When do i start college

There's no guarantee the IT folks can fix everything, but it's a great place to start. In an emergency, they may even have equipment they can loan you. The last thing anyone should be worried about is being bored on campus.

Almost every college has a host of student clubs and organizations, frequent campus events, and other activities. They're not hard to find, either. Colleges usually have a list of registered student organizations, and there are often fliers and posters all around campus for things to do and clubs to join. Some clubs even have their own social media sites, which could help you not only learn about the clubs, but also contact current members.

In order to make sure you have all the credits you need to graduate on time, it's a good idea to plan out your courses early. Don't forget to plan for general education requirements and classes you need for your major. But keep in mind that your plan won't be written in stone. Most students change their majors at least once during their time in college, and this is a good thing.

College is supposed to be a time of discovery. So, while it's a good idea to have a plan for your academic career, remain flexible since there's a good chance you'll end up changing it.

A common fear when starting college is that there will be time for either studying or having fun, but not both. The truth is that with good time management it is possible to get good grades in all your classes and still have time to be in clubs and go have fun.

If you manage your schedule well, you may even get a decent amount of sleep, too. Want to learn more? Check out these articles that can help guide you as you begin college:. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Like Early Decision I, this binding option lets you hear back early from your first choice school, usually in February, about whether or not you got in. Early admissions can be a great option for students who are prepared to apply early and appreciate early notification.

If you're planning to apply early, when do you complete each step of the process? Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither should your application be.

You need to take time filling out your application, thoughtfully writing about your extracurricular involvement, and proofreading all of the information for errors. Apart from filling out your app, you'll have to take time fulfilling other requirements. You should spend a few months thinking about and writing your personal essay.

Giving yourself space to brainstorm and mull over ideas is an important part of the writing process that can take weeks. Since your essay is such an important part of your application, you should spend a couple of months drafting, getting feedback, and revising it until it feels precise and authentic, almost like a work of art.

To meet an early deadline, you might begin working on your essay over the summer before senior year. While it's rare that the Common App changes its essay prompts, they have done so in the past.

Common App announced these changes in August. Most recently, Common App made changes to its essay prompts in February ; you can learn all about those changes here.

Keep this in mind when working on your essay, but don't worry about drastic changes in the questions. Generally speaking, they all ask you to communicate something important about your identity and show how you make meaning of significant experiences in your life.

A second piece of your application that requires your attention early on is your recommendation letters. You should ask your counselor and teachers at least a month before your deadlines , likely by the end of September.

You might also ask your junior year teachers at the end of 11th grade. Apart from making the request, you should also spend a week or so thinking about and filling out your "brag sheet," so that your recommenders have some thoughtful material to consult when they begin to write. You might take the tests two or three times to achieve your target scores. You also would benefit from several months to study and improve.

To apply for an early deadline, you'd ideally have your test scores all set by the end of junior year. You might be able to take the tests in September or October of senior year, but these dates should be a last resort, rather than a "make or break" test date. Applying early to college is an increasingly popular option among students, but the majority of students still apply under regular decision. Read on to learn about regular decision deadlines and how they impact your college planning.

The most common regular decision deadlines are in January and February. January 1 is a common date, making for a busy winter break! January 15 and January 31 are popular ones, too. Students who apply under regular decision usually hear back about their admissions decisions in March or April. Since regular decision deadlines are in the winter, how does your college planning schedule differ from that to meet an early deadline?

In many ways, your college planning timeline for regular decision will be similar to the timeline for applying for early admission--but with some key differences. You have to consider how busy the fall of senior year is, both for you and for your teachers and counselors.

If your senior year schedule is packed with challenging courses and after school involvements, then you still might want to work on your essay over the summer months, when you have more time and focus for it. You must give yourself plenty of time to get ready.

A timeline will keep you on track! The time has come. You are organized, you have finished your checklist, and you are ready. Submit your applications well in advance of their due dates. You can file with estimates on your taxes, as you may not be able to file taxes by February 1 st. Warning: In general, college admissions applications are due before financial aid forms; however, be careful! Some colleges require separate institutional documents to be considered for school-based scholarships.

