I screwed up my 5 years of college..Can I now go back 35 yrs later?

[edwardatkins]

I graduated from a college prep school at 16 with over a 4.0 gpa. My first year at a university was good- honors pre med courses and I lived at home. But then I went away to a far away university--joined a frat-discovered girls-- changed majors to accounting--and flunked out after five years of fun. Tried going back at 22 but still not focused. Went on to a successful career as a stockbroker--earned about every accreditation you can in tax, retirement, asset management, ect. Now I’m 52 and want to complete a degree--any degree--I have a very good job---but really don’t know where I would stand if I went back for a biz or a science degree. I took many courses twice with either Fs or incompletes. I probably have most of my core courses done like English , humanities history ect--I know I have chemistry up to organic and biology up to invertebrate--math up to second calculus---accounting basics--marketing--management--finance, economics but I’m not sure if these were classes I passed or failed. How would I ever go back and recreate my miserable past to see exactly where I stand?? Would I be allowed back in??? It will not better my career--and I have no problem paying for it myself--it’s just something I want to do for me but also don’t want to be laughed out of the advisors office! Any suggestions?

[RedDress]

Oh, absolutely you can go back. Your grades and academic performance is more or less irrelevant 35 years later.

 

Even if you were still in your 20s you could have gone back. You might have had to take the odd part-time course to prove yourself... but you can always go back.

[thusspokemara]

Laughed out of the advising office? One, the majority of the individuals in the advisement offices are genuinely helpful; that's what they're paid for. There have been many instances where I've been met with genuine enthusiasm, especially since a number have MSW's or are Social Science graduates and we've shared stories of similar class experiences. Second, institutions need money. Private schools are willing to overlook almost any issue you might have if you're guaranteeing them financial sustenance. I'm sure many schools would welcome a middle-aged, financially secure individual to their campus. For the most part, your GPA becomes less of an issue five years post graduation (in your case leaving the program).

 

The important question is in regards to the "value" of your credits due to their age. I'm sure they would accept some of the credits, but they may also ask for placement testing, etc... I'm always impressed by the older students in my classes, and professors are usually responsive to them because they are almost guaranteed an older student's dedication. Outside of hard science, there are large numbers of students in both undergrad and grad (especially grad) that are in their 30's and 40's. I recently met a CSW that entered a program at age 49, graduated at 52 and is now one of directors of Student Services. It's never too late.

[catfeeder]

Oh, ghaaad, yes. Of course you can go back. Everyone loves the prodigal son. Everyone wants to be part of a good come-back story. You've demo'd that you can do anything that your really want to do. You didn't want it that much before. If you want it now, then you'll blow it away. If you're not all that clear whether you want it, then you'll show yourself exactly where you stand--but you'll never know unless you go there.

 

Obtain copies of your unofficial transcripts to work with before putting in requests for the official ones to be sent to any school. This will allow you to review them with any number of admissions offices to determine what they will accept versus what you can ignore. Once you've set up a clear plan about the school and the program to which you'll transfer your credits, THEN request that the official transcripts be sent directly to that school.

 

I hope you'll post back and let us know what you opt to do. We're in your corner!

[lavenderdove]

There are more adult students in college these days than the 18-22 set. College is a lifetime activity now, and much more flexible in terms of delivery methods (night courses and online courses and part-time rather than 4 straight years) than it used to be.

 

But i hate to say that most courses are invalid towards a degree after a set number of years if you didn't actually get the degree (i.e., if you took them longer than 6-8 years ago, you'll probably have to retake them unless you got some kind of degree before leaving. If you got an A.A. before leaving you will probably only need 2 years to graduate, but if you were awarded no degree at all, you may need to retake them.

 

Sometimes you can take an exam to prove you don't need the course, and some colleges give credit for a certain amount of work experience. So you have to look at the school's catalog and talk to an adviser to see what you'd have to take to graduate because the rules are different in different localities and schools..

[catfeeder]

There are more adult students in college these days than the 18-22 set. College is a lifetime activity now, and much more flexible in terms of delivery methods (night courses and online courses and part-time rather than 4 straight years) than it used to be.

 

Hello LD. This is so true, and there are even an increasing number of accelerated weekend programs. These are great for those of use who choke (or nod) after working all day then attempt difficult night classes. I found that I really kicked it out of the park when I could start a class 'fresh' on an Saturday morning. Also helped that I could mix a nice screwdriver on a Saturday night while material was still fresh and I could go ~bLAt!~ on writing papers, then edit them on Sundays. Kids might think they have a corner on unorthodox study methods, but give us old folks some credit where it's due.

 

But i hate to say that most courses are invalid towards a degree after a set number of years if you didn't actually get the degree (i.e., if you took them longer than 6-8 years ago, you'll probably have to retake them unless you got some kind of degree before leaving.

 

I believed this, too! Turned out every school I met with would take credits that were 10 years old (or more…can't remember) even though I never graduated! (I felt like I'd won a game show.)

 

Sometimes you can take an exam to prove you don't need the course, and some colleges give credit for a certain amount of work experience. So you have to look at the school's catalog and talk to an adviser to see what you'd have to take to graduate because the rules are different in different localities and schools..

 

Yes, there are CLEP exams, portfolio programs--you name it, they WANT you in. If you can follow a list and put stuff together from your work history, you can spare yourself a lot of expense and time on earning credits the old fashioned way. There are also books in any store available to help you prepare to challenge certain exams. Your career and expertise earns you a 'pass' on some things, so milk that for all it's worth.

[MissIndigo]

Outside of hard science, there are large numbers of students in both undergrad and grad (especially grad) that are in their 30's and 40's.

 

I know several and will probably be one (again...) by the end of this year. The age diversity has been quite impressive really.

 

To the OP--what science degree might you be thinking of? I'd advise you, even if you're doing this degree for your own personal fulfillment, to take business along with the science course. It will increase your marketability if you do decide to do something with it.

[Ariel85]

Good for you.

 

At your age and with having a successful career, a college degree isn't going to do squat for your career, so pick a major that you'd enjoy and always had some interest in. You can take night classes, online courses, etc.