Application essay 1  I want to enroll to complete a degree in Educational Studies, with a major in early childhood development and related issues in special education.  I thought of going to college right after college, but jobs were plentiful and the idea of making money and living on my own was very appealing. I got a job in a realtor’s office and found that I really like the work, enough so that got a realtor’s and then a broker’s license. And…..I started making what for me was very serious money. Even then, though, I was thinking that going back to school made sense, and I started taking business courses at the local community college.  Everything changed when I got married (he was in the real estate business too) and started our family. We have three children—Darryl, Ashley, and Brian==he is the reason I want to finish a degree in special ed. Brian was, as my mother would put it, a “slow child,” and because of that, questions of schooling and development and how kids develop and at what pace began to be something that really mattered to me. I became deeply involved with school psychologists, other developmental professionals and began reading with a need to know that was new to me. As the years have gone on, we have seen our son begin to develop and negotiate the world in his own way. I am on our local school’s PTA committee that explores questions of placement and family support. I have met with many parents in support groups to help them (and me) deal with the questions that always attend developmental issues. I have even spoken to teachers in training about the ins and outs and ups and downs of development and schools.  I want to translate that knowledge into a special school for special kids so while I might want to teach about what I have learned, I want to create and manage a learning environment that will nurture children so they can achieve all the potential they have—and that can support parents in coping with “their golden children.”  I would like to start in the fall term and have sent my transcripts and other relevant documentation to the admissions office.

Application essay 2  Hi, I want to tell you a bit about myself and why I want to enroll to finish a degree in Information System management. No one in our family has ever gone to college; both of my brothers went into the service—one in the Navy and the other in the Army and did pretty well after they did their tour, so my folks encouraged me to do that and use that as doorway to college. So far, so good. I enlisted in the Air Force and they figured out I was a kind of gadget guy (my dad was and is a machinist and taught us all how to fix things and make things) so they put in training for computers and the many ways the Air Force uses them—in planes, for weapons control, and all the rest. I did very well and have string of USAir Force courses.  When I got out, I thought I had enough background to get into places that were beginning to go big time into computers—like publications and other media places. I figured I could get in on the ground floor of graphic design and marketing stuff and take that escalator up. And for while I did—and ended up as the head of the graphics and marketing department at a Conde Nast publication. But I also was aware that younger, college graduates coming into the firm where carrying a lot more in their briefcase, so I figured it was time to get the degree and begin thinking down the road about career moves. With two kids who will be getting to college age faster than I want to think about, my wife and I have decided that now is the time to get it down. I look forward to attending your orientation session and getting into the work of sorting out what kind of “transcript” I have.

On-the-job learning Corporate training Independent study Military service Volunteer service LEARNINGCOUNTS.ORG Sources of learning

Doctor of Thinkology

5 PLA takes many forms Transfer credit ACE recommended credit Standardized tests Student Portfolio College Credit

The Lightning Round 6 Exercise

A veteran of the Iraq War who loves to watch the History Channel and the Military Channel 7

 A homemaker returning to school with 10 years of volunteer experience in her children’s schools 8

 A 30-year old woman who is a native French speaker has been working as a nanny and in a garden center on weekends. 9

 A 23-year old Starbucks barista who writes a blog about natural foods 10

 A 40-year old hotel concierge with an Associate’s degree in Accounting 11

 A stay-at-home Dad who has run the town’s soccer association for five years 12

 A 28-year old with an Associate’s degree and experience running three local political campaigns 13

 A 38-year old McDonald’s manager 14

 A 42-year old administrative assistant with 18 months of college right after high school 15