How Do I Continue My Degree?

[Restorer]

I don't think I've updated anyone here on what's gone on with me and school the last half a year. I'm a Computer Science student. Back in February/March, the lung problems I had caused me to miss a bunch of class, and my grades fell like a rock. I wasn't able to live up to the academic contract I was on, and I was made subject to academic disqualification (again). I've been out of school since early March, and I've moved back in with my family, 100 miles away from the school I used to attend.

Now, to keep my insurance, I need to get back into school. The application period for all the local universities has already passed, and every one I've looked at requires good standing at the last institution attended. Also, local public universities are pretty much closed for spring, because of the California budget problems.

It looks like my only option for now is to attend a community college for one or more semesters. The problem with that is that I'm an upper-division student with lots of transfer units; there's nothing I can take at any community college that would advance my degree. I'm considering just finding a college with some interesting-looking classes, but it feels like a big waste of time.

My other option for later is to find a good online Computer Science program. Are there any good fully-online CS bachelor's programs? Do online colleges have a stigma about them?

[cariad]

Hey Restorer, sorry about what's going on with your schooling. I don't know about online schools, least of all any degree with the word "computer" in it, so I can be of no help there I'm afraid.

Did you tell your last university about your medical problems? Would you be willing to explain this to future schools? I have to think that if a school understood what you have been through this past year, that they would want to give you a fresh start. I found most professors quite accomodating once I started telling them about the ESRD.

Good luck, and update us when you decide what you're doing next.

  

[Jean]

Restorer, I agree with Cariad. My stepson graduated from U of Arizona, online and the little shit is a millionaire now.So, no, probably no stimga attached.

[Chris]

Restorer, I've been on that Academic Probation stuff before many times. Hard to do now, but you can get leeway with it due to your medical issue. From my experience, I had to sit with a school councelor to go over my academic plan (waste of time because they have no clue about the program other than what they read in the college book), submit doctor leters of explanation. If you can, if your taking 16 credit hours, slow down that pace. Take the minimum amount to be a full time student so your body can rest and also give you some time in between classes to go to the doc if needed or in my case be in the ER and back in class the next day (or at least back in school in a couple days just missing 1 or 2 classes).

Now about classes,  take something that might be usefull later either in life or what you might be doing. The class might not be computer related, but when it comes down to the teaching, you may apply some of those principle while some collegues may have never thought about doing it that way.

Good Luck

[Restorer]

Cariad, I told them about all my problems, but still got no love. This isn't the first time I've been kicked out, and the other times my sob story of medical problems wasn't enough to get me back in. I had to take classes elsewhere with a high enough GPA to "prove" that I was able to succeed academically.

Jean, it seems like the kind of program I'm looking for isn't as common as most online programs. Computer Science is a pretty rigorous program, as opposed to something like Computer and Information Technology. Did your stepson make his millions with his own business? That usually seems to be the case in the tech field... but it's just not an option for us with ESRD because of insurance issues.

While I was typing, another response came in...
Chris, I don't know if the leeway can overcome the situation, based on my experiences with doing this in past years. I haven't taken more than the minimum number of credits for full-time status in three and a half years.

As for classes this fall, I've already done two semesters of community college classes after having finished lower-division requirements. I took Public Speaking, Intro to Music, Women in History, Fitness and Nutrition, Astronomy, Intro to Business, Physiology and Anatomy, and Engineering Drafting/AutoCAD. I feel like I'll have to dig pretty deep to find something both useful and interesting, as well as something that won't look like a junk class on my transcripts.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

[Hanify]

Restorer, I agree with Cariad. My stepson graduated from U of Arizona, online and the little shit is a millionaire now.So, no, probably no stimga attached.

 

[Chris]

I hated that Engineering Drafting/AutoCad (well in the intro class it was Bentley something) Class. So many of us O&P students had problems with that class, but since I have taken so many other classes they are now letting me not have to retake it.

That is a predicament there with all those classes taken already and what's available at a community college. But some of those classes can be useful later that you took.

Not sure if you have one in your area and due to the economy, not sure how much they can help, but anyway try to find your states Department of Rehabilitation Services Since I have visual problems, I see their blind services division, but they have other departments that you might be able to get into. Here they help with schooling as long as your a full time student, must maintain a C average, and help plan you for wor or help with you making adjustments at work so you can do you job.

[Romona]

Can you contact the Bureau of Labor and Industry? A know in our state PA (which is also going through a budget mess right now) offers help for people. I don't know if they can help you at all but it wouldn't hurt to try. I also think the National kidney Foundation offers help, but only if you are going into a kidney related feild. The reason I am mentioning this, maybe you can find an advocate of some sort to help you in some way because of your health problems.

