A 45 Year Old College Freshman?

OldManC · September 17, 2010, 02:02:36 PM

Some guys have a mid life crisis and buy a Corvette, a few new basses, and have affairs with hot and slutty minkies. My being somewhat contrary throughout my life, mine involves getting rid of the (previously unknown to be) slutty wife, fighting a nasty divorce I never asked for (I've always been a faithful sort) and deciding after all these years that the grown up job I never needed is now my best option for the future.

So, I am now a 45 year old college freshman. Over the next 7-8 years my plan is to obtain a BA in history and then a JD from a decent law school. Uwe, having been the recipient of my most treasured basses over the last few years, will have a double brother in arms once I'm done.

And no, all those Gibsons in his office aren't the reason I chose this path. I have known since at least the age of eleven that the mold I was cast with made me a logical, obsessive, argumentative SOB from the start. With a temperament like that, what better career path to follow than law?

The fact that I'll have two sons to put through college when I'm in my 60's is also another thing I considered. I need a career I can work in past a 'normal' retirement age, and as long as my mind stays in one piece I should be OK in that regard as well. So wish me luck, guys!

godofthunder · September 17, 2010, 02:06:13 PM

Wow that's a long range plan ! Good luck. Oh man think of all the hot babes you'll meet.

Pilgrim · September 17, 2010, 02:20:12 PM

That works! I finished my PhD at age 47, so I had a lead on you, but it's never too late.

Go for it.

Highlander · September 17, 2010, 02:37:09 PM

(sorry Big G

)

Good luck with the master plan from us over here...!

Dave W · September 17, 2010, 03:24:42 PM

It won't be easy, no doubt, but if it's what you want and need, there's no reason to be concerned that you're a freshman at 45. Ever hear about Ann Landers' response to a reader in his (or her) 40s who was concerned that if he starts college now, he'll be almost 50 by the time he graduates in four years? She said something like "And if you don't go, how old will you be four years from now?"

Hornisse · September 17, 2010, 03:28:04 PM

That is great news! I should have finished my degree by now but looks like I may never get there. And I have a buddy that is 45 and he was banging a 21 year old college student so you never know.....

dadagoboi · September 17, 2010, 03:34:32 PM

I dunno. If you really want to be a lawyer that's fine, but have you done any research on the prospects for employment for a 50 something with a JD and no experience?

Re putting kids through college: you'll find a lot of evidence that THEY should pay for college, it will mean more to them and they will be the ones who benefit. My kids knew that school was their job and they could go to any college they could get into. My major advice was, "You want to end up like me?" I didn't spare anything I could afford on their primary and secondary education and summer courses but that was it, nothing was left over for a college fund. Both went to Ivy League schools and graduated cum laude with very little debt thanks to scholarships and grants they received through THEIR hard work. Me, I bought a '68 Vette, lots of basses and Chinese tarts after my unwanted divorce.

I'm a dropout but if I went back to school I'd also study history. Best of luck, I'm envious.

Nocturnal · September 17, 2010, 03:36:21 PM

Well I'm a 46 year old Freshman! I have a ways to go but I'm looking at this from the Ann Landers viewpoint, I don't want to be 50 and finally decide to do something.

Best of luck to you George! Sounds like you have a solid game plan laid out for your future.

Pilgrim · September 17, 2010, 04:00:21 PM

My daughter just graduated (top 10% of all students) in Business-Marketing and had a job locked up a month before graduation. But she's one of those folks who interviews very well. Great kid....smart, sensible and capable.

Chaser001 · September 17, 2010, 04:14:21 PM

Anyone who wants to get a law degree and thinks he can do it, should definitely do it as far as I'm concerned. It sounds like a good decision.

Muzikman7 · September 17, 2010, 04:54:57 PM

Good Luck George I'm sure you'll do well.

chromium · September 17, 2010, 05:07:35 PM

I just finished my undergrad (v2.0) at age 37. My wife just started pursuing a nursing degree at age 40. I'm planing to go back for my masters once she gets settled in that routine, and my sons (now 5&7) are a bit older...

Its never too late, and the hardest part is getting started. I've really enjoyed school a lot compared to when I was a young, impatient, know it all. I'm still impatient, gettin' old, but at least realize I don't know it all

. I'm already looking forward to my next go at it.

Congrats George, Andy, and all you crazy school kids! Have fun, and best of luck with it.

OldManC · September 17, 2010, 05:10:56 PM

Thanks, everybody!

Quote from: dadagoboi on September 17, 2010, 03:34:32 PM
I dunno. If you really want to be a lawyer that's fine, but have you done any research on the prospects for employment for a 50 something with a JD and no experience?

...Both went to Ivy League schools and graduated cum laude with very little debt thanks to scholarships and grants they received through THEIR hard work. Me, I bought a '68 Vette, lots of basses and Chinese tarts after my unwanted divorce.

You do have great points and they are things I considered. A few things that keep me from worrying too much about the age thing:

There are so many things you can do with a law degree that I'll have lots of options. My background in TV and film would make entertainment law a natural choice, but I won't think of that until I get closer to the end.

Close to 80% of those who graduate from the law school I hope to attend are employed before graduation. That jumps to 92% by the February after graduation. Average starting salary is fairly high as well, so I figure I'll have a fighting chance.

The one area I'm worried about is getting good placement in a judicial clerkship program between terms in law school. If I do this I want to go all out so I'll have to do something that outweighs my age when I apply for such positions.

As for the kids and college, I actually agree with you but I'd rather their going that route be a choice, rather than a necessity. The scholarship thing is definitely something I think about even now. My birth father ended up with three years paid at Art Center College of Design after he had literally to sit on their front step with his portfolio after he was initially rejected due to poor grades in High School. They let him in on probation and his hard work took him the rest of the way through.

Dave, I didn't know that was an Ann Landers quote but I have heard it a lot lately. And I totally agree. I only wish I would have gone this route ten years ago when I really started considering it!

Pilgrim · September 17, 2010, 05:20:48 PM

I've used the same reasoning.

"It will take me four years!"
"Well, you're probably gonna be four years older anyway. You wanna be four years older WITH the degree, or WITHOUT it?"

dadagoboi · September 17, 2010, 06:11:54 PM

George, I should have realized you've given a great deal of thought to your plans. My apologies. Great story about your dad!

Hope to see college life updates from everyone. Including grades;D

A 45 Year Old College Freshman?

Hornisse

Chaser001