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Question: I am 25, live in Ohio, and did very well in high school, with a GPA of 3.5. But in 2002, after I attended college for one year, my GPA went down to a 1.8, and according to the university's academic policies, I was not eligible to return the following year.

Now I am looking into going back to school again. I have been hoping to transfer some of my old credits, but when I was looking at a perspective school Web site I learned that student transcripts are required from all previous institutions attended, and that I couldn't be admitted without a 2.0 GPA. The policy also stated that failure to report attendance at another school could cause suspension.

Does this mean this college won't accept me, and that I can't just throw away my credits and start as a new student either? What should I do? - Laura

Answer: Laura, don't give up. It is very true that you must submit transcripts from every college/university you have ever attended or face possible expulsion. However, there are ways to build your GPA. Community college and some four-year institutions of higher education are what is called "open admissions". They will admit any student who has a high school diploma or a GED. Talk to the admissions counselor from the school you want to attend, and take transferable courses at the community college near you (or online) that fulfill the requirements of the four-year degree you are seeking. Then, after you have taken the appropriate number of courses at the community college - and have earned high grades - you can then transfer those credits to the school you want to attend which will inevitably "raise" your GPA for admissions. Please contact and work with the school you want to attend to assure you take the right courses for transfer. - Faith

Question: Hi! I am 29, four months pregnant and wanting to go back to school. I have 2.5 years of college credit from the University of South Alabama (I now live in California) where I was studying Biomedical Sciences in 1997 to 1999 (plus some high school Advanced Placement credits).

I have been a professional makeup artist in Los Angeles for several years and enjoy it but it does not offer the stability I want for my child and myself. It has always been my dream to be a Urologist and I am in the beginning stages of finding a college to complete my four year degree.

I have several questions. First, will my credits from college (and Adanced Placement from high school) 10 years ago and from a different state transfer? Will I receive any life experience credit? From a financial standpoint, I also have bad credit - will that effect my getting a student loan? I also would like to know if you think it is possible when having a young child to go back to school? Do most colleges offer accelerated classes to get through them faster? I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you for your time. Warmly, Jacey

Answer: Jacey, most of the degree programs that offer accelerated classes and "life experience" credits are focused around the field of business and information technology since most adult learners are often funded by their employer's tuition assistance programs. If you are interested in medical school, you probably want to continue your study in the sciences and/or biology. It is possible to do anything, but with age and extended responsibilities it gets harder. Although it is difficult to get into medical schools as an older student, you should start talking with admission representatives of those schools now to get a realistic expectancy of their requirements.

You may decide to pursue a career that is still in the medical field, but not necessarily a Urologist. About 96 percent of all colleges/universities offer courses, or full degrees, using online classes. Since you will be attending to a new baby soon, these courses may of interest to you. Financial aid opportunities can be discussed with representatives of the school you decide to attend (although federal Stafford student loans are not based upon a student's credit history). The number of credits that will transfer is decided by each school and varies with the institution. You may want to talk with Registrars from several schools and have them "preliminarily" review your transcripts for transfer credit. - Faith

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