topic Re: going to grad school after age 50 in Retirement

going to grad school after age 50

ka16325833 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 05:31:01 GMT

Anyone else out there thinking this is the beginning, not the end? I'm researching grad school and dreaming about a new and fulfilling encore career. I'd like to hear your experiences. Did you do an in-person or an online program? Were you accepted by the other students even though you were older? What were the rewards and the challenges?

Re: going to grad school after age 50

retiredtraveler — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:35:15 GMT

As I've posted before, I was in IT until age 50 (and Y2K happened). I lost the job, couldn't get one for a year, and at age 52 went to a community college and became a CNA (certified nursing assistant). It was a total change to be working in a hospital after decades of suit-and-tie computer work. In class, there was only one other guy, and everyone was younger than I. Classes are in a classroom, and clinicals were done in a nursing home (no online --- this is a hands-on job for sure).

I worked in both hospital and nursing home for 4 years until I retired. Yup, got funny looks on the job (though nothing in class, at least in front of me). But, it's totally irrelevant if your classmates give you funny looks --- who cares? You're trying to accomplish something.

But, I got through with work ethic --- worked my butt off, got noticed, and even was asked more than once about doing private work. Most fullfilling job I ever had, along with most difficult, physically demanding (I'm in good physical shape), and dirty.

Go for it..................

Re: going to grad school after age 50

cf476 — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 12:21:19 GMT

I have worked via a M.A. in family and consumer resources, in a 30 year career path that included being a Registered Dietitian, Health Educator, food columnist and college health and humanities instructor. During the 2010 AARP Convention in LA I took the challenge to "reinvent" myself and pursue a long deferred dream. Instead of going for another graduate degree after 50 I enrolled in a hands on B.Sc, program in Digital Cinema and Video Production at the Art Institute of CA (initially the Santa Monica campus; now the N. Hollywood campus). It has been fantastically rewarding. there were some physical challenges in lifting some gear, but younger students quickly begn to step in to give me lighter objects to carry when doing team projects. Between my start in 2011 and my upcoming graduation in March 2016 I have created three short documentaries, two narrative short films, had a portfolio film screened at the International Film Festival of Cinematic Arts, at my 50th hight school reunion, and at my church. I am happier with the skills and absolute personal happiness with learning something that was considered "too impractical" during my initial college education. People have asked why "at your age" are you doing another undergraduate degree rather than pursuing a doctorate. (I have been awarded an honorary doctorate in religious humanities for health work with underserved communities, however the degree is not the most important thing to me right now). Unfortunately the Institute's financial Aid department did not have or offer to help identify grants available for people over 50.

I have a new student loan debt of over 80.000, but I feel rich with what I have learned and the opportunity it has given me to re-enter the job market confident that I can collaborate or compete with milleniums. Passion rather than age should be the determining factor in deciding whether to go back to college after age 50. i'm 69.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

retiredtraveler — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:26:12 GMT

"....I have a new student loan debt of over 80.000, but I feel rich with what I have learned and the opportunity it has given me to re-enter the job market confident that I can collaborate or compete with milleniums. Passion rather than age should be the determining factor in deciding whether to go back to college after age 50. i'm 69.....".

You can't seriously think that is reasonable --- taking on that much debt at your age.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

LivingADayAtATime — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:22:04 GMT

My husband and I went back for an associates degree at a local college. Although we could have enrolled in a Masters program, we wanted more hands on work than a masters program would have prepared us for. It was great. It took a little while to get back into the habit of studying and tests but it was well worth it. We are in our 60s and have had some really great seasonal jobs since then. The students and profs were all younger than us - it worked out fine. We were totally accepted. We used money from Americorp work to pay for much of our schooling. We also got senior citizen scholarships.

There is a fantastic world of opportunities out there.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

lk27678018 — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:23:22 GMT

Aren't you concerned about owing $80 ,000?

Re: going to grad school after age 50

lk27678018 — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:23:32 GMT

Re: going to grad school after age 50

lk27678018 — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:26:09 GMT

My above comment was for an above entry. Sorry. What Sr. Citizen scholarship did you apply for and how did you find our about it? Thx.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

mlavoie — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:28:03 GMT

That depends, if you are going to grad school because you enjoy learning and can afford it. Grad school can be a lot of fun, it is challenging and keeps the mind alive with new information. However, if you are not yet financially stable and are thinking about changing careers, think again. I went to grad school, got a masters in nursing science, I enjoyed the education but as far as jobs go it is not worth it. I ended up with a large student debt and am back in the job I did before. I make more money as a staff nurse than what I coud make as an instructor, and other jobs are difficult to get because of my age.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

kanda — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:09:00 GMT

At this time I am not looking at grad school, but will be graduating in May with my Bacholors Degree in Health Care Managment. The school where I am a student is National American University in South Dekota. I am an on line student and really have enjoyed the on line experience and have had a wonderful staff to work with. I do know that they have a Graduate Program and would highly recommend this school.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

apartrid — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:15:38 GMT

I also was in IT until I was forced to retire in 2007. I was a consultant for another couple of years and moved to Florida. I floundered around for a couple of years until a friend suggested I go into education (since I had a math degree). Since then I got my temporary teaching certificate and went back to an alternative certification program. I am now in my third year of teaching high school math, have my permanent certificate. I have school loans which I am in the third year of a 10 year public service forgiveness program. It was a good decision for me and I feel like I am truly making a difference in my students lives. Education doesn't look down on seniors, they actually embrace them!

Re: going to grad school after age 50

mp52353529 — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:48:30 GMT

I received my doctorate at age 58. I have connections with all generations. It was a lot of hard work, very worthwhile, and inspirational. Do not let age be a barrier. I have reimagined myself in yet another career at age 63. Like Nike, just do it!!

