Study Rant

[Dakinetx]

OK,
dunno if ranting will help (not really expecting responses just hoping writing this down might purge :)).

Without going into total life history.
I am British, went to a Grammar School.
Have 4 year Electrical Apprentiship.
Been Diving Instructor/Pro for over 14 years.
Worked Offshore with ROV's (robotic submarines) as Superintendant for bout 12 years.

Now, due to many reasons I am starting a new career (well trying to). I want to be a Physical Therapist.

Now, in the UK, ALL my 'life experience' exams/courses etc. would be taken into account and I would get a University place (actually due to paying enough Tax and being a 'mature student' it would usually be free).
But here, Oh No! To get on (well interview as they are oversubscribed) a PTA course at the local "Community College" I have to take an Entrance Exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So NO, not anybody can go to Community College!

Why does this stick in my craw? Cos I ABHOR math/algebra! I can read/write (other part of exam) but letters and math are stoopid IMO :) I can do WAY more math in my head than most checkout assistants/waiters etc. (i.e. realworld/useful math) but WTF has a-b+square root of x over w got to do with Physical Therapy.

yeah I know it's like ya'lls SAT's things BUT, I am 38yo and well travelled/educated.

Anyway, I am going NUTS with this stuff (can retake exam but don't wanna fail in first place) and time (as need to do some courses during summer to have enough for interview, apparently doing some of the course before even taking/being accepted onto the course, helps?!?!?! LOL) is not on my side.

Anyway, Love America, Love Texas, hate Education system here!

Rant over :)

[east_tx]

Nick,

I have been in your shoes before (not sure if this is an American term or if you Brits know the phrase as well-----I want to make it perfectly clear......I have never actually worn your shoes before because that would be just plain weird). Anyway, I went to college after being out of high school for ~13 years. I had pretty good grades in high school and scored fairly high on the ACT, but decided to go to work after high school instead of going straight to college (mostly a monetary decision). When I went back to college in 2001, the university (Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA) would not allow me to enter into regular classes. Instead, they wanted me to take remedials in English and Math. I was unhappy to say the least. I set up a meeting with an entrance advisor to discuss the matter. However, he stated that I would need to get the Deans of the English and Math department to sign off on me taking their regular classes. After speaking with them, I was even more upset because they would not allow me to enter their classes because they did not want to "set me up for failure". Luckily, a friend of a friend introduced me to another friend who just happened to work in admissions.....problem solved. After getting an "A" in each of the 4 Math and 3 English classes I was required to take, I still was upset at the whole situation. I was lucky and hope you can find a way around your situation.

By the way, my girlfriend is British and I meant nothing by my opening comment. Good luck!!!!

[Dakinetx]

Allen, LOL. No problem. Trust me, my shoes steenk, ya'll would NOT want em :)

It's a cultural difference thing I guess.

I TRY not to make comparisons BUT being from a different country it happens :) Basically, more than UK, School IS a bussiness here. I AM paying them money so why can they not look at my UK education and quals and see I am NOT an idiot :) Well not enough to warrant non-admitance anyway :)

I am reading "Practical Algebra" and it's helping. Just niggles me silly I need to study somthing to get onto a course that has NOTHING to do with that subject AND pay for the privilege? LOL

And NOT forgetting, Lord Forbid they mark down ANY of my English portion for my ENGLISH and Not American spelling roflmao!

[east_tx]

Nick,

The Queen's English is definately a "little" different from our version. My Girlfriend and I still run into things that neither side will give in on, but as I tell her......you are in America now baby!!!! But she loves me, anyway. She still affectionately assures me verbally by referring to me as her little wanker (she told me that was a British term of affection).

I can't wait for her folks to come over in September for their first trip to Vegas.

[lucian]

Nick:

What you've described is a terrible situation. I do wish there was a way to remedy.

In 1989 I retired from the US Navy. I went to work with the US Air Force as a civilian staff photographer at pay grade GS-07. Without a degree I could have only gotten a GS-05.

A year into employment I went to the local community college to take a course in Arson Investigation. The course would have been job related to support possible duties as a forensic photographer. I wanted the course for the knowledge NOT for a grade point average.

I got the same thing. I had to take a test to PROVE I COULD READ AND WRITE AT A COLLEGE LEVEL. At this point in time there was a big push for former military personnel to take up teaching.

I balked at the idea of taking the test ($35.).

When I retired from the Navy I had two degrees. I could speak Mandarin Chinese, Russian and had a smattering of Italian and Polish (my New York upbringing). I had over fifteen years of technical writing and research and ten years of technical instructing and mentorship in more than one discipline. I taught photography for two semesters for Los Angeles City College. All of this was well documented. I had travelled a good part of the northern hemisphere. I had greater language skills than the person interviewing me. (Really)

The reply: No test, no course.

About three years later my wife's cousin, a local junior high school math teacher, convinced me to look into teaching. He set me up with a college counselor. I spent the greater part of an afternoon with this person who was to map out a study program for me.

After I would have spent several hundred dollars to get transcripts AND taken the test, the study program would have kept me full time in school for three years at a cost of several thousand dollars.

