How to Go Back to College

I often joke that, as a professor, I started college in 1982 and liked it so much that I just never left. The truth is a little more complex, but essentially it’s true: I did like college. I was a decent student. And nevertheless, I thought about dropping out more than once.

Earning an undergraduate degree is difficult. It takes a long time, for one thing. And it’s focused on a broad range of topics, some of which seem less interesting or relevant than others. (Lots of people complain about this, but here’s the simple truth: a narrow and specialized education that focuses on one set of skills will be available at a vocational school. Demonstrating your ability to learn in lots of different ways is a central component of a four-year college education.)

And, of course, college is expensive. The cost gets in the way of many people’s dreams.

If you started college at some point and left midway through–or if you never started, for whatever reason–this post is meant to be a guide to the process of going back. First things first:

Decide where to go

Lots of factors figure into this decision, but don’t limit yourself too much at first. If transportation is a challenge, consider colleges that are close to your home or that offer courses online–especially if you live in a rural area. If you’re just getting started, it doesn’t matter whether a particular college offers a specific degree program; the general courses you’ll take during your first few semesters will be easy to transfer later, when you’ve settled on a major.

Above all, don’t let sticker shock dissuade you from considering a particular university. Very few students pay the full price you’ll see advertised on a university’s website; scholarships, grants, loans, and “discounts” work to bring that cost down. Keep in mind that most universities are competing with each other, which means the real cost to students will often be very similar. This is particularly important to remember if you’re considering a small, private university, where posted tuition costs will always be high. The exceptions to this rule are the big-name universities that don’t need to compete, since they’re generally a student’s top pick.

Apply for admission

You may be thinking it’s too late, but many students–especially older students–apply for college admission in the weeks and days just prior to the start of a semester. So really, it’s never too late. Even if a semester has already started, you can always apply for the next term.

Most universities require some sort of standard application, which often includes a fee. However, that fee can sometimes be waived. It never hurts to ask, especially if the application fee will prevent you from applying.

If you’ve taken college courses in the past, you will need to provide a copy of your transcript–your “report card”–from every university you’ve attended. There will also be a small fee associated with having those records sent from one university to another. Keep in mind, though, that this step is necessary only if you want credit for those courses. If you want to make a fresh start, you don’t need to reveal that you’ve gone to college in the past. Depending on your age, you may not even need to send in a high school transcript.

Apply for financial aid

One you’ve been admitted, you can apply for financial aid. You’ll most likely be required to fill out a FAFSA–the Free Application for Federal Student Aid–to receive any kind of financial assistance. I’ll be honest: this form is lengthy and no fun at all to complete. But if you don’t take the time to fill it out, chances are you won’t be eligible for any financial support.

Financial aid comes in lots of different forms. Some–like grants and scholarships–do not have to be repaid. Not all scholarships depend on your academic record, so don’t assume you won’t be eligible for anything; apply and see what kind of offer the university can make. And if you receive financial aid offers from more than one university, don’t be afraid to use one as a bargaining chip with another. The worst that can happen is that your offer won’t change.

Meet with an academic advisor

Once you’ve been admitted and agreed to enroll as a student, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor at the university. Sometimes this person will be a professor; sometimes, your advisor will be a professional counselor. In either case, they’ll help you figure out which classes you should take and answer any questions you might have about your schedule.

Universities generally offer classes at all times of day. I’ve had students who were able to take classes only two or three days a week, only in the morning or the afternoon. Those kinds of restrictions on your time may affect the speed of your progress toward a degree, but they don’t need to prevent you from making any progress at all.

Over the years, I’ve worked with students ranging in age from their teens to their 60’s. Some started college for the first time in their 30’s; some came back to finish a degree they’d started as young adults. I have a friend who started med school in his 30’s. One of my grad school classmates earned her doctorate just to show her grandchildren that learning never has to stop.

All of which is to say that there’s no such thing as too late or too old for college. Time will pass and you will age whether or not you earn a college degree (God willing). So the only real question to ask yourself is this: What you want to do with that time?