Hello all. I am a 20 year old stay at home mother of two. I will be 21 at the end of June. I am wanting to go to college, but I do not really have the option of going on campus due to life style, time, and car factors. I am kind of lost in what all to do. I am hoping to take online courses. I have never taken the SATs or ACTs. I have been told that colleges like the University of Phoenix are not the best choice. I am calling around to find out all the information I can. I am just really confused about this whole process. I am applying for FAFSA and looking for other scholarships and grants. I would really appreciate advice, suggestions, and help of any sort for this issue. I have a few credits from college courses I took while in high school in Psychology and English, but that was in 2005. I would like to major in Psychology. Thanks in advance!
Okay, well, I will add another update after things get more secure, but for right now I think I have found the college I want to go to. I talked to tons of places and people, did lots of research, and I have pretty much chosen Argosy. I am not going to have to take the SAT or ACT since most places, like Argosy, have a placement test that you can take. I am looking over some websites that are for SAT studies to try and refresh myself on things since it has been a while. I have filed a FAFSA, I did so before I even posted this. Heh. Unfortunately I did not have Argosy on the list when I did so, so I am waiting on the Social Security Administration to verify my pin to be able to add it. Once that is done I will speak to Argosy's financial aid officer and see if we can find a way for me to afford to be able to go school without drawing too much on loans. (Loans just make me very uncomfortable.) I have applied for a few scholarships and one other grant. If anyone knows of any grants and such that I can apply for, please let me know! Other than that, that is all the news I have. I will get you guys posted! THANKS SO MUCH!
**** NEW UPDATE**** So I am enrolled in Argosy. I aced my placement test. I have turned in everything I needed to turn in and then some. I was hoping they would accept AP scores, but they don't. Which is very sad. =( Oh well. I start on June 26th! Wish me luck!
Go to the closest college and talk to the admissions department there. They can tell you how to find everything you need to get started. And as a 48 year old who dropped out of college and has regretted it for years, I'm telling you, DO IT!!
Hey A.,
My suggestion is to go through your local community or technical college (or whatever the 2 year school is called near your house). They are 1) less expensive, 2) more flexible with weekend or night classes, and 3) will have many more online classes than a traditional university or 4 year school.
Use the first 2 years to get all of your core classes out of the way...math, sciences, english or literature. These classes are much more likely to be offered online than the classes that will be your "major" classes. And you will have an associates degree in general studies! When you get to your upper level (the 2nd two years when you really focus on your major) classes, there is going to be more that isn't offered online.
Dear A.,
Truthfully, the best thing you can do right now is be there for your kids. Have no regrets about raising your boys. I was a single mom most of my 16 year old sons life and had to work full-time. I tried to go back to school when he was around 17 months old part-time and it was rough. I was at work all day and school at night. My suggestion is to wait until they are old enough to go to school. I truly regret not being able to be there for my son and always having to leave him with a sitter. I am 45 years old and I will finish college in a week and a half. School is something I should have done before I had my son, but I am grateful to God for giving me to the opportunity to go later in life. Those babies need your full attention now. Now is the time that shapes and molds who they are and who they will be. Put them first and have no regrets. Don't wait as long as me of course, but would say wait a few more years.
Respectfully,
D.
A.,
I was going to HIGHLY suggest Indiana Wesleyan University's LEAP program on one of their satellite campuses as they are NOT an internet startup degree program like some others. They ARE fully accredited and have different types of accreditation. They offer a degree program that is one class for about 4-6 weeks, one night/wk, for 4hr/night. I went through it as a single mom with a toddler and even on nights when I couldn't get childcare the professors usually understood and let me bring him without issue. Also, the professors are professors by day too - they are professionals employed/tenured by area universities in the area they are teaching.
Here's what IWU's site says:
Indiana Wesleyan University, founded in 1920, is a highly-respected academic institution in the Midwest focusing on career preparation. Indiana Wesleyan University is a leading school for working adults, allowing them to earn their degrees without disrupting their jobs or their personal lives.
Indiana Wesleyan University offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees focused in business and technology. You can earn your degree by attending class one night a week in one of our 80 plus locations or completely online. Our courses are taught by experienced instructors and feature small class sizes for personalized instruction.
