Hello! This will be a bit long and I appreciate anyone reading.
I graduated HS in France in 2019, was c/o 2024 at Kalamazoo college and 2 years ago I dropped out during my sophomore fall term. I dropped out because my mental health was absolutely terrible and I gave up on a lot, school being part of it. I initially took a health leave of absence, and then never returned. I only completed my freshman year as I withdrew in the middle of the fall term. I became a paramedic pretty much right after and I have been working in busy 911 systems for over 2 years now (1 year as an EMT, 1.5 ish as a paramedic). I have gotten my mental health under control, and I am doing really good. I love my job, but my goal had always been to go further in medicine (I became an EMT for the hours initially, then fell in love with the field). The last 2 years showed me how skewed my vision of medicine was and that the reality of being in the medical field was very different, but it made me want to go for it for the right reasons now.
Now to explain what is making me post here. I am looking to go back to college now to continue on the neuroscience track I was on when I dropped out. I had a full ride to K-College but I will not be reapplying as I know the aid would not be as generous and the sticker price is insane. I was non-trad when I first went to college (married, went to HS in France, lived off campus) and I am now divorced and still pretty non-traditional as I am nearing independent age and have been out of school for a hot minute.
When I left K College I had a 3.927 GPA. I took a couple classes in a community college for paramedic school and I believe ended up with a 3.5 (it was during the worst of mental health, which really sucks.)
I am looking at applying in the Chicago area. My first choice so far has been Lake Forest. I am meeting with them tomorrow to discuss specifics of FAFSA and transfer application. I am however at a loss for everything else.
I had a college counselor/mentor who followed me for 5+ years during HS and my initial application, but I fell out of touch and the guilt of not being in contact and dropping out is making it really hard to even consider reaching out for help.
I have not had contact with any of my professors since I dropped out, which is a problem for recommendations. The only one who knew me somewhat well is on a sabbatical of unknown length.
I am separated but not legally divorced which is making my FAFSA status really weird and I am unsure how to proceed.
I have no resources for essay review and I wrote my initial application essay in 2018-2019 with numerous reviews from my mentor, so it has been a minute. I’d want to write about my experience as a paramedic because it has shaped me into a completely different person, but I don’t want to fall in the cliche of trauma dumping and “bragging”.
Financially it might be hard for me to apply to as many schools as I did in my initial cycle, and I also don’t really know how to divide my matches. Lake Forest seems in the same ballpark as K College, but I estimate my chances at Northwestern for example to none.
List : Lake Forest, Loyola Chicago, Beloit, Knox (a bit too far but I did get in once), Northwestern (very undecided if it’s even worth it to send in an application)
Anyways, very long disorganized post calling for any advice regarding this situation or transferring for that matter.
What is your budget? If you will possibly have $300k-$400k in med school loans, I encourage you to limit undergrad loans.
ETA: Regarding the essay, many transfer apps won’t have a general essay. Make sure whoever you speak with understands transfer apps.
For example, here are Lake Forest’s essays:
The admissions review team requests short essay responses (250-600 words) to the following prompts below:
How will Lake Forest meet your academic, personal, and professional goals you have set for yourself?
How have your previous academic or personal experiences led you to your intended major?
Each school will have something similar. Just be factual, and tie your experiences to a major and career goals. Be specific at each school as to how you will engage there…major, a class or two that looks interesting, a prof you want to do research with, clubs you will join.
Many schools have transfer admissions people who are helpful, as well as online informational sessions, use those resources.
Thank you for the ressources I appreciate it!! I am a dual citizen.
It has been really hard to estimate budge just based on not really knowing my FAFSA status yet and the scholarships I’m eligible for. It’s been also hard to estimate what’s realistic loan wise, the goal being the least amount because like you said, any graduate school afterwards is going to be astronomical.
I also would like to stay in the Chicago area, which is why Lake Forest was such a good choice, but I have been more hesitant about applying to bigger schools. My initial round was almost all LACs
Thank you for the advice! Estimating budget has been complicated due to the FAFSA status issue and not knowing what I can qualify for at each school or how they grand need based aid for transfers.
I have really been blanking on how to tie paramedicine to the academic goals. It would make a lot of sense if I wanted to go into public health but it’s been harder tying it to neuroscience for example.
My other concern was how much of it do I need to describe as to what the experience is, given that most people don’t really know what we do lol. I also didn’t want to fall into any sob story narrative
FAFSA will tell you if you qualify for a pell grant (max about $7,500 based on income). By filing FAFSA you also qualify for student loans. As an independent student you will qualify for an additional $4k per year (for example soph yr loan is $6,500 and you could take another $4k so total of $10.5. For junior and senior years you can take $11.5K each year)
If you and your husband filed a joint return in 2022, you will have no choice but to directly pull in that tax return, which would include his income (assuming he had some). Then, you will have to ask each school you apply to for professional judgment to remove his income since you are now separated (assuming you live apart). @kelsmom is that right?