These documents can be due as early as November 1 st well before the regular deadline for admission at most schools. Be prepared! Now… breathe. Colleges will be getting in touch with your results between March 1 and April Check to see if you received any merit-based awards or any other school-based offers. Next, check to ensure that your financial aid awards are guaranteed for all 4 years of college and if there are any stipulations.

I look forward to your opinion on this issue. The answer is certain: You are never too old to return to school!

Congratulations on your goal to enhance your education. It sounds like you have a well-planned strategy for bridging into an academic career. Online degrees and programs are very popular, and schools are always on the lookout for industry professionals to lead classes in your field. If you plan to extend your career significantly by teaching online, it sounds like the cost of completing the MBA would be worthwhile.

I received all but 4 credits to complete my B. The course was for Geology I need to complete these 4 credits in order to get my B. Can you recommend an online school to complete this degree and what course should I take? Will it have to be a Geology course again? However, you will have to check with an adviser at Radford to find out exactly what online or classroom courses will count toward that final credit. Each college and university has its own policies about transfer credits.

For a science course, you may need a lab credit as well as a lecture credit. Your best bet would be to contact the school and get the information directly. If you had an adviser at Radford in , try to contact that same adviser for assistance.

The school will still have record of your transcripts and will be able to advise you. My children are grown and I would like to go back to school. When they were young I went to college and received an associates degree. Each time I have tried to register for school they all tell me that my transcripts are too old to be accepted and that I would have to retake my core all over again.

My college transcript is from Does my degree mean nothing now? Unfortunately most schools do not accept transcripts from more than ten years ago. But, if you look on the bright side, this somewhat universal policy is in place for good reason.

Even core classes are completely different in their approach to topics like writing and mathematics, not to mention the incorporation of computers. Try to view this as a positive thing. Standardized tests are typically used to measure incoming freshman who apply from a variety of high schools. Can you help? Then, you can look at the requirements for admission and take the appropriate steps to apply. Many community colleges also have programs for adults.

This could get you thinking more specifically about your goals. I have no credits. Do some career research and isolate a new career path before you enter college. Law, pharmacy, and engineering are three vastly different fields. Your course of study would be entirely different for each one. You can surf the web and look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics for information about these fields.

I also suggest networking with professionals and friends in your community to find out more about these careers from professionals you may know. Both law and pharmacy will require a graduate degree, which means more than four years of school. Some engineering positions only require an associates degree, while others will require a bachelors.

The admissions offices at your nearby schools can help you determine which program is right for you, and you can request more information by visiting their websites. I am over 50 years old and have never attended college, but I want to attend college now to get my associates degree. What type of careers would be available to me? The sky is the limit! Check out your local community colleges to see what programs they offer. Two years is a drop in the bucket when it means an education that equips you to start a whole new career.

Do you think it would be hard for me to return to school after such a long break from the college lifestyle? Congratulations on your goal of going back to school.

College lifestyle is certainly different from military life, but odds are you can find a club or organization for veterans on your campus that will help you build relationships and good habits.

Good for you for wanting to go back! You can likely find some continuing education courses at a local community college. Sometimes they are even offered for free at a local library. First step is to look on the website of your nearest community college for a continuing education page which will list programs.

Also, you might research GED testing sites in your town to see where you can sign up to take the GED, which is recognized as equivalent to the high school diploma in many states.

The testing center will have information about studying and preparing for this test. Start there, and see what you find. You can always continue to educate yourself, as education is a lifelong process. I am year-old woman with a high school diploma.

I took some college classes in the late s and started a family. How should I start? Because I still work full time, online courses make sense. Money is not something I have much of, so are there ways to get financial aid at my age? Congratulations on your decision to head back to school! My suggestion is to research area community colleges and online universities.

Online learning is a great option for adults going back to school, but lots of community college offer options for night study for adults with full-time jobs, too.

