<p>Hello all! I’m new to the forum. I’m 24 years old, and I’ve made the decision to attend college! I’ve never attended one before, so this will be a new adventure! I had several questions about the whole ordeal, and it seems that every question I googled, had a link to here, so I decided to join!</p>
<p>I moved to NC, shortly after I graduated HS in 2006 to work and race. Currently i’m an assistant store manager for a major grocery chain. I make pretty decent money doing it, but I absolutely hate it. Definitely not for me and definitely not what I want to do for the rest of my life! I decided it’s time to stop working a job and find a career! Everything that I want to do requires a degree!</p>
<p>Since I had no intentions of going to college right out of HS, I never took the SAT or ACT. I’m finding a lot of colleges consider me an adult or non-traditional student, so neither of the test are required. Not sure if taking them may help my chances of getting in or not. I can’t remember my exact GPA. I definitely was a ‘C’ student though.</p>
<p>I’m wanting to major in aerospace engineering as soon as the Spring Semester 2013. I was looking at schools in Ohio, as technically I’m still a resident there. I figured the tuition savings would be great. I could only find 3 colleges there that offer aerospace engineering. OSU UC and Case Western. I’m pretty sure the 3 of those colleges are fairly selective of who they admit; however, I’m still going to apply to all three.</p>
<p>Any suggestions on some colleges that I could possibly get into that has an at least somewhat decent aerospace engineering program?</p>
<p>Also, I purchased a new vehicle a while back that I’m paying on. My payments are $300+ monthly. I thinking the best thing to do would be sell it and pay cash for something, or would it be feasible to make those payments while in college?</p>
<p>It is extremely doubtful you are considered IS for OH. At this point you are probably considered IS for NC (where you live and pay taxes). How will you pay for school while you are college? It would be less expensive to start at a community college and transfer after finishing your gen eds.</p>
<p>I still have an OH license (and several registered vehicles there), and an OH residence, actually in Dayton (Harrison Twp.). Beyond that, you have the Buckeye Forever rule, which allows in state tuition to any Ohio high school graduate that wants to attend an Ohio college, regardless of current state of residence. </p>
<p>I could also be considered IS for NC, by simply swapping over my license. The only college I seen offering AE down here is NC State, which ill have the take the SAT/ACT before I can apply. I don’t mind taking either of them. I just have to knock the cobb webs loose and do a little studying. </p>
<p>I’m planning on paying with federal aid and loans. I’ve already completed my FAFSA. I would rather attend a university full time instead of going the community college route, unless I have to.</p>
<p>I also begamcollege a bit older (21) after a three-year enlistment in the military. Perhaps you would feel out of place at a school like Case Western, where most will be considerably younger than you, so I would recommend Ohio State, there will be undergrad students of all ages. I myself attended one of the CUNYs and can say am happy with the education and experiences I received. Keep in mind, after a certain age, you may be exempted from the SAT/ACT.</p>
<p>I also would not limit myself just yet to such an esoteric field like aerospace engineering, you may not end up liking it, particularly since your work experience is not in that industry. An alternative could be studying physics or computer science, doing internships at airlines, etc., and if you find it to be your calling, get a graduate degree for it.</p>
<p>By the way, there are also some top-tier universities which have “Adult Extension” programs, specifically geared to older students, e.g.: Harvard and Columbia.</p>
<p>I’m applying at OSU. I’m not sure Case Western, Harvard, or Columbia, are looking for a ‘C’ average student. So far, I haven’t found any place requiring me to take the SAT/ACT except for NC State.</p>
<p>Aerospace engineering is about the only thing I think I’d be interested in at the moment. Or maybe MechE with a minor in aero…</p>
<p>Many people in the aerospace engineering industry didn’t actually receive a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. Instead, a general mechanical engineering degree will cover most of the same courses, and if you want to pursue further education in the field, you can consider going to grad school like dwincho says.</p>
<p>Thanks for letting me know about the new Buckeye Forever rule. I hadn’t heard about that before. It’s a good move by OH to try to recapture some brain drain.</p>
<p>As Bruno stated, many aerospace engineers actually major in Mech E. Wright State has an excellent program and is closely affiliated with Wright-Patterson, but you probably already know that.</p>
<p>If your high school record is not good enough to get admitted to a university with aerospace or mechanical engineering, consider attending community college for two years and transferring to a university. In many cases, state universities have pre-made course articulation lists with community colleges so that you can know exactly what courses to take to prepare you to transfer as a junior in your major. Community colleges are also usually low cost, and can be attended part time while working if that is necessary (but it will then take longer than two years to become transfer-ready).</p>
<p>North Carolina has some fine state universities – North Carolina State has aerospace engineering, while it and a few others (UNC Charlotte and NC A&T) have mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>I’m applying to some colleges for the Spring 13 semester. If I get denied on all of them, I will probably try the Community College route. Although the places I’m apply to don’t require SAT/ACT for Non- Traditional students, would they help?</p>
<p>bruno14- That RUE program looks pretty awesome. If they don’t go off of your previous academics, what do they judge your worthiness by?</p>