Correcting Old Academic Record From 25 Years Ago Any Advice?

[Lazarus DreamingParticipant 26]

I know this is a long shot but these forums are filled with posts with men starting over, bettering themselves etc … thought someone might have some experience in this.

I am thinking on going back to school, I am 45 right now and currently a licensed residential contractor in my state.

Here is the problem when I went to school for my AA degree 25 years ago I did terrible.  I think I took some 120 credit hours with only 70 completed my GPA was 2.09, I was a wreck back then and I gave up with only my college math classes left for my degree so I quit.  In 2002 I went back and completed my 2 math requirements and graduated with no problem and received my AA, just to have it.  Since then I started my own business and passed the state contractors exam and have been doing for 13 years.

I want to get out of my field I really hate it and want to go into the medical field possibly doing radiography, its a great career I could retire in and thing I would really enjoy it.

However my GPA is set with my AA Degree and it seems I have no chance of getting into any program. Even the adviser I saw a few days ago was useless and told me to go to another school..lol

Any advice?  Has anyone done this to overcome a poor academic record?  Ways of correcting a bad GPA?  At this point I am looking at having to get another AS degree to prove my academic competence before I go for anything significant.

What do you guys thinks?

[– Deleted on Request –Spectator 936]

A lot of institutions are willing to make concessions for mature students.  When I applied to get into grad studies in a different engineering discipline, the department took into account that I already had a B. Sc. and an M. Sc. in the one I originally qualified in.  It may have also made allowances for the fact that I had worked for several years in my field and was registered in 3 different provinces.  Once I was accepted, I was advised to spend an extra year and take certain undergrad courses in order to supplement my background, which I did.

I would try to contact the department  you’re interested in and explain your situation.  It might be willing to cut you some slack and let you in on a provisional basis.  At the same time, you might be like I was and take a few extra courses related to your field of study.

Stay away from the registrar’s office and similar advisors.  Much of the time, they’ll just read what the course calendar says without really knowing much about the area you’re interested in.

 

[ILiveAgainParticipant]

1. You’re a man

2. You can & will find a way

3. Forget who you ‘were’ it’s who you are now.

4. You’re mgtow.

5. Nothing can stop you

Rise up my friend. Stand tall and go for it. No regrets ok.

I’m 55 and have had to start over three times. Each time I became wiser.

[CatoParticipant 65]

As a professor I sit on our graduate student admissions. Quarter is correct – for older students, the GPA is minimized. Will you be taking the MCAT exam or similar aptitude test? If so, do everything you can to ACE it. I don’t mean do well, I mean ACE  it as in 99th percentile. That will get their attention. (FWIW, I didn’t do so great as a undergraduate, so took a year off just to prepare for the GRE exam – I crushed it and no one could see my GPA next to that brilliance, lol).

[Lazarus DreamingParticipant 26]

ILiveAgain wrote:

1. You’re a man 2. You can & will find a way 3. Forget who you ‘were’ it’s who you are now. 4. You’re mgtow. 5. Nothing can stop you Rise up my friend. Stand tall and go for it. No regrets ok. I’m 55 and have had to start over three times. Each time I became wiser.

Cato wrote:

ILiveAgain,

Wow thanks very powerful affirmations that helped more than I care to share on here.  Very true words.  Thank you so much for the encouragement.  55 and started over 3 times?  Wow that’s intense I am 45 and feeling like I screwed up beyond repair at times…you’ll be hearing from me again.  Thanks for being a friend…

 

As a professor I sit on our graduate student admissions. Quarter is correct – for older students, the GPA is minimized. Will you be taking the MCAT exam or similar aptitude test? If so, do everything you can to ACE it. I don’t mean do well, I mean ACE it as in 99th percentile. That will get their attention. (FWIW, I didn’t do so great as a undergraduate, so took a year off just to prepare for the GRE exam – I crushed it and no one could see my GPA next to that brilliance, lol).

Cato,

Very wise words and that was along the lines I was thinking but not the MCAT but that would be a fun challenge.  I was actually thinking on going back to educate myself properly and get used to going back to school again before I dive into my actual degree…but your idea has given me something to think about.  Curious what exactly did you do to prepare for the MCAT?  I have always been weak in the math and sciences because I never studied…though I believe I can do anything I set my mind to if I choose the right way to do it.  I passed the state contractors exam the first time…and from I understand it was the second hardest in the nation to pass, takes most 2-3 attempts to pass, so I know I can do it.  I dont have much science back ground, Bio, Chem, Physics..etc.. I suppose I should plan on going back and taking those courses?

 

[Author]

Posts