Find me on Facebook: Nelly Do
or text xxx-xxx-xxxx

New friends always welcomed!

And thank you again for this blog!

When I started, I was pretty confident in my writing ability. My first graded paper from Dr. Underwood shook that confidence. His course isn’t merely about learning how to structure a paper and get the formatting right. His course is primarily about learning how to secure the interest of the reader, make an argument, and then support that argument with evidence gleaned from various primary sources. it’s not an easy task. He does this through asking students to write about a subject which few people besides him are an expert: southern literature.

If you have any qualms about your writing ability, you would be well served to take EXPO E-15. The high drop rate for EXPO E-25 is good evidence that few people show up to the course with a full appreciation for how strenuously their skills will be tested.

Underwood is a tough professor. Out of about 16 students, roughly half completed the class. Some who did didn’t get the grade they were expecting. I do feel like I “survived” his class and I’m a better writer for it. If you’re at all hesitant about your writing, I’d get a second opinion before jumping into his class. That goes double if you aren’t a native English speaker.

You really can’t do much better than Underwood for writing though.

One of the people sitting next to me at graduation was a Connecticut State Trooper in his 50′s. He was there with his two daughters who had only recently graduated college. It’s very possible to do what you’re trying to do.

My best advice would be to take one course at HES and get a feel for the kind of work you’ll be expected to perform. Since you don’t have a Bachelor’s degree, my guess is that you’ll be trying for the ALB. If there is one big hurdle you’ll need to face, it’ll be the EXPO E-25b class that is required before you can apply for admission. This is kind of a “gatekeeper” class and you should know that up front. It’s a serious test of your writing ability. If you can handle that, you’ll probably be OK for the rest of the program. Don’t forget that you’ll need to take a minimum of 64 credit at HES. Spread out over 4 years, that’s 2 classes per semester.

Don’t worry about being 45. There are many, many people in your age bracket at HES and for exactly the same reasons. Start slow, get a feel for the program, and then push ahead. It’ll be a long, hard slog but it’s very worth it. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to complete a degree.

I am 45 years old, and completed 3 years of college while in the air force. However, I never completed my degree because the career opportunities were too lucrative to pass up and frankly, continued to get better over time. Over the last ten years, I have espoused the merits of an ivy league education to my daughters and all others that would listen. Now that I have time, I think I would like to go back to school (possibly through HES) and challenge myself to finish what I started.

Here’s where I need feedback. Although I have had years of business experience, I have little to no recollection of the information I learned in high school and college. How will I be able to succeed if I need that info as a base for completing this education? Math, of course, would be remarkably challenging for me as would academic level writing skills.

Can I do this, or do I need to basically go to a community college and take basic math and writing courses first? I have been putting this off for years now, and I need to feel confident that I have an adequate foundation to provide me with a chance to succeed.

Anyone’s comments are greatly appreciated.

I think a lot of people don’t really understand what they’re getting into here. They will have to find new capacities in themselves in order to succeed, which I guess is the whole idea.

I’ve seen that link, and registered for the test on the 8th. When I saw the date range, however, I decided there was no need to rush into it, and started looking around to see what I could find out about the test, so I might have an idea about what to expect and how to prepare. If you come back to this blog after you take the test, I’d be curious to know what your experience was, score or no! That could help me know how to prepare myself. (I’ve been out of school for so long, I feel so rusty!) Thanks.

And good luck with the test!

I will be taking the exam this week, however, the HES website under placement tests says anyone taking the exam beginning June 7th – July 18th (the earliest dates to take the exam), the score will be posted no earlier than July 23rd. Then, upon receiving a score, one’s “registration is processed within a week” after July 18th (if taken during that period). So, according to the website, nobody will be able to see their score until that date, although I am really excited to know my score!

Here is the link I found (just for the sake of it all): http://www.extension.harvard.edu/register/guidelines/placement.jsp

Have you taken the exam yet? I, too, am getting ready to take it and haven’t been in any college writing for a few years. I’d love to hear your comments. Thanks!