Is It to Late to Go to School?

Let's see, you can be 28 with a degree, or 29 without a degree. Which one is likely to get you a better job?

My DH graduated just shy of his 40th birthday, I will be 37 by the time I have my B.S. and my goal is to get a PhD by the time I'm 50.

I am in class with 17 year olds and with 65+ year olds.
It is never too late.

GO GIRL!!!

You are NEVER too old to go back to school!!! NEVER EVER TOO LATE and don't let ANYONE dissuade you from going!!!

DO IT!! GO FOR IT!!! Don't look back and wonder what could've been - DO IT!!!

Look at it this way, in 3 years you're still going to be 30, with or without your degree!

Hell no!! NEVER too late! My girlfriend, 40, just completed her degree. You are sooo close, almost there. Just do it. No one can take your education away from you and you'll always have it. Study after study has shown that individuals with a higher education make more money over a lifetime:
"Over a work life, earnings for a worker with a bachelor's degree compared with one who had just a high school diploma increase by about $1 million for non-Hispanic Whites and about $700,000 for African Americans; Asians and Pacific Islanders; and Hispanics."
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneymatters/a/edandearning...

Good luck, you're almost there!

I'm 44 years old (45 in january) and back in college to complete a nursing degree I started 18 years ago (and yes my credits were still good and transfered to my new school). Apply for financial aide ... now that you have a child to take care of also, it will make a difference on what you're eligable for.

DO IT. If it's a dream you have don't give up on it. Some dreams can't be persued after a certain time (I'm never going to be a prima ballerina LOL) a college degree ISN'T one of them. And you're more likely to get a job over some one without any thing but a degree ... you have a degree AND prior work history :) And especially considering you only have one full time semester to complete.

Not too late. Don't think of reasons to avoid it. Go get what you want.

I went back at 37 so I would say it is not too late.

Heck no!! My 65 year old mother in law went back to school. She couldn't believe the amount of older folks in college now. People are losing jobs at record rates. Many people held one job for decades and have little other experience. They go back to college, to make themselves and their resumes more complete and appealing. Getting an education is ALWAYS a great choice, in my opinion.

I have a 60 year old woman as one of my students. She will graduate next year and I am very happy for her. She always wanted to be in the medical field and after all these years she finally did something about it. I am sure she wishes she did this in her twenties, thirties... fifties. I see many non-traditional students these days and they often make better students because of their life experience and because they are more invested so my vote is to do something about it now before all those credits go to waste. A degree can open up many doors.

Hi N.,

Are you a single mom? I didn't see this in your post, but if you are, did you know that you qualify for more financial aid than a young kid who just finished high school and is attending college? You may even be exempt from having to take certain courses. You are viewed as a better candidate for financial aid if you are a single mom. My college counselors told me this. When I was 27, I got divorced and had one child. I returned to finish my bachelor's at 32 years old. In fact, I got all kinds of perks which made it so that I didn't have to take certain college classes; they let me slide on some general courses. This cut down on alot of time. The goal was to get me in and out of college quickly so that I could work. I finished my bachelor's in 1-1/2 years; I also had a 2 year associates beforehand, so that helped. I got all kinds of grants and loans because I was a single mom. It was so much easier than when I was young without a child and tried applying for financial aid. Contact your college program counselors and the financial aid office to inquire.

DON'T BE RIDICULOUS. You are TWENTY. SEVEN. N.!!! 27!!!
Your whole life is ahead of you!!
My husband just went back and finished his bachelor's. He had 154 credits but because it was a transfer they only accepted 1/2. It took him 2 years to complete, doing mostly night classes. It took alot of support from me, we have 3 young children!
And he is now in a new and stable field with a whole new future ahead of him. He's 37.
Good luck!!! Get that degree N.!

I know this isn't an answer to your question but the line:

"...so in the process of trying to get more money I ended up pregnant..."

Had me seriously in stitches. You have to be pretty hard up for cash to get it that way! ;)

You are NOT old.
The student population at Universities now, are full of non-traditional adults.... married and/or with children. OLDER than you

My Husband is older than you, and HE is going to school. University.
MANY of his fellow classmates, are like that.
It is COMMON.

If you wait too long to return to your degree or school, you may have to redo your classes and get credits for it again.
You need to ask your school, how long a person can have their school progress in hiatus... before returning to school.

And just so you know, many of the younger students, are intimidated by the older students... because the older students are simply more mature and have had career experience already.