Your meeting with the financial aid people at Lake Forest will be helpful.
I would also encourage you to consider working and taking classes part-time at community college and/or UIC.
Hi!
I am trying to finalize my list of schools for my transfer application.
Here is some background:
Out of college for 2 years, completed freshman year at Kalamazoo College (MI) and now an incoming sophomore.
KCollege GPA 3.92 (mix of philosophy, STEM and gened premed requirements including 300 level philo classes.). Applying test optional.
Non-trad living off campus, working as a paramedic and would continue to do so part time.
Looking at pre-med/pre-pa track, still undecided.
Intended Neuroscience and philosophy track. (undecided if double major or major and minor, depending on which classes transfer etc.)
Budget ~10k a year out of pocket, rest in loans but trying to limit loans as much as possible given the graduate school goals.
List so far:
Top choice: Lake Forest college, which has an incredible neuroscience program and fits pretty much all my boxes. Similar to K College but seems a bit more selective and competitive, unknown if it would be a match or somewhat of a reach.
Loyola Chicago.
Beloit (I got in as a first year student with a really good FA offer initially)
Marquette (a bit far of a commute, like 45-50 minutes so it’s a bit of a drawback)
Northwestern as an ultra reach, realistically no chance of getting in but I believe I qualify for a waiver so why not.
Illinois IT as a reach
I am considering applying to public universities as an OOS student but I am unsure how financially sound that would be so also would appreciate input.
Have you considered Dominican or Carthage? I know some amazing neurosci profs at both those schools.
Also, don’t feel limited to schools with official neuroscience majors. It’s honestly pretty niche for an undergrad degree. You can major in bio (or psych a bit less easily) and take neuroscience electives to get the same education as an official neurosci major. It’s all the same classes, just a different title on the degree.
Cost is paramount here, and your non-traditional and transfer status throws a wrench in predicting what your costs will be. You might get some great admissions, but it would be a huge bummer if they’re unaffordable. I’d also encourage you like @Mwfan1921 to apply to at least one school that will be an admissions and financial safety.
We have been separated in different households for 2 years which apparently qualifies as legally separated which is nice. It has only ever been my name on the lease anyways and he was never a legal US resident
The issue is for 2022 if you filed a joint tax return…did you?
If so, FAFSA will pull that in and you will have to ask for professional judgment at each school’s financial aid office to separate out the finances. If you filed on your own, as married filing separately in 2022, then you won’t have to do that.
I also want to reiterate that the only loans you will likely be able to get without a co-signer are the direct student loans, so $10,500 soph year, then $11, 500 in each of junior and senior years.
I filed separately since he was not a permanent resident! Which I am now glad I did lol.
Can a cosigner be anyone? My grandparents have offered to do so.
Based on the meeting with them, I am eligible for the merit scholarship (32k a year I believe). The direct stafford loans (5,500) each year. The sticker price with that was 15K or so yearly. I am still trying to figure out how feasible this is. I remember receiving scholarships at K College that were never referred to on the website, and I should’ve asked if that happened there too.
Then my FAFSA and whatever aid and loan offer that results in.
I would be working PT as a medic, I estimate that at 40k a year in income.
Lenders vary on this…some have age limits because they want the backup person to be around to pay. Additionally, you really really should not take more than the $30k or so direct student loans if more schooling is likely. Just that $30k will grow rapidly if you are paying on it.
Additionally, you really really should not take more than the $30k or so direct student loans if more schooling is likely. Just that $30k will grow rapidly if you are paying on it.
Can you elaborate on that please? In the LFC calculator, it stated 5,500k a year for direct loans. I have 3 years remaining.
You can take out an additional $4k per year in direct student loans because you are an independent student. So if you are sophomore that’s $6,500 plus $4k (first year loan is $5.5k). Then for jr and sr year it’s $7,500 plus $4k each year.
It sounds like you are younger than 24 so I’m not sure if you would still be considered independent if you get divorced. @kelsmom?
Note the NPCs aren’t generally setup for transfer students.
If you were not born before January 1, 2001 you are not independent due to the marriage clause. If you are divorced, you are no longer married and revert to dependent.
I got married young and started college after that. Spouse was also a student so we got pretty good financial aid. We were indeed truly independent of our parents. It would have been beyond frustrating for both of us if we’d gotten divorced and then found ourselves back in the dependent category. I hope OP can get some affordable offers regardless whatever happens with their federal aid status.
So I have confirmed with the schools that I am considered independent, even when I am legally divorced as I am estranged from my parent (and can prove it).
I also met with financial aid at Lake Forest, which went really well and it seems like it would be an affordable option. Additionally, the advisor reminded me that I would become a resident of Illinois and qualify for the state grants after my first year.
Based on my 2022 income it seems like I qualify for Pell as well.