Spinoff to the MBA ?: Did anyone Start college late

My one year in college was drama (bah) and ended up with me being in deep depression, debt and zero credits for 32 hours as well as suspended academically for a year.

I went out to the work force and before I knew it I was working hard and paying off bills, school, car, apt, wedding (which didn’t happen) and so forth. I had finally got myself mostly back on my feet when I decided to take a gamble and move to NYC.

So here I am four years later and my company is willing to help me go to college and pick up the costs. So. Where do I begin? I was thinking of going to NYU because I work in the city but if there’s a long island school that has late evening classes and weekend classes that would be better. Also, what about e-schooling. I am just so confused.

Do I have to take tests, does my work experience count, do my professional designations count. Anyone done this??

TIA

PS: being that im not from here, I dont know what schools are good and which ones aren't.

ETA:
Edited to shorten thread title.

If you were suspended from your previous college you might want to start out at a 2-year community college (in Manhattan Borough of Manhattan Community College is probably your closest option). Unfortunately 4 year schools would look at the record from when you last attended (I work at a SUNY on Long Island, and can attest that work experience and recommendation letters do not do much). You wouldn't have to take any more tests, but may have to submit SAT scores. You could look into online degrees--the SUNY website for online learning is SUNY Learning Network Most of the SUNY 4 year schools look for a GPA of at least 2.5 for transfers, so it might be best to go to a community college to raise it first. I honestly don't think NYU would be an option as a matriculated student if you were suspended or dismissed from your last school--it is pretty competitive and looks for a GPA of around 3.2 or 3.5 for transfer students. FM me if you have other questions.

oooh good to know

My last school and I left on VERY bad terms. I had the grades (B or better) but got no credits (all zeros).

This has been keeping me from going to school. I feel like I have to explain myself and that ticks me off.

NYU only came up because they were supposed to offer something for my professional designations. As is St. John's because they bought out the College of Insurance which I have a degree from.

hrmm

OK So Nassau Community college isn't far from my house. (assuming I dont move)

What other community colleges are worth while?


ETA: My GPA (before they zeroed it) was 3.84 them bastards!

Wold you even be considered a transfer since you received 0 credits?
My father wnet to a SUNY after HS, dropped out by Thnaksgiving, worked, joined the army, etc, and went back later & school hopped as he got married, moved, etc.

I think he just went in as a new student, I thnk he did start at Nassua CC, and then Queens CC when he moved, but eventually graduated from C.W. Post.

I think there are busines programs designed for working adults, but I'm not sure where.

I was in the same boat!!! The 'first of year of college disaster-depression then bills and real life and then no BA and everyone else has one' cruise! Rode it and am trying to get off!!!

I go to NYU, the McGhee Division of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies. It's fantastic! Great profs, good reputation. Many, many students, are there b/c their employers pay for it. Otherwise, it's very expensive. (I work at NYU, so I only pay fees).

Like many adult-degree programs, they give credit for life experience and professional credentials, but you have to demonstrate your knowledge. For academic subjects you can take CLEP exams or other exams they accept, with a cetain score and above. It's not as easy as saying ' I did this and this' and they give you the credit - you will have to write about it extensively or something else - I didn't try it b/c frankly it looked easier to just take the classes.

Empire State College is also an option - they have small classes as well as the Cetner for Distance Learning option.


Let me know if you have other questions. And good luck!! Don't let one bad year stop you - you are a smart woman and can do it!



ETA: I just read that you have a degree from the College of Insurance - you should be able to transfer those credits.

ALSO - BEWARE! Many schools have an age limit on your credits - usually its 10 years - so anything older than that will not transfer. NYU and Empire State do not have that limit but its good to ask before you start a program somewhere and find out that your credits (from the College of Insurance) will not be good.

I don't know how old you are, but I'm 33 and its important to me to be in a classroom with other adults. You might find that the majority of students at a CC are young.

If you live in Queens, you might want to look at Queens College, they have an adult degree program.

Here’s the long dirty story of a stupid 17 year old Science geek lead astray.

I got Zeros cause I was young, stubborn and thought I was smarter than the average bear. I wanted to go to my school since I was in 7th grade. I was to major in Marine Biology with double minors in Chemistry and microbiology.

To pull this off, the school offered me an accelerated program for students (they said) who showed rapid improvement in high school. Were in the TAG team program (Targeted Assessment Group). I had my Dad sign all the papers (I was 17) and he didn’t read them any better than I did back then.

There was a paper in there that said I promised to never miss more than 3 days of school (PERIOD, EVER) during a semester. First semester I missed more than three because I was Secretary to the RHA (Residence Hall Association) so I got zeros. Second Semester the counselor suggested I take honor courses and advanced political science courses to makeup my GPA. Now I know (hindsight 20/20) that I could have just retaken my already taken courses. Back then, I listened to what I was told.

Before midterms I was sinking fast. I begged for help. They said to stay with it until past midterms. Midterms came back and I was failing 3 of my 7 classes. I asked to drop but found out it was too late. It was past the drop date. So I struggled on.

I had a breakdown and lost it completely. Being a school employee (RHA) I had mentors and extra counselors. I broke down in a slobbering mess one day. Found out they were wrong. I should have retaken my classes and it was too late.

Now you THINK I would have learned my lesson to not listen to these freaks. But NOOOO they get paid to put me right, don’t they? So they said if I got all Zeros then I could replace each one with a new class and it would not effect my GPA. I signed something and next thing you know I find out I’ll be suspended for a year at the end of the semester.

