4 ms·

I really want to go back to finish school. I'm 28 and dropped out at the end of my 3rd year with 97 credits because I had a baby on the way in another country.

I really want to go back to finish school. I'm 28 and dropped out at the end of my 3rd year with 97 credits because I had a baby on the way in another country. I've been working as a software engineer ever since. I did try one semester at a CC shortly after but my job was too demanding on top of parenting a wee lad and I took a slate of all Fs, sadly, since I missed the withdrawal date. Now I have the time, funds, and motivation to return and do well (I hope) but fear my sliding grades towards the end would put a nail in the coffin of going to decent university near me (Southern California). I think my real-world experience would help me a lot here, particularly if I applied to a CS program, but I'm not sure. I will speak to admissions counseling soon to get their feedback, but if anyone here has similar experience, I'd love to hear about it.

PhasmaFelis 8y ago
If you've got a solid software resume under you already, I'm not sure a CS degree will open any new doors for you, or teach you much that you haven't already learned. Most employers (that you'd want to work for) only care about a degree if you don't have work experience.
- ddoolin 8y ago
  Yes, that's true to some extent, though my primary goal is not to open new doors necessarily. It certainly would strengthen my position when applying for certain spots, but really I want to fill in the deep gaps in my knowledge in certain areas in CS/Mathematics and explore entirely new ones as well. This isn't a decision I'd take lightly either way, given the cost.
sjg007 8y ago
Your application essay is probably where you would talk about why you want the opportunity to finish your degree and what benefit you will bring to the institution. Highlighting appropriate adult behaviors like "taking responsibility" for you child etc... Your real world experience will definitely help you.
- ddoolin 8y ago
  Thanks! I hope so. I think I have a really interesting story to tell and very solid work credentials so maybe that can win some minds.
azhenley 8y ago
You might be surprised at what admissions might think. Stuff happens and people (including admissions) know that. In your application you are even given the chance to explain that sort of thing (it makes for a more interesting story if you ask me!) My advice would be to also reach out to the department admin and or department chair of the department you are interested in (CS at USC?) with a brief email. Even try to arrange a visit. If you get a chance to speak with them, explain you are nontrad student with industry experience and prior college credits with a minor blemish on your record. I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you in! Disclaimer: I'm a prof.
- ddoolin 8y ago
  Thanks for your advice. I'm not stranger to that kind of course of action since people are more understanding when you get a chance to speak to them candidly/truthfully. That said, can speaking to the dept. heads help my admission (do depts approve applications themselves?) Either way it'd give me an excuse to go check out the facilities so I may just do that. I wish I could afford USC but I've used up most of my grants and blown past six figures so I would get no help, but I'm fine with a UC or Cal State :)
  - azhenley 8y ago
    Internal recommendations can help a lot. In some schools/departments, there is a departmental committee that has a say in the admissions process. The UC schools and Cal State are all very fine universities. Good luck!
  - donaldknuth123 8y ago
    I'd also say don't restrict yourself just to schools in Socal. There are lots of great schools doing fully online Undergrad degrees (Penn State, Arizona State and Florida come to mind). https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/rankings https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/...
barry-cotter 8y ago
You have multiple years professional experience in programming. You can probably get onto the Oxford M.Sc. in Software Engineering but the deadline is soon. If you miss it the next one is in March. https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-software-engineering?wssl=1 https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-softwar... Applicants are normaly expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in a related subject, such as computer science, informatics or engineering. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0. Applications are invited from anyone with sufficient experience or proven ability in software, security, or data engineering. A typical applicant will have at least two years' experience in a professional environment, and an undergraduate degree in a related subject. However, more extensive experience may compensate for a lack of formal qualifications, and a strong, immediately-relevant qualification may compensate for a lack of professional experience. Emphasis not in original
- ddoolin 8y ago
  That sounds like a really fascinating course to take, and I'm tempted to apply just to see how I fare. The cost is a bit out of my reach if I'm being honest. I do make very good money but I also spend good on two children, rent in California, etc. Thank you for sharing this with me.
  - barry-cotter 8y ago
    In that case you’re probably better off asking how hard it would be to get onto the Georgia Tech Online Master of Computer Science at www.reddit.com/r/omscs The Master’s itself costs less than $10K still but you’d need to do enough undergraduate courses to have credits sufficient for a Bachelor’s, though I don’t think you actually need to be awarded one. So if I remember right you’d need to do a year’s worth of coursework towards a Bachelor’s and then you’d be admittable. Not sure though, ask in the subreddit.

