Going to college, finding a career.

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   Scott.Lifeposted 14 years ago

   Has anyone here attended a four year school, without starting after high school. In short I am 31 and would like to get a degree and go into medicine on the surgical side. I had excellent grades in high school, and was once offered a scholarship to Duke, before I decided to enlist in the marines but that was in 1996. How would I go about doing it today?, and is it possible? I am too smart to be in my current situation, any ideas writers and hubbers?

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      rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      you are at the perfect age to go to college. you want to learn and are ready to move forward. contact a local university in your area and make an appt. for a consultation. they are there to help and answer your questions. did the marines offer any kind of scholarship? you are ready, make your dreams a reality.
      
      http://www.military.com/  it has info here that can help you.

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         Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I had the option when I was in to go to college but I passed it up and traded it in for cash that was before I had to leave for medical reasons but once again I get no benefits, since I could have stayed in despite my injuries, I just couldn't stay in the infantry. I would get some preference because I am a veteran I know that much already, but financially wise It's on me and any scholarships or aid I can find

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            rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

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      dohn121posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It's never too late to improve your quality of life, Scott.  I applaud you for seeking out a better life for yourself.  I had some issues in college and so by the time I graduated from college with a degree in Creative Writing, I was 28.  As soon as I try my hand at publishing (whether or not it pans out that) I want to go back to college for an MFA in Creative Writing at NYU.
      
      Don't ever give up on your dreams Scott.  I know you can achieve your goals if you only choose to!

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         Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I'm still kicking myself in the butt for not doing a minor in Creative Writing

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   Aquaposted 14 years ago

   Well, I'm in my 40's and I'm a full time college student. Going back to school is one of the best decisions I've ever made. It does have its challenges but for me it's absolutely worth it. I see people of all different ages on campus. It's never too late!

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      Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Is it a community college or a university? I have several great community colleges nearby, but none offer the degrees I am looking for the closest is a nursing one, but EVERYONE I talk to or meet is going into nursing, and it seems the field is flooded. I was told recently after a doctor's visit that what is needed is Doctor's and surgeons and badly.

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   Aquaposted 14 years ago

   I'm finishing up my all of my G.E. credits at a community college, which in my area pretty much guarantees my acceptance as a junior at the state university here. It's much less expensive and I'm actually being taught by the professors and not the assistant professors or master's students. Currently, I have two Ph.D professors and two master's level professors. They all really enjoy teaching for the sake of teaching, not teaching because what they really want to do is research.
   
   Yes, the healthcare field is really growing. There are all kinds of scholarships available and be sure to look into scholarships for "non-traditional" students. Feel free to email me if you want to talk more about all this!

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   zadrobiposted 14 years ago

   You should definitely look into 'returning student scholarships' for students who have been out of school for more than two years. The ones I've seen pay out very well.

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   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   Good for you Scott for wanting to go back. I hope that you figure out what you want to do, where you want to go...myself I went right after HS. started at a junior college then went to a University. Good luck dude!

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      Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I should have went right after school, but wasn't thinking about the future, I looked into it last winter but everyone I talked to kept trying to get me into an online program or some technical degree when I told them I wanted a four year degree from a university they told it had been too long and I didn't have the money. So i got fed up and went to work instead and tada, the economy dropped out and I have no work. Ain't life grand, anyway...I need to actually do something, i love writing and its making me a little money but I want a solid, career that is going to grow and get me somewhere. i am great with people and have all these people in my family who are doctors and surgeons and tell me I should do it, but they all went to college after High School on scholarships so aren't much help.

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         Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You should have listened to yourself not them...and there are universities where you acn take all of your classes online that is the way I am going for when I take creative writing classes hopefully soon but yes money wise. *gag* it sucks big time.
         
         I hope you figure it all out and get the money you need to go back to school, Scott.

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            Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I looked into the online thing but with so many colleges and major universities nearby i would rather do the whole classroom thing. i spend all my time at the house as it is and I need to get back into the world, and there are no jobs to speak of so I have to find something to do, before I start making love eyes at my computer screen.

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               cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               visit the web site of the University you want to attend, then get contact information and talk to an advisor. they can direct you to all kinds of options, including financial aid. good luck

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   rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

   I'm not sure where you live, but I highly encourage you to dig around and get info. don't get discouraged. a good community college can point you in the right direction in the medical field. nurses are in demand as well as physican's assistants.
   in my searching around, if I find anything, I'll send it your way. there's always a way, don't let your dream die!!

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   Aquaposted 14 years ago

   Scott, my school has a whole office dedicated to helping vets. The people in that office know TONS of info about the ins/outs of what help is available. They are really friendly and eager to help. Find out if your local school has an office and go see them. I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised how open and friendly everyone is.

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   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   lol if you start making love eyes at your computer it might make them back at ya. BE CAREFUL! and yes I would do that but actually I like the quiet of my own home where I can study on my own and have a movie playing while I'm writing. I like having a movie in the background for me to write now...weird huh? lol

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      Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I do well on my own, but I'm also a people person, and I think if i was in a classroom, I'd take it more seriously and stay in that school frame of mind. And I'm just tired of hanging out alone at the house.

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         Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         YOu have any pets? then you won't be alone. and no girlfriend? wife?

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            Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            No, no pets, or girlfriend, I wanted to take sometime to get my own life straight and in order before I started another relationship, and now with everything going on with money and no work its not a good time to date. So I'm trying to get a life and career, then car, and house, then we'll see.

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               Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Well good luck Scott we'll be all rooting for ya and I am sure some fun hubs will come out othe experience too. I so hope you get the money so you can go back to school.

