The Official 2014 2nd Gen RAM Forum OT thread
Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 728
Likes: 1
From: New Port Richey, Florida
Word to the wise: DO NOT ATTEND COLLEGE STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.
Seriously. If family and such are riding your *** about college, check with your local junior colleges to see if there is a 2-year transfer option. What this does is enables the student to knock out the most common lower division courses (Math, Science, English, History, etc) and then you can transfer that work to a regular 4-year school to concentrate on the last two years, which is your major and minor, should you choose to pursue a minor.
Colleges are populated with 17/18/19 year-olds who just don't have a clue what they want to do, so they screw around in school, get a degree in *something*, and then endure a life of misery.
Spend your first couple of years working and attending junior college. The tuition is cheaper and the classes are generally easier than getting your *** kicked in traditional college. Night classes are best, because chances are high you'll be attending with people over 25 who are there to learn and not treat it as an extension of high school. When pursuing my Associates at junior college, my one science instructor would compare our evening class scores (people 25+) against those of his day class (18/19). He said the day class would get pissed because our average was almost 10-points higher and it was all the same material at the same pace.
If you minor in anything, I highly recommend Accounting.
/soapbox
Seriously. If family and such are riding your *** about college, check with your local junior colleges to see if there is a 2-year transfer option. What this does is enables the student to knock out the most common lower division courses (Math, Science, English, History, etc) and then you can transfer that work to a regular 4-year school to concentrate on the last two years, which is your major and minor, should you choose to pursue a minor.
Colleges are populated with 17/18/19 year-olds who just don't have a clue what they want to do, so they screw around in school, get a degree in *something*, and then endure a life of misery.
Spend your first couple of years working and attending junior college. The tuition is cheaper and the classes are generally easier than getting your *** kicked in traditional college. Night classes are best, because chances are high you'll be attending with people over 25 who are there to learn and not treat it as an extension of high school. When pursuing my Associates at junior college, my one science instructor would compare our evening class scores (people 25+) against those of his day class (18/19). He said the day class would get pissed because our average was almost 10-points higher and it was all the same material at the same pace.
If you minor in anything, I highly recommend Accounting.
/soapbox
Gary has good advice. I was able to get alot of my general undergrad stuff out of the way in high school through dual enrollment and ap credit, and go directly into some higher level classes. I have a part time Job during school and full time when out.
Many of my friends go the two year community college and transfer route and I often make fun of myself for not doing that.
Be it good or bad, there is something to be said of a true four year college "experience." It's More of a last hurrah of being irresponsible then anything else.
I've always been called mature for my age and most of that stuff doesn't appeal to me. Probably why everyone says im boring lol
Many of my friends go the two year community college and transfer route and I often make fun of myself for not doing that.
Be it good or bad, there is something to be said of a true four year college "experience." It's More of a last hurrah of being irresponsible then anything else.
I've always been called mature for my age and most of that stuff doesn't appeal to me. Probably why everyone says im boring lol
All Star
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: North Dakota
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Evans City, PA
This is excellent advice. I know WAY too many people that spent north of 50 grand for a degree, only to get a job that pays less than 25K a year.... their student loan payments absorb almost half their paycheck..... They are screwed for the most part, as they basically have a mortgage payment, without the house to live in.
I honestly think it might not be such a bad idea to have two years of mandatory military service after high school...like some of the european countries with lower populations do. God knows it would teach some discipline and gratitude for the opportunities and freedoms available in our country...
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
Likes: 8
From: Central Oklahoma
I did seven years in the Navy right out of high school after having attended a college prep school from grades 2 - 12. I was burnt out from the intense academic workload and, like any other 17-20 year old male, was looking for something to do in life. Adventure, excitement -- you all know what I mean.
When I enlisted, I jumped on the offer to take advantage of the New GI Bill, which was $100 deducted from my pay, per month, for a year. $1,200 of my money was matched by the Government for a combined total of around $10,500. At first, a lot of guys teased those of us who opted for the GI Bill because we had less money each paycheck. Remember, you're dealing with young men who are finally "free" and have a guaranteed paycheck every month that is blown on drinking, new cars, and a lot of useless crap. Six months, eight months, and then 10 months down the road, those same people are now lamenting they wish they'd taken advantage of the GI Bill because they saw the wisdom in our decision. The problem is that it was not a permanent program, and about three years into my enlistment the Navy succumbed to the demand and reinstituted the program for those who were foolish in their early years. IIRC, the GI Bill is now a permanent feature of all enlistment contracts.
That being said, I would NOT recommend the military to anyone today. There are too many chickenhawks in Congress who are eager for military conflict and are beholden to the defense contractors. If someone is adamant about enlisting, then I would suggest the Air Force, because the Air Force encourages education. When I competed against the Zoomies for Airmen of the Quarter at Tinker AFB, every one of my competition had either an Associates or Bachelors degree.
