I don’t think I’ve ever started a thread on this board. Moreover, this post is longer than I’d expected. Still, this seems like a potentially good place to get a cross-section of nonofficial opinions on the topic. This seemed more in keeping with IMHO than with GQ; moderators, feel free to move it if and as appropriate.
Anyway, here’s the deal: I’m thinking seriously about trying for admission to the University of Idaho at Moscow in the Fall 2003 semester. This is because, roughly in descending order of importance:
(1) The Bachelor of Music in Business available there appeals to me greatly;
(2) I haven’t come across any such program anywhere else;
(3) Having owned property and paid the associated taxes in nearby Boundary County since the late 1980s might give me a fighting chance to qualify for resident status–at least after the first semester–and thus avoid too painful a reaming on tuition (right now I’m an expatriated US citizen, living in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas); and
(4) To clarify (3): I would, most definitely, plan to remain an Idaho resident after graduation.
I’m sure all of the above points will be more appropriately addressed by Admissions and department staff at the University. What I’m really looking for here is insight into some technically peripheral but (IMHO) relevant issues:
(1) What attitude(s), if any, could the UofI administration and staff generally be said to have towards non-traditional students? (Non-traditional, in my case, means 40-something, former military enlisted, partially disabled single male, of predominantly European descent but Southern working-class background.) I mention the administration and staff specifically here because I’m already pretty sure the students would wonder what planet I’d wandered in from. 
(2) Since Moscow looks like a hellacious commute from the Bonner’s Ferry area, it would probably be better if I could rent a place within shitty-little-car driving–or ideally, moderate bicycle commuting–distance of campus. A 10-mile radius, say. Are there any such places?
(3) If there are, what are the chances that any of them would allow pets? Should I start finding good adoptive homes for my kitties now?
(4) In order to afford (2), I’d have to find a job in the area. It wouldn’t have to be a great job, but should be good enough to cover rent, utilities, and tuition. Is this realistic at all?
(5) If the University is anything at all like the ones in the southeast, it probably has some sort of health-care access arrangements available for students. If it doesn’t, how hideous are the rates for major medical coverage in northern Idaho? I’m in decent general health and have at least some VA coverage, so I’d mainly need a hedge against catastrophic injury and acute illness.
Well, that’s certainly enough for starters. To anyone who can offer comments, suggestions, or general observations: Thank you!