Attending Multiple Schools Simultaneously?

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2014

I did this for a minute. It was because my school would not offer the class I needed, so I took it somewhere else. Another college had different requirements for some of the classes I needed as well.

The only real disadvantage is needing to buy official transcripts.

prettydoll123 · Apr 21, 2014

I've never done it, but you have to make sure everywhere gets transcripts like the PP said. Also, you can only receive aid(federal aid, loans, grants, ect.) at one school at a time unless you take out private loans. However, if you do receive a significant amount of grants/scholarships, you can use that money to pay for both schools. I say both, because I wouldn't recommend someone trying to attend 3 or 4 colleges/universities. It's unnecessary. I would understand if a certain pre-req is only available in the fall at School A and school B offers it year-round, but you attend school A and it's spring. It's also understandable to take pre-reqs at community colleges and then transfer to a 4-year university for an actual program or take or re-take classes at a community college in the summer if you normally attend a 4-year university. I just wouldn't think it would be a good idea to simultaneously attend "multiple" universities at once unless it's necessary.

Grindaholic · Apr 21, 2014

I've never done it, but you have to make sure everywhere gets transcripts like the PP said. Also, you can only receive aid(federal aid, loans, grants, ect.) at one school at a time unless you take out private loans. However, if you do receive a significant amount of grants/scholarships, you can use that money to pay for both schools. I say both, because I wouldn't recommend someone trying to attend 3 or 4 colleges/universities. It's unnecessary. I would understand if a certain pre-req is only available in the fall at School A and school B offers it year-round, but you attend school A and it's spring. It's also understandable to take pre-reqs at community colleges and then transfer to a 4-year university for an actual program or take or re-take classes at a community college in the summer if you normally attend a 4-year university. I just wouldn't think it would be a good idea to simultaneously attend "multiple" universities at once unless it's necessary.

Because this is my second bachelors, I'm not on financial aid/loans.

If I went this route, it would be two community colleges...both of which are transferable to state universities...and it would be only for one semester.

I remembered a guy who did something similar years ago, successfully...and I was toying with the idea because one college has a better/fuller offering of the courses I need.

prettydoll123 · Apr 21, 2014

Oh. Well you didn't mention that, or I would have left the financial aid part out about it. I was just trying to give advice based on the info you gave. You also used the term "multiple", so I figured you were trying to do something crazy. Two community colleges are understandable for one semester. I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, I just wasn't aware of all of the unknown factors you didn't mention previously. So I just went off of the info you gave.

Sparrow91 · Apr 21, 2014

I have attended more than one school at one time and I had no problems. I choose to take some courses at the community college online while taking core nursing classes at a University. The reason was because the community college had more choices for classes to fulfill my general education credits, plus they had more classes that offered an online option. This made my schedule much simpler and more flexible. The community college was also 1/3 the price per credit hour than the University. Transcripts where not an issue, the transfers office was pretty good at getting them out quickly and it only cost me about $3 each time.

texasgirl22 · Apr 21, 2014

I'm doing it right now. I don't have any problems doing so. As long as both colleges are reasonable distances from where you live it shouldn't be a problem. I schedule one school on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the other on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Honestly the "hardest" part is remembering to check both online "classrooms" to make sure I don't miss announcements, but most get forwarded to my personal email.

Grindaholic · Apr 21, 2014

Oh. Well you didn't mention that, or I would have left the financial aid part out about it. I was just trying to give advice based on the info you gave. You also used the term "multiple", so I figured you were trying to do something crazy. Two community colleges are understandable for one semester. I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, I just wasn't aware of all of the unknown factors you didn't mention previously. So I just went off of the info you gave.

No worries! I did not interpret it as snarkiness. Thanks for you input and sorry for the lack of specifics. For anyone who reads this later on...your financial aid points are actually VERY valid.

Grindaholic · Apr 21, 2014

With some of these responses, I may do it for more than one semester, as I had originally planned. I'll share my experiences later in a few months. Thanks!

Medic6758 · Apr 21, 2014

You can become a transient student with permission from both schools and your financial aid will cover it. If you choose the transient student route, you would be allowed to skip the orientation process and paperwork associated with applying to the other school, thus allowing you to jump right in and register for whatever class you need.

Stacilator · Apr 21, 2014

I did this several semesters, as I worked full time and the classes I needed were often difficult to get into at the times I needed. I also did the transient student route- you should check with your advisor/administration at both schools because it may be required even if you're not accepting financial aid and are paying for your second degree.