| Did you attend a College Graduation lately or see clips | | | | colleges that offer life/work experience credits, and |
| of a graduation on TV? If so, you saw not only | | | | these documents are the first step in gaining those |
| young adults walking across the stage and getting | | | | credits.o Narrow your college choices to 2 - 3 schools. |
| their degrees, but you also saw middle-aged men and | | | | The school should offer the major you desire, as well |
| women picking up that "parchment". Seeing graduates | | | | as the format-accelerated, weekend, evening, or |
| of all ages taking that walk across the stage and | | | | online. Don't choose a school because your friend |
| being congratulated may have started you thinking | | | | attends that program or because the school |
| about your own unfinished degree. | | | | advertises on TV. A school choice should reflect your |
| You may be filled with desire to finish that | | | | goals, background and budget.o Contact a |
| undergraduate degree and you may be ready to | | | | representative of the school. Visit the school if it is |
| enroll. However, don't overlook some of the practical | | | | local. Check out the commute time during rush hour. |
| steps you need to take before you sign up for a | | | | Bring a list of questions about time to complete the |
| degree plan. Here are 5 steps to start:o Choose a | | | | degree, total cost, transfer of credit, life/work |
| major. This is not as easy as it sounds. In the past | | | | experience credit, etc. If the school is online, contract |
| few years, new majors and concentrations areas | | | | the representative by phone with your list of |
| have been added to schools. Today, you don't just | | | | questions.o Have a conversation with your manager |
| have choices such as Business, Computer Science | | | | or HR rep about going back to school. See if your |
| and Engineering, but there are many blended degrees | | | | company has a Tuition Reimbursement Program and |
| that offer classes in several areas such as Computer | | | | figure out if there will be money out-of-pocket for |
| Information Systems, Information Technology, | | | | this degree. Outline strategies to finance your degree |
| Engineering Management, Management of | | | | and contact Financial Aid at the college of choice. |
| Technology, etc.o Research documents that may | | | | Seeing adult learners walking across the stage at |
| transfer as college credits. Not only are you taking | | | | Graduation can spark a desire to complete your |
| transcripts of former college classes to a college | | | | unfinished undergraduate degree. Keep that desire |
| admission official, but you also need to bring military | | | | burning, but also take some practical steps to get |
| courses and documents, corporate classes, | | | | into a college that meets your goals, budget and time |
| certificates and licenses. Today, there are many | | | | commitments. |