I have decided to go back to college. It has been almost 12 years since I graduated high school, and sat in a classroom. I have forgotten most of what I learned in Chemistry and Algebra. Likewise I have never used any of the engineering and technical drawing skills I spent four years honing there. Indeed the only things I seem to have retained are my lessons in writing and English, which are continuously helped by my trusty spell check. Since I made this decision I have been asked several times, "Why?" I am a 31 year old former Marine, and unemployed restaurant manger. I should be looking for another job, looking for a girl, and thinking about settling down. Since my lay-off in June that's exactly what I've been doing, and in the meantime I have exhausted my bank account lost my apartment and car, and spiraled into a sea of doubt, lethargy, and depression. It's time to do something. I am too smart to be where I am today. Unless I change the direction my life is going, nothing will improve. I need a new plan, this one isn't working anymore.

New Plans, and Big Risks

This choice to go back to school has not come easily. Over the past three weeks I have spent countless hours and many sleepless nights taking a hard look at my life and where it is. I have measured the good and the bad and assigned the blame where it belongs, and that is with me. Almost a year ago I was released from jail after a year inside. I started out with high hopes and alot of optimism. I felt reborn and revitalized. This drama had been dragging on since 2002, and my repeated attempts to hide from it had cost me much. Finally things came to a head and I was forced to deal with my mistake and accept responsibility once and for all.

In that time I have done alot to put the past behind me. I helped two friends found a non-profit jail ministry with the aim of helping inmates confront their mistakes and take the steps needed to become better men. I started an online consulting service to counsel people in everything from weight-loss to relationship change. Just recently I started writing and blogging. I publish articles on self-help and positive thinking. I have encouraged others to pursue their dreams and chase the life they want. Ironically somewhere along the way I gave up on my own. I guess after all the repeated rejections and fruitless interviews in my job search, I started to take it personally and let it bring me down.

I'm going back to college because I owe it to myself. I deserve a better life, and if I want it then I'm going to have to make it happen. There are people willing to help, hundreds of them, but it is up to me to take the steps to put this in motion. A degree is certainly no guarantee of employment, especially in today's economy. In fact many of my friends that graduated last year have yet to find a job and still search. In the course of this continued education I will rack up almost 175,000 dollars in debt. Is it worth it? Will I be able to use the degree I earn? These are all important questions and valid concerns. The truth is I just don't know. I am betting that over the next six years the economy will improve. I am hoping for a better future in the years to come. I have to believe in something bright on the horizon.

Overcoming Obstacles

The State College where I will begin my classes has an open enrollment policy. While they do not conduct background checks I have opted for a policy of full disclosure concerning my criminal record. I am a convicted felon, though my crime happened in 2002, litigation and the judicial process meant I did not serve my time until 2008. Additionally I also plead guilty to two minor misdemeanor charges related to my felony charge. I am considered a minor offender because my charge is a class E felony, being non-violent, nor drug related. I have not been in trouble before this incident or since. In theory I have paid my debt to society, yet the reality is that I will be judged the rest of my life for one mistake that happened when I was a young hot tempered man fresh out of the Marine Corps.

This mistake will play a big role in my education over the next four years. I want to go into medicine, particularly neurology. This requires a medical degree and more importantly a license. While the majority of undergraduate schools will grant me my initial bachelor's in science that I need to achieve this, as of next year all medical Graduate schools in the U.S. will require a background check on application. All the schools I have contacted have informed me that they treat each application on an individual basis, and a felony conviction will not bar me from acceptance. However as most medical doctorate programs require internship in local hospitals licensed by the state, these schools will not accept applications in states where it will be impossible for me to receive a license.

Currently 12 states in the US will not issue a medical license to convicted felons. The rest take each application on a case by case basis reviewing the circumstances of the offense weighing it against the time since it was committed and the likelihood of repeat. They may issue a license with conditions or additional requirements. Likewise medical schools in those states may accept applications on condition or with some kind of probationary arrangements. The admissions reps I contacted told me that the only choice I had was to be completely honest with my past and include a detailed explanation of the offense along with letters of recommendation. Those schools would then consult with the state licensing board to ascertain the likelihood of being granted a license after graduation and then make a decision.

Is it impossible to be a doctor with a felony record? The answer surprisingly is no. It is however extremely difficult and involves deep commitment and drive. Most universities receive less then four applications yearly from students with felony records. However 3 out of 4 are approved for admissions. Schools want people of character and commitment. The man who can overcome tremendous adversity and still maintain consistently high grades and performance will be considered and given every opportunity to continue on, if he can show true rehabilitation.

For now I will be able to begin classes and even transfer over to the university and earn my bachelor's of science. From there though I have to hope for the best. Time is on my side, every year that passes is in my favor, as most institutions consider offenses committed longer then seven years prior to enrollment to be irrelevant. When the time comes to apply to med-school my conviction will be more then ten years behind me. During that time I can also petition for it to be expunged provided I can stay out of trouble in the next three years. It may be that in a few years time laws could change and I may not be allowed to attend med-school, but I can still go after a PhD or other degrees and even practice research medicine. I will address that when the time comes and revise my plans accordingly. For now though I am going back to school.

Where to Begin

Today my largest obstacle is paying for school. I am eligible for several grants and loans from the government. I have also researched several scholarships and been approved for a few. I will be able to fund my associates degree in full, and am hoping to be able to pick up a part time job after the new year and work my way into something full-time, nights and weekends before I transfer over to the university. I have already completed my application and am being walked through the process by the admissions counselor at my school, and look forward to beginning classes full time after the winter break. I will be publishing another hub in a few days detailing the grants and loan process I am using in case any one else is interested. Wish me luck friends.

Since I first made this choice I have been repeatedly told there is no way I can do it. I almost decided not to, but I felt I should at least ask around to the people who make those decisions before I gave up, and their answers surprised me. I have always wanted to help people. I know it is a simple desire and common enough but it is what I want to do. I am good with people and quick to learn, I have steady hands and perform well under pressure. When I researched the medical field and interviewed several nurses and doctors they told me that what the health care industry needs is more doctors, surgeons, and scientists. The number of people seeking graduate degrees in this field is falling yearly and many are concerned that the ratio of doctors retiring over the next several years will outstrip the number of those graduating into the field by four to one. So this is my goal, and my dream. For good or bad I will go after it, leaving room for change and revision along the way, but I think this is possible.