<p>Thank you for your input! I agree that I could use some preparation before I enroll in college full time, but I’m still trying to find out what the best way to do that will be. I am a BMET, so math is not entirely unknown to me, but I could use a refresher, specially since I didn’t take anything higher than Algebra 2 in High school. I’ll have to look for some college prep courses I can take. Any other ideas are welcome!</p>
<p>Like I mentioned, I’m 26, so I don’t want to wait for too long before I get started on my bachelor’s. Technically I shouldn’t have to, since I have that AAS in Biomedical Engineering Technology, but since most schools won’t take those credits, then I have to start from the bottom. If I don’t at least start community college soon, then I’ll be well over 30 by the time I graduate! I feel that will put me at a disadvantage when it comes to job prospects.</p>
<p>As for why I have private schools listed as targets, there are several reasons: </p>
<p>Some schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. In a nutshell, that means that on top of accepting the $19K, participating schools will throw an extra bit of money that will then be matched by the VA. Some schools, like Stanford, only offer $3K, which means an extra $6K for tuition on top of the $19K. Other schools, however, are a lot more generous, but limit the number of students they offer the bonus to every year. Cornell, for example, only offers the bonus to 40 students a year, but their bonus is unlimited, so you basically get a free ride to an Ivy League school, which is pretty sweet! Most schools are a bit of both, like Harvey Mudd and Carnegie Mellon, which offer $5K and $8K to a limited number every year, netting you an extra $10 and $16K respectively. At Rose-Hulman and Stevens, I would get a total extra of $30K and $32K!!!</p>
<p>Another reason is the fact that private schools seem to have less students in general. Since I’m not that great at math, I figured smaller class sizes would make it easier for me to ask teachers for help, possibly making it easier to get through and possibly excel at an engineering program.</p>
<p>And finally, I’m still entertaining the idea of being a research scientist one day, so I figured getting a degree from the schools I chose would help me get to that position. I don’t really know for sure, though. If anything, I have some ideas for “inventions” that I would like to prototype while in college. I figured schools with higher endowment would have better facilities and equipment I could use for that.</p>
<p>By the way, my job in the Air Force hasn’t been particularly difficult compared to others, like SPs or PJs, so I always feel a bit guilty about taking compliments. Still, I appreciate your gratitude!</p>