Frequently Asked Questions: Enrolling
We get a lot of inquiries at Adult Student.com! Many deal with similar topics, so we've decided to post some of our most commonly asked questions. Use our form to submit your question.
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For more information see our General Links and Developing Goals pages.
- I was very excited to see that there is help out there for single moms on welfare who are trying to educate themselves and get off welfare. I'm trying to help my cousin out. I was just wondering if you have any contacts or can direct me in the right way on who I can talk to up in Canada? ... It's the same way here.
-- Tammy R, Manitoba, Canada
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We don't have a whole lot of information for Canada, but try these:
CanLearn.ca - Official education site of Canadian government.
Human Resources and Social Development Canada sponsors the Canada Student Loans Program - government portal for Canadian financial aid information.
Lifelong Learning Plan - RRSP Withdrawls - Information about using your retirement account to pay for educational expenses.
We also found a site that lists many of Canada's colleges and includes web links if available. Through Collegenet.com, choose "Additional Apps" and then choose Canada.
Maybe a web search on phrases such as "Canadian financial aid for low income students" or "Canadian social assistance education resources."
My advise to your cousin is to apply, apply, apply for scholarships. Sometimes an organization will offer a scholarship that no one applies for. In these cases, if they only get one application who isn't even completely qualified for their specific scholarship, they'll still give the money away.
- I am expecting my son in August and unfortunately I am doing this on my own. I am interested in going to college so I can get a better job and also so that my son can have everything he needs. What kind a programs do you suggest for a soon-to-be mom? Also, do you have any advice?
-- Kari
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Good for you and your goals. Many single moms attend and complete college.
As far as programs for you, look at your interests first. What interests you will usually come easier to you, generally requires less "work," and ends up being fun and stimulating. Two good "all-purpose" degrees would be in communications or business. Regardless of what program you end up choosing, you'll most likely start with the general school graduation requirements, such as writing and math classes, and one or two electives. After your first term or semester, you'll have a better feel for where your interests lay. Eventually you will need to make a choice between a more liberal arts sort of degree (social sciences, communications, business) versus a technical degree (math, engineering) and tailor your coursework to fulfilling those requirements.
We also suggest to start slowly until you know what your new workload will be like. Being a new mom is stressful enough! You might look at including some distance or online courses in your mix to allow you to be at home a little bit more with your young one.
- I've finally decided to return to college after more than 25 years. I've been told, however, that the more than 100 college hours I earned in my youth is lost and that I have to start all over. Is that right? I am looking for a university that will not only accept my old college credits, but give me credit for the professional experience I have gained. I have always worked in the field for which I studied.
-- Anonymous
Congratulations on your decision to further your education. We can't answer your question specifically as each college is likely to treat your situation differently. However, if few or none of your credits are directly accepted, many schools will allow you to challenge courses, write essays to gain some credit, and use credits gained from taking standardized tests in your subject. In this case, it would also be smart to check at more than one school to see what others say. A link with more information about "Prior Learning Assessment" can be found at Prior Learning Assessment, courtesty of Buck County Community College in Pennsylvania.
Chapter 3 of our book, The Adult Student's Guide to Survival & Success, contains more good information about getting credit from past experiences, plus addresses some of the concerns older students face when setting foot on campus, and has tips on studying and managing your time. You can order it online at our website above, find it at Amazon.com, or at many schools' bookstores and libraries (if you don't find it, ask either of them to order it from our distributor, IPG).
- I'm only 29 years old, however I finished all of my pre-nursing courses. Now all I have left to do is to get accepted into a Nursing School. The catch is that I was accepted back in 2001 and left under Academic Dismissal. At the time I didn't take school as serious and chose my job as a manager of a local restaurant over my studies. Well, I'm at a new job now and I've started moving up in the company again, right now I'm applying for the management program because of financial reasons. However, I want to finish what I've started and I want to complete my nursing degree and maybe if I discover Nursing is not for me then I will be happy with my choice. Right now I'm afraid that since I've been out of school for so long that my credits will not be valid.
-- Christa
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The only way to know for sure about your credits is to ask the admissions office at the school you are interested in. Each school treats them differently, and often on an individual basis. We have more information on the types of experience that can be turned into college credit in chapter 3 of The Adult Student's Guide to Survival & Success. I am confident that you are not the only one who has been in your position. Just be honest with the college as you were here and they'll probably find a way to work with you.
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I am interested in returning to college, however I did not properly withdraw during my last semester about five years ago. I now face the challenge of petitioning for a hardship retroactive withdrawal for that semester, but am nervous that I may not be accepted. Any advice as to how I should approach this retroactive hardship withdrawl petition? What options would I be left with in the worst case scenario that I am denied the retroactive withdrawal? I would like to return to a pre-veterinary track or animal science major, with hopes of attending veterinary school. -- Anonymous
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Communication and honesty are your best approaches here. Talking with someone at the academic counseling or admissions office of your old school is a good start. They will know the specifics about your individual situation.
Don't worry that he or she will judge you. Chances are the counselor you talk with is probably not on the academic control committee making the decision. Call anonymously at first if you'd like and present your situation as generic. People put school on hold for many reasons and go on to eventually resume their academic career with great success. You will probably find that you are more focused now, several years removed. Admissions offices understand this, too.
Your worst case scenario is that nothing would change for that semester in which you withdrew, and you'd have to take those classes over again, which, by withdrawing, you'd probably have to do anyway. I suppose if you were given "F"s instead of incompletes, you may have to make up a few classes at a local community college to bring your GPA back up to enrollment standards. Additionally, you may have to wait to get into your chosen major track, but meanwhile can take other required courses.
Good luck and don't give up!
- Why would a student want to take vocational courses rather than get a degree?
-- Mark
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It all depends on what the student wants to do and what the specific industry in which he or she is interested in working requires. Many people have both.
Some get their degree then take vocational courses specific to their job, others take vocational courses first and may later pursue a degree in a related field.
FAQs compiled by
Kristin Pintarich
Editor-in-Chief, Practical Psychology Press, Inc.
© 2000-2010 Practical Psychology Press