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Going Back to College Rather Disconcerting

August 12th, 2011 at 12:28 am

For the past year, I, a 53yo gal, have been really toying with the idea of going back to school. While watching certain shows on the Science Channel, I realized that the Cosmos was my niche. I knew that this was what I was looking for "once I grew up" but didn't know it until just recently.

Over time I would always be mesmerized by anything having to do with the universe. After seeing Saturn and its rings through the lens of the family telescope in the FL panhandle, or living at an altitude of 6,500 feet at the Air Force Academy and feeling as if I could reach one of the arms of the Milky Way. The Aurora Borealis looming in front of me after a long horseback ride in the Snake River plains of Idaho. Moments like those never left my memory.....

I had to ask myself if I was too old, could I afford it, did I have the focus to shlepp through however many years it took to get a doctorate, a Ph.D in Physics, perhaps Particle Physics. Perhaps Astro Physics if I was truly ambitious. I know I would start my B of A in Earth Sciences

What temporarily put the kibosh on my plans to enroll was the financial aspect of going to school. How difficult would it be to get grants, loans, gov't sponsored and/or from a private entity. I also read an article about how many graduates from college had spent thousands in private schools, when, they could have attained the same level of education in public colleges. Hey, I put MY two who chose to go to private U's in this, too. Both are indeed working, thankfully.

I bring this up because of the current economic climate, but by no means see it as an end all to whatever dreams I have.

Posted in Budgeting, Education, Personal Finance | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Going Back to College Rather Disconcerting”

  1. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    August 12th, 2011 at 01:02 am 1313110965
    1313110965

    Cool idea. Physics is demanding study even at undergrad level. I think usually physics students do get scholarships for undergrad and assistantships for PhD. Take your admissions tests like the SAT and/or ACT and include on the personal info are that you are interested in a Physics major, and name your desired schools,so that they may contact you with info.

  2. Gamecock43 Says:
    August 12th, 2011 at 12:15 pm 1313151339
    1313151339

    I work at a private university and I agree the amount of info you will walk away with will be similar whether you are at a public or private school. I think that professors at public schools could be more up to date because they have to hit a research quota to be published a certain amount and not all private schools require that (mine does not).

    Also, the government has special incentives for people choosing to study in needed fields such as sciences and medical degrees. You are either eligible for more grants (free money), or larger loans. I don't know much beyond that but your financial aid person will.

    Private schools usually offer much better customer service than public schools.

    I hope that helps!

    If you can afford it, do it. You can start out with 1 class and see how it goes.

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