NARROWING YOUR CHOICES

There are so many options open to you. You can choose a career in medicine or in computers; you can go to a large university or a small community college; you can immerse yourself in an intensive four year course or take classes at your own pace (and in your own room) through an online degree program.

The most important thing you need to do is to ask yourself what you need and want. What are your non negotiables?

• Location : For example, is it crucial that you stay near home? Maybe you’re a mom who wants to be near the kids or maybe you’re just happy where you are and would rather not uproot yourself. Or maybe you actually want to be away from home, because you consider travel to be part of your education.

• Campus culture : Are you inspired by a competitive environment, and like the thrill of meeting different people from all walks of life? Then you may enjoy the culture of a large university. Others would prefer a more intimate classroom setting where everyone knows each other and you have one on one mentorship. Then you’d probably be happier in a smaller school.

• Teaching Methods : Do you want a school that emphasizes group projects or research papers? Do you want a well rounded education with a strong emphasis on the liberal arts or do you want to focus on technical skills? Do you prefer being left on your own or do you want to be closely guided by your professor?

APPLYING TO SCHOOLS

After you know what kind of school you want to attend, it’s time to start applying. You can find information by looking at different websites. You can also collect brochures, either by approaching your high school guidance counselor, downloading the information, or writing the admissions office of the different schools. Some tips:

• Apply early in the year so that you have time to research and to really evaluate the different programs.
• Keep your information organized in folders.
• Pay attention to deadlines of applications and required documents. Give yourself time to review your application for any errors!
• Ask someone you trust to look at your application form and your essay (if required). You may have missed something important.

After getting brochures, identify the top five schools that you see yourself attending and have a high chance of getting in. Then, see if you can arrange for a campus tour. This is worth the time and even the costs of travel, since there are many things about a school that you can’t see from a brochure. You also will benefit from talking to students and teachers, and being able to raise your questions with the admissions representative.

CHOOSING THE SCHOOL

So what school should you attend? The concept of the “best” school is subjective, and you really have to look at what matters to you. You can judge a school according to the criteria of curriculum (what will I learn?), campus environment (what’s the teaching method and environment?), tuition and miscellaneous costs (what investment do I need to make?), and campus safety.

Getting an education is a very rewarding, fulfilling and exciting experience. It changes your perspective of the world. You realize how every day, an adventure awaits: you can learn something new, you can practice a new skill, you can share ideas and discover how diverse culture and history can be. At the same time, you enhance your career options, you make friends, you do something you enjoy, and you grow in confidence and in competence.

However, many people feel that they don’t have the time or energy to take a degree, especially if they are already immersed in adult responsibilties. They have a family to support, an endless stream of housework and chores, a demanding boss. And in a risky economy, quitting a job seems terrifying.

But it is possible to get a degree online, and thus be able to have an education while still raising a family or pursuing a career simultaneously. An online course is very convenient and flexible. You can even customize the courses according to your learning style educational needs.

After all, some people feel that it’s been so many years since they’ve been in a classroom that they can’t adjust to the traditional campus environment. They feel they will be out of place in “student life” and won’t be able to comfortably interact with people who are decades younger. They are also unsure about how to deal with teachers who are younger than they are! But this is not a problem when taking an online course. You are often interacting with other adult learners and the teachers actually expect their students to be of a “mature” age.

For those who’d like to ease into the workload, giving themselves time to adjust to the additional demands of going to school, online courses allow you to take a

very light workload so that you can adjust to the requirements without feeling overwhelmed.

Online courses are also very cost efficient. You cut down on travel costs since you can study in your own home, and you only have to make an initial investment in a good internet connections. The courses also allow you to keep your job and go online during the evening or weekends, and the deadlines are much more flexible.

One of the major reasons why people decide to put off a college degree is the cost of tuition. They are interested in getting additional training, and are fully aware of how a degree can broaden their career options, but simply feel that they can’t afford it. They are concerned by the the tuition, the incidental expenses like books and dormitory fees, and the money they would lose if they quit their jobs. Adult learners are also worried about their existing responsibilities, such as mortgage payments and monthly bills.

First of all, many schools offer scholarships. There are also scholarships, offered by the university itself, or external organizations. The government has many student aid programs, and companies often have scholarship programs for deserving students. You don’t have to be a straight A student to qualify for these either! They are sometimes given to students with extraordinary skills, or accomplishment in the industry. Others give preference to cultural minorities or those who have a military background—go on the Internet to find out if you qualify for these special programs!

You can also work while you study, taking a partial course load. There are even student loans, offered by many lending institutions or even the government. These loan payments only take effect after you graduate and give easy payment terms. If you are already working, why not ask your company about giving you a loan? You may be surprised—they may even sponsor your education, and ask only that you sign a contract that you will work for them for a certain number of years in exchange for this.

You can also approach the university you want to attend to ask for deferred payment plans, or apply for a research grant. Another viable option is to take an online course. This enables you to keep your job and take courses in your free time. Since you can go on the web after work or on weekends, you don’t have to worry about your course work interfering with your responsibilities to the company and even to your own home.

Another option is to ask your company to pay for the degree in exchange for you agreeing to work for them for an agreed upon number of years. You can also apply for a salary deduction scheme or an employee loan.