Indiana Wesleyan University has multiple locations in Indiana including: Columbus, Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Marion, Merrillville, and Shelbyville. We also have campus locations in Cleveland, Ohio; Mayfield, Ohio; and Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. Indiana Wesleyan University offers financial assistance to those who qualify. U.S. News & World Report listed Indiana Wesleyan University as one of the best master's level universities in the Midwest.
U.S. News & World Report listed Indiana Wesleyan University as one of the best master's level universities in the Midwest.
The problem is if you are still in tunnel hill, ga. obviously according to the above there is no satellite close to you. I would highly suggest contacting them if you are even and hour from one. It is a great program and having been to two different traditional universities (georgetown and UL), I can honestly say they don't skimp on your education.
Good luck!
Continue to work toward your goal, no matter what it takes. You, and most importantly your babies, will benefit.
Man...you have your hands full. Okay, I went back to school later in life and so I didn't have infants to deal with but many schools offer a daycare program for little ones. First, you need your act/sat. 2. fill out the fafsa, 3. fill our the admission forms to find out if you are accepted. 4. make sure you have a definite goal. Many people go to school not knowing what they want to achieve and end up spending more time and money fishing for a career. Sit down and think about what you want your degree to do for you.
I wish you well. It will take awhile to get everything lined up so take each step at a time and maybe wait until your 7 mo. old is at least a year old or so before beginning to take classes. Be prepared to work hard and not sleep a whole lot because juggling mommyhood and school is going to be hard. Take good care of yourself so that you won't be overly extended. WOrk out a time schedule with your husband to see if there is a way for him to take turns doing things with you.
Good luck, honey. We're rooting for you!
Have contacted your local Community College? Some of them provide child care on campus. You can even ask friends or family to watch them while you take a class or two. If you let them know you are trying to better yourself for your children they may be more understanding and willing to help out. Good Luck!
You might try some of the online schools. I don't know if they require SATs or ACTs. I've been seeing commercials on t.v. for a website called collegeinpjs.com (or something like that). It's a website to help match you up with the right online school for you. Getting your education is the best thing you could ever do for yourself and your family. Good luck!
Look for a college close to your home...it will be easier. I am a 36 year old mother of 2 soon to be 3. My oldest is 11, my youngest is 2 and I am 6 months pregnant and still attending college. I started out taking online classes at my local university. I quit work last year to go full time and get my degree. It is a struggle financially but will be more than worth it in the end!!! I fix my schedule to go during the day when my kids are at daycare and school. I take my classes in the morning and then leave the afternoons open for homework and studying. That way when I get home my boys have all of my attention. If I have a lot to be done I stay up after they go to bed and get up early to have some time for myself. My kids are my motivation to finish and get done. It will be best for me and for their future. Good luck and don't get too overwhelmed...it can be done!
I actually started school before but took a year off when I had my son and it was very hard to get back into the swing of things but I managed. I worked part time and went to school full time. After awhile I did a few online classes just to have more free time with my son. I started off at a University and now I'm at a Community college. Some do offer child care, online programs, etc. So just do a search and see what you can find. I'm expecting baby #2 and will in graduating in December of this year so it can be done! Just take your time and do whats right for you. Good luck :)
take online courses for now let your babies have you at home, they need you
I'm not sure who has told you that colleges like the University of Phoenix are not the best choice, or why they said that. My hubby went to traditional college undergrad and then started his Master's at a traditional college (although 2 hours from our home) on a full scholarship. It was just too hard on all of us (and we didn't even have kids yet). My hubby got his MBA onlinea the University of Phoenix. He's very self-motivated (which I think you need to be to go to school fully online), and really enjoyed his experience. He has a great job (related directly to his MBA that he got there), and couldn't have better things to say about the education he got. The only negative is that it was VERY expensive, but that was for an MBA (and he did it fairly quickly) ... so I'm not sure how much an undergrad degree would be, or if you could space it out to help with the cost, etc. Best wishes to you in whatever you decide! We have a 3-year-old boy and a 15-month-old girl. I'm lucky enough to get to stay at home with them. Being a Mom sure is the greatest!
You will probably need to take your SATs. East Carolina University has a lot of on line course BUT, I'm not sure if you can do it all on line. My feeling is most of your undergrad classes will be in a classroom. Good luck, you will be able to work it out.
