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31 years old: Am I too old to go to the university?

Angelo95210

Angelo95210

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 7, 2009
972
15
Paris, France
Hi all,

I live in France and after a business school I have had a pretty good career in France and I now have my own company, which is taking off gently. This allows me a lot of flexibility in my schedule.

I have thought about going back to the university to pursue studies in Law (I would be accepted directly in 3rd year). This might drive me one day to a lawyer career who knows. But I really like Law and studying it is my first objective.

I am really motivated with these studies and I love the idea of being a student again but my only concern is about my age. Do you think I would be well integrated with the other students, who will be 10 years less than me?

I have been accepted to the university and I have to take the decision for next monday.
 
You're never too old to learn, Never.
I'm older than you and highly considering my PhD or a JD.
 
You may not be the only "fossil" studying there. If you want to do it, then your age is not going to stop you. Just accept that you are older than most of them. Now that the economy is what it is and people lose their jobs, a lot oldish people end up studying because they have nothing better to do.

You'll be fine.
 
Do it, I know a few mature students and they don't seem out of place, I'm technically one myself as I entered my course when I was 21. It's never too late to learn :)
 
About 10 years ago, I was 29 and wanted to turn my computer hobby into a career. I kept getting told I didn't have the degree/experience/certs to get the jobs I wanted. My bachelor's degree was next to useless (history) for the field, so I found a local two year program in networking technology and signed up for it. It was the best decision I've ever made. There were lots of people in there my age and older, including one lady who was a retired industrial engineer.

The second time around was much better for me, since I was older and more mature. When in working on my first degree, I had enjoyed the "college lifestyle" a bit too much and my GPA suffered. I finished with a 3.9 the second time around.
 
Older students go back to university all the time, especially in post-grad courses of study like law or a PhD.
 
My wife did a history degree in her early forties. Loved her time at university. If that's what you want to do, go for it!
 
I went back to school in my mid-thirties and don't regret it. I screwed around in high school and never finished and knew better when I was older. I was annoyed by the youngsters who were not taking things as seriously as I was.

Do it. You won't regret it either. Age is only about numbers anyway.
 
Do it. If you have the desire to go, get all the education you can.

I tried going back but ended up washing out due to time constraints and weak well not that strong calculus skills. I don't regret it though, I just have to get good amazing at calculus again and find a part-time course so that I minimize my impact on being out of the office. I'm sure you won't regret giving it a try either.
 
If you truly wish to study law, then do it.

You might be older than most of the students, but when people grow older than 20, those differences become smaller and less significant.

For example, I'm the youngest guy at my office (I'm 22). Most people are in their 30s there, and we get along great. No reason why you shouldn't too. Personality matters more than age.
 
I teach in an Electrical Engineering program at a university extension campus that has classes at night. Most of my students are in their upper 20's or 30's. I even get students in their 50's. I've got a 34 year old daughter that has just started college.

Older students do better than younger ones. They are in school for a purpose other than partying!
 
As others have stated, there are plenty of "non-traditional" students in school who are older. A class with mixed ages is actually interesting because as an older student you realize just how much of a wider perspective you have than an 18 year old.

At the same time however, younger students are full of new ideas and can have fewer pre-judgments about life in general than an older person. You can kind of recapture some of your own youthful enthusiasm this way.
 
There are plenty of students over 30 in law school, at least here in the US. Just be sure you have the time and energy to invest because if French law programs are anything like American ones, you'll be putting in almost all of your time into law school.

Most of the older students in my class have kids (I don't know how they manage it!), so they are usually more visibly tired. On the other hand, because they have kids, they are much better with time management and organization.

Anyhow, good luck! :) If you really want to be a lawyer, then you should.
 
Get your ass back in their as soon as you can.... so you're not 50+ posting on here if you think you waited too long :p
Hope everything works out for ya man. Early grats on graduation:D
 
I got a two-year art school degree shortly after I got out of high school and did not think I would ever want/need more schooling, but years later decided I wanted that BA I never thought I would. So I got my BA at age 30, will be graduating with my Masters in December (at age 36) and probably will be starting a PhD next fall.

You are never too old.
 
well it is a post bachelor degree so you will have a lot of older students taking it. Also going into law you will have an edge a lot of students don't have in looking for a job and that is some real world experince.

I am going back to school right now at 27 for a 2nd bachelors degree. Reason I am getting a another bachelors over a masters is 1 my GPA is for the first bachelors is rather weak and 2 if I went for a masters in CS I would be with in like 6 or so hours of getting a bachelors after all the leveling work. Top it off undergrad is a lot cheaper than grad school so I am going for the bachelors and after I get another job I am hoping to have them pay for me to get a masters.
 
jessica. said:
You're never too old to learn, Never.
I'm older than you and highly considering my PhD or a JD.
Click to expand...
Don't consider, just do it. :)

I was 32 when I started graduate school. I'm finishing up a semester early and now moving on to a PhD.

It's a funny thing... the more advanced the degree, the less age becomes a factor. It seems that most advanced degree programs actually PREFER that their applicants be older.

I don't think I'll get it in, but I've been told repeatedly that my experiences and MSc degree make me a perfect candidate for the PhD program that I'm interested in at Stanford. In my wildest dreams, I would never even have thought that I'd be considered "Stanford material", but to hear it from a couple of peers and my graduate adviser, it gets hard to ignore anymore.

From a "late bloomer", I say to anyone who thinks they are too old to go to school, don't worry about it and just do it. :)
 
stonyc said:
Don't consider, just do it. :)

I was 32 when I started graduate school. I'm finishing up a semester early and now moving on to a PhD.

It's a funny thing... the more advanced the degree, the less age becomes a factor. It seems that most advanced degree programs actually PREFER that their applicants be older.

I don't think I'll get it in, but I've been told repeatedly that my experiences and MSc degree make me a perfect candidate for the PhD program that I'm interested in at Stanford. In my wildest dreams, I would never even have thought that I'd be considered "Stanford material", but to hear it from a couple of peers and my graduate adviser, it gets hard to ignore anymore.

From a "late bloomer", I say to anyone who thinks they are too old to go to school, don't worry about it and just do it. :)
Click to expand...

Add in with a PH D you can easily get into teaching part time after you retire from your job.

I know that is one reason why I want to get master degree later on is I think I would enjoy teaching part time or teaching when I retire in 30 some odd years.

You need a masters to really teach any class that can go to a bachelors degree. I have no interested right now in research but teaching maybe. Hell I might get a PHD much later in life just so I can have it.
 
When I was in my first year in college I remember this older man. He was in his mid to late sixty's and he was in his first year of a nursing program. He was a retired lawyer. I thought thas an interesting career choice but it showed me that you are never too old to go to school. I consider myself to be a life long learner. I went back to school to get my masters and now I am hoping to go back to school for a doctorate in Psychology someday. Good luck with your studies if you decide to pursue them.
 
Thank you guys. 100% positive answers, so I will sign up on next Monday. My concern was how I will get along with the younger but as I don't feel old myself old this should be fine.

Thanks again! ;)
 
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