Going Back to College

[ktun 0]

Hi all,

Well, this time next month I will be a full-time college student again. Going back for a post-grad degree, having completed my BA in London 4 years ago. I wondered if anyone else has gone back to school here after completing a degree in their home country? What was your expereince like? Was it very different, especially being married and older than the typical college student, did you "fit in" or felt that you stuck out like a sore thumb?

Would love to hear any stories or advice

Thank you,

Kate

[Jamie76 0]

Kate,

Im a USC, but I can tell you here in the States, things may be a bit different when you go back to school. There is actually a pretty high percentage of older individuals here that are enrolled in school. By older, I mean anywhere from upper 20s through, well, just about any age. College is no longer reserved just for the twenty-somethings. You will probably find many people in your classes that have families. If you are going to grad school, you will find this to be the case even more.

[Cry_Tuff 0]

I am a USC and 31 years old. I just enrolled to go back to school, and actually have my first final exam this Thursday!! I've went back to get my associates degree in Criminal Justice. If I can recall right, as long as you have your transcripts of grades and attendance from your home country, your credits should be allowed to be transferred over. You may want to contact the college you attended in your home country and request the transcripts...then I would just call up the college here you are looking to attend and inquire as well. It doesn't hurt to ask. Good luck!

[britbird 4]

Absolutely no different, in my opinion, from college in the UK, except the people and Professors are much more friendly. I have two degrees from UK universities, and am now at law school in the US - it's been an awesome experience thus far, and unless you want to stick out, you likely will not.

Get involved, if your spouse can join the campus gym etc try that, and involve them as much in campus activities as possible. My husband has a better time at my University than I do, and I have a great time.

Good luck!

[ktun 0]

Thanks britbird and others that shared their experiences .

I will be studying law too. I'm glad that you are all finding combining college and the responsibilities of marriage/family and home a positive experience.

I have transfered all my credits over, and I should only need to complete about 18 months here. I have Orientation this Friday and I will register for my classes then. The classes start on August 22nd.I must say I am really looking forward to it and hoping to make some good friends.

I already told my husband that he should come and use the facilities there sometimes, they have a really nice pool and we both enjoy swimming. Obviously, I'll be living in our house not on campus, but it is only 15 minute drive.

Thank you again for sharing,

Kate

P.S. I can do an elective in Immigration Law if I want, thought that might be interesting

Edited August 1, 2007 by ktun

[britbird 4]

law school is awesome, I don't think you'll have any trouble at all finding new friends.

IMHO i think the key to enjoying law school is to take, as much as possible, classes that you have an interest in, rather than classes that will be on the Bar - you'll take a bar review class anyway, so just make use of the variety of classes on offer (hopefully your school has a lot).

[ktun 0]

Hi Britbird,

I'm definitely going to. My school does offer quite a range of courses, so apart from the standard Torts and Real Estate etc, I'm thinking of taking Medical Negligence and Immigration law as two electives and decide later on the rest. I went in today for Orientation and was shocked at the price of some of the books though $150.00 EACH?!!!!!!

Edited August 3, 2007 by ktun

[Cassandra+Yuibi 0]

My fiance hasn't finished a degree- he actually will barely not be able to get his degree in Japan. Which is ok, because he was planning on transferring and getting a degree at a college here anyway since it seemed more practical to us. My question is- do you have to wait a year after getting your green card to be considered a resident of a certain state? Or can you just wait a year after arrival and be considered a resident?

We've asked several consulars that question and none of them have had a clue. It matters though- the difference in costs for in-state, out-of-state, and non-us resident are ridiculous.

[JamalNTam 1]

My fiance hasn't finished a degree- he actually will barely not be able to get his degree in Japan. Which is ok, because he was planning on transferring and getting a degree at a college here anyway since it seemed more practical to us. My question is- do you have to wait a year after getting your green card to be considered a resident of a certain state? Or can you just wait a year after arrival and be considered a resident?

We've asked several consulars that question and none of them have had a clue. It matters though- the difference in costs for in-state, out-of-state, and non-us resident are ridiculous.

It really does depend on the college/university. You will need to take that question to the colleges your interested in. Usually it's a year since you've been living in the states, and then some colleges dont even need that.

[Cassandra+Yuibi 0]

My fiance hasn't finished a degree- he actually will barely not be able to get his degree in Japan. Which is ok, because he was planning on transferring and getting a degree at a college here anyway since it seemed more practical to us. My question is- do you have to wait a year after getting your green card to be considered a resident of a certain state? Or can you just wait a year after arrival and be considered a resident?

