Taking 1st semester of college, ok to start applying?

[joshd83]

Hi

I just started my first semester of college, 21 years old in april, and I'm currently living in southwestern pennsylvania, near the pittsburgh area. However, many local/city PD's around here require atleast a 2 year degree.

I wanted to know if it's ok to start applying to these place's? Or, will they not even consider my application since I only recenly began my degree studies?

There are just so many conflicting ways to go about becoming a police officer, some don't require degree's, a few want only act 120 training, others want 60 college credits. I also started a security job at the mall with vehicle/foot patrol's in hope's of gaining some limited experience, aswell as having a LE releated job on my resume.

My only grip is if I'm taking the proper steps towards my goal. I read the stories on here, talked to perspective and currently working PO's, and get many different ways they went about becoming one.

Any pointer's or comment's will be greatly appreciated, thanks abunch!

[99TAC]

Do yourself a favor and finish school first. If you start applying now and end up getting hired, they aren't gonna wait for you to finish school, and it's just too hard to juggle both full-time school/full-time job. Therefore, you may have to drop out, thus killing your chances of moving up the ladder since you won't have a degree. Go to school, look at internships, graduate, then either go to academy or start applying. That's what I'm doing, and I get the feeling from other officers on here that it's the best way to go. By the way, where in Western PA do you live and where are you going to school? Good luck.

[joshd83]

I live in a small town about 20 min south of pitt called Canonsburg. I tried looking at a few of the schools downtown but, it really wasn't a good idea with me trying to work and go to school at the same time. I decided to go with an at-home course (Accredited by the state, so all clear with that aspect) in CJ.

I was looking at the Pittsburgh poilce, which they're not taking app's currently and also require a 2yr degree. I've been thinking of applying out of state too, I have family around Norfolk, VA and the Norfolk PD have a recruitment scheduled for the next few months in may, and april.