<p>Just curious to know what everyone thinks, or what is the general consensus regarding students over the age of 30. I myself being one, am finding that so far, I have only experienced one moment of negativity, that being from the Vanderbilt page. All in all, when I look up common data sets to some of the top universities, their population of >30 aged students is very small. That lead me to the hypothesis, that is could be construed as a “hook” in much the same way as a urm is considered to be one. Just a thought, probably off target, but still hoping to get some opinions on it. Thanks!</p>
<p>rarity does not equal an institutional need i.e. attracting “hooked” students. It makes you stand out which is a good thing but your age in and of itself, is not on any particular college’s “must have” list.</p>
<p>meh, yeah after thinking it through. Just thought I’d get some opinions, thanks.</p>
<p>A hook is something that lets you by-pass most of the normal admissions process - something along the lines of being a heavily recruited athlete, or the progeny of the family that has shelled out for multiple buildings on campus. Being older in and of itself isn’t even a “tip” factor. What might tip you into the “Yes” pile would be demonstrated evidence from your life experience that you really do have something to contribute to the college/university community.</p>
<p>Over 30 makes the applicant a “non-traditional” student. Some institutions aren’t interested at all in that sector of the population. Some exist almost entirely to serve it. All the others fall in between those extremes. What matters to you as an applicant is whether or not the institution is ready, willing, and able to cope with older students.</p>
<p>Are you a veteran by any chance? That would be helpful at many schools.</p>
<p>Agree with post #4; this is not a “hook”. But many colleges have separate admission paths for so-called “non-traditional students” that may be worth looking into.</p>
<p>What schools are you considering? Have you ever been to college (including community college)?</p>
<p>I would think that schools that require on-campus residency would not be inclined to put you in the same living quarters as teenagers, regardless of the merits of your application. And I think if you have ANY prior college, that would also be a consideration.</p>
<p>Just finished my IGETC, A.S. and A.A., got accepted to UCLA today! I feel I have a compelling backstory. Either way, my gpa wasnt that strong (3.47) and I had no EC to speak of. I’m proud of myself for getting to this point. I have slept on floors and worked more crap jobs in these last three years of my life than at anytime previously. As a high school sophmore I was thrown out of my home by my stepfather. I stopped going to class and started working full time. At 35 now I am planning on law school. I know I will have to push the gpa up. This spring isnt calculated into that gpa and I have a 4.0 right now. Anyways, I see what you mean by hook now. Thank you for clearing that up. I have also been accepted to American University, Rutgers, Seton Hall, UCSB and all the states I applied at except cal poly slo because i didnt finsh a pre req.</p>
<p>Wow, amazing story and congrats on your acceptances. Kind of funny that you’d be accepted at UCLA and not Cal Poly SLO. You have some great choices!</p>