Re: going to grad school after age 50

msgchuck — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:56:14 GMT

I completed a bachelor degree online in March 2015 when I was still 60 years old. It took me 3 years attending classes online part-time and I accumulated $26,000 of student loan debt. But I actually enjoyed going to school and I was able to graduate summa cumme laude. When attending classes online there is still some student interaction. I believe it was a history class when I posted an answer to a question that I remembered when it happened because I was around and several students commented that it was nice to have someone in the class that was around at that time and could relate from their personal experiences. Now at 61 I have been thinking about an starting a Masters Program but I don't want the extra debt.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

mp9271 — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 18:37:13 GMT

I am 58. I may go to law school next fall. My interest lie in inner city community improvement. I see a law degree as a helpful tool in improving circumstances. I am going to attend live classes. I dred taking the LSAT.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

philo — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 19:53:35 GMT

With that much debt no company will hire you. A lesson for D. Trump: how can voters trust a candidate that has bankrupted ma ny companies?

Re: going to grad school after age 50

lisw — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:01:27 GMT

I graduated with a masters degree at 58 with a new license.

I had some issues with finding employment. They wanted someone under 35 yr old. I had and old face with new credentials.

I had to relocate temporally.

I was able to work for 10 years. My husband became I'll so I am not working for now. But I do have my license and can go back .

I continue keeping my skills current by reading and confrences.

My mother earned her CCRN after 55.

Going back to school is better than poverty.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

24CaliGal — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 23:26:42 GMT

I started grad school at the beginning of 2015, after being out of college for 35 years. I wanted to ensure whatever I chose it could be translated into any industry or job that was of interest. So, I took about a year to attend open house sessions for a half dozen programs within the large area I reside within. I decided on a Master of Arts in Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational behavior. It has been a wild ride. I'm in a hybrid program of 22-24 months (depending on your specialization), with Executive Weekends and online work. You can live anywhere but you must be able to connect for group projects and research papers, and of course for EW's. I'm the oldest in my cohort, and it was tough at first, still is, but I find it refreshing with other younger adult learners, some recently out of the military, some law enforcement, some professional sports organizations, real estate, and corporate folks. It's a nice mixture and we all bring something to the table to learn from.
I come out of Higher Ed (not teaching) in Operations, space design and construction management, and being a women of a certain age, I'd like to ensure the skills I currently have are enhanced for whatever my next adventure is after this one, that I'm not yet done with.
It is a stretch with all the reading and writing again, much more substantial than when I was in college years ago, but I was ready for the challenge. My advice is to check out programs that are around your area, local universities first so you can have the easy campus commute, and ensure it is course work that is needed for the future. I'm having so much fun, half done now, and this program has already made a difference in me, how I show up with others, and that I'll be ready for any next step that will come my way.
The process is as you'd imagine, letters of recommendations, transcripts of college, application and a letter of interest to the program.
I wouldn't change my course of grad school at 57 for anything. Go for it! You'll find out what you're made of, that's for sure!!

Re: going to grad school after age 50

LivingADayAtATime — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 01:59:04 GMT

There are many scholarships for seniors. Many states offer students no or low cost options to go take college credits or audit courses. You will probably need to google your own state's programs. According to Collegescholarips.org:

"States that currently offer tuition waivers for some of their public colleges are: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Virginia, and Washington, D.C."

Also many community colleges offer lots of scholarships/work opportunities for all students. The community college we went to offered scholarships to seniors as long as the fund had money that semestier-it covered about 1/3 of the class cost. It wasn't a hard application form-just one page.

We did two Americorp programs. That work provided us with over 6,000 dollars in tuition awards. The programs we did also gave us an opportunity to work and hike in California and Alaska.

The future is now. If you are wishing that you had finisned those last two courses to get your degree maybe the time is now. If you have always been interested in ??? but had to support your family-maybe learning about it will work out now.

The folks we met in our classes were really nice. We learned from there expertise and they learned from ours. There were some funny times-like when one of our classmates asked us what we did over the weekend and we said we celebrated our anniversary. He asked how long we had been married and we could see him mentally calculating - they have been married more than twice as long as I have been alive. Great way to stay yound and involved.

Re: going to grad school after age 50

retiredtraveler — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 15:30:54 GMT

"...The folks we met in our classes were really nice. We learned from there expertise and they learned from ours....".

Ok. Everyone had a fun experience. What is the employment rate? That is, did everyone get jobs or just have a nice experience?

Re: going to grad school after age 50

cp8737295 — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 04:04:44 GMT

I was a social activist sacrificing my resources on behalf of others for most of my adult life. When I started thinking about retirement, I decided to return to school. I earned a Social Science Ph.D. at age 62 and am currently teaching fulltime. My gameplan calls for working until age 77 and retiring after I qualify for public service employees loan forgiveness for my substantial student debt. Since I have multiple relatives who lived into their 90s and 100s, and since I have no major health issues at 69, I feel that I made an excellent choice.

In my case, I had a relatively unique background that gained a bit of respect initially from some of my fellow students. But by the middle of the first term, I think that the quality of my particpation in the program took over and I was primarily judged based on that.

Regarding online vs. in person courses, you should take an online course to see if that mode of learning fits you. If you do decide to do online, I would strongly recommend taking your course of study from an established conventional university. If your degree is identifiable as from online, it may be seen as of less value than a sheepskin from a conventional school. On the other hand, I have seen a number of folks with jobs gain promotions and otherwise improve their exisiting job situation by earning online degrees. However, I wonder whether finding a new job with a new online degree and no experience in that area might be problematic.

If you are fiercely determined to finish your graduate studies, I say go for it!