simple and easy!). NOTE--this is free. You will need last years tax return info to fill out the form.

Taking classes--you do not have to take a "full load"--though obviouslythe more courses you take, thhe faster you finish. But you're probably well advised to take no more than 3 (2 if working full time) to start--and then adjust based on what works for you. I also suggest (VERY STRONGLY) that you not take math the first semester--that's the one that gives most people trouble returning to school after a long break. Get back used to school and with college work first--then hit the math.

Branching out--you'll get the opportunity to take some other classes outside a business major via electives and a "minor," as well as core courses. These are all courses you take in addition to the ones that are specific to your major (Business of some kind, if you stick with that). Here's what the others mean:
Core: Required basics (english, math, history,etc.) you will have some options--but you have to have the minimum numer of courses in each of several areas.
Minor--a block of courses in one particular field other than your major (as a general rule, this can be anything)
electives--courses you take in addition toall the above--they fill out the minimum numer of hours you have to have to graduate. They can be ANY course the university offers.

Other resources: all universities have offices that provide a wide variety of services, organizations (including college chapters of professional organizations), tutoring labs, seminars on study skills, time management, etc. Be aware of these and use them as you need to--most undergraduates underuse these--but you can usually tell which students do use them--they're the ones graduating with honors. Also--this applies to working with your professors. The #1 thing undergraduates do not do is get to know their professors--despite the fact that they all have office hours set aside for students. This is your absolute best resource on campus for academic success. with the possibleexception of the library.

Finally--non-traditional (adult) students are not only not a rarity in thisday and age, but arre a major part of the student population (1-5 graduates are past 40!) and on average, do BETTER academically than those who start school right out of high school. I thew this last in just to cheer you on. Go for it--and good luck! :)