Ask HN: Is 20 too late to go to college? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Is 20 too late to go to college?

#31

Post by 999900000999 » Sun, Jul 24, 2022, 4:42 AM UTC

18throwaway18 wrote: post #10

999900000999 wrote: post #9

I'd just finish the first degree. Changing your major / school a bunch of times is a good way to not finish.

That's a very valid point, but I've been doing decently well in my current university - I don't think I'll flunk out or anything. Thank you very much for your advice!

That's not what I'm trying to say, you might just lose motivation. If you can finish your current degree within 2 years, just do that.

I would never add another two years to a college schedule, it can just quickly overwhelm you

Re: Ask HN: Is 20 too late to go to college?

#32

Post by sejje » Sun, Jul 24, 2022, 4:52 AM UTC

bandyaboot wrote: post #26

The first question is easy. No. As far as should you abandon 2 years of credits to switch from a top ten school to the number one school…I just can’t imagine the benefit outweighing the cost. Starting your career 2 years earlier is probably going to be of more value.

I agree with this. Being 20 isn't a factor in the decision.

Re: Ask HN: Is 20 too late to go to college?

#33

Post by nfw2 » Sun, Jul 24, 2022, 5:34 AM UTC

bandyaboot wrote: post #26

The first question is easy. No. As far as should you abandon 2 years of credits to switch from a top ten school to the number one school…I just can’t imagine the benefit outweighing the cost. Starting your career 2 years earlier is probably going to be of more value.

This seems like an obvious answer in the US where the top 10 are all very elite schools. In a small country where there is a big gap between one and ten, it might make sense to transfer.

I chose an okay state school instead of a top 10 school in the us for financial reasons, and it sometimes feels like it was the wrong decision.

In addition to the doors an elite school can open, the connections you make in college can be invaluable. A friend from high school went to Stanford, where he met the cofounder he started his business with. My dad’s connections from Princeton essentially saved my aunt’s life when she was diagnosed with a rare cancer.

If the connections you would make at the #1 school would be drastically better, I would say go for it. 2 years isn’t that big a deal

Re: Ask HN: Is 20 too late to go to college?

#34

Post by psyklic » Sun, Jul 24, 2022, 5:44 AM UTC

What if you stay put then use the extra two years to apply to top colleges for a MS? The age won't be an issue at all, but your first two years might be boring if you have to repeat classes!

Re: Ask HN: Is 20 too late to go to college?

#35

Post by imtringued » Sun, Jul 24, 2022, 10:30 AM UTC

You're too young to be taking a second degree. Finish your first one and study something else at the top college.

Re: Ask HN: Is 20 too late to go to college?

#36

Post by gcheong » Mon, Jul 25, 2022, 4:53 PM UTC

I'd continue at the current college then, if it seems right, consider a trying to get into a graduate program at the top college which is really where most of the difference really becomes evident between 10 and 1; if there is any (US centric viewpoint here).