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

#1

Post by 18throwaway18 » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:12 PM UTC

Basically the title. Finished my second year of college, which is a good college but not the best in the country (Top 10 college in country).

Now that I'm done with my 2nd year of undergrad, I've managed to get admission into the best college in the country (by a country mile). No transferring credits though - and I'll have just turned 20 when I join (if I join).

That's pretty much the gist of it - should I leave my Top 10 college for the Number One college? Since I'm joining at 20, will it be too late? I'll be graduating at 24 - do you think it's worth it? Will future employers look upon this switch negatively?

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

#2

Post by t-3 » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:19 PM UTC

It's not too late, but it may be too expensive to transfer, and if you have to retake all the classes, you might get bored. It doesn't sound like a good idea to transfer to me, but if you attach a lot of importance to going to the "best" school, then do that.

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

#3

Post by verdverm » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:20 PM UTC

No, I went back at 25 for 8 years

Employers want to see initiative and critical thinking (debatable?)

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

#4

Post by 18throwaway18 » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:30 PM UTC

t-3 wrote: post #2

It's not too late, but it may be too expensive to transfer, and if you have to retake all the classes, you might get bored. It doesn't sound like a good idea to transfer to me, but if you attach a lot of importance to going to the "best" school, then do that.

Money isn't an issue. Thanks for the advice though - do you think employers or postgrad admissions officers will look upon it negatively though?

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

#5

Post by 18throwaway18 » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:32 PM UTC

verdverm wrote: post #3

No, I went back at 25 for 8 years Employers want to see initiative and critical thinking (debatable?)

Going back at 25 sounds amazing! Were you able to connect with fellow students though? A 7 year age gap sounds pretty large.

What were you pursuing, if you don't mind me asking? 8 years for undergrad, postgrad, what exactly?

Thanks for the advice though. I genuinely appreciate it.

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

#6

Post by mastasky » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:32 PM UTC

No post body was provided.

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

#7

Post by Ekaros » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:35 PM UTC

No, 20 is not nowhere near too old.

But, I'm not really sure about value of difference in top 1 vs top 10...

But, personally I would consider the degree more if that is different. Will the new one be more interesting?

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

#8

Post by proee » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:42 PM UTC

How about option C? Drop out of college and form a startup. If you have this much ambition, imagine where your business could be in 4 years!

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

#9

Post by 999900000999 » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:43 PM UTC

I'd just finish the first degree.

Changing your major / school a bunch of times is a good way to not finish.

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

#10

Post by 18throwaway18 » Sat, Jul 23, 2022, 9:50 PM UTC

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!