However, I have been following along with the articles on the site as well as educating myself on all things Real Estate/Investing ever since I graduated.

Depends on the school.

I negotiate contracts for a living, if we are doing something "different', I write a contract and send it to attorney for review,,we work together to get something that accomplishes what I want, and still is legal and offers the protection he wants.If I am making very minor changes to that agreement I go ahead and make them (minor terms etc), but if any change is very complex, I run it back by the attorney.I have read and reviewed thousands of contracts in my life, and I very rarely miss anything, but I am not an attorney, and am constantly surprised by some small change an attorney will make that gives us better protection.If you didn't go to law school, don't play lawyer

As a self-employed student who will be starting at UCLA this fall, I am nervous about being able to afford my schooling as it is an important goal of mine.

I was thinking of being a bird dog for Joe ( the investor/partner) first, then after six months graduate to wholesaler, and then after another six months graduate to part time investor/ partner and finally, become a full-time real estate investor.

I'm currently finishing up school at Liberty University in Lynchburg Va.

Thanks @James Wise I have been looking all over for a Ohio online school, and wasn't able to find one.

Mike, I think there is no better school then actually doing something.

Quality of life.. in my younger days schools ( IE spent half my income to live in the Palo Alto School system).. ease of commuting to work.. shopping. 

Its a little old school but it works.