CinnamonGirl

I realized recently that I REALLY miss going to school. I was good at it...I liked learning new things. And I'd be able to get a much better job if I went back and graduated. So, I've been checking out college websites, majors offered, that kind of thing.

First, a question. Well, first a little background and THEN the question. After high school, I went straight into a tough nursing program. I was one of those people that never studied in high school and still made honor roll; let me tell you, that absolutely kicked my ass in college. That, combined with blowing off going to classes, meant that I only passed two or three courses in two semesters.

And now the question: if and when I apply, do I have to tell them I was a college student before? Or can I just apply as a freshman, even though I'm almost 23? Mainly, I'm worried that they'll look at my transcripts, see what a horrible student I was, and decide that I'm not "worthy" to go to school there...

Something else I'm struggling with: what exactly do I want to do anyway? My first choice would be a major in Library & Information Science, but it appears that no schools in the area offer a program. I'm considering taking online courses, but that's not something I've really researched yet. Plus, I miss the classroom interaction, and online courses don't really capture that...

Second choice would probably be some form of education. I would LOVE to teach high school chemistry or algebra, but after a little research, the "extra" science and math courses I'd have to take made my head spin. (example--I loved chemistry, hated physics. In most programs (all of the ones I looked at), you have to take at least one, usually more, physics courses.)

Oh--and the ACT. Would I have to retake it, or would they look at the results from when I took it in high school? Or would they not look at all?

So...yeah. Mostly I'm just worried that my past college mistakes are going to interfere with future choices. There's also the money issue, but I'm looking into scholarships and financial aid at different schools, so hopefully it won't be THAT much of an issue...

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"...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world."


"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Cynthetiq

I too didn't have to study in HS, but in college I was quite over prepared and was even more bored. Having taken an online course offering last year, Project Management (3 courses) there is a classroom type environment if they have online live lectures.

The only problem of course with online courseware is that if you had a hard time making it to class when you had to go there, imagine if you don't have to go and just log onto a website. It takes some real discipline to just go over the course materials, and it's easier to blow off the live lecture because you can listen to a recorded version of it if you miss it. Then you get the playback of being in a class but not getting to interact with it.

I did like the live lectures, gave me a chance to ask the questions that didn't get answered on the forums.

If you are trying to figure out what you want to do with "going back to school" look at what the end result is going to be and decide if you truly need to. My wife has a degree in linguistics, but it doesn't have any bearing to the work she has or the career she's carved out.

I'm well into my career and the lack of a college diploma hasn't stopped me.

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*Nikki*

I take two online classes and I love them.

I think it is more challenging then the classroom because you have to be a lot more displined. There is A LOT of reading/typing involved though. So if those things are not for you then I would not advise it. Now a days you can take just about anything online through local universities.

agball

I dont think that it is necessary to let them know about your previous college experience, unless there are credits that you want to transfer from the classes you passed.

Are you planning to go back as a full time student? Are you looking to go to a community college or a university? this will help me try to give you some better feedback.

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Kaos

I would love going back to College. I wanted to be a professional student but bills and tuition and life needs to be paid for

They may require your past transcripts and since you had already enrolled in college/Uni before you won't have to take some basic test (is that the ACT?) to get in.

Yakk

At least at the university I went to, being admitted as a "mature student" to an undergrad program was quite different than being admitted as a "fresh out of high school" student.

I'd actually go to one of those universities/colleges and try to talk to a real person in the admittance beaurocracy. (PS: why do I always think I have misspelled "beaurocracy"? sigh)

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

CinnamonGirl

Thanks for the feedback, all... not sure what school I'd be going to yet, as this is all still very preliminary.



I'd like to go full time...most likely a communuty college, unless I can get some major financial aid.

We'll be back in the States in a few months, so I'll be able to talk to administrative type people in person then...and hopefully get everything figured out.

__________________
"...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world."


"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

hannukah harry

if you're going to a community college, then previous experiance doesn't matter, neitehr does ACT or SAT. if you're going to a university, you probably need to. to not do so could lead to you getting kicked out if they found out.

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phaedrus

Most colleges (the real ones, not community or possibly online) require you to disclose your collegiate academic history. They require transcripts from every college you have attended. If they have no means to know you attended college before, then it is entirely up to you whether or not you tell them. It is a question of integrity. Are you comfortable committing fraud? If you won't lose sleep over it, then why would you tell them about your dismal performance? Could your academic record keep you from being admitted into the college of your choice? Yes. They may expect you to go to a junior college to prove you are now ready for the rigors of college.

Keep in mind though if you decide to mislead them about your academic history, that when you apply, they will want to know what you have done since high school.

yournamehere

I would suggest taking care of your core prerequisites at your local community college ( they're real colleges, by the way) .

This will aid you in 3 ways:
1. It will ease you back into college life.
2. You'll have time to decide what to major in when you transfer to a 4 or 5 year program.
3. Your transcripts from community college will be all that is required for admission to a university.

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CinnamonGirl

No, which is why I asked in the first place.

yournamehere--that sounds like a good plan. I checked out a few soon-to-be local community colleges, and one stands out a bit more than the others. Everything's kind of on hold right now until the move's over, but once we get settled, I can meet with the admissions people, and hopefully everything will start falling into place.

__________________
"...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world."


"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

diddagirl

Congrats on taking these steps for your retunr back to school. It can be VERY difficult to re-enter the world of education.

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filtherton

Community college is a cheap way to get your generals out of the way. I too spent the early part of my collegiate career fucking my gpa. Fortunately, it has drasticslly improved now that i know where i want to go. The classes at CC's are often smaller too, meaning more access to the prof. Just make sure your classes transfer to the college you want to go to or be prepared to retake some classes.

btw, i you have what it takes to teach chemistry than one or two physics courses should be very doable.

CinnamonGirl

w00t! Bit of an update-- I am majorly excited now. After researching lots of different schools, I know exactly what I want to do.

First, the local community college. I can get an associates in English that transfers to Ohio State. OSU offers a degree in folklore...or a degree in literature with a folklore emphasis. That is incredibly perfect. I've always been interested in folklore, but I didn't think it was something colleges would offer programs in.

After all that, I can apply to graduate school...at Kent State, which has the only ALA accredited Library Science program in Ohio. They have a satellite campus in Columbus, which I believe is on the Ohio State campus. How perfect is that?

It's going to take at least eight years, but that doesn't bother me. I've finally figured out what I want to do with my life, and how to get there. I'm in such a great mood now!

Thanks for the comments, everyone

__________________
"...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world."


"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

amonkie

Glad to hear it! Enjoy your new journey

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iccky

Awesome.

As someone who both comes from a family of academics and does a lot of research himself I can tell you that the world needs good librarians.

agball

Glad to here you know what you want - good lucK!!!

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"A friend with weed is a friend indeed"

ratbastid

You know, a lot of colleges are very glad to have older students, people returning to school after an absence. You can now honestly say that you were young and underprepared, but that a few years of real life has got you clear what you're headed for and what it's going to take to get there.

College acceptance folks don't just look at the paperwork and brand you "Lifetime Loser". They try to get a feel for the whole person you are--and that definitely includes the years since you were last in academia.

I say you've got a lot going for you in applying--and a degree in folklore sounds WAY COOL. Jan Harold Brunvand, who is a folklorist at the University of Utah is one of my heros; he's one of the world's experts or "Urban Legends", and his books on the topic are just fantastic.