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First steps "I am considering returning to college for my bachelor's. I have absolutely no idea what to do first. Should I order high school and business school transcripts first? How do I determine whether or not credits received towards my Associate's are transferable? Where do I start?" This is the question – with slight variations – that I hear most often. Although we each face unique circumstances and challenges, there are a series of basic steps we must all take in going back to school. Asking – and honestly answering – key questions upfront will avoid disappointments later. Step One: Planning Question: How much education do you need? This question is worth some serious thought now – before you start school. Not that you can't change later, but planning ahead can save you significant time and money, and you'll have fewer surprises. The answer depends on what field you'd like to pursue. Many fields have very specific educational requirements. Researching requirements will give you an idea of what level of education is needed – associate's, bachelor's, master's, Ph.D. If you're not ready to commit to the time and cost of a Ph.D., you probably will not want to embark on a journey towards becoming a clinical psychologist! The information will also arm you with questions to ask the admissions counselors at each college you're considering. They can give you much more information about what you'll need to prepare for your field. E.g., if you want to be an elementary school teacher, you are not required to earn a bachelor's degree in education, but they will most likely advise you to pursue a strong liberal arts concentration. Or if you're ultimately aiming for an MBA, although you need not major in business as an undergraduate, taking some of the basic accounting and math courses can reduce the total credits you must take in your MBA program – not to mention give you a head start. To research the education requirements for your field, the best place to start is the Bureau of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook contains basic information on all major careers and also leads you to links for more information through industry associations, etc. Question: How many credits do you already have? Although transferable credits will vary by institution, you should have a rough idea of how many credits you've already accumulated. This will help you estimate your budget and time to degree. It will also help you determine the type of school to look at: Step Two: Researching Schools Question: How acceptable is the school? There are several factors to consider in determining whether a school is acceptable to you and to your current and future employers. 1. Accreditation – to avoid any problems later and to ensure the transferability of your credits, it's very important that the college be regionally accredited. 2. Reputation – whether it's fair or not, in highly competitive fields, the right college on your resume can be critical. Also, some online programs have yet to be wholeheartedly embraced by employers. It's worth a discussion with your employer now to see whether degrees from the schools you're considering will be well received. Question: How much can you/are you willing to spend? A related question to ask now is: Are you willing to go into debt? If not, be sure to choose a college you can afford without taking out loans. Also, now is the time to ask your employer if you are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Question: Does the school meet your special needs? Some schools are more sensitive to the needs of adult students than others. E.g., does it offer child care facilities? To find schools, check your local paper, look for directories in your local library, bookstore or on the web. Step Three: Applying to School Here's where you'll find out what tests you may need to take, if any, and how many of your credits will transfer. You will be required to get official transcripts from all previous colleges you have attended. These will be sent, sealed, directly to the registrar's office. It's a good idea to request an "unofficial" student copy to be sent to you at the same time. Take this to the admissions counselor to help in planning your curriculum. This is also when you'll want to apply for any financial aid. Good luck! You're now on your way to fulfilling your dream of getting a college education. 1/9/02 TOP |
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