Looking for advice re: going back to college

[lovepurple]

I am trying to make some important life decisions so I thought I'd get some input from perfect strangers, mostly because I'd like an objective point of view, and my kids and hubby seem to have their own agendas.
I have a two year accounting degree and worked for about twenty years in accounting positions, mostly with nonprofit organizations. I never made much money but the benefits were usually pretty good. About three years ago I became a real estate broker and had a great first year. The last two, not so great. Even if things were to pick up, I realize that I found nonprofit work more fulfilling. I began applying for positions and am hitting a major roadblock. Most jobs that I am otherwise qualified for are requiring a bachelor's degree. I've applied for other entry level positions and have been told I am overqualified. So I am set on going back to college to get my four year degree.
Here is my dilemma. I've applied to Western Governors University (an online accredited school) and UNCG. I've been accepted to both. Cost is very similar. I'm looking for thoughts on brick and mortar vs. online schools. The things I can think of are flexibilty of schedule, amount of credits transferred, time to complete degree, parking, availability of teachers for help, acceptance of degree by hiring companies. I am trying to make a pro and con list. One con of UNCG is I do not have my immunization record and do not want to get shots all over again, but I will if I have to. Are there other things I should consider?

 

[vettechick99]

I got my bachelors at a regular school, but am now going back to get my Master's through an online program. It's so nice!! My professors give me work, and a deadline, and I'm required to complete it within the time frame. Sometimes I do my assignments after work at my desk, or get up early on weekend days and do it then. I am only taking 1 or 2 classes per term, so I'm never overwhelmed.

I loved going to a regular school as a youngster but you can't beat online programs when you are an adult. It fits our lifestyle so much better.

Really, the only thing you need to consider is will your online degree be as valuable as your online...

 

[eliza61]

I don't have any experience with on line schools. I was probably make sure that you go to a reputable school. Can you scout around and see exactly what course potential employees want to see?

 

[Luv2Scrap]

My husband and I are currently enrolled in a college where we have the option for most classes to either take it on campus or online. We are doing a combination of both, and we are finding that for the most part, the online classes require a LOT more work. I just dropped an online class that my husband took in class last summer. When he took it in class, there was almost NO homework whatsoever. When I saw the online syllabus, I couldn't drop it fast enough! The workload was going to be horrendous! I will wait until it's offered on campus again and catch it them! So while I really wanted to take all online classes during the cold winter months, it didn't work out that way. I'll be in class for one night a week, because we already know the class I'm now signed up for is a lighter work load.

Just something to consider!


Edited to add: forgot to mention, DH and I just finished an online class that every person in the class absolutely positively 100% agreed it never should have been done online - it was too confusing and difficult to grasp, and the instructor was horrible!! He was being told by every student that we weren't getting it and he did NOTHING to help us. He was new to online teaching and he was not good at it!

 

[lovepurple]

Going to class with the youngsters would be a little strange, especially since my son will probably be taking a lot of the same classes.
The job that I got turned down for but really wanted would have been okay with the online degree. I know others who work there that got their degree online. I have plenty of experience and the skills to qualify, but they could not waive the degree requirement.
I think the online classes will be more difficult, but I think I can handle that.
These are great things to think about. I was getting so frustrated because I'm under a time crunch and just couldn't seem to think of all the aspects on my own.

 

[quentina]

I'm doing online through Cedar Crest College. It has been 20 years since college and too be honest........it was scary to take that first step.

Now, I love it. Switched majors and basically am starting over (had a little over 70 credits transfer over). It may take me 10 years to finish (work and 3 kids ) but, I plan to do it for ME. Isn't that a nice thought?

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think it all boils down to personality and whether or not you will be able to learn from an on-line class and keep up with it. My DH, who already has a BA and is an excellent student, took an on-line Graduate class and absolutely despised it. He felt that the on-line arrangement made it even more time consuming than a regular class because they log all your hours on-line. They also required all sorts of tedious in-put such as writing in responses to discussions, and commenting on your classmates ideas when in real life he could have just day dreamed through the boring discussions. Now he did get an A in the end but swore he'd never do it again. As for me, I am a good student too but just can't focus on on-line material, I am much more responsive to face to face dialogue, l plus I REALLY need the out of the house time to get my head in the game so to speak.