PhasmaFelis 8y ago

If you've got a solid software resume under you already, I'm not sure a CS degree will open any new doors for you, or teach you much that you haven't already learned. Most employers (that you'd want to work for) only care about a degree if you don't have work experience.

ddoolin 8y ago
Yes, that's true to some extent, though my primary goal is not to open new doors necessarily. It certainly would strengthen my position when applying for certain spots, but really I want to fill in the deep gaps in my knowledge in certain areas in CS/Mathematics and explore entirely new ones as well. This isn't a decision I'd take lightly either way, given the cost.

sjg007 8y ago

Your application essay is probably where you would talk about why you want the opportunity to finish your degree and what benefit you will bring to the institution. Highlighting appropriate adult behaviors like "taking responsibility" for you child etc... Your real world experience will definitely help you.

ddoolin 8y ago
Thanks! I hope so. I think I have a really interesting story to tell and very solid work credentials so maybe that can win some minds.

azhenley 8y ago

You might be surprised at what admissions might think. Stuff happens and people (including admissions) know that. In your application you are even given the chance to explain that sort of thing (it makes for a more interesting story if you ask me!) My advice would be to also reach out to the department admin and or department chair of the department you are interested in (CS at USC?) with a brief email. Even try to arrange a visit. If you get a chance to speak with them, explain you are nontrad student with industry experience and prior college credits with a minor blemish on your record. I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you in! Disclaimer: I'm a prof.

ddoolin 8y ago
Thanks for your advice. I'm not stranger to that kind of course of action since people are more understanding when you get a chance to speak to them candidly/truthfully. That said, can speaking to the dept. heads help my admission (do depts approve applications themselves?) Either way it'd give me an excuse to go check out the facilities so I may just do that. I wish I could afford USC but I've used up most of my grants and blown past six figures so I would get no help, but I'm fine with a UC or Cal State :)
- azhenley 8y ago
  Internal recommendations can help a lot. In some schools/departments, there is a departmental committee that has a say in the admissions process. The UC schools and Cal State are all very fine universities. Good luck!
- donaldknuth123 8y ago
  I'd also say don't restrict yourself just to schools in Socal. There are lots of great schools doing fully online Undergrad degrees (Penn State, Arizona State and Florida come to mind). https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/rankings https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/...

barry-cotter 8y ago

You have multiple years professional experience in programming. You can probably get onto the Oxford M.Sc. in Software Engineering but the deadline is soon. If you miss it the next one is in March. https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-software-engineering?wssl=1 https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-softwar... Applicants are normaly expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in a related subject, such as computer science, informatics or engineering. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0. Applications are invited from anyone with sufficient experience or proven ability in software, security, or data engineering. A typical applicant will have at least two years' experience in a professional environment, and an undergraduate degree in a related subject. However, more extensive experience may compensate for a lack of formal qualifications, and a strong, immediately-relevant qualification may compensate for a lack of professional experience. Emphasis not in original

ddoolin 8y ago
That sounds like a really fascinating course to take, and I'm tempted to apply just to see how I fare. The cost is a bit out of my reach if I'm being honest. I do make very good money but I also spend good on two children, rent in California, etc. Thank you for sharing this with me.
- barry-cotter 8y ago
  In that case you’re probably better off asking how hard it would be to get onto the Georgia Tech Online Master of Computer Science at www.reddit.com/r/omscs The Master’s itself costs less than $10K still but you’d need to do enough undergraduate courses to have credits sufficient for a Bachelor’s, though I don’t think you actually need to be awarded one. So if I remember right you’d need to do a year’s worth of coursework towards a Bachelor’s and then you’d be admittable. Not sure though, ask in the subreddit.