Congratulations! It takes real ambition to think about returning to college. You should be very proud! It is a hard decision and adults thinking about returning to college often feel "strange" or "out of place," but you shouldn't. Lots of other people are doing it successfully, so you are in very good company. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Education, in 2001, there were 2.1 million adults age 25-80 enrolled in college, 41% of all college students at the time! So don't feel that college is just for kids; it simply isn't true.
GOING BACK
There are many great resources out there for adult learners and we suggest simply doing a web search for good sites. However, here are some resources that we recommend.
Boston:
New York City:
- In NYC, one amazing resources is the Options program at Goddard Riverside Community Center on the Upper West Side. Schedule an appointment or many appointments with trained college counselors who will meet with you individually to talk through the process. The service is free. http://www.goddard.org/programs/options.htm.
Other Good Resources:
General Resources:
- Talk to friends who have gone back.
- College Search: There are many great books in the library about searching for colleges. Take a look at those.
- Public colleges and universities typically offer great value, and are often well-equipped for adult learners who are also holding down jobs and raising families.
- The college counselor at your old high school might be willing to help or able to make suggestions. It is worth getting in touch.
