Deciding on a college (long)?

So, as some of you know, I currently go to the local technical college. I am working on my A.A.S. in Accounting. I chose to start out here because the vast majority of my credits will transfer (all of them will transfer depending on which college I chose).

I am also pregnant with my second child and I am due 2 weeks after the next semester starts. I have to take two classes or it will push off my graduation date by a year. I contacted both instructors before registering. One said that he had no problems with me taking a week or two off after giving birth, and said he would exempt me from the attendance requirements. The other politely asked me not to register for her class. She said that she will NOT exempt me from the attendance requirements, and that after 5 absences she will drop my grade. The class is a fairly hard class to begin with (Cost Accounting), so I don't need the instructor having a personal vendetta against me before I even start.

So I decided to transfer colleges a little bit early. After doing some research, it makes more sense for me to do so. There are only a couple of classes that the new college will not accept from the old, and I have no taken them yet so it wouldn't make sense to take them and have to retake them the next semester after the transfer. This leaves me with a dilemma (or two).

I need to get a full-time job next May. It was the deal that I made with my husband. I had intended on getting my A.A.S first, because most of the Accounting jobs require at least an Associate degree to even get an interview. If I transfer now, I will be able to have 83 credits done by May 2008 when I had intended on graduating. If I do not transfer, I will deal with a very strict attendance policy in a class known to be very difficult, just to get my Associates by May of 2008 (or 69 credits). BUT if I do not have my Associates, will I have a hard time finding a job? That is something that is very important right now due to the family situation.

Now my next dilemma. I had thought I had decided on a college, but now I'm not so sure. It is a private liberal arts college in my area. Lakeland College - Sheboygan, WI I don't know anything about choosing a university though. It has to be one that has an "adult education" program, which this one does (which allows for "BlendEd", or the option to go to class or complete the assignments online while still receiving a traditional degree).

So what's a girl to do? Stay and finish my Associates, get a full-time job and go to the university part-time? Leave now and skip the Associate degree?

edit: My reasons for having a baby now are not open for discussion or debate. I'm halfway through with the pregnancy anyways, so it's a little late for having second thoughts.

[Thorgrim]

Depends on your financial situation...I don't understand why you had a 2nd kid before you finished a 2 year degree...but that's probably personal so forget i said it

anyway, the UoW has a system of colleges throughout your state...can't your utilize them...as far as colleges go, private liberal arts, again I don't get why you don't go public for accounting

If you have the money (it sounds like you don't) I'd take Marquette...everyone knows Marquette, you could get a job anywhere in the US with Marquette or UoW degree

Lakeland seems to be about 90 minutes away...quite a commute, Marq is just as far...I don't know I don't envy your position but its hard from the info you gave to give really solid advice

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

Depends on your financial situation...I don't understand why you had a 2nd kid before you finished a 2 year degree...but that's probably personal so forget i said it

anyway, the UoW has a system of colleges throughout your state...can't your utilize them...as far as colleges go, private liberal arts, again I don't get why you don't go public for accounting

If you have the money (it sounds like you don't) I'd take Marquette...everyone knows Marquette, you could get a job anywhere in the US with Marquette or UoW degree

Lakeland seems to be about 90 minutes away...quite a commute, Marq is just as far...I don't know I don't envy your position but its hard from the info you gave to give really solid advice

Yep, I'm not going into that part of the discussion (about my son).

Marquette is only 2 hours away, so it's a possibility. Private colleges accept more credits than public colleges, so I had the intent of going to one anyways after I completed my A.A.S. Lakeland has "centers" in my town, so the drive is less than 5 minutes.

edit: I'm obviously clueless about picking a college which is why I posted here asking for advice. What is wrong with a private liberal arts college?

[Thorgrim]

private liberal arts colleges exist mostly because having huge 300+ student sections on philosophy is counter-productive, you need small classes

You're not there to have a discussion on Kant's beliefs on the metaphysical with a small group of classmates, you're there to finish accounting

Take the cheapest place that's also respectable

Again, Marquette is nationally known, take it if you can, and I'd see what UoW will accept, they should have a "center" near you

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

private liberal arts colleges exist mostly because having huge 300+ student sections on philosophy is counter-productive, you need small classes

You're not there to have a discussion on Kant's beliefs on the metaphysical with a small group of classmates, you're there to finish accounting

Take the cheapest place that's also respectable

Again, Marquette is nationally known, take it if you can, and I'd see what UoW will accept, they should have a "center" near you

UW Oshkosh is 20 minutes from my house, but they will only accept half of my credits. I never had any intentions of transferring into the UW system because of this (yes, it was something I looked into BEFORE I started at the technical college).