I had my second and all time worst breakdown ever. Spent the last bit of college partying, getting drunk, being a pain in the arse and screw up. I did all the things I never did before because I was too busy studying. Gotta say retrospectively that was one wild month or so.

Got home and got all zeros.

I read EVERYTHING before I sign it these days. And I make my own choices no matter how against the grain they may seem at the time.

Oh and I have every intentions of one day going back to that school and taking classes in basket weaving, I don’t care but I **WILL* Get my degree from that school I don’t care how old I am. Heh, I’m 28 and that one year in my life still ticks me off.

It took me YEARS to pay off the loans I took for that one year. It’s taken me even longer to be able to swallow my pride and admit I need to start all over again no matter how humiliating it’s going to be.

I took the SATs & the ACTs

Which is more accepted around here and who knows how to get copies of those anyway?

TIA

PS: Do I need my HS transcripts too?

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Posted by Xelindrya

Here’s the long dirty story of a stupid 17 year old Science geek lead astray.

I got Zeros cause I was young, stubborn and thought I was smarter than the average bear. I wanted to go to my school since I was in 7th grade. I was to major in Marine Biology with double minors in Chemistry and microbiology.

To pull this off, the school offered me an accelerated program for students (they said) who showed rapid improvement in high school. Were in the TAG team program (Targeted Assessment Group). I had my Dad sign all the papers (I was 17) and he didn’t read them any better than I did back then.

There was a paper in there that said I promised to never miss more than 3 days of school (PERIOD, EVER) during a semester. First semester I missed more than three because I was Secretary to the RHA (Residence Hall Association) so I got zeros. Second Semester the counselor suggested I take honor courses and advanced political science courses to makeup my GPA. Now I know (hindsight 20/20) that I could have just retaken my already taken courses. Back then, I listened to what I was told.

Before midterms I was sinking fast. I begged for help. They said to stay with it until past midterms. Midterms came back and I was failing 3 of my 7 classes. I asked to drop but found out it was too late. It was past the drop date. So I struggled on.

I had a breakdown and lost it completely. Being a school employee (RHA) I had mentors and extra counselors. I broke down in a slobbering mess one day. Found out they were wrong. I should have retaken my classes and it was too late.

Now you THINK I would have learned my lesson to not listen to these freaks. But NOOOO they get paid to put me right, don’t they? So they said if I got all Zeros then I could replace each one with a new class and it would not effect my GPA. I signed something and next thing you know I find out I’ll be suspended for a year at the end of the semester.

I had my second and all time worst breakdown ever. Spent the last bit of college partying, getting drunk, being a pain in the arse and screw up. I did all the things I never did before because I was too busy studying. Gotta say retrospectively that was one wild month or so.

Got home and got all zeros.

I read EVERYTHING before I sign it these days. And I make my own choices no matter how against the grain they may seem at the time.

Oh and I have every intentions of one day going back to that school and taking classes in basket weaving, I don’t care but I **WILL* Get my degree from that school I don’t care how old I am. Heh, I’m 28 and that one year in my life still ticks me off.

It took me YEARS to pay off the loans I took for that one year. It’s taken me even longer to be able to swallow my pride and admit I need to start all over again no matter how humiliating it’s going to be.

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In time you will feel better about it, you will get your degree and move on. What happened to you really s*$&s. Try to focus on what you will learn and your future and not so much on your former school, b/c the bitterness can eat away at you.

In my experience, SATS are more commonly accepted, although they may expire after 5 years like GREs do. Then again, you may not even need them.

High school diploma will be necessary - they need proof you graduated.

you post was long and i am lazy..but to answer about e-school...

FW is taken courses at Univeristy of Phonix online... SHE LOVES IT... she been avg 3.9 for the past 6-7 courses... Classes are 5 weeks long and you take 1 at a time... (you can take 2 but i don't see how it's possible)

I took courses at Saint Leo Online... it was good but different then Phoniex Online.. look around...

Convient (sp) to be home and work online

Dowling College (where i'm graduateing from) has many classes offered at night.. i didn't like it cause of the people in the class.. (usually all older late 30's / 40's ) i just didn't feel like i fit in. but classes are offered. with you in the city, i think it would be hard for you to come to island to take classes...

i would consider online...
and take full advantage of tution reemburment. it's a great benefit the people let pass by

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Posted by cluelessbride

High school diploma will be necessary - they need proof you graduated.

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Just the diploma (I keep a mini, the full page one is at home with my parents in IOWA) or transcripts such as classes taken, grades, etc?

I guess the fact I got a diploma is good enough but not being from NY I never had to take Regents. So I wonder if it may not be a bad idea to get my detailed transcripts.

Odd isnt it? How proud we were of what we did in high school only to find out no one cares?

The admissions offices will want to see a high school transcript, not the diploma. Don't worry about it not being from NY, admissions offices see out of state transcripts all the time.

ETA: to be considered 'official' it usally needs to come directly from the school to the college, unless it is sent to you in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal.

Why can't I pretend I never went to college?

It was the 93-94 term for crying out loud. It's been over 10 years? Think I could just 'ignore' that little wrinkle?

*grumble*
well it was worth a try.

Ok, so I need

HS Transcripts
College Transcripts
Choose a school (small, preferably)
Take any necessary tests
Register

God help this is gonna be a hell of a ride!

Oh did I mention I need to do this during the same time I'm having my wedding?

*sigh*

Good luck! It'll be worth it, and I know you can do it!