I couldn't even go to LSU if I wanted to. My sister has a 4 yr old daughter and she can barely take care of herself honestly in my opinion. My mom is not going to kept the dog, I asked and asked. The reason I want to keep him is for protection (i'm a girl) when I move and also my mom would throw it in my face that I got rid of him. she would also throw it in my face if I moved, failed (class or being homeless). that's why I'm crossing the T's and dotting the I's in making sure I make the right decision. The dog was a gift from her friend for us helping save her brothers life, my mom okayed the dog because I had one that just died and my grandma died in a one month period. The dog was bounced from home to home before I got him (I got him when he was a puppy) that's why I just don't want to put him in a shelter, I would rather someone I personally know to take him in. La Tech Tuition is $3,445.00 (this is listed on there site) quarter for this quarter (it could go up or down in the fall which is when I plan to transfer) My aid looks like it will cover ever thing. The tuition at La Tech is cheaper than the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (my local uni) which is $4,922 semester (both includes 12 credit hours). I don't want anything thrown in my face, I just want peace and support to live my life. If someone is wrong you don't criticize them, you just explain why they're wrong.
KnowsstuffRegistered UserPosts: 2,952Senior Member
Go to your cheapest option that you can afford. Maybe you can get a roommate to be able to afford an apt. That might help your dog situation. Do whatever is your cheapest option if you can get everything covered with room /board. Then try for any scholarships you can. Work the summer and make what you can to save. Doing work study doesn't have to be a lot either. All schools I know will work with you with your school schedule. Find a work study job that you work less then 10 hours a week. Most you would work like a 3 hour shift. Do one shift for now and see how it goes. Look at it as something to do for social reasons. My daughter is a junior transfer and is doing barista work on the school cafe. She is meeting a lot of students by making their latte /coffees. She just works enough for spending money and to get away from studying.
twoinanddoneRegistered UserPosts: 21,526Senior Member
You haven't been accepted to the local option yet, so the question may be moot. If they are considering you for the college of engineering, that may be a tough admission and yes, many schools do consider all those bad grades from 6 years ago. being in the college of engineering is also going to be tough. The requirements won't be the same as if you were in the department of arts and sciences. Make sure you WANT to be in the college of engineering.
Have you looked for off-campus housing near Louisiana Tech University where you can keep your dog? I would think that at 24, on-campus housing may not be the right option anyway.
I don't mean to be harsh, but your mom sounds like she's quite manipulative with you and your sister. 59 is not old and three hours is not the other side of the country...You need to stand on your own two feet (and maybe stand up to her) or she will still be trying to control your life choices at 50. I agree that you also need to have a real plan in place for the next three to five years.
Have you considered going part-time so that you have your "sea legs" under you before tackling a full load? You want to set yourself up for success, so make sure you have all the pieces in place!
So I decided La Tech might actually be to far. If i wanted to come home, it would have to be for an extend amount of time. Which could be annoying because of my family. I decided to look at my other options that are closer, no more than 2 hrs and 30 min away (Nicholls State University and Northwestern State). I contacted each school to do an unofficial transcript evaluation, Northwestern got back to me quickly and only 15 classes transfer (I might have to take another english class because it doesn't transfer). I am still waiting on Nicholls, I should hear back form them Thursday. I finally got my acceptance letter to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. However, it might be to late. I am still waiting to be accepted to the engineering program, which might not happen because the whole admissions by committee/gpa thing and they are about to schedule classes. I can't schedule classes until I have been accepted by my major. I haven't applied to Nicholls or Northwestern, should I do that now or just wait until I hear back from Nicholls? I plan on touring Nicholls Thursday. Also what is the difference between information systems major and business informatics?
Looking at Lafayette, https://louisiana.edu/academics/majors-degrees/college it appears that the majors you're interested in are not in the College of Engineering, but are in the School of Computer Science and Informatics within the College of Science. The major is Informatics, and Business Informatics and Systems Administration are just sub-concentrations within that major. The website says, "Based on your choice of career path, you can choose a concentration that fits your interests, or you can design your own curriculum" - so that aspect sounds flexible - the important question is whether the Informatics major, in general, is going to be available to you. (I'm just concerned that if you're thinking this is an engineering major, you might be directing your communications incorrectly.)