[jbeany]

Actually, the classes I took just for fun turned out to be some of the most useful.  I took a computer art class that I've used in all kinds of things, from menu design for my parents' restaurant to computer drafting floor plans for an architect firm, and even logo designs for numerous friends with businesses.  You could take some basic accounting - you never know when that could come in handy.  How about a cooking class?  Everybody needs to eat.  Basic photography is good if you are interested in website design - it's good to be able to have clear pictures to post.

Learning something new is never a waste.

[Restorer]

If I could take any class just for my own education and entertainment, I'd take a Culinary Arts class, and a couple of the non-transferrable computer classes, and maybe something useful like Interpersonal Communication. But if I'm going to apply to a university, I want to have transferable credits so it doesn't look like junk classes. My father is also pushing me to finish my degree as soon as possible so I can get a job with health insurance. My coverage under my parents' plans ends when I turn 25 (or this September if I don't let them know where I'm enrolled full-time very soon).

As far as getting into universities, I don't really know what I need to do to get in on exception, and what the hard limits to that are. From what I've read, "admission by exception" is for admitting promising students that are disadvantaged or have had prior problems interfering with educational success. I don't think admission by exception can get me into a school after the end of the admission period, such as every local university for fall, and the Cal State system for fall and spring.

The readmission period for UCSB (my prior school) is still open. I'll try applying with whatever supplemental material I can get, but I'm not expecting to get back in there. If I do, it'll be a hassle I might not want to deal with - switching dialysis clinics and doctors again, finding a place to live, having to deal with rent and possibly roommates again.

[okarol]

We were able to extend Jenna's private health insurance (keeping her on our plan) because she became disabled while on the plan. She will continue on our family plan for now (she's 23 but only taking one class at the City College.) The insurance company did not offer the coverage, but did not balk when we found out that they cannot cut off coverage for a disabled person, and we asked that they review this. Have your parents check into it. If you end up only having Medicare (which I hope you are getting now) and are unemployed then you'd also qualify for Medi-Cal (the state program in California.) PM me if you need more help.

[Chris]

Restorer, don't always go by what's printed, always talk to a real person who can go over your personal case so they can advise their committee on who they will the exceptions. Also put into your own words what your expectations/ aspirations, goals, causes of problems and what you have done or are doing on paper in a professional manner so it will stand out above others who have not attempted this.

Sometimes the schools put that in paper so that some students will not even try, which in a sense is bad business sense if they want to bring in funding.

[David13]

Restorer, don't always go by what's printed, always talk to a real person who can go over your personal case so they can advise their committee on who they will the exceptions. Also put into your own words what your expectations/ aspirations, goals, causes of problems and what you have done or are doing on paper in a professional manner so it will stand out above others who have not attempted this.

Sometimes the schools put that in paper so that some students will not even try, which in a sense is bad business sense if they want to bring in funding.

Good advice. 

[dwcrawford]

Well, this may be inappropriate but I'll say it anyway.  Do you love computer science as much as you love cooking?  I have a feeling that you gave yourself away.  The world is full of computer science majors and they are becoming less and less in demand.  The world can never have enough great chefs.  I truly believe an old adage that says the truly succesful man is one who makes a living doing what he would do for nothing anyway.  Just my thought and maybe a little off beat.

[Chris]

Uhhh dan, I do computer stuff for free, so I'm screwed if I go to school for it? 

But Dan does have a point there about the old saying. I loved working in an autobody shop till health started affecting me there (we didn't have or use much safety equipment) and now going to school for orthotics and Prosthetics which uses what I know about fixing bodywork on cards.

[dwcrawford]

Chris, I don't know how extensive the computer work you do it, but in your case it seems to be something you really love doing.  That's sort of what I was asking Restorer.  And you  don't have to do it for free whether you have your degree or not.  People pay well for the kind of help you give. 

I had no idea you were so young, restorer....A lifttime of computers (constantly changing) and a liftime of making people happy with great food???

[Chris]

Well I am suppose to do a job next month where I'll get $400 for doing it, which will go straight to supporting the economy by buying  medical supplies.

[dwcrawford]

but how much work can you do physically for now.  And why can't you get your medical supplies through Medicare?  Although I'm sure you've tried.  You shouldn't have to pay that kind of money for supplies.

Anyway, I'm sure you could find jobs if and when you feel like it.  What kind of software would let you log on to other people's computer and find problems?  I anybody can do it, you can...