A 23 year old getting his physics degree?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concerns of a 23-year-old who is considering pursuing a physics degree after a delay due to financial and personal circumstances. Participants share their perspectives on age and education, explore local educational options, and reflect on their own experiences in academia.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that it may be too late to pursue a physics degree at 23, seeking advice on local programs.
  • Another participant suggests Mercer University as a potential option for a physics degree in middle Georgia.
  • Several participants argue that 23 is not too late for pursuing higher education, sharing personal anecdotes about their own educational journeys.
  • A participant mentions the high tuition costs at Mercer University and the limitations of the GI bill, expressing concern about financing their education.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of following one's passion regardless of age, emphasizing the value of pursuing education later in life.
  • One participant shares their experience of being 33 and transitioning from an associate's degree to a bachelor's degree, indicating that age should not be a barrier.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that there should be a thread addressing the misconception that age limits educational potential.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that age should not be a barrier to pursuing a degree, but there are differing views on the challenges of financing education and the perceived appropriateness of age in academia.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific educational institutions and their programs, but there are concerns about tuition costs and the adequacy of financial support through the GI bill. The discussion reflects a range of personal circumstances and feelings about age and education.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering returning to education later in life, particularly in STEM fields, may find this discussion relevant. It may also be useful for those exploring financial options for higher education.

Terrk
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Hey guys, Totally new to the forum, but I have been studying physics since the age of 16. I graduated at 16 from high school and applied to several colleges, I was accepted to a few awesome colleges, but because of my financial situation at the time, was unable to go to college. I since then have entered the air force in hopes to get my education paid for. But now I'm 23 and finally not deploying every year.

I recently got a new job located in middle GA( Not exactly the hot bed for an aspiring physicist). Now that I will be in GA for the next few years, I was figuring I would dip into my GI bill and attempt to get a degree in physics.

Once finished I would like to go on to get my PHD, but I cannot find a college that I can attend that has any sort of physics program in the local area. There were some online colleges, but that is something I do not want to get into. I have some college credit in Computer Science, but it's really not my thing. The more lectures I attend the more I want to pursue a degree in physics.

I just feel like it's too late to get a degree in physics! Does anyone know of a decent physics program located in middle GA?

Any help or information on a school or program would be great.
 
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By "middle Georgia" do you mean near Macon? Mercer University offers BS and BA in physics, and has an engineering school if you decide you want to go in that direction.
 
In ten years you'll look back on this post and realize how ridiculous it sounds. 23 isn't too later for anything - except maybe playing in little league.
 
Choppy said:
In ten years you'll look back on this post and realize how ridiculous it sounds. 23 isn't too later for anything - except maybe playing in little league.

Yep.

I'm 33 (I think :confused:) and just finished my associates in Physics transferring to a university to finish my B.S. and I'd really like to get at least a masters.

I'm too old to pursue a PHd. :smile:
 
Terrk said:
I just feel like it's too late to get a degree in physics

You're only 23, kid.
 
"A 94-year-old great-great-grandmother, Phyllis Turner, who left school at the age of 12 becomes the world's oldest recipient of a master's degree from University of Adelaide in Australia."

You've still got 71 years to beat her record...
 
I would rather spend a few extra years in school following my passion, then live an entire lifetime knowing that I could have done what I loved and didn't
 
jtbell said:
By "middle Georgia" do you mean near Macon? Mercer University offers BS and BA in physics, and has an engineering school if you decide you want to go in that direction.

I looked into it, but the tuition is extremely high, and my GI bill would only cover one semister! I'm applying for scholarships, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up




erok81 said:
Yep.

I'm 33 (I think :confused:) and just finished my associates in Physics transferring to a university to finish my B.S. and I'd really like to get at least a masters.

I'm too old to pursue a PHd. :smile:


Well I guess I feel old, in comparison to other people my age. I'm 23 and have a 3 month old son and have been married for 2 years! I thought graduating at 16 would be an awesome start! But all the people my age are going out and partying every weekend, while I stay home with the wife and watch Physics letures on youtube!
 
You're never too old!
 
  • #10
If it makes you feel any better, I'm 25 and contemplating starting a degree in applied mathematics. And age is the very last thing I worry about.
 
  • #11
Yay real men are made at the army compared to what kind of men are roaming out on the streets nowadays.
 
  • #12
Hi! I recently graduated from MGC with an A.S. degree. Have you considered doing your intial course work through MGC? Yes they aren't a full four year, but you can get a lot of math and science courses done. All of which are accepted at Georgia Tech! and I believe Mercer as well.

Don't be surprised if you get a few big scholarships from Mercer, I have a few friends that are starting this fall and got great scholarships.
 
  • #13
It's interesting how people seem to think along the lines of "If I reach age _ my brain magically stops working!"

There should be a Sticky thread titled "Are you too old to get a _ degree in _?". Of course it would be a closed thread containing a single post: "No!".
 

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