October 17, 2010
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College Ideas
Anyways, long story short…for me, nine years at give colleges in two continents equaling two associates degrees and one bachelor’s degree cost $200. Some ideas I have come up with along the way…
Australia has this great tradition that after high school, most of the kids travel for two years. Everywhere. Then school. Not many 18 year olds I know really know what they want to do. Most of them go into a college because it is the normal progression of American life…and end up wasting the first couple years. Wasting time is bad enough, especially at 30 thousand a year. Not only that, but there are a lot of scholarships that are for older students. As well, for me it worked that government assistance didn’t come until I was 23. Taking time to travel, work, or try out random things you might like can help you get the most out of the college experience when you truly ready for it, and know what you want. Don’t do things just because “that’s how everyone does it.” Think for yourself.
I always worked while I went to college. This did two things for me: helped me realize what I wanted to do, and so what classes I wanted to take, and gave me application time while learning. Instead of cramming in four years of learning with no experience, I would learn something Monday morning in class and then apply it Monday evening at work. I think paying for your own education not only makes you take responsibility, but it makes you appreciate it more. I didn’t get to class on time because I always loved it–I got there because I paid for it, and was NOT going to waste my money. Same reason for good grades.
So if you are thinking about college:
1. The January/February before (if you start in the fall, the January of that year. If you start the spring semester, the January the year before), do your taxes and fill out FASFA as soon as possible. This has to be done to receive any grants, scholarships, or school loans.
2. Your first semester–try a community college. Why?
a. You can get all your paperwork in order. They are really nice about working with you. If you don’t have your high school diploma, you can take an equivalency test for free.
b. You can get a feeling for classes, and what you want…you can take random classes if you think you might like something…without losing much time if you don’t end up liking it. You can see what the class load will normally be like, and what it takes to do “college.” If you take 2-3 classes, the worst think that can happen is paying like $800. (Community colleges are normally about $90 a credit, State colleges are normally about $300 a credit, and private collages are normally about $1000 a credit) Personally…if you are taking a random class at Ivy Tech, I would suggest Philosophy or Ethics with Barton Updike. Great teacher, interesting class–and you need a philosophy class for most majors.
c. CLEP as much as possible. Find the list of tests available, see what you can do. For $75 and an hour an a half, you can get up to 6 credits (thats $6000 at a private college!) Make a goal…like one test a month.
d. Buy your books used, and online at www.half.com whenever possible. I know many people who spend $1000 a semester on books–I never paid more than $200. Many places buy books back, but it NEVER pays to do it that way. Some teachers say you MUST get the right edition, but most don’t care. If you can’t find the right edition for a good price, then wait until class and ask the teacher if it HAS to be the same edition (if it is cheap, buy the older edition, and then if the teacher says you need to get the new edition, you didn’t waste too much money).
3. Your second semester–
a. If you really like community college, then keep going–see about their associates degrees, and what transfers if you want your bachelors.
b. Transfer. Now that you have some classes, your paperwork is good, and hopefully you CLEPed some classes, State colleges have more options on classes. I would really only suggest a private college if you want to specialize in something only they can give you. Transfer students have extra scholarship opportunities, as well as getting to bypass all the freshman hangups.
4. Later semesters–
a. Make sure to keep up on all the scholarships. Apply to anything that will let you. It never hurts to try. 300 word essays are not that hard to write.
b. Check out study abroad/exchange programs. Exchange programs cost the same. I know IUPUI has places all over the USA, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It costs the same to study there, and all the classes are transferable.
c. Get to know your teachers–they make the difference of your college experience. They have a lot of information–they can help you if you ask. I interviewed a girl who received the “Top 10″ award–out of 26,000 students. She said it was because she was close with her teachers, and they nominated her for all these awards and special opportunities. Teachers know more tips than I do–so go ask them:).