Marquette seems to be a religious school? Lakeland is very reputable in our area as well, but I don't know if it is "nationally known". Should that be a concern in deciding on which school to attend?

If Lakeland also offers an Accounting program, should it matter that they are a Liberal Arts College? Or are you saying that they are more expensive because they are a Liberal Arts College? They offer some very nice scholarships (that I would qualify for due to GPA), which is why I am drawn there. Tuition costs certainly aren't everything though.

I definetly want to make sure I enroll in a respectable college. I will not be attending something like the University of Phoenix.

Thank you for your feedback, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate it. To be honest, nobody else in our family (besides my brother in law, and he attends Lakeland) has ever went to college before so I don't have anyone IRL to ask. It's probably also why I feel really lost with this.

[thomez]

Originally Posted by 03 white zx3

Thank you for your feedback, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate it. To be honest, nobody else in our family (besides my brother in law, and he attends Lakeland) has ever went to college before so I don't have anyone IRL to ask. It's probably also why I feel really lost with this.

I hear you there, I was the first person in my local family besides an aunt that went to college, and I was the first that ever went more than an hour away... quite the learning experience.

My only advice would be to start looking for a position well in advance of your deadline so that you do not end up having to take a job you will hate. As far as Lakeland, it sounds fine from here. I'm not sure it matters tooo toooo much where you get a 2 year degree from, it isn't the difference between the University of Toledo and Harvard if you know what I mean. It's a 2 year degree in a pretty cut and dried math field, I'm not sure how anyone could mess that up for you. Focus on what is easiest to get done and to afford.

Originally Posted by thomez

I hear you there, I was the first person in my local family besides an aunt that went to college, and I was the first that ever went more than an hour away... quite the learning experience.

My only advice would be to start looking for a position well in advance of your deadline so that you do not end up having to take a job you will hate. As far as Lakeland, it sounds fine from here. I'm not sure it matters tooo toooo much where you get a 2 year degree from, it isn't the difference between the University of Toledo and Harvard if you know what I mean. It's a 2 year degree in a pretty cut and dried math field, I'm not sure how anyone could mess that up for you. Focus on what is easiest to get done and to afford.

Oh, I think you might have misunderstood. If I transfer, I will no longer get my 2 year and will go straight for the Bachelor degree. I'll need 150 credits to even be able to sit for the CPA exam which is my ultimate goal.

I started out at a technical college for a couple of reasons, one of them the promise I made to my husband about only taking 2 years off to go to school before I went back to work so that he could attend school while I was working. This WAS very carefully thought out... but some things (like my due date being where it was) can't be helped. It's no longer the preferable situation, but it's workable. I'm not going back to work for money reasons, but to keep the promise I kept to my husband and help him get started on his career. Having an Associate degree would really help me get my foot in the door someplace. Another reason was that I knew if I transferred to a private college, the vast majority of my credits would transfer. Simply put, it's cheaper to do it this way.

Sorry, I tend to ramble

[thomez]

Originally Posted by 03 white zx3

Oh, I think you might have misunderstood. If I transfer, I will no longer get my 2 year and will go straight for the Bachelor degree. I'll need 150 credits to even be able to sit for the CPA exam which is my ultimate goal.

I started out at a technical college for a couple of reasons, one of them the promise I made to my husband about only taking 2 years off to go to school before I went back to work so that he could attend school while I was working. This WAS very carefully thought out... but some things (like my due date being where it was) can't be helped. It's no longer the preferable situation, but it's workable. I'm not going back to work for money reasons, but to keep the promise I kept to my husband and help him get started on his career. Having an Associate degree would really help me get my foot in the door someplace. Another reason was that I knew if I transferred to a private college, the vast majority of my credits would transfer. Simply put, it's cheaper to do it this way.