Once I got out and decided to pursue a degree, I opted for an AAS in Computer Information Technology with an emphasis on programming. My GI Bill covered tuition and books. Once that was completed, I put my degree to use for a while until my son was old enough that I could return to night classes and pursue my current BA in Legal Studies. I learned, by talking with the counselor, that I could use the junior colleges in the area to knock out my lower level courses. Note that quite a few courses from my AAS satisfied some requirements, which made the path easier. If you're young, and your parents are cool with it, stay at home rent free, hold down a job and use your paycheck to pay for everything. If possible, see if you can get a job with an employer that offers tuition assistance. If not, check with a CPA about filing taxes via the 1040 long form so that you can qualify for the Lifetime Education Credit. For a few years, I was able to double-dip by taking advantage of tuition assistance and the LEC.
I never borrowed a single penny; my education has been completely cash-flowed. Student loans should be avoided. So what if it takes six years to complete an undergraduate. The key is to finish smart, not finish and then panic due to financial issues.
A while back, I stated I was debating on pursuing a Juris Doctorate. If I were 30, doing so would offer a reasonable ROI; however, at 45, with tuition north of $25K per year and four years to finish it's not worthwhile. I could have my house paid off in that two years and invest the money formerly allocated to my mortgage payment. I'm also tired of the grind of working full time, night classes, and weekends of studying. I would like to enjoy life for a bit, for once. I may pursue a Masters in Legal Studies, which at some schools is a one-year program and others it's two-years.
Anyway, just some more advice based on my experience.
When I enlisted, I jumped on the offer to take advantage of the New GI Bill, which was $100 deducted from my pay, per month, for a year. $1,200 of my money was matched by the Government for a combined total of around $10,500. At first, a lot of guys teased those of us who opted for the GI Bill because we had less money each paycheck. Remember, you're dealing with young men who are finally "free" and have a guaranteed paycheck every month that is blown on drinking, new cars, and a lot of useless crap. Six months, eight months, and then 10 months down the road, those same people are now lamenting they wish they'd taken advantage of the GI Bill because they saw the wisdom in our decision. The problem is that it was not a permanent program, and about three years into my enlistment the Navy succumbed to the demand and reinstituted the program for those who were foolish in their early years. IIRC, the GI Bill is now a permanent feature of all enlistment contracts.
That being said, I would NOT recommend the military to anyone today. There are too many chickenhawks in Congress who are eager for military conflict and are beholden to the defense contractors. If someone is adamant about enlisting, then I would suggest the Air Force, because the Air Force encourages education. When I competed against the Zoomies for Airmen of the Quarter at Tinker AFB, every one of my competition had either an Associates or Bachelors degree.
Once I got out and decided to pursue a degree, I opted for an AAS in Computer Information Technology with an emphasis on programming. My GI Bill covered tuition and books. Once that was completed, I put my degree to use for a while until my son was old enough that I could return to night classes and pursue my current BA in Legal Studies. I learned, by talking with the counselor, that I could use the junior colleges in the area to knock out my lower level courses. Note that quite a few courses from my AAS satisfied some requirements, which made the path easier. If you're young, and your parents are cool with it, stay at home rent free, hold down a job and use your paycheck to pay for everything. If possible, see if you can get a job with an employer that offers tuition assistance. If not, check with a CPA about filing taxes via the 1040 long form so that you can qualify for the Lifetime Education Credit. For a few years, I was able to double-dip by taking advantage of tuition assistance and the LEC.
I never borrowed a single penny; my education has been completely cash-flowed. Student loans should be avoided. So what if it takes six years to complete an undergraduate. The key is to finish smart, not finish and then panic due to financial issues.
A while back, I stated I was debating on pursuing a Juris Doctorate. If I were 30, doing so would offer a reasonable ROI; however, at 45, with tuition north of $25K per year and four years to finish it's not worthwhile. I could have my house paid off in that two years and invest the money formerly allocated to my mortgage payment. I'm also tired of the grind of working full time, night classes, and weekends of studying. I would like to enjoy life for a bit, for once. I may pursue a Masters in Legal Studies, which at some schools is a one-year program and others it's two-years.
Anyway, just some more advice based on my experience.
Last edited by Gary-L; May 2, 2014 at 10:05 AM.
Captain
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Bluegrass State
I was US Navy and then the GI Bill. CSDavies26 and Gary make very valid points. As for the military now, I think the powers that be.............. are to quick to pull the trigger. K.
Edit: pulling the trigger. There is "Ready, Aim, Fire", and there is "Ready, Fire".
Edit: pulling the trigger. There is "Ready, Aim, Fire", and there is "Ready, Fire".
Last edited by tincan57; May 2, 2014 at 12:24 PM. Reason: trigger
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,480
Likes: 4,223
From: Clayton MI
At this point, I think it is just "Fire".......
