To: Rebecca Agosta

From: Crista Putney

Date: October 3, 2014
Subject of Inquiry: Researching the identity of non-traditional undergraduate
students at a university and more specifically at ones who are 24+ years old
Initial Inquiry Idea:
I will be researching the identity of non-traditional undergrad students who are 24
years old+. I am chose this subject because I am interested in knowing about the
college experience of adult students, or if they even feel that they are living the
college experience. It would also be interesting to see how younger students
perceived older students and whether older students get judged on their age more
or their appearance. I would also like to know if older students feel connected to the
university at all, whether it be participating in campus activities or joining an
organization. Also, it would be interesting to see how adult students perform
academically compared to younger students.
Methods:
I will be doing some research online and also interviewing my dad who was in this
situation twenty+ years ago, my boyfriend who attended UNCC a couple of years ago
while he was in his mid-twenties, and my friends who are in similar situations.
There is also a program for non-traditional 24 years old+ students at UNCC called
OASES and I will see if I can interview some students in that program.
Questions:
1. Do most still want to pursue graduate degrees?
Have many students already graduated years ago and are seeking a degree in
a different field of study?
2. Do they feel more motivated?
How do they perform compared to younger students?
3. Do they feel as connected to the university (involved in campus
activities/organizations) as traditional 18-23 year old students?
Do these non-traditional students who appear younger become more
involved with these activities than those who are obviously older?
Do we judge older based on age or appearance?
4. Do they feel behind in their professional careers in any way?
Is it difficult to catch up?
5. How do younger students perceive older students?
Are there certain stigmas attached to them?
What kind of character traits do young students think when they see older
students?