Sorry, I tend to ramble

Oh I gotcha, I did misunderstand. It would be hard for me to say not to finish the associates so you can get your foot in the door with your career that you want, then you can finish up part time for the CPA and Bachelors..... if you leave now for the Bachelors do you think you can get a position doing something you will enjoy or will you be out of your field by then and just doing something to do it? I'd try to stick with your field from the start, even if that is a low-level job with your associates, because the experience will be good and they might even help you pay for getting the Bachelors done? At least then you will have experience in accounting on the resume, whether you can move up at that job or you need to seek a new one

Originally Posted by thomez

Oh I gotcha, I did misunderstand. It would be hard for me to say not to finish the associates so you can get your foot in the door with your career that you want, then you can finish up part time for the CPA and Bachelors..... if you leave now for the Bachelors do you think you can get a position doing something you will enjoy or will you be out of your field by then and just doing something to do it? I'd try to stick with your field from the start, even if that is a low-level job with your associates, because the experience will be good and they might even help you pay for getting the Bachelors done?

The only part that makes me not want to finish the associate degree is that it will cost me at LEAST 1.5 years. If I transfer to Lakeland and enroll in their "adult education" program, I will be able to do the online classes so I will be able to take a full class load the semester I deliver and the spring semester. The tech does not offer the classes that I need online, so I'd only be able to go part-time (for daycare concerns and wanting to keep our son OUT of daycare).

To be honest, I am not sure if I will be able to find a position in my field. I wouldn't mind doing an A/P or A/R position until I am done with my Bachelors, but from what I am seeing most companies require at least an Associate degree to get an interview. To be honest, that doesn't make sense to me. At the time I will be applying and interviewing, I will have more schooling under my belt than what is required of me to get an A.A.S, but I guess that's just part of the requirement. I am currently an intern, and there is always the possibility of me going full-time (it's just deciding on whether or not I want to, to be honest as there is a position opening up soon).

So that's really the debate. You do make a good point about finding a company to help pay for the Bachelors though!

[6SpeedTA95]

I love the idea of getting work to pay for your bachelors. At least get the 2year. The reason I say that is with two kids I can not imagine how hectic your life is/will be. Get the 2yr so you always have that to fall back on and then find a career that will pay for your bachelors and perhaps later your masters.

[Thorgrim]

you've given us a lot of detail, to be honest we'd probably need a lot more to give you good advice...your tech place, and heck even lakeland if your in their application pool, has career services that should help you make this decision better than us...

As far as colleges besides Lakeland, Marq and UW would be if you ever planned to move or thought about moving, actually if you ever wanted a job in Milw you might get a nice boost from Marq and UW alumnis...yes people do pick their former schools over comparable schools when it comes down to it

to be honest i bet UW has a program for married couples with kids to go full time, which unless you have a house, they probably have housing specifically for that purpose, you could design a schedule where one or the other is constantly with the kids, and the other is at class

[JaJae]

My university offered a free day car center for parents. Bring your kids to school and while you're in class you can drop your kids off. That might be something worth looking in to and might make your life a bit easier. I wouldn't recommend that for a newborn, but people did it all the time. If you're going to be on campus for say 3 hours, I don't see the harm in dropping the kid off with a bottle and telling them when to feed. I had a few friends who volunteered at the center and spent a little time there. They did an amazing job.

If you do transfer I would look into a school with a similar program. Even if you didn't use it often, it would be good to use as a safety. Also I think more than anything you need to do what's going to be most comfortable for you. Getting a degree from a nice named school is great, but in your position I think you should be more concerned with time management and raising your kids. I would say start calling up all your local universities and set up interviews for a week or so. Hit up a new school a day if you can and talk to an adviser and career counselor from each school. If you did that you'd probably figure out which school would make your life easier. The whole idea is to get you degree in a timely fashion, but with all your hair and still have time for your kids. You seem as if you have all the questions laid out. But I would ask about a day care center on the premises, which online courses are available for your major, which university has the largest programs (IE- more time slots and course offerings to allow you to make a more flexible schedule), cost, insurance (if needed), etc. If I were in your shoes I would go for convenience above all and pick the university that would give a degree worth the paper it was written on and introduce the least amount of stress to my life... with another kid along the way it's not going to be easy. I would say make it easy on you as you can.

Some people have really gone out of their way to do research, etc... you guys are great.