We've asked several consulars that question and none of them have had a clue. It matters though- the difference in costs for in-state, out-of-state, and non-us resident are ridiculous.

It really does depend on the college/university. You will need to take that question to the colleges your interested in. Usually it's a year since you've been living in the states, and then some colleges dont even need that.

Thank you! We did manage to get a number of someone who deals with foreign students, but (it was a while ago we got it) the person who gave it to us said she could only be called in between like 8-10am or something ridiculous like that. My brother actually teaches at the University that my fiance wants to go to- so if push comes to shove I supposed I could harass him into finding out the information if we can't get a hold of the person.

[britbird 4]

Ktun, please please please check out www.amazon.com for second hand books! Trust me, it doesn't matter if it's got highlighting in it. Just make a note of 'em and get them used, you'll save so much money. I haven't bought a new book in a while.

Also, my big tip is to check out the old exam papers for your professors - some of them may even have feedback memos, and just get used to their style and what they want from you. It'll be a big help come exam time.

[akatagirl 0]

You may also want to get your transcripts internationally evaluated since your did complete a BA in london...There are many places you can go through online to get this done..The best thing you can do if you have not already done so is to ask the school you are attending what they company they suggest to get your transcripts internationally evaluated so that you will not have to start over completely and hopefully some or many of your courses taken can be equivolent to the many of the courses offered here especially those general education courses such as English, Math and Science.

Buying your textbooks online from other sources such as amazon and barnes and noble is a good suggestion as one VJer already advised because textbooks cost way too much and buying them used or from other sources other than your school's bookstore will save you more money..just make sure when you do purchase them that they are the current edition which your instructor will be using...Another trick would be is if you are short on cash and build a good rapport with your instructor is to meet with them during their office hours and asking if they have a spare textbook that you can borrow since they do most times get their copies of the book for free from the publisher.

Good luck on going back to school and I am sure you will find it a great experience! Don't forget to check out and read thoroughly through your schedule of classes so that you can see what your school offers to make your educational experience worhwhile (i.e free tutoring services, other student support type programs, and clubs/organizations that maybe of interest to you pertaining to your major or extracurricular activities)

Last but not least, make an effort to get to know your instructors by visiting them during their office hours or talking to them before and/or after class so they may become familiar with your face...This will work in yourf favor especially if an emergency or situation arises when you are unable to turn an assignment in on time an or take the exam on the scheduled day!

More importantly, make sure you visit the counseling center to ensure that you are taking classes that will count toward your major. Also, pay attention to those dates such last day to drop or withdraw from a class or add a class since you may want to alter your class schedule. In order to be successful in your classes, take the proactive approach and get to know your fellow classmates by getting their contact information such as email and cell phone numbers and also by studying together.

[Jamie76 0]

Ktun, please please please check out www.amazon.com for second hand books! Trust me, it doesn't matter if it's got highlighting in it. Just make a note of 'em and get them used, you'll save so much money. I haven't bought a new book in a while.

Also, my big tip is to check out the old exam papers for your professors - some of them may even have feedback memos, and just get used to their style and what they want from you. It'll be a big help come exam time.

I prefer books that have already been highlighted. The work has already been done for you.

[ktun 0]

WOW lots of replies since I last checked in!!! Thank you to all that took the time to share

I am combing amazon and ebay for text books. I bought one yesterday on Ebay for $28.00 that the college bookshop wanted to sell for $130.00 so feeling pretty pleased with myself on that front

I had WES do my qualification evaluation and it has proved very useful. The college gave me a $3500.00 scholarship as a result and I only need to take 36 or 37 credits in total. I have regisitered for 15 this semester, and hope to do another 15 next semester, then perhaps the rest over the summer, if they offer them, or go back part-time next fall to complete whilst hopefully working.

The learning environment is great, there are only 12 students in each class and plenty of tutoring opportunities if required, I met several of the instructors on my Orientation day and strangely enough the lawyer that we consulted about 18 months ago over an immigration question is a guest speaker for the Immigration Law class!!! So I will recognize him, even if he doesn't recognize me.

Once again, thank you to everyone for the response. Only 11 more days until I start. Really looking forward to it

[thetreble 19]

I'm glad to hear you guys are going back to school. I plan to start an MA here in the US within the next couple years after I can work and save up some money to do one. I think school is just about the best thing ever and I wish there was such thing as a professional student Any ways, good luck in your studies guys!