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Regarding IVY, your records seem to show that you are smart. However, among all the students who have similar or better tracks of records and nine years younger, why should IVY league schools select you?

The fact that you are relatively older can be an advantage or disadvantage. If these seven years let you build some personal quality or life story that can convince these school that you are gonna be somebody significant and valuable to their communities and the society as a whole, they probably won’t mind giving you a spot to try out.

If all you can present is that you have experienced low points of your life and just want to push a reset button so that your life can be better and in a way as you imagine in abstract and without any solid plan or vision, these school will likely say flat out no. In fact, going back to any school with this mind set may even further damage your life.

That being said, getting an undergraduate and possibly higher degree from a good school can be important in planning out your life. Also, some schools will provide 5 years BS/MS programs. If you work hard, you can probably finish that in 4 years (However, do 5 years and get a good GPA). Graduating college at age 33 may not sound good, but getting a master’s degree at age 34 or Ph.D. at age 37-38 sounds much better.

The age does play a part, but not as much as the general public in Korea thinks.

As a late bloomer myself, I would say you have a shot until mid or late thirties if you wanna work in competitive fields that require working with others. That gives you about 3-5 years to get a degree.

If you choose a career that can work independently, such as accountants, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, etc. There isn’t really a limit, although your return on investment may play a factor.

Good luck. Think hard and work hard. It will change your life.