Anyone of you oldies going back to school?

[Touchdown_Texas]

Okay so I'm really not that old, but I'm sure the kids on campus would consider me that. Nine years ago, I left UT about 15 hours shy of graduating for an opportunity too hard to pass up. It was a good decision at the time, but in hindsight a dumb mistake and the emptiness of not finishing has literally haunted me ever since. I have school related dreams to this day, sometimes several nights a week, because it probably often occupies my subconsciousness.

I am at a low right now and think I need to talk to some people who are or were in a similar situation. I had hopes of returning to school when I moved back to Texas several years ago to re-establish residency but that dream became bleak this week due to realizing my circumstances. I am generally optimistic, but try as I may, it is becoming overwhelming trying to save up enough money to pay for school again, not to mention overcoming previous dumb mistakes I made at UT the first time around. This realization has hit me hard this week.

I had always dreamed of not only finishing my undergrad there, but also getting admitted to McCombs and getting my MBA there. What are the chances of getting re-admitted with sub-par grades the first time around? Obviously McCombs will laugh at my application, but is there any second chance readmission program for someone who has decided to take school more seriously this time around? I've heard about the Fresh Start program but I don't know if that is the appropriate or feasible route for my situation.

If you are in a similar situation or were readmitted after an extensive leave and would be willing to share your experience or offer any advice, I would be grateful. Feel free to pm me. I was going to post in a more traffic heavy forum, but this one seems the most appropriate so I hope it gets read.

 

[J.R.69]

I left UT after one year (got drafted by the army) and went back after a 7-year hiatus when they passed the GI Bill.

I'm not sure, but I think National Guard service may qualify one for GI Bill benefits. If so, since you only need one semester (15 hours) to get your BS, a 6-month hitch in the NG could get you past the first hurdle, then use that experience to try for MBA.

 

[OldHippie]

My situation was similar only in the fact that I returned to school after a break (4 years) and at an older age (34). Otherwise our situations differ a great deal.

I can tell you that going back to school is almost always a good career move and returning students are almost always better students than they were before. You are in a completely different situation and you are no longer the person you were before. For me, it was not nearly as much fun but I learned a hell of a lot more.

I suggest getting a part time job if you need to, even if it requires taking a lighter class load. Getting a part time entry level job in the industry where you might want to end up would make sense too.

 

[TexasTower]

I went back after taking considerable time off. I'm working a Coop at IBM now and will graduate with a degree in CS in May. You definitely take things more seriously and at the same time it is harder because you have so many other things going on in life.

Do it. The last thing I wanted was to look back on my death bed and ask what if.

 

[Touchdown_Texas]

Hey guys, thanks for the input. There is no doubt I want to go back, the issue is not whether or not I should go back, it's whether or not they will readmit me and how to financially pay for it.

I think I am actually more worried about not being readmitted than being able to pay for it.

How did you guys convince UT to let you back in and that you deserved a second shot? I am interested in how and who you reapproached about getting readmitted. Thanks for everyone who replied here or thru pm. It's been encouraging hearing your stories.