Needless to say I started to like my civil service employment - a lot.

Sorry for the rant. See what you started.

[djroga]

Just a comment...

a few years ago I wanted to take a photography course at a local community college. As part of the entrance practice they required me to take an entrance exam in math. After withholding my laughter I too the test, scored the 100 (and corrected a few errors on the printed test) and proceeded to take the course (why withhold the laughter? I hold a MAT AND a Masters in Math). While taking the course I aided the instructor when he became befuddled working math solutions for the students (8th grade level math)...

life can be so silly

[Dakinetx]

Originally Posted by east_tx

Nick,

The Queen's English is definately a "little" different from our version. My Girlfriend and I still run into things that neither side will give in on, but as I tell her......you are in America now baby!!!! But she loves me, anyway. She still affectionately assures me verbally by referring to me as her little wanker (she told me that was a British term of affection).

I can't wait for her folks to come over in September for their first trip to Vegas.

Allen, they should LOVE it. First time my folks came over (after I had moved here) was to meet me and ex in Vegas. My Dad esp. (R.I.P.) loved it (prob. due to his engineering background).

It's always a challenge when 1 is US and 1 UK as most think we are one and the same LOL. Took my missus to UK twice thus far. One thing which was an eye opener was taking her to my 'local' movie theatre which is in a building OLDER than the USA :)

[Dakinetx]

Originally Posted by lucian

Nick:

What you've described is a terrible situation. I do wish there was a way to remedy.

In 1989 I retired from the US Navy. I went to work with the US Air Force as a civilian staff photographer at pay grade GS-07. Without a degree I could have only gotten a GS-05.

A year into employment I went to the local community college to take a course in Arson Investigation. The course would have been job related to support possible duties as a forensic photographer. I wanted the course for the knowledge NOT for a grade point average.

I got the same thing. I had to take a test to PROVE I COULD READ AND WRITE AT A COLLEGE LEVEL. At this point in time there was a big push for former military personnel to take up teaching.

I balked at the idea of taking the test ($35.).

When I retired from the Navy I had two degrees. I could speak Mandarin Chinese, Russian and had a smattering of Italian and Polish (my New York upbringing). I had over fifteen years of technical writing and research and ten years of technical instructing and mentorship in more than one discipline. I taught photography for two semesters for Los Angeles City College. All of this was well documented. I had travelled a good part of the northern hemisphere. I had greater language skills than the person interviewing me. (Really)

The reply: No test, no course.

About three years later my wife's cousin, a local junior high school math teacher, convinced me to look into teaching. He set me up with a college counselor. I spent the greater part of an afternoon with this person who was to map out a study program for me.

After I would have spent several hundred dollars to get transcripts AND taken the test, the study program would have kept me full time in school for three years at a cost of several thousand dollars.

Needless to say I started to like my civil service employment - a lot.

Sorry for the rant. See what you started.

Hey Lucian,
aint it ALL a bunch of AS#!
I have done some service for Her Majesty (read the Diving ;)) and all the rest have stated.
In UK (not that did it) was offered FREE degree at BEST Oceanography Uni. at age 24yo (was 'mature student" with life experience and tax paid for years) yet here, sheesh!

Least College is WAY cheaper than Uni BUT the "anyone can go" adage is abit strong LOL.

Basically it's ALL money. Was even told by them they don't honour other college classes (esp. online ones, AKA Phoenix). Basically want their cake and eat it.

Oh well, it'll come. Just HATE math (algebra anyhow) and esp. as has nought to do with course I want to take.

Anyway, just driving me NUTS! Cannot pretend to be liking studying this, time running along etc. DOES give me chance for some free time though.

Once D300 arrives I plan to learn that too (no mean feat lol) and get to place where can try for 2nd Wedding Photog to get experience (and maybe some beer money along the way) let alone meet more folks.

[Dakinetx]

Originally Posted by djroga

Just a comment...

a few years ago I wanted to take a photography course at a local community college. As part of the entrance practice they required me to take an entrance exam in math. After withholding my laughter I too the test, scored the 100 (and corrected a few errors on the printed test) and proceeded to take the course (why withhold the laughter? I hold a MAT AND a Masters in Math). While taking the course I aided the instructor when he became befuddled working math solutions for the students (8th grade level math)...

life can be so silly

Not exactly the same, but have been on Police Dive Team here for about 5 years and am MOST qualified (as civilian volunteer) by about 12 years and profession. Hard to listen at times when situations arise. But thats another thread altogether

[Coelus]

Education has become a business and not a service. And a corrupt business at that. I would love to see what would happen if schools from elementary to university level had to answer to stock holders and finance laws the same way corporations do. There would be another set of Enron's to fall.

The people who can afford good education get it, those who want and deserve good education have to hope for charity. I didn't have the money to finish college after high school. Now it's been to long for the work I did then to be counted if I did go back. Of course I can't afford to go back, pay tuition, AND pay for the daily cost of having a family. It would take a temendous amount of time get a degree going part time, and most classes are during working hours anyway. So you're kind of stuck if you want to change careers and you haven't made a ton of money to put back.