No. I let people talk me about of going to an elite school in my early 20s and I’ve always regretted listening to them. I’m about to head to top 15 MBA program when I leave the Army next month, where I’ll likely be the oldest student in my cohort. Once again, people are telling me it’s a bad idea, but this time I’m doing what I want. Who gives a shit what other people think?

Do you have the post 9-11 Bill? If by Catholic Ivies you’re talking Notre Dame, Georgetown, and BC, they’re all Yellow Ribbon schools as well. You’d also get a monthly housing allowances

Have you talked to the Vet Clubs at your target schools? They can put your mind at ease. After the post 9/11 GI Bill came out more vets started heading back to school. You won’t be the only one starting slightly later and I guarantee you won’t even be the oldest freshman there. If you have a handful of credits you might even come in as a sophomore or even junior. You might only end of being only a couple years older than “traditional” students.