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   Scott.Lifeposted 14 years ago

   I am 19 miles from The University of Tennessee's main campus in Knoxville, they have an excellent teaching and medical program. i guess that's where I'd like to go. I could do school and the whole shebang right here. I just don't know how to start.

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      Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      What I did was look at the classes that they provide see what strikes my interest and yes you have to take classes you don't want to but have to..just make sure that a majority are classes you'll like. Of course I alraedy knew what career path I watned to take.

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    So Aqua how r your classes going?

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    Aquaposted 14 years ago

    Have you looked at these yet?
    
    University of Tennessee Veteran's Affairs
    
    http://registrar.utk.edu/veterans_affairs.shtml
    
    University of Tennessee Veterans
    
    http://web.utk.edu/~utkvets/

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       Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I spoke to them but, given the fact that i converted my GI Bill to cash and that I'm not disabled there's not alot They can do for me other then a higher ranking on the approval lists for enrollment, I know I have the brains to get in and can pass any entrance exam, but it's the money side that's stopping me, But I will look into some scholarship ideas you all have provided. There has to be a way, i know its asking for eight years of school, but I have faith the country will still be around by then, and i will still be a young guy, kind of, and hey i look five years younger then i am so who knows!!!

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          rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          you will be surprised at how doors open for you when you expect them to, there is a way. sometimes you have to push that door a little but it will open! good luck!

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    Aquaposted 14 years ago

    Hey Crazd - thanks for asking! School's going well. Busy! Mid-terms were stressful but as of yesterday - they're OVAH!

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       Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       *GASP* Aqua don't say that word that is an evil word Mid-terms but I am glad that they are over. I hated tests with a passion! having an LD didn;t help either stupid tests! LMAO

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    Sufidreamerposted 14 years ago

    See if you can track down ledefensetech - he mentioned that he wanted to get into medicine, so he might have some useful advice. I don't think that he is interested in becoming a doctor, but he may well have some ideas about funding etc.
    
    Best of luck - I hope that something turns up - as long as it doesn't get in the way of the book-writing

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    Aquaposted 14 years ago

    If money is the main thing stopping you then you might want to seriously consider a community college for your general ed. requirements. My tuition is only about $300 per semester! My books usually cost more than my tuition lol.

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       Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I am thinking that's the way to go, then I believe I can transfer over to another school from there, besides I will still have to go to med school afterward.

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          Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          that is the way I went...community college for GED...shh don't tell anyone I actually started communit college while still in HS...they let me take ASL for my second language since I couldn't do spanish or german or french
          
          Oh and that is what my best friend is doing, or I should say one..I have many lol she is going tos chool to become a nurse and she is kick ass and not taking names. she is Acing all of her classes and raelly putting her heart into it. You do that scott, really put your heart into your studies you will be just fine!

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             Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Well fortunately I have my diploma, and hooray for you for going to get you're GED, my brother got his in the Navy and now when he gets out next year they have accepted him at med school himself, so he's going to be a sports doctor, and he's only two years younger then me, I guess that's what got me thinking, he's going after his career why shouldn't I?

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    Scott.Lifeposted 14 years ago

    I know there is a boat load of money out there for people wanting to go to college, especially those my age and up, unfortunately alot of those sources are not really advertising it, but i guess that's part of the test, to see if you're serious enough to go looking and open the doors yourself, but I will start looking, I have some time before the next semester and I will have to make an effort to get going. I will though and I will keep you all updated, just wanted to ask around and see if any of my fellow Geniuses on here had some ideas to kick around.

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    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    I'd say go for it.

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Sports doctor? He will be working with like the NFL teams and other sport memebers right?
    And yep I went to community college for 3 years, ran away with my AA screaming then transfered to the University for 3 years and ran away scraeming with me BA...lmao everyone kept saying I should go for my masters but I was like HELL NO! Not for me since I'm sticing with Preschool. if I wanted to move up to Elementary like I had originally planned on being a teacher for then yea but nope sticking with my babies in preschool thank you.

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       Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       The only initial problem I am seeing is that most community colleges only offer Nursing programs, where as I want to be a doctor, and yes it is feasible that you could further continue your career and still become a doctor, I know many nurses they don't have time to sleep let alone go back to school.If I'm going to do this I want to go right at it, not get sidetracked again, like I did already and spend 12 years doing stuff I really don't like.

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          Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          that is true my friend who wants to become a nurse and is in school? she is also working full time at Starbucks and her hours are always messed up but she is going for it.
          
          one of my mom's best friends is a nurse and she is gone a lot too but she says that being a nurse is the best job ever for her.
          
          And I say go for it...if it means to stray from your goal a bit then do the nurse thing, and keep going to become a doctor. yes it's hard and yes it'll be time consuming but if it is your dream to become a doctor to help people, you'll do what you have to do make that dream a reality.
          
          Have faith in yourself, Scott, push yourself, and you know you have me who believes you can do it and from the looks so does some others on here. And I am sure more will once they start reading this thread.
          
          we are here for you scott. You can do this!

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          Aquaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Then just tell the community college you plan to major in biology or chemistry (or whatever) and you can gear your first two years to get some of your required science classes out of the way. Don't overcomplicate or overanalyze things - beware of analysis paralysis! btw: I wrote you an email back

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             Scott.Lifeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Thank you, it is good advice, I'm just going to go do it and start making things happen,

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    Scott.Lifeposted 14 years ago

    I guess this got going because I had to learn to do alot of Trauma  field aid, because of where we were, plus I spent alot of time with my platoons corpsman, and helped him alot, and it got me interested, the blood and guts never bothered me except when it was my own, so I thought I could do this, I can patch people up, but I want to go farther, EMT's make no money and hardly go anywhere, they are way too underpaid for what they do and know.

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