Could really use some advice

[Awesomeness!!]

I know in the end I'll be the one to make the decision but some helpful advice couldn't hurt. I'm going to the 12th grade next year (..or this..year I guess) and I don't really know what to do after that. Like a few months ago I was sold on going to the army, serving for 4 years, then going to college, but I don't know about that anymore. They don't really have anything job-wise that I really give a **** about, and I don't want to serve..just to serve, although it would look good years down the line when I'm running for public office. But then again the free housing, and free college afterwards might be too good to turn down. But then there is that dying aspect of it..

Then I could just go to community college for 2 years, then transfer (either way I'm going to get a 4 year degree) and the CC is like one street over from my house, but I don't really want to take out loans and get myself in debt before I'm 19. Plus I don't know what a potential employer would think years down the road if I went to a CC.

Then there is the 4 year University plan that I really wanted to do to start with, but my credits got fuged up when we moved from Alabama to North Carolina, and I won't have the requirements to go start to a University as it is now. I would have to go to the CC anyway after high school to get the requirements, and it would cost money to take those classes, so I mind as well just stay the 2 years right?

Then the last option is I just drop out and become a bum!

Its a good problem to have I guess. I just want to see what you guys think.

[BF91]

If you're serious about the Army, then do your years of CC to get the credits and enroll in ROTC in college. Better yet, do JROTC this year.

[Awesomeness!!]

I did ROTC this last year. I have to do it for 3 years in high school (so I would need 2 more years) to get promoted (pay raise) in the army. It really won't enfluence what I do.

[tarheelblue89]

I am currently taking the Community College path. However, once my two years are up and I get my Associates I'm gone.

Never been much of a school guy anyways. But the CC route is a good choice to take IMO. Plus you get to stay at home while you go to school, so you know that's kinda nice.

[cookinwithgas]

Why on earth would you want to join the Army unless you really have a hankering to shoot things.

There are some other services out there.

I went in the Navy as soon as I graduated HS for the following reasons:

1. Get out of my hometown

2. See a bit of the world

3. Mature (still working on this)

4. Learn something and get paid

5. I would have drank myself out of a 4 year school, and flunked out of CC due to apathy

If you have a good school work ethic, the CC/transfer route is fine - employers don't care about that unless you want to be a doctor or something. You need to have stellar grades in CC though, so you can transfer to a great school to finish up.

My daughter is in CC and her freshman year there were too many distractions, although I am hoping that this year she's over a lot of that and can concentrate more.

[mr beauxjangles]

If you seriously intend to run for public office, which you say you do, then I suggest you go to college.

[cookinwithgas]

If you plan on running as a Republican, make sure you go to a great college and join ROTC. Being a Republican in ROTC is better and more patriotic than being a Democrat that actually goes to a war.

[Awesomeness!!]

If you seriously intend to run for public office, which you say you do, then I suggest you go to college.

well I'm going regardless, I'm just not sure how.

[Awesomeness!!]

If you plan on running as a Republican, make sure you go to a great college and join ROTC. Being a Republican in ROTC is better and more patriotic than being a Democrat that actually goes to a war.

Do you know how much Pepsi I just spit out on my keyboard? ha

[SorthNarolina]

I know in the end I'll be the one to make the decision but some helpful advice couldn't hurt. I'm going to the 12th grade next year (..or this..year I guess) and I don't really know what to do after that. Like a few months ago I was sold on going to the army, serving for 4 years, then going to college, but I don't know about that anymore. They don't really have anything job-wise that I really give a **** about, and I don't want to serve..just to serve, although it would look good years down the line when I'm running for public office. But then again the free housing, and free college afterwards might be too good to turn down. But then there is that dying aspect of it..

Then I could just go to community college for 2 years, then transfer (either way I'm going to get a 4 year degree) and the CC is like one street over from my house, but I don't really want to take out loans and get myself in debt before I'm 19. Plus I don't know what a potential employer would think years down the road if I went to a CC.

Then there is the 4 year University plan that I really wanted to do to start with, but my credits got fuged up when we moved from Alabama to North Carolina, and I won't have the requirements to go start to a University as it is now. I would have to go to the CC anyway after high school to get the requirements, and it would cost money to take those classes, so I mind as well just stay the 2 years right?

Then the last option is I just drop out and become a bum!

Its a good problem to have I guess. I just want to see what you guys think.

I would advise you to NOT get an Associates degree. 1 year at a CC with 15-18 hour semesters is pretty much all you need to satisfy the requirements to transfer. I got a full 2 year associates but really all my classes were taken care of by summer so I could have transferred in as a normal sophomore if I had known.

Test out of as many classes as you can. If you talk to an adviser make you let them know your plans. If you're smart you need to impress that upon them too so they don't try to make you take some of the easy courses. CC has some smart kids in it but a lot of them can be pretty dumb.

Student Loans are a really bad debt to build up, but don't let money keep you from going to school. Whatever way it takes you need to go to college for at least a 2 year degree.

If you're going to go to CC for two years then just find a major you might like and get a 2 year degree in that major. A transfer degree can't get you a job and it doesn't give you any insight into the major you want to take at a university.

You have to take the same core classes you do at CC or a University so you might as well get a degree that is marketable. Also you'll look like a braniac for your first 2 years at a university since you will be so well versed in the cirriculum. Getting internships or co-ops will be a lot easier as well.

Also CPCC is the CC you want to go to if you live around charlotte. My dad worked there for 35 years, it's a great school. It's around 4-5th ranked in the nation.

Also remember the learning process never ends. Getting a 2-4 year degree isn't the end of the road. Don't get discouraged if you end up not liking your major, and don't be afraid to change. This is what college is for, to find out what you want to do with your life.

I really wouldn't enlist in the army. Try to do ROTC. Take the ASVAB. My brother scored in the top 1% and we had these dudes in black sedans pulling up to the door from every branch always wanting to talk to him. Pretty much don't believe anything a recruiter tells you that sounds like a "good deal".

The military is an excellent option but don't just jump in without some serious prep first. You can get really good start with some prep work. You don't want to start level with all the guys at the bottom.

One last thing, transferring into a university from a two year degree is a little awkward. When people come in as freshman the usually bunch up and that's where bonds form. If you have some good friends that might be going to the university keep in contact with them so you will have a little support system for when you get there. Coming in as a freshman and making friends is wayyyy easier than as a 20 year old sophmore. I was very lucky to have some people to show me around, give me directions, take me to some parties my first few weeks there. Some of the people I didn't really hang out with some of them afterwards but it helped me meet other people I hung out with.

[SorthNarolina]

If you plan on running as a Republican, make sure you go to a great college and join ROTC. Being a Republican in ROTC is better and more patriotic than being a Democrat that actually goes to a war.

My bro's done alright he says there's a decent amount of liberals in the military but it's kind of a closet thing. For some reason I've talked to way more liberals in the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. Army and Marines seem to be pretty conservative.

[TerriblePizza]

Take the best of the two, as others have mentioned, and see about getting an ROTC scholarship. I have several friends who've done this and they haven't had any regrets.

ROTC scholarship will pay for you degree and you'll come out as an officer at the end of it. You'll also get to go to a 4 year university (I personally recommend the Navy program at South Carolina). And I do believe after you graduate, its only 2-6 year commitment.

[theedaddy]

dont do to college (unless its on someone else dime)

DONT JOIN THE MILITARY(unless you want to travel or have NOTHING else to pick form)

enjoy life.

its not all about money, fame, and BS.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

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