Did anybody here finish college at a later age?

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anybody else here finish college later?

I studied computer science for some years with little success, got depressed and dropped out. Then did some computer work and ended up unemployed with no money and also ended up in hospital. In 2004 (when I was 27) I started studies again from zero at a much worse school, but finished it in time, got a job and got back on track, getting the bachelor's degree when I was 29. Later I went to grad school and I'll get my PhD in 2016.

Gosh, I'm old.

If I'm really lucky, I might have a bachelor's degree by 30. I don't expect to be ready for a job in my major until my mid-to-late 30s, but I'll get there eventually, God willing.

I went to college straight out of high school but didn't get my bachelors degree until seven years later. It took me a while between me working multiple jobs, taking a semester off once every few years, and switching from a community college to a four-year state college. I'm glad I got my degree and all but it's not helping me get the job I want yet. Anyway you look at it, you can't get many good jobs instantly with a degree without experience. I will probably have to go back to school and may even do a graduate program so I can get internship experience.

I didn't get my bachelor's until age 45, in 2006.

It's not all that uncommon for people in the US to obtain their bachelor's degree later than the traditional age of 21-22.

interesting to hear, and I was reading a statistic today that the majority of people with Autism/Aspergers don't graduate college, is that true?

I was 26 when I finished (started when I was 18). However I took 2 full years off in there and later developed a major health issue that required surgery. Prior to the diagnosis of the condition, I'd steadily gotten sicker with severe infections that made me miss a lot of class time.

Overall, said issue affected me for 6 years or most of my schooling career in other words. The problem was finally diagnosed and fixed and to this day I'm constanty reminded by my doctor (who did his best to try a diagnosis during the whole ordeal) that I'm luck to be alive with no brain or heart damage.

What about the stat that most aspies don't finish college? Found that out last week although the percentage wasn't listed

I just started doing a degree in painting, I was 58 when I started. Hope that helps

so that's when you got your first Bachelors?

I'm 32 and am currently in the last few months of a masters degree. I know quite a lot of people who've started a degree course in their 30s and 40s, in fact I think its becoming more common.

really you believe it is becoming more common?

More common than it was 15 years ago.

I originally went to college in 1998, finally finished in 2011. So, much of that statement is an observation. There are many more night classes (geared toward working adults) than there were back when I was starting out.

I also conduct surveys and polls for a professional organization. The number of people with a degree has shot up in that same timespan, but, the average age of members has always been in the 40s.

I did one survey a couple years back about what education people were currently pursuing and 16% were adults working on degrees and 6% were signed up at a trade school (no specifications whether that was for a degree, certificate or just a single targeted class).

Is it because they didn't have the opportunity when they were younger? (like the mothers I went to class with whose kids were my age) Is it because they're at a point they want to change careers? (which was my motivation to go back) or is it merely because of the recession, and trying to make themselves look better than the other candidates?

Who knows, there are a lot of factors.

The good thing is:

The opportunity is always there to go back to school.

You could start at community college if you don't get into a 4-year school. I know remedial courses are a hassle, and they are no credit--but I believe it'll be worth it in the end even if one has to take remedial courses.

Community college courses for credit count exactly the same as 4-year courses for credit here in the US.

a trade school is different than a 4-year university or community college right?

Yes. It's closer to a community college in setup, but, probably costs more like a 4 year uni.

They can grant degrees or certifications, but, the biggest differentiation is that they are supposed to be more focused on immediately-applicable skills, whereas the colleges are more general well-rounded education.

I got certificates in civil surveying and 3d modeling and an associate's in design technology at the community college, but, had very little hands-on work that would make me capable in a job on the first day. BUT, I was well prepared to transfer to uni and get my BS.
My friends at trade school were taking more hands on classes (welding, electrical wiring, hairdressing). I'm sure they learned some theory along with their practice, but, they could go apply their trade immediately.

Of course, as I said, it's much more expensive. I finished CC having paid cash for my classes, and all my friends had student loans for years from their programs.