What degree is best for preparing to go into Neuroscience?

Adult student looking for second Bachleor's degree at an Americian university.?

• I'm currently 34 years old, I graduated from a British university in 1997 with a bachleor's degree in Economics and for the last 14 years I've been working in banking/finance. I was hoping to return to university to study a second bachleor's degree this time in engineering and hopefully to masters level. Additionally I was hoping to attend an Americian university for the greater choice in classes available meet the requirements of any declared major and the opertunity to take classes that interest me outside of a declared major. I had been considering this for the last 6-7 years and have put money aside so that I am now confident that I can afford tuition, books living costs ect without the need for finicial aid or loans. The problem arises in that of the 3 colleges I had short listed as a strong preference, one of which MIT started this obsession with a return to university 7 years ago, none will admit students for a second bachleor's degree. I was curious as to an advice you may offer, As I see it I could: A) Go to a different college although constant reading and researching over the past 7 years has enamoured me with MIT and two others that don't admit for second bachleor's. B)Enrol in a Masters degree programes available where the prerequisites for the masters are taken in the first year, for engineering this may not be possible without a strong background in Math/Physics if at all, and if it were I'd miss out on the opertunity to take other undergraduate courses that interest me specificaly Neuroscience and Astronomy, that I could if I were enrolled on a Bachleor's course. (I can't do an engineering masters in the UK as they require an Engineering Bachleor's degree.) C)Appeal for special consideration in regards to the rules on a second bachleor's degree, I'm curious if there are any precedents of such actions. I believe I have several strong points in this regard, Finicialy independant with enough money set aside to pay 60K+ ayear tuition and living costs thus I won't be requiring finicial support/loans or grants so won't be depriving other students of money. I believe I can strongly demonstrate maturity and many positive qualities suitable for a student. The nature of my degree and the fact it was awarded 14 years ago makes option B somewhat impractical, in that it was so long ago I've forgotten all my math beyond Single Variable Calculus, and I've studyied No Physics in the previous 19 years. D)Not mention the original degree and hope for the best, none of the application forms ask any questions where mention of my previous degree might be expected to arise. This seems rather duplicitous and I only consider it reluctantly because of 6 years hard work saving every penny I could to afford to pay for this dream. This raises another question in such cases how do Colleges usually become aware of previous degrees? E)Perhaps there is an option I've not yet considered.

• Answer:

  Apply to any one of the schools in the this category "top 100 public universities." You will be surprised at the quality of education you will get at these colleges. Nobody cares really if you want to get a second degree. This is America, the land of the free, and you can pretty much study what you want, when you want. Good luck.. Oh by the way, it is nearly impossible to get a scholarship or financial aid anyway if you are an international student. You are not obliged to mention that you have any other previous degrees. Its unlikely you will get any credit for previous classes because the two degrees are unrelated. You sound slightly crazy in a good way (the mad scientist). Most "normal" people would use the money to buy a little home or something else. How discouraged are you about living in the UK and your current career? I think you are spending a lot of money on a future career that has prospects bleaker than your current career. Please consider University of Texas in Austin or Texas A&M, or University of Florida. I do not know anything about their engineering programs but it sounds like you could use a lot of sunshine to cheer you up. Besides homes/ cost of living are much cheaper there. Oh one more thing, consider doing a degree in bio-medical technology. It sounds like it could interest you, pays really well, in demand right now, a hot job. Good luck. I admire you. Valuing knowledge for knowledge's sake. You are doing what many of us wish we had the courage to do. Be sure you check my profile for helpful links. Best question of the day.