[V....]

Is it better to go to school or learn on your own and how long till you're a good enough level for
freelance work etc

[Play Boy]

You can do either or however you need a combination of both to actually be effective. School and theory is great to really understand the material so you aren't just running programs without comprehending what you're trying to accomplish. However, theory will only get you so far. You must actually utilize your knowledge and apply them to the real world to challenge yourself and improve your craft. There's plenty of resources out there that will allow you to practice in a safe environment like HackTheBox.

As for when you're ready for freelance/pen testing work, that's really hard to determine. Not every pen test will be the same. Some of them will be easier and some of them will be harder. I'd say your best bet to start freelancing would be whenever you're able to achieve an industry standard pen testing cert. OSCP has been a pretty common standard for most in-the-field pen testers. It would be a great way to prove to yourself and other employers that you're actually able to do a thorough job. Of course, that's just my take. There are tons of talented hackers out there that don't bother with certs.

[Brill]

have you ever seen a hacker go to school ?

[SuddenStrike2]

Is it better to go to school or learn on your own and how long till you're a good enough level for
freelance work etc

Either OR depends on who you deal with and what you deal with. The more you do, the more you again experience.

[Nomad.Null]

Certifications are what differentiate most of us in the pentesting field.

OSCP, OSWA/OSWE, OSWP, OSEP are some high-quality certification programs provided by Offensive Security that are well respected.

Formal education isn't a requirement, but freelancing as a pentester is difficult. You are generally better off finding stable employment working on a red team as a salaried employee once you have earned one or two of those certifications.

Pentest+ from CompTIA and CEH Practical Exam certs are also recognized at entry level.

If you require more information or looking for mentorship, our group offers it. Details in signature below.

[BlackSoulZN5006]

You can start with a bachelors degree and then move on to a masters degree in school and also have good job opportunities or you can learn on your own which is more difficult because you start from nothing. School will teach you to be a good guy a white hat hacker, Cybersecurity Engineer which is what you want to have a peaceful worry free life and enjoy your life not to be from the bad guys, black hat hackers, cyber criminals.