Are you thinking of re-enrolling in college? You may want to complete a degree that may be more lucrative for you. Or, you could love learning.
In any case, here is what you should be aware of going back to college:
Can You Go Back to College After Graduating?
Yes, it is usually possible for you to attend college again but there may be rules that you need to follow – you may need to take another major, apply for graduate school, or meet another requirement – it is also important to consider the financial and social implications of this decision.
How Can You Go Back to School Again?
This is often a matter of enrolling in the school again. As with the first time, though, there is no guarantee that you will be accepted. This is true even if you were a former student.
If you are applying for another bachelor’s degree, then you are often required to take a different major. This means that if you were a Psychology student the first time around, then you will have to take a business major or something else that you are interested in.
Bear in mind that not all universities will allow you to do this.
If you have already received a bachelor’s degree in a particular major, you may only be allowed to go to grad school. This is a rare requirement but it is something that you should check on before you apply.
In this case, it may be possible for you to apply to another school for a bachelor’s degree in your chosen field.
Can You Apply for the Same Major Again?
The answer here isn’t so clear-cut. As such, it all depends on the university that you are applying for.
Most people wish to do this if they were unable to give their full attention to the degree the first time around. In this case, you may wish to get better grades this time around.
Some universities may allow this. However, if the university is aware of your previous degree, they may request that you take a different major.
It is possible for you to make your argument to the college board but you will need special permission to do so.
Most people would argue that this decision isn’t too sensible unless you weren’t able to get your degree the first time around.
If you already have your degree, though, it would make more sense to study up on what you missed in college. It will certainly save you a lot of money to do so.
Should You Attend College Twice?
Once again, there is no straightforward answer. It all depends on your reasoning.
Sometimes, people wish to attend college again because they found their initial degree to not be as useful as expected. If the degree is related to a competitive or dwindling field then you may have been unable to find a job.
In this case, you may want to go back to school to be educated in a new, more profitable field.
If so, then this could be a good move for you. After all, it doesn’t make much sense to hold out hope for a job that may not come.
You should think about whether this decision makes financial sense, though. If you haven’t paid off your existing student debt, then you may end up piling on even more. This means that you will have to pay off double the amount.
It is important to consider if this is feasible or not.
If you simply like education and learning, then it can be tempting to go back to school. You may be better off applying for a graduate school, though.
Once you are done, you will be more qualified and in a better position to get a higher-paying job. As such, you will be able to justify heading back to college.
Unless you are financially stable, going back for enjoyment isn’t a great option for you. This is especially true if your new degree will not be much help in getting a job.
What are Your Financial Options?
If you have an existing student loan, then there are some things that you need to be aware of.
First, there are limits to how many student loans you can have at one time. As long as you aren’t over the maximum limit, you should be able to apply and get another loan.
You will also only be able to apply for another loan if you can prove that you have been paying off your previous loan dutifully. If you have defaulted, you will not be eligible for another loan unless you start paying off your initial debt.
To be eligible for a student loan, you will also need to be enrolled at least as a part-time student. Thus, you will have to attend school for a particular number of hours in total.
What are the Social Implications of Attending College Again?
One thing to be aware of is that you will be older than the students enrolled in most of your classes. You may not be a lot older but this age difference may matter.
You also have to be prepared for your college experience to be quite different. Remember, you have done the parties and the events all before.
Due to this, it may not be as exciting or as fun the second time around. In fact, if you are older and wiser, it may seem a little irresponsible to you.
Of course, if you were a serious student the first time around, then your second enrollment could be a do-over. You can enjoy all the things that you missed out on.
It may also be easier to find a better work-fun balance this time.
Can You Attend College Again?
Yes, you can attend college again but you will have to pursue a different major and minor – some universities will require you to apply for a master’s degree – you will also need to consider the financial elements of going back to college.
