Going to School at 44
 

I have been promoted as far as I can in my current job without having a degree. My employer will reimburse me 100% of my tuition. It's going to be a pain to try to get a degree, work full time, take care of 12 rental properties, etc but I guess I really have no choice unless I just want to settle where I am in my career.

I see I can get a degree online through MO Western. It appears I can CLEP out of many of the classes.

My question: Has anyone here ever done this and specifically how difficult is it to CLEP out of courses?

Thanks for the help

It just depends on how well you know the subject. Things may have changed a lot since I took CLEP tests in the 80s, but I don't remember them being difficult. They were just another standardized test, IIRC.

See if you can find sample questions on the Internet.

Thanks. I wish I had done this in the 80's. Life if funny sometimes

Congratulations on getting to the point where you need a degree to advance further, btw. It's too bad it works that way, but good for you for being motivated enough to not just settle.

Thanks. I figure nothing lasts forever. I've been lucky to advance where I am without a degree. If anything happens to my current position I would be in trouble trying to find a comparable job. I really should have done this long ago but I can't get one if I never start.

Went back to school at 43. Got a degree in meteorology. Mostly online at Mississippi St. If this dentistry thing doesn't work out....................

Good for you. It's not easy, but it can be done.

I went back to school in my late 30's and graduated at 41 while working full time. My classes were all at the campus - no online offered at that time. I'm not sure if online makes it any easier or harder.

I liked the interaction with the prof and give and take with classmates. One thing my school emphasized was public speaking. Almost every class required a presentation over a relevant subject. That made me a much better public speaker.

I've had some students that have earned engineering degrees while working full time (although they weren't doing rental properties). It all depends on how many courses you think you can handle per semester. If it's only 1 or 2, you are in for a ten year slog. You might be able to handle more than that, depending on how flexible your employer is, how rigorous the curriculum is, and how strong you are academically.

I can't speak for all things, but I'm taking online certification classes right now. I've found that a great way to make it work is to multi-task -- when I have boring errands to run and now even when I get ready in the morning, I always have an online class going on in the background (I bookmark any video where I have to sit down and really concentrate).

I think my employer will be somewhat flexible. I live in the middle of nowhere so going to classes will be difficult. I'm not sure how strong I am academically... its been a long time.

Best of luck!

Not to worry, like riding a bike. It will all come back to you. :thumb:

I am 42 been in classes full-time for 1.5 years. I will have my Associates of Science in Business a year from now. Then on to my bachelors. I do some online classes but you would really be better off taking seated classes you will learn more.
Cleping testing out can be good and bad. If you can clep all the way through one entire subject. Math, Science, History, English so on then it would probably be ok. But if you can't clep all the way then you may set yourself up for struggles.
Non traditional students are better students because they have a distinct advantage, life experience.

ExtremeChief is going to be boinking 20 year olds here in a couple months! Congrats! lmao

I've had several non-traditional students over the last few years. They are usually the best ones to have because they are there for a specific purpose, not because it is expected of them.

One caveat: to get the most out of your experience, realize that, although a degree will most likely get you a better job, that's not the sole purpose of an education, nor was it ever intended to be. To make it past the trudgery, enjoy the act of learning and experiencing new methods and modes of inquiry.

If you do that, I think you'll find your experience rewarding far beyond the financial and professional gains.

Congratulations.

PIHHB's FTW

I got my Bachelor's at 50- believe me, you are not too late! And I was also working fulltime at the time- just plan on not getting tons of sleep. :-) And as far as clepping- I clepped out of 7 courses at about $85 per test- saved a TON of $$$ and time.

Also- look into petitioning out of courses. Petitioning is proving that you have related work experience to a class you're about to take. For example- I was scheduled to take classes in graphic and web design, but was able to show plenty of examples of my previous graphic and web work. In doing so, I instantly got credit for those classes. Petitioning is more expensive at about $450 a pop, and that amount is non-refundable, so you better be pretty sure you have that experience. But $450 is much better than the course cost, so if you feel pretty good about doing that, I'd go for it.

In all, I petitioned out of 3 courses and clepped out of 7- doing so saved me probably $15,000 and an entire year's worth of school. Good luck!!!

Z

EDIT- I was also able to benefit from my employer's tuition assistance program- over $15,000 for 3 years. All told my Bachelor's cost about $18,000...

I could be considered non-traditional (I'm 29), and I get the pleasure of tutoring writing at the local community college. We get a lot of non-traditional students who are in your situation or worse (unemployed trying to get a degree before benefits run out) and as many of already said, they are some of best, serious students I get to work with. And they help motivate me. I may be working two jobs, but at least I don't have kids.

My advice: If your asked do an assignment you dislike, ask yourself these questions, "Have I ever had to do something I didn't like at a job? Did I do it?" Treat school like any job and you'll do fine.

Good luck and have fun.

I just don't see the value in an online degree. I got mine by actualy going to classes on campus. I could see taking a class here and there to finish ones degree with online classes, but not doing the whole thing online. Just doesn't "feel" legit to me. Just my "old guy" opinion. Having said that, my employer does not recognize online degrees.

Anyway best of luck

I was 39 when I switched careers and went back to school with zero background in the new field.

I was dealing with life and death daily. Started to bring it home. I was done. Wondered if I has what it takes academically to succeed too. It wasn't easy.

Work all day, Go to school at night. Stay up and study till 2:00am, get back up at 6:00 am and do it all over again. Went on like that for two years. Like others have said, its not an easy task, be mentally prepared. But, is anything really important to you or your family easy to obtain?

theres much more bald pussy now than there was in the 80's and 90's

have yourself some fun dude

http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smile...mileys-942.gif

Join a frat and start nailing sorority babes....

Thank you all. I appreciate the help and insight. And, FWIW, last year I was boinking a hot 20 year old. It has to remain our secret though

hot 20 year old farm animals do not qualify! :p :p :p