Back to College: October 15, 2005


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News and Resources for Adults Returning to College

October 15, 2005

In This Issue

Ask the Experts: Too Old for a Career Change?
Feature Article: So You Want to Be a Law Student: Secrets from the Inside
Second Chance: Returning to College Can be Life Changing
Online Discussion Forums: 30 Year Old Pharmacy Student

Ask the Experts: Too Old for a Career Change?
Featured Expert: E. Faith Ivery, Ed.D.

Question: I am a 32 year old single mother of a five year old. I am considering making a career change to law. I have been in medical billing since I graduated from high school in 1991. I started working straight from high school and never attended college or a university. With this career change, I will need to start from the beginning (obtaining an associates degree and later on to law school). However, by the time I finish I will be almost 40 years old. Am I too old for this? Should I set my sights on something else? Your advice will help me a lot. - Nicole

Answer: Nicole, research indicates that people change careers about five times during their working years. You will need a bachelor's degree to enter most law schools. However, you can obtain an associate degree in paralegal studies as another option to enter the legal field without going to law school. This may be a quicker solution for you - and less costly. Personally, I have a friend who has her paralegal credentials and works for a large corporation in their finance department. She makes over $50K a year in salary and more if you include her employee benefits. Do some Web research and contact some companies to find out if, or how many paralegals they hire for their firms. You may want to start with medical related companies since you have gained experience in this area. - Faith

More Ask the Experts.

Feature Article: So You Want to Be a Law Student:
Secrets from the Inside
by Meredith Beeby Edmison, J.D.

Meredith Beeby Edmison, J.D. “You want to do what?!?!”

These were the first words out of my husband Mike’s mouth when I informed him of my brilliant master plan to go back to school. And not just any school. I had my eye on law school. “What will it take to do this?” he asked after the shock had worn off.

I launched into the speech I had practiced and said I would have to take this test called the LSAT (“kinda like a college-level ACT from what I’ve heard”), apply to the school of my choice by filling out mountains of paperwork, write a Pulitzer Prize winning essay, and then wait for the verdict, so to speak. Even to me this litany of items on my Law School To Do List seemed overwhelming. I had graduated six years earlier with a degree in Music Education and had been working as a music minister ever since. Upon hearing my plan, there were a few who pointed out that neither my degree nor my career would be helpful in pursuing a Juris Doctorate. To the naysayers, I loftily replied that the discipline I learned in music school would see me through. To myself, I thought, “What am I getting myself into?”

With Mike’s support, I began the process. The second I walked out the door of the LSAT testing room, I figured that my law school career was probably over before it had even begun. Why hadn’t I studied more? “College-level ACT” my rear—that test was so hard I was pretty sure I experienced a brain aneurysm during the exam. Much to my surprise, my scores came back passable. I also found people willing to write reference letters, slaved over the application, and wrote what I hoped was the essay of a lifetime. The only thing left to do was wait.

The day I got my acceptance letter from Oklahoma City University School of Law was one of the proudest of my life—I was going to law school! I was so excited that I made about 30 copies of the letter and mailed it to all my friends and family. That confident, happy feeling lasted all the way up to the day I walked into my first class. There we were--180 nervous, excited, newbie One-L students about to embark on a fascinating journey together. I picked a seat, reviewed the materials we were supposed to have prepared, and waited for our professor.

At 9:00 a.m. on the dot, the door swung open with a bang, and a tall, imposing woman said, “Mr. Williams, recite Garrett v. Dailey. And stand up.” Before she had even taken two steps in the door, she was grilling some poor schmuck in the back. And every last one of us was breathing a sigh of relief that it was not our turn.

Read the Full Article.

More Features.

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Featured Programs

McGhee: Undergraduate Degrees for Adults
If you've put off getting your degree, now is a great time to realize your true potential. Advance your career with a Bachelor's or Associate's degree from NYU's Paul McGhee Division. The programs range from diverse areas in the arts and humanities to highly focused management and leadership degrees. McGhee responds to your needs as an adult student with classes convenient for your busy schedule.

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Accredited Bachelor's and Master's degrees available in:
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IWU Online - Indiana Wesleyan University
Online associate, bachelor, and graduate programs include:
• Associate of Science in Business
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems
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• RN to Bachelor of Science
• Special Education License
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More Featured Online Programs.

Feature Articles

Second Chance.

Returning to college can be life changing.

Degree Programs

College Connection.

Save time and money on your college degree. Find fully accredited distance and online degree programs that offer American Council on Education credit for college level life experience and other accelerated options. Learn more.

Online Discussion Forums

Featured Spotlight:
Scholarships for Re-entry Students

Although many adult or "nontraditional" students hear about help to go back to school, continue their education, or train for a new career, they are often unaware where to find it or what programs they may be eligible for. This special report provides information on scholarships, grants, and private organizations and associations that aid adults returning to college or entering vocational programs. Only $39.95. Available for immediate download.

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