[kinggovernor]

noodz then advice

Originally Posted by JaJae

My university offered a free day car center for parents. Bring your kids to school and while you're in class you can drop your kids off. That might be something worth looking in to and might make your life a bit easier. I wouldn't recommend that for a newborn, but people did it all the time. If you're going to be on campus for say 3 hours, I don't see the harm in dropping the kid off with a bottle and telling them when to feed. I had a few friends who volunteered at the center and spent a little time there. They did an amazing job.

If you do transfer I would look into a school with a similar program. Even if you didn't use it often, it would be good to use as a safety. Also I think more than anything you need to do what's going to be most comfortable for you. Getting a degree from a nice named school is great, but in your position I think you should be more concerned with time management and raising your kids. I would say start calling up all your local universities and set up interviews for a week or so. Hit up a new school a day if you can and talk to an adviser and career counselor from each school. If you did that you'd probably figure out which school would make your life easier. The whole idea is to get you degree in a timely fashion, but with all your hair and still have time for your kids. You seem as if you have all the questions laid out. But I would ask about a day care center on the premises, which online courses are available for your major, which university has the largest programs (IE- more time slots and course offerings to allow you to make a more flexible schedule), cost, insurance (if needed), etc. If I were in your shows I would go for convenience above all and pick the university that would get a degree worth the paper it was written on and introduce the least amount of stress to my life... with another kid along the way it's not going to be easy. I would say make it easy on you as you can.

Some people have really gone out of their way to do research, etc... you guys are great.

That is what really drew me to Lakeland (was their adult education program). Transferring NOW would take a tremendous amount of stress off of me (IMO), especially since I will be able to do the classes online (which I prefer for the daycare situation). They also offer the classes at more times than the tech, which is literally only offered in two time slots for the semester, one of them which does not work for me (the night classes) and the other where I have the teacher requesting I not register for her class. I'm all about making this transition as easy as possible on the entire family while making it work for me.

Thorgrim, we own a house so we're not in need of housing or anything like that. We have insurance through my husband's work, but we also have tribal insurance to fall back on should we need to (say in between jobs, or simply whenever we need it).

I didn't know that I could make appointments with admissions counselors (I told you I was clueless) but that's a great idea!

I know this is what I have to work with as far as credit transfers go (Marquette isn't even on the list, so it doesn't look like they have a formal agreement with my school. I will contact them anyways). http://www.fvtc.edu/public/itemattac...=page&id=12071 (adobe file link)

Kinggovernor.... fatuglynudepregnantchick.jpg

6speed, you have 2 kids, right? I know I'm still totally clueless as to what it will be like adding another child into our family. It's possible that I'm expecting too much out of myself right now, but I guess we'll find that out soon enough.

[thomez]

6spd is childless

[motivez]

My advice would be:

If you're looking to get a job in a field related to what you're doing in college, then finish the associates, especially if it's a job you're going to have to keep for several years while your husband works on his education.

I say this because at most places, if you don't have at LEAST a 2 year degree, you wont get your foot in the door in a position you will enjoy.

Having "some college," but no degree, and trying to explain the credit situation generally isn't going to do much for you.. some companies might be sympathetic, but they like seeing that you have completed a program in that field.

Along with that, many businesses will pay for you to go to school to further your education if you're employed with them, I believe 6 is doing something similar right now with his MBA.. I think you're far more likely to find a job with a program like that if you can get your foot in the door more places with a 2 year degree.

If you don't care about getting a job in a related field, then I'd say transfer now. Completing your Bachelors is your final goal, and will raise your salary significantly wherever you wind up getting a job when finishing.

I agree with whoever said to scope out the job scene before you decide to do anything. See what's available in your area that you'd like to do, and then contact them about requirements, etc.. and make your decision based on that.

If you HAVE to have the job, that's the smartest move, IMO..

Originally Posted by thomez

6spd is childless

I always thought he was married with a couple of kids (trying to think back to me OT days.... Is he the one whose wife is pregnant right now?)

[thomez]

Originally Posted by 03 white zx3

I always thought he was married with a couple of kids (trying to think back to me OT days.... Is he the one whose wife is pregnant right now?)

not positive but I don't think he's expecting either

[JaJae]

6speed is married with no kids. He isn't aware of any pregnancy that I know of.