Continuing Education

[RALFFERS 0]

Well, as some of you know, I've been trying to go back to school for the last couple months. Was gonna go to ITT tech (glad I didn't make that mistake!) - then was gonna go get my MCSC certifications to work in the area of computer networking, but was apprehensive about spending $27,000 for 6 months of school! I think the best thing to do is go to a normal accredited university.

I filled out a form at fastweb.com to see if I was eligible for any grants and/laons; the long and short of it is Colorado-Tech online called this morning... For the most part I like what I heard; was told that because I already have an Associates degree I could have my bachelors in business administration, with a concentration in IT within 15 months. Sounds good, but I have never taken classes online and thus have reservations in that regard; ignorance equals fear I suppose. That said, education is expensive and I just want to make an informed decision. Does anyone have expierence with taking classes online at any school, or has taken classes in a standard campus setting of the school in question? I'm going to look into it and do research, but I would appreciate your input.

I know 1 thing... whether I continue to work in sales or not, I want something to fall back on - that and a completed college education just for the sake of my own satisfaction. I wish I would have thought like this years ago. I could have had a Masters degree by now if I played my cards right.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[FlyingJ 0]

I've known several people that have done alright working full time and going to school online. I've also known people that plopped down a bunch of money that was completely wasted because they didn't have the self motivation to actually make it happen.

I tried taking an online class while I was in college to help get credits taken care of faster. I did open the box the materials came in, but that was about it. Just didn't have the motivation to make it happen.

Without reading up on the specific school it is impossible to give an opinion on the program, but I think your success or failure in online schooling has more to do with your ability to see it through than anything else.

Killing threads since 2004.

[Glitch 0]

Ralffers,

Continuing education can't hurt.... I finally went back to school and completed a BS degree via online. Damn glad I did, and starting to regret not continuing for my MS actually.... but that's another story. Anyways,...

Make sure that you carefully look at the schools accredidation. I went via Univ of Phoenix online and haven't had any issues with it's accrediation, although I haven't tried to transfer and credits to a typical brick and mortar institution.

Online classes are all about teamwork. You'll have your individual work, but also team projects to complete. Most of the time it's cool, but occassionally you'll have one asshat who won't complete their tasks forcing more work on you. Kind of like real life in that regard....

Anyway, study your ass off and it's totally doable. Grats on your decision. I'm currently reaping the benefits of the same decision by virtue of recently getting a promotion and $$$... now all I need to do is find more time to jump.

Randomly f'n thingies up since before I was born...

[RALFFERS 0]

I will make sure to check the schools accreditation, how do I do that though? I know I could ask them directly, but I want unbiased facts...

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[jcd11235 0]

I've taken a few online classes. Generally speaking, about two-thirds of them offered the same quality as brick and mortar classes (which isn't always good), one-third were structured in a manner ill-suited for online classes.

Much of the success will depend on how much time and energy you want to invest, and much will depend on how much time and energy the professor wants to invest. One is of little use without the other.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[RALFFERS 0]

Agreed.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[RALFFERS 0]

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Make sure that you carefully look at the schools accredidation. I went via Univ of Phoenix online and haven't had any issues with it's accrediation, although I haven't tried to transfer and credits to a typical brick and mortar institution.

So far I've learned that they are accredited in the sense that they accept credits from other schools - BUT - according to RippffReport.com (I love this website!) a lot of people are saying that their credits aren't transferable to other schools. There was also something about ill business practices...

Thing is - you can dig up dirt on anyone; if a company and/or school serves a large number of people, a few are going to have bad experiences. It's really hard to judge things these days and make a good decision.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[Whiskeyboi 0]

Serious advice from a not-so-serious financial aid advisor at a college...

#1 Make sure you fill out your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Fastweb is mostly scholarships, but the FAFSA is what'll get you grants and loans through the federal and state government.

#2 You can find out about the accreditation of the school (if they are accredited) on their website. It’s usually stuck on the “About Us” or “Our Mission” page. I think I caught on your gas prices post that you’re in or around the Chicago area. Most schools worth their salt in the midwest are accredited by the NCA (North Central Alliance). Accreditation has to do with whether or not your classes will transfer to other colleges seamlessly, but there are a LOT of hoops that schools have to go through – so it’s still a decent measuring stick for the individual college. Local schools also have to go through the IBHE (Illinois Board of Higher Education).

#3 Certain programs/degrees are also have their own accreditations that may not be necessary for schools to receive, but are a good endorsement.

#4 I don’t have a ton of experience with online personally. Several co-workers in other departments have done some online, but the majority of them also had some physical class sessions as well. For what it’s worth, it is becoming more common these days. While I personally think you lose a bit of something with some classes (getting hands-on), there are several classes I’ve taken (Accounting, English, etc.) that could be taken anywhere. Once again, I’d say it depends on the program.

If you’ve got time to wait a day, I can ask my Job services and HR departments tomorrow how they look at candidates with online degrees.

Hope this helps a little. Let me know if there’s anything I can help with…just don’t tell my boss you saw me here.

[RALFFERS 0]

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If you’ve got time to wait a day, I can ask my Job services and HR departments tomorrow how they look at candidates with online degrees.

that would be great - THANKS!

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[Whiskeyboi 0]

If you're spending part of today looking at schools online, keep the following in mind...

Most online schools are attached to a brick and mortar somewhere in the world...though some are just a business office. An online attached to a brick and mortar in California or New York might still be accredited, but likely through a different regional body than the NCA.

And if you're really bored (or a nerd like me) you can always check out U.S. News and World Reports Colleges Guide online. The higher Ed. Industry pays a LOT of attention to these rankings...the formula they use is pretty unbiased. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankindex_brief.php

Oh, and you'll need your 2007 Federal taxes to do the FAFSA – but when it's done they'll give you an EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Once you have that number, you can figure out whether or not you'll get state or Federal Aid pretty easily.

[RALFFERS 0]

Here's what I was able to find out about their accreditation, according to their website. The top 1 is the most impressive; I don't know anything about the rest...

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[Whiskeyboi 0]

Out of curiosity...what's the specific program you're thinking of going for? Like I said...some of them have specific accreditations as well...

[RALFFERS 0]

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Out of curiosity...what's the specific program you're thinking of going for? Like I said...some of them have specific accreditations as well...

Bachelors of Business Administration or a Bachelors of Science. The admissions advisor said I could get a BSBA, with a concentration in IT. That appealed to me somewhat.

On a side note though, I talked to the guy once today - we scheduled a time to call on Wednesday because I said I'd be busy from now till later this week - and that was that...or so I thought... He called a few hours later to confirm that I had recieived a particular e-mail & again asked if i had time to do the application - I told him no and ended the conversation; I couldn't help but think/sense that he was just trying to get the sale. Maybe it's just me, but red flags are starting to go up about CTU. Another thing is this... who the hell works on MEMORIAL DAY??

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[Whiskeyboi 0]

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I couldn't help but think/sense that he was just trying to get the sale. Maybe it's just me, but red flags are starting to go up about CTU. Another thing is this... who the hell works on MEMORIAL DAY??

Admissions counselors usually are the winers and diners. And many colleges have staff working on holidays because some parents can't find time during the week - or even Saturdays - to take care of the college business. (Cause every high school kid about to graduate wants to spend one of his/her last days off looking at colleges, right?)

Try to stay focused on what it is you're after and what the school is gonna do for you. Most of the admissions counselors I've worked with are decent, honest people. But there are a couple that always make me feel like they're competing for a set of steak knives a la Glengarry Glen Ross.

[airtwardo 7]

...who the hell works on MEMORIAL DAY??

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