There is also a Business Analytics concentration within the Business major in the College of Business Administration - some of the coursework overlaps with Informatics, so compare how well each option would dovetail with the CC coursework you have taken. https://business.louisiana.edu/programs/minors-concentrations/business-concentrations
It does seem as if going far from home is going to be a big, high-risk project to accomplish on a short timeline. (I tend to agree with those who suggested that if getting away from home is the goal, establishing yourself in the new place first, with a pet-friendly apartment and a job, and waiting a semester or two to start school, would probably be smart so as not to bite off more than you can chew and/or run out of money.) Congrats on being accepted to Lafayette - that gives you a good and fully attainable option. If you're not specifically accepted into Informatics, are you accepted into a different major? (Is it possible that you're actually accepted into the University College program? https://universitycollege.louisiana.edu/prospective-students )
You do not necessarily *have* to do the full major in Informatics or Business in order to get into those fields. There is a minor* in informatics: https://informatics.louisiana.edu/informatics/informatics-minor and also a business minor for non-business majors https://business.louisiana.edu/programs/minors-concentrations/business-minor-non-business-majors . So you could start out in a more general liberal arts type major (or General Studies if your offer of admission is from that program), and begin working toward adding a minor. You can have a goal of switching into the major, but even if that doesn't pan out, graduating with a different major and a minor in informatics or business wouldn't be so bad - you could still get the skill-set you need to be employable in your area of interest.
Yet another route into informatics, if the undergraduate path proves too steep, is to complete your undergrad degree in whatever major you can finish most quickly, and transition into the Informatics masters program. The GPA requirement for admission is a 3.0 GPA ***in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework*** - so your early mis-steps won't matter. The informatics masters is an entry-level program open to students with a bachelor's in any field: https://informatics.louisiana.edu/sites/computing/files/Master's in Informatics Catalog Curriculum (FINAL, 2017.05.21)_0.pdf So... if you find out that getting through the undergraduate informatics degree is going to take a significantly longer than graduating with a less specialized degree, compare the total amount of time and money side-by-side and weigh whether the BA/BS+MS might get you a higher degree without actually putting in a lot more time. The masters program would take no more than two years, possibly less if you get a head start on the coursework as an undergrad... so if an Informatics BS were going to take two or three additional semesters compared to the most efficient major possible, that's not a huge difference in time commitment.
Basically... as you note, time is running short and you really don't have a viable plan for relocating, nor family support to do so. It seems as if you should probably stay put and focus on maintaining momentum as far as your academic success. I think the other schools you are looking at are going to turn out to be red herrings at this stage, when you have a good bird-in-the-hand. What you need to do is get yourself to an advisor ASAP and figure out what the best path at Lafayette will be, for your goals.
Informatics Program contact info:
Oliver Hall Room 222
Phone: (337) 482-6768
Email: [email protected]
The Business school states:
All entering transfer students should be advised for their initial semester in the Office of Student Services. At this first advising session a credit evaluation will be prepared on all transfer work to be used by the faculty advisor during advising for subsequent semesters. Transfer students should contact Ms. Taylor Bourgeois, (337) 482-6491, in the Office of Student Services.
Hope that helps you with sorting things out. The website isn't as crystal-clear as it could be.
@alostcollegekid
I am sorry you are having a hard time and are lost. These days getting into, paying for, doing well and graduating college are no easy task. You have come so far being a first gen high schooler and first gen college attender in your family. You have the added burden of having no mentor and some emotionally dependent family. You are 24 years old and have managed to turn things around for yourself and can now get into a 4 year university despite previous problems with flunking out and part time jobs. You must choose for yourself. If you have the means to do it independently you should go to Lousiana Tech. If you do not you need to attend a school you don't really want to go to in order to move forward. If you go, your mom can survive for two years without you. If you go closer you must not be distracted and you must finish. Those will college earn more usually and you will need to be financially independent soon. College will help with that if you finish.
Do you have enough grants and loans to do the Louisiana Tech University for two years? Do you have a plan of where to live, how to keep the dog, and how to get to and from there? Have you committed to yourself that if you do have those things will you finish college? IF so proceed. Rooting for you!
Louisiana Tech might have a Facebook page for accepted students for next year - you could discuss housing options there with other incoming students. Also rides home can be arranged there.
Update: I have toured Nicholls State University and I'm 99.5% sure that I am going there. It is an 1 hour and 40 mins away from home. It is far, but still close at the same time. I just do not know where I am going to live yet. I have about 11k saved (most of it is from a car accident). Do you think is possible to get an car and apartment with this money? I already have a car, but I need a dependable car (the one I currently have breaks down a lot, I'm trying to buy a car thats no more than 5k). Also, I was thinking about getting a summer job and using loans to pay for the apartment. I am also trying to get a work study job so I can pay for food after I finish my summer job. My dad is also suppose to give me money for a car. I am also hoping that since my graduation and birthday is next month that i will receive some money from family. I was looking for an apartment around Thibodaux-Houma area. The cheapest apartment (not in bad area) is $550 and you have to put a $550 deposit, also you have to put a $300 pet deposit (but hopefully I can pay on it monthly). I have great credit so hopefully I have a chance to get it, I'll need to pay for lights, internet, and car insurance. Do you think it is possible for me to live in an apartment with all of this going on?
I do not might roommates. the problem is that i do not know anyone in the area. I do not even know what areas to stay away from because I am not from there
Replies to: what college would you go to if you were me?