You go back to school for yourself.
NOT for what others may think of you

Look for grants or scholarships. It takes research.
GO to your school's academic Counselor or financial aide office.
That is where you start.

You ONLY have, ONE semester left.
That is hardly anything.
You might as well FINISH your degree... otherwise all that previous hard work & money toward your degree, will all be wasted and will be worth, nothing. And you will NOT have, a college degree.
What a shame.
Being you only have 1 semester left.

P.S.: my classmate in college, was pregnant. And finished her degree. THEN got her Master's Degree right after that.
Yes, even with a pregnancy and morning sickness.
Her Mom, would help babysit, too once her baby was born. Her family members, helped.
She was a SINGLE parent.

Do it! I started back in school when I was pregnant with my third at 28 years old. I am now 30 and 1 year away from my RN. It is hard, but it can be done! And trust me, you have maturity and prior work experience, so I think jobs will more likely to pick you! Look into grants, I am in Florida and I get a $1500 grant each semester because I never had a Bachelor's degree before. Also, I had a previous AA degree, so I was told I couldn't get financial aid either because of too many hours, but it was actually fixed in 2 days with a simple appeal letter. So check into that as well. And good luck!

My mother and I started college the same year. She was a lot older than 27....do it!!!

It would really be a shame for you to be so close and not to finish. Before I met my husband he started school and was really close to finishing but never did. After we met, I convinced him to go back. He was 35 at the time. Unfortunately, 10 years had passed for him and he had to start completely over. The school wouldn't accept most of his previous credits.Even so it was one of the best decisions he's ever made. I recommend that you go back and do it as soon as you can!

DO IT! GO BACK! FINISH!
Even if you were 47 I'd say this. Do it! You're so close.
I'm proud of you already. SIGN UP NOW......I'LL HOLD. Just kidding.
You go girl!
I'm going to celebrate for you tonight! ha ha

My mother graduated college the year I did. NO it is NOT too late to finish that degree! Go back, finish up, and don't worry about the 23 yr old who didn't take time to live a little and have a kid, etc.

My grandma just got her Bachelors and her Masters in her 60's and is working on her Doctorates in her 70's.

It's never too late!

If you don't finish now, than all the time, effort and money you've put forth so far will be for nothing. You will still be well more ahead of the game if you finish now than if you don't...because if you do think of where you might be in 5 or 10 years than if you don't. What do you think your options will still be without a degree? Good lord, who ever said 27 was old? Think of it this way...you only have one semester left and you will still be the same age whether you finish or not. So you might as well have a degree under your belt to work with than not have anything and be stuck where you were before starting school. It is NEVER too late!

I teach at a University. Most of my students are traditional college students, but there are quite a few non-traditional students. The "older" students are in their late twenties, thirties, forties ...

12 credits? Do it! Sign up for the spring semester. You'll be glad you did.

You are young. It is not too late to go back. Where there is a will there is a
way. In the end, you will be glad you did it!

find a job that offers tuition assistance! Hard to do, I know.

But definitely look into completing your degree.

You are still young. But then again...are the jobs you're trying to go for require a degree? It seems that degrees are not as valuable these days.

12 credits? That's a part time semester! FINISH! Take out a loan if need be. It won't be that much and if you haven't taken out other educational loans - then paying for 12 credits is nothing! Your credits *can* expire after 10 years. Most schools will accept them anyway, but don't test them! Just finish! I went to school young and realized I was wasting my time and $$, took time off to work a wonderful opportunity and returned to school - ready. Honor student, scholarships, hired as a tutor - the I got pregnant. From 1 to 3 children in 6 years and it hurts me to not have finished - and I had nearly 2 years left :)
I'll be heading back to school in a few years. I'll be nearly 40, but we let my husband go to med school, b/c that's what was right for our family. It's a joke about how "old" I'll be, but never the less, education is wasted on the youth if you ask me! I was such a more serious student and got so much more out of my education the first time I went back at 25. Employers respect mature individuals who have persevered and gained some life experience.

You are still young, and have many years for a career/ job ahead of you. You have a semester left. Apply again for financial aid, or take out a loan. Some jobs will pay for classes you take, or pay a percentage of your tuition. Learning for many is life long. :). After you finish your bachelor's degree, you may decide you would like to continue your education with another degree.
Good luck. You will also be a model for your child, or in the future you will be able to tell your child that you did finish and explain the importance of education.

Oh no it's never too late and what are you talking about old? Find that $ somewhere. Ask parents or family members. I think it may be a little difficult but your almost there. Good luck to you!