On the other hand, DH and I both know tons of people who really enjoy the on-line style so I wouldn't say it's bad, just bad for us.

Like every important decision, it's really important that you be honest with yourself. Do you feed off of other students, do you enjoy the sense of community and do you require the time out of your life to focus on the material in front of you or are you happier working alone? Like Shakespeare said, "to thine own self be true", aka Socrates "Know thyself"... no truer words were ever uttered in my opinion.

 

[DisneyLover83]

One con of UNCG is I do not have my immunization record and do not want to get shots all over again, but I will if I have to. Are there other things I should consider?

I attend UNCC and did not have my immunization record either but all I had to get was a Tdap (sp?) booster shot, they did it right there at the school health office. There is some sort of waiver.... the people in the Immun office will be able to help you.

 

[RangerPooh]

When I transfered universities form my Master's degree I had to produce my immunization record which o fcourse I didn't have, and neither did my husband who wa sin the same boat. I contacted both of the school districts that we graduated from and they sent us copies. The downside was that in Ca you wer eonly required to have 2 MMR boosters, but WA required 3, so we both ended up getting shots. No biggie.

I'm find of brick and mortor schools as they are fairly stable. The likihood of them closing shop and you not getting your money back or transcripts is virtually non-existant. Plus they are accredited by various boards that many employers might be looking for. The downside to online schools is that not all employers look at them seriously. The "professors" don't always have to posses PhD's or Master's degrees, they are not always accredited, and they will sometimes close up shop on you unannounced. Plus online courses are not always the best way to take a class. They might be appealing but some tend to be much more difficult to understand as you cannot convey every thing with words alone, the instructors are not always available to ask questions, you have to be really independent and dilligent to your studies. I've taken my fair share of online classes over the years and have had both good and bad experiences, but you have to go into them knowing that you have to commit to getting your work done by specific times and dates.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I am trying to make some important life decisions so I thought I'd get some input from perfect strangers, mostly because I'd like an objective point of view, and my kids and hubby seem to have their own agendas.
I have a two year accounting degree and worked for about twenty years in accounting positions, mostly with nonprofit organizations. I never made much money but the benefits were usually pretty good. About three years ago I became a real estate broker and had a great first year. The last two, not so great. Even if things were to pick up, I realize that I found nonprofit work more fulfilling. I began applying for positions and am hitting a major roadblock. Most jobs that I am otherwise qualified for are requiring a bachelor's degree. I've applied for other entry level positions and have been told I am overqualified. So I am set on going back to college to get my four year degree.
Here is my dilemma. I've applied to Western Governors University (an online accredited school) and UNCG. I've been accepted to both. Cost is very similar. I'm looking for thoughts on brick and mortar vs. online schools. The things I can think of are flexibilty of schedule, amount of credits transferred, time to complete degree, parking, availability of teachers for help, acceptance of degree by hiring companies. I am trying to make a pro and con list. One con of UNCG is I do not have my immunization record and do not want to get shots all over again, but I will if I have to. Are there other things I should consider?

I graduated in 2007 with an Associates, and like you I found if I wanted what I am worth for money I would need to get my Bachelors, so that is what I started in sept. I could never do an online program, I need to be there. I found with the transfer of credits that I am at the end of my sophomore
year and all my chemistry classes I do not have to take.
as for shots, if you are in a nursing program then you need them, I had to have them being in the medical field but wit the transfer to another 4 year school, I am biomedical right now and have not needed them.
I see nothing wrong with a few courses online, I just cannot see getting a complete degree that way.
I need to be "into" what it is I am doing, online just would not work for me, and I am told by my friends online has a ton of work...
online for me again thou is impossible being I am biomedical and have a chemistry minor.

good luck with what you do, I do think you would enjoy school thou!

oh and I am 48 and love going to school with kids! I fit right in! and all the guys hang out with me!! lol and want to be my lab partner! oh and got a job offer from a professor!