Seriously, I don’t see the big deal with living in off-campus housing with the dog. Sounds like you just need to make a decision and just do it.
Have you looked for off-campus housing near Louisiana Tech University where you can keep your dog? I would think that at 24, on-campus housing may not be the right option anyway.
I don't mean to be harsh, but your mom sounds like she's quite manipulative with you and your sister. 59 is not old and three hours is not the other side of the country...You need to stand on your own two feet (and maybe stand up to her) or she will still be trying to control your life choices at 50. I agree that you also need to have a real plan in place for the next three to five years.
Have you considered going part-time so that you have your "sea legs" under you before tackling a full load? You want to set yourself up for success, so make sure you have all the pieces in place!
Good luck!
There is also a Business Analytics concentration within the Business major in the College of Business Administration - some of the coursework overlaps with Informatics, so compare how well each option would dovetail with the CC coursework you have taken. https://business.louisiana.edu/programs/minors-concentrations/business-concentrations
It does seem as if going far from home is going to be a big, high-risk project to accomplish on a short timeline. (I tend to agree with those who suggested that if getting away from home is the goal, establishing yourself in the new place first, with a pet-friendly apartment and a job, and waiting a semester or two to start school, would probably be smart so as not to bite off more than you can chew and/or run out of money.) Congrats on being accepted to Lafayette - that gives you a good and fully attainable option. If you're not specifically accepted into Informatics, are you accepted into a different major? (Is it possible that you're actually accepted into the University College program? https://universitycollege.louisiana.edu/prospective-students )
You do not necessarily *have* to do the full major in Informatics or Business in order to get into those fields. There is a minor* in informatics: https://informatics.louisiana.edu/informatics/informatics-minor and also a business minor for non-business majors https://business.louisiana.edu/programs/minors-concentrations/business-minor-non-business-majors . So you could start out in a more general liberal arts type major (or General Studies if your offer of admission is from that program), and begin working toward adding a minor. You can have a goal of switching into the major, but even if that doesn't pan out, graduating with a different major and a minor in informatics or business wouldn't be so bad - you could still get the skill-set you need to be employable in your area of interest.
Yet another route into informatics, if the undergraduate path proves too steep, is to complete your undergrad degree in whatever major you can finish most quickly, and transition into the Informatics masters program. The GPA requirement for admission is a 3.0 GPA ***in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework*** - so your early mis-steps won't matter. The informatics masters is an entry-level program open to students with a bachelor's in any field: https://informatics.louisiana.edu/sites/computing/files/Master's in Informatics Catalog Curriculum (FINAL, 2017.05.21)_0.pdf So... if you find out that getting through the undergraduate informatics degree is going to take a significantly longer than graduating with a less specialized degree, compare the total amount of time and money side-by-side and weigh whether the BA/BS+MS might get you a higher degree without actually putting in a lot more time. The masters program would take no more than two years, possibly less if you get a head start on the coursework as an undergrad... so if an Informatics BS were going to take two or three additional semesters compared to the most efficient major possible, that's not a huge difference in time commitment.
Basically... as you note, time is running short and you really don't have a viable plan for relocating, nor family support to do so. It seems as if you should probably stay put and focus on maintaining momentum as far as your academic success. I think the other schools you are looking at are going to turn out to be red herrings at this stage, when you have a good bird-in-the-hand. What you need to do is get yourself to an advisor ASAP and figure out what the best path at Lafayette will be, for your goals.
Informatics Program contact info:
Oliver Hall Room 222
Phone: (337) 482-6768
Email: [email protected]
The Business school states:
All entering transfer students should be advised for their initial semester in the Office of Student Services. At this first advising session a credit evaluation will be prepared on all transfer work to be used by the faculty advisor during advising for subsequent semesters. Transfer students should contact Ms. Taylor Bourgeois, (337) 482-6491, in the Office of Student Services.
Hope that helps you with sorting things out. The website isn't as crystal-clear as it could be.
I am sorry you are having a hard time and are lost. These days getting into, paying for, doing well and graduating college are no easy task. You have come so far being a first gen high schooler and first gen college attender in your family. You have the added burden of having no mentor and some emotionally dependent family. You are 24 years old and have managed to turn things around for yourself and can now get into a 4 year university despite previous problems with flunking out and part time jobs. You must choose for yourself. If you have the means to do it independently you should go to Lousiana Tech. If you do not you need to attend a school you don't really want to go to in order to move forward. If you go, your mom can survive for two years without you. If you go closer you must not be distracted and you must finish. Those will college earn more usually and you will need to be financially independent soon. College will help with that if you finish.
Do you have enough grants and loans to do the Louisiana Tech University for two years? Do you have a plan of where to live, how to keep the dog, and how to get to and from there? Have you committed to yourself that if you do have those things will you finish college? IF so proceed. Rooting for you!