I went back and completed my degree to graduate when I was 37 - then had my kids at 42 and 43.....the degree has helped with obtaining work....go for it!!

.

I went back to finish my degree when I was 33. I was the "curve buster". I really encourage you to go back to school. It sets a great example for your child.

Well, it had better not be too late, because I'm in school right now, but you may want to wait a few years, since you are about to have a baby. I don't know how a person would do homework and take care of a newborn.

But if it's only one semester more, hurry up before that baby is born.

You are barely older than the 23-24 year olds, and employers cannot ask your age. If you have 12 credits left toward your degree, you could do two part time semesters and be done in a year. Go for it if you have the money.

no, its not too late, you are very young, and you can always apply for
financial aid again. what do you have to loose? go talk to a counselor at school, and ask for help, you still have at least a good 30 years of work ahead of you, and if you get your bachelors degree now, it will be a good paying job, you will always regret not finishing, but you will never be sorry that you did.
I'm 56, and considering going back, to finish.....
go back now, I promise you will be happy you did..

Not at all too late.

Don't worry about competing because in this job market it's about being functional, WHAT YOU CAN DO, opposed to degrees. For example, a bilingual candidate with NO degree is probably more competitive for a job seeking preferred bilingual candidates.

So, think outside of the box you place yourself in and go for it. Perhaps a job with tuition reimbursement is in your favor.

I just found a job, I have a masters and that didn't make the search any easier, it gave me a confidence boost, but in this economy its about more than the papers/credentials...what can you do, offer, bring to the table...

Not at all!! I'm involved in recruiting at my company and we tend to favor "older" candidates. They're more mature, have a better idea what they really want to do etc. When I say older I don't mean 65 or 70 for somewhat "entry level after college jobs" but a 23 year old seems so young sometimes that we appreciate a bit of maturity.

I am 43 and just signed up for my first class towards a 2 year degree in Management. I graduated from a 4 year college in 1989, but I want to stay connected with the world, with my brain, etc. So no, 27 is't too late :)

It's never too late. I used to think it was and then I'd take a class and then I'd decide it's too hard with work and kids. But then I would think I would wait for life to change or settle down. Life only gets more busy and more drama filled all the time. Don't regret being so close and yet so far.

It is NEVER too late!

You are ONLY 27. Go back and finish. If you don't, you will regret it later. My husband regrets no having his degree all the time. It has nothing to do with the money. My husband make a better living than most. It's the accomplishment of that degree and being able to tell our child he has it. He will be completing it in the future for himself. He's 34.

I finally got my bachelor's at age 35 & so glad I did! I did it "long distance" and only had to go to the university 4 times, so didn't interact with younger students. I also did it in the 80s, so job market was better then.

But, seriously, about financial aid, I assume you got some aid advice below. My employer paid for most of mine.
Good luck!

I went back when I was 38 and am now teaching. I had others in my class that were 55, 60, 65, 70. Never too late.

I have an older friend who was told she was too old to get financial aide, they had to backtrack and give her a written apology and she got the aide too. She went to classes and was able to graduate very high in her class and did work in her chosen field for several years. So no, you are not too old.

The point is that if you have any way, apply for scholarships, there are so many out there that seem odd when you are looking through the lists. I remember I saw one for women of a certain age with natural red hair and green eyes...they had lost a daughter and wanted their money to go to women who reminded them of her. Weird, I know it, but anyway, there are sources of money out there if you put the effort in to find it.

Talk to a FA adviser about finding if you can do any work to earn money for your classes. One of my friends taught entry level Psych classes, another worked for a professor who was trying to get things together to get a paper published.

It's never too late to expand your education. You're not too old. You should definitely go for it! My husband and I moved to a new city after I graduated college; he had about a year and a half to go to finish his degree. When he tried transferring (within the same University system, mind you), they basically told him he'd have to start over because their classes were different. We were not happy, but he decided to actually change his major to something he'd grown more fond of (since he was starting over anyway, why not). He finished 4 years later and graduated at 27 a few months before our first child was born. It's a struggle to attend school while you have a family, but it's so worth it in the end. And you may feel older than your classmates, but there are many non traditional students attending college these days, so don't let that hold you back. That semester's worth of courses will go quickly, and before you know it, you'll be in cap & gown accepting your diploma in front of your son who will be so proud! I say don't worry about age and if you can swing it finiancially, go for it. Apply for some grants you don't have to worry about paying back. You may be surprised at what you qualify for now that you're a mommy. Finish that degree - good luck!