Am I nuts?

[Magnumcharger]

I'm 47 and seriously considering going to University in 2012 to take Mechanical Engineering.
I'll have to take a considerable amount of academic upgrading just to meet the admission requirements.
This also means I'll be paying for my daughter's Science degree, my son's residency and likely my wife's Master's degree all at the same time....in addition to my tuition.

Am I coo-coo?

[maxwellwedge]

I'm 47 and seriously considering going to University in 2012 to take Mechanical Engineering.
I'll have to take a considerable amount of academic upgrading just to meet the admission requirements.
This also means I'll be paying for my daughter's Science degree, my son's residency and likely my wife's Master's degree all at the same time....in addition to my tuition.

Am I coo-coo?

If that's what you want to do - do it!!! 

Make your kids and wife get jobs and/or extra jobs! This is all about number 1.      

Seriously - Do it or forever kick yourself for not doing it. 

[4cruzin]

Getting smarting can never do you wrong!   

[RD]

yeah your nuts.. now you will know what your daughter is doing in college and you will want to chain her to the basement

[chargergirl]

yeah your nuts.. now you will know what your daughter is doing in college and you will want to chain her to the basement

LMAO...That's alot of tuition...if you can do it...go for it!

[elacruze]

Crazy? Maybe. Not if you can afford it.

I have a Plan C to get at least a minor degree, possibly in Mathematics or architecture, and probably not for another 5-10 years so that'll get me nearly to 60...

[Darkman]

You can never be too crazy or too old to get an education!

If you can afford it, definitely do it.

There's a saying that I like, and it goes:

"If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!"

[tan top]

good idea !!
deffo go for it !! 

[Magnumcharger]

Thanks for the input guys!
I'll be finished twenty years+ in the Airforce in less than two years. This means I'll be pensioned off, which is an advantage when starting a commitment like four years of schooling. My wife will also be retiring from the Army at exactly the same time, so there's going to be a unique opportunity to get all of this done.
My current occupation of Non Destructive testing is ideal in that the summer months are when most plants (electric power, nuclear and refineries) are shutdown for maintenance and inspection. I should be able to make a full years' wage during those four months.
To be honest, I'm petrified with anxiety about going back to school. It's going to be a huge challenge. I was always terrible in math when I was in high school, but have found that over the last thirty years my capacity for learning was greater than I had thought.
Ironically, it was at my insistance that my wife went back to school to get her bachelor's degree in Nursing at age 33. In addition, I've always told my kids that they would be in University after high school, so it was a given that they would find themselves pursuing higher education.
That being said, it's time for me to follow my own advice!
My first step is going to be taking a math fundamentals course at the local community college. After that....it'll be Calculus.  then physics  then chemistry

[TeeWJay426]

Look at it this way.... if you start in 2012, you'd be graduating in 2016. If you DON'T do it, where will you be in 2016, and what would you be doing?

(BTW, my degree is in Mechanical Engineering as well.... feel free to PM me for any advice/input you might like to have, if desired)

[maxwellwedge]

My wife was an Air Force Brat. After retiring from the Forces her father went to college and got his Teachers Degree. He taught right up to age 65 and still did things for the school for the next ten or so years after that. He was afraid to go back to school as well after the forces but has always said it was the best decision he ever made. 

[TruckDriver]

No one is ever to old to learn 

[694spdRT]

I have a Civil Engineering degree and had a few close friends that went for the Mechanical degree. Personally, it seemed like the course load in mechanical was probably the hardest to get through but, it all depends on your interests and skills. It could be they just complained more too. I preferred the Civil discipline and busted my rear to get through school in 5 years with a transportation and construction emphasis.

At the time I had to have 2 courses of chemistry, 2 courses of physics, 6 courses of advanced math along with all the other basic stuff they teach you.  I was also required to take quite a few of the base courses in mechanics, environmental engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, etc. before focusing on the advanced Civil Engineering courses.

I don't know what your current field is in the Air Force but there must be an interest for you to pick Mechanical Engineering. If you enjoy learning about structure, loads, design, ect., ect. then it would be a good field to get in. I am sure their are advisors that can direct you to what your exact interests are and get a good plan together.  There were people coming back to school in their 40's when I was there and succeeding so it is definately possible. The best advice I can give is to be honest with yourself and your commitment to it. From my experience, earning an engineering degree is not something to do without preparing to seriously dedicate yourself.  You probably already know these things but, it is the reality.  

I wish you the best if you decide to go for it.  

[twodko]

Magnumcharger,

I'm a vet too. You've made a career out of the military........there is nothing you can't do!
I wasn't a math wiz in HS either but discovered in post-military junior college math wasn't as hard as I'd remembered. I loved it and persued advanced classes. You have a far greater incentive to excel now than back in the HS day. You made it through boot, you put on the uniform and for 20+ years you kicked ass and took names. Plus you have a pension, post retirement med/dental coverage and exchange priviledges. You and you wife are setup tight and right. You will do it!
Hand salute.....ready 2!

Tom

[mikepmcs]

Am I coo-coo?

Yes.

[bakerhillpins]

No one is ever to old to learn 

Just take your time to plan out your finances and life changes so that it doesn't slap you in the face. Both my Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law left their first professions (after several years in them) and went back to school. Sis from Lawyer to Vet, and Bro from Engineer to Doctor.

You can do anything if you set your mind to it.    

[Dans 68]

Yep, another Mechanical Engineer here.    Almost all sound advice and opinions above. As presented it sounds like a no-brainer. Have a great time!  

I have a Civil Engineering degree and had a few close friends that went for the Mechanical degree....

When I was in school I found out the big difference between the Civils and the Mechanicals...Civils build targets, while Mechanicals destroy them.  

Dan

[PocketThunder]

I'm 47 and seriously considering going to University in 2012 to take Mechanical Engineering.
I'll have to take a considerable amount of academic upgrading just to meet the admission requirements.
This also means I'll be paying for my daughter's Science degree, my son's residency and likely my wife's Master's degree all at the same time....in addition to my tuition.

Am I coo-coo?

No, we all wish we could go back to college, it was the best time of our life!!!!!!!!!!!   

But now you'll be the old non-traditional guy in the front row that gets an A in every class instead of the 18-22 year old in the back wondering which party to go to first.

[694spdRT]

Yep, another Mechanical Engineer here.    Almost all sound advice and opinions above. As presented it sounds like a no-brainer. Have a great time!  

I have a Civil Engineering degree and had a few close friends that went for the Mechanical degree....

When I was in school I found out the big difference between the Civils and the Mechanicals...Civils build targets, while Mechanicals destroy them.  

Dan

Job security both ways.