Call the admissions offices, and schedule a time to speak with an adviser. Explain your goals, and find out what programs they offer. Each school is different, so they will be able to determine to what extent job experience can substitute for curriculum requirements. You may be able to skip core classes that are unnecessary due to your work experience. In terms of paying for school, have you checked with your employer about tuition reimbursement?

Some companies will reimburse you if you complete the courses with a minimum grade per course. Also, there are a lot of scholarships opportunities for adult students. The money is out there. You just have to do the research. Good luck to you! If you are passionate and committed to your education, you can do it! I am 46 years old. I have been working at my current employer since I graduated from high school. I never attended college because I have worked for the same company for 27 years.

What would be required for me to go to school? Are there schools that offer prior experience as part of their programs? Wow, 27 years! You must be a valued employee. One of the best ways to put that time to good use is to find an institution that allows you to apply that work experience toward your degree.

To find out if your target institution offers school credit for work and life experience, just call and ask what kind of transfer-credit options they offer. The portfolio should include your job description; a description of the equipment you use and of the work environment; verification of your knowledge, skills and abilities by a supervisor; and any other appropriate documentation that demonstrates how your work experience fulfills actual course outcomes.

For example, if you want credit for a basic computer animation course, then your portfolio should include a character you designed with an animation program. Most institutions limit the number of credits they will accept to 30 credits. Another option is to take certification exams that prove your expertise in a specific area, such as certified professional account and certified computer programmer licenses. As an adult going back to school, one of the easiest ways to get started is to take a few college courses at a nearby communication college.

I am 27 years old, and I am finally going to college after graduating in from high school. I have a 6-year-old daughter and a decent job with no room for growth. I have decided to start off with one class and possibly increase to two or three classes next semester. I have decided to go for elementary education or business administration, but I am still undecided about what is it that I really want to do.

Congratulations on deciding to go back to school! Your general education classes should give you the opportunity to explore where your interests lie, and you might even discover a new passion that could impact your major.

Many students who declare a major early in their college career end up changing their majors, so you want to be at a place where you can switch majors pretty easily. Another thing that might help you figure out what you really want to do is to reach out to people working in elementary education or business administration. Ask them about their backgrounds, what they do on a day-to-day basis, and what they like and dislike about their jobs.

No matter what age you are, college is a time for you to grow and learn about yourself. Should I take online college instead of enrolling in a traditional college?

There are pros and cons to each experience, and which one is right for you depends on a few factors. An online program would give you the flexibility to complete your coursework on your own time without having to sacrifice your other duties. Another benefit of online programs is they typically have a faster completion time and potentially lower costs. If you are self-motivated and need the flexibility of logging onto classes anytime and anywhere, an online degree is likely a better choice than traditional on-campus courses.

I am 26 and have about one year left to complete my Bachelor of Arts in psychology. I want to return to school but have since moved to another state from my original university.

I have a full-time job and do not know how to go back to school. I just cannot figure out how to financially make it happen. Any advice for someone who is struggling financially to go back to school? Given that you have a full-time job, an online program will give you the flexibility you need to take classes, study at your own pace and keep your job.

Additionally, online programs typically have lower costs than traditional schools. When looking at online psychology degree programs, make sure you closely examine the accreditation and reputation of the university; the student-to-faculty ratio, which matters even in a fully online degree program; and academic advising and student services available to online students before beginning your online degree program.

There are also federal and state grants and student loans available to those who meet the requirements. Another place to look for financial assistance is your current employer, which might offer tuition reimbursement if your work is in any way related to the degree you want to get.

I am a 54 -year-old single mom. I obtained my GED at 17 years of age. I have no previous college experience, but I am interested in getting a degree. How do I start the college admission process? Will I need to take the SAT? Congratulations on making the decision to pursue a degree! Most adult learners decide to begin their studies at a 2-year college.

Fortunately, because of your circumstances, this is one of the best options for you as you begin pursuing your degree. If you do choose a 2-year college, the admissions process is fairly easy.

Typically, you need to provide your educational history and fulfil other requirements, such as a college placement exam. Good luck on your academic journey! I graduated high school three and a half years ago.