• somethingunUSual said on Sep 03, 2009....

  You're trying to acquire SKILLS, right? If you want to buy a fake diploma from Yale, message me. Otherwise learn and EARN.

• starchini said on Sep 03, 2009....

  lol, no im not to that point yet! Your "otherwise though"  Where the fuck do I go learn at? 

• uniquely-ironic said on Sep 03, 2009....

  I'm no expert on any of this, but I have one thought to share.  Could you talk to some people who have graduated with the degree you want and find out if any of them did internet school?  or perhaps a recruiter might know which colleges seem to produce better grads. 
   
  One last bit.  It's only really your first post graduation job that is going to look at where you graduated from.  Most other employers are more interested in how you did with your last job.  Any possibility of doing an internship?

• wombat said on Sep 03, 2009....

  Don't know a thing about either question, but may I suggest contacting the Better Business Bureau?  Sorry, that's the only suggestion I have.

  (I've checked into work at home jobs, and have the same worries, and also the problem of out-dated internet service that wouldn't hold water with what is needed to stay on top of the game)  But I wish you luck in sorting this out.  You know what you need, which is a start.  Push onward!

• momofkandn said on Sep 03, 2009....

  Uhhh... what's up with the first crack about University of Phoenix? Do you know something that I don't? I am enrolled there and all most done with my third semester. I would not push their school on anyone because I know that their rates per credit hour have raised and I am thinking about pulling my next two years somewhere else. I know my sister goes to Ashford and her rates are not much cheaper. Best schools we found for ourselves though after all of the insane phone calls that came in. The University of Virginia or something like that sounded good too but in the end I chose Phoneix because they took the time to help me with financial aid even before I agreed to go to their school. Well if you do know something that I don't know then please inform me for real. Good luck with it all though and remember acredidation is the biggest thing to look for. 

• Hegemone said on Sep 03, 2009....

  Well I don't know a lot about online schools, but something else for you to think about financially, since you say it would almost be cheaper to go to a local college with a good reputation ... do they offer telecourses?  That would allow you to do the class work and everything from home, my mom did a lot of those.  Although you might want to check and see how many of them you can do for the degree because there might be a couple of classes that you HAVE to actually take AT the college.  I know, that doesn't help in your decision a lot, just gives you another option, but if it could help you financially I'd be all for it.  I think just keeping on researching, and like stated above, maybe talking to some other people who do have degrees from those schools, might be a good idea too.

• sweetsoul said on Sep 03, 2009....

  I've hired people and personally I wouldn't hire someone with a college degree that was obtained completely online unless it was from an accredited university, but the field I'm in doesn't accept community college diplomas...online or otherwise.
   
  A number of the major universities here (Canada) have online courses and some of them (e.g. Athabasca) specialize in online education.
   
  As an aside...you spent $1,700 for a laptop!

• gingersoul said on Sep 03, 2009....

  Sorry but I have to copy Sweetsoul..... $1,700 for a laptotp??
  
  Geez....wth.....it's made of gold?
  
  I am shopping for a laptop and i might have found some that are very good around $400-500.
  
  I am curious to know the brand of yours.

• Beautiful_Wreck said on Sep 03, 2009....

  Instead of looking for an online university like the University of Phoenix or Walden University, take the time to really check out the classes offered at "physical" community colleges and universities. 
  
  More and more of state universities have ever growing distance learning programs where you can take almost all of your classes online.  Some of them offer full undergraduate and graduate degree programs online, so you could take all of your classes and earn your entire degree online.  And many of them are quickly making more classes available online because they want to appeal to older, returning students, working parents, and military personnel.
  
  The bonus there is that state college and universities have to go through rigorous accreditation programs.
  
  If you look at the distance offerings at other universities, don't be afraid to look at universities in different states.  Some universities will give in-state tuition even if you reside in another state if you are taking only on-line classes.  And some universities, if they are in neighboring states, will offer what they call reciprocal tuition, so that students from the closest counties in a neighboring state get in-state tuition.
  
  
  And holy cow, you spent that much money on a laptop?!?!?  That's insane.  I just ordered a really nice Dell (large storage capacity, fast processor speed, fully-loaded with software) for $699 plus tax.
  

• JohnMcCain said on Sep 04, 2009....

  I want to help you. Visit www.bigjobsboard.com ....Thank You and Good Luck!
  

• CreativeWoman said on Sep 04, 2009....

  What kind of degree are you thinking of?
  
  You are in the Midwest, right? Peru State College in southeast Nebraska has online degree programs.  I know someone who works in the admissions department.  I could direct you toward her if you want to look into it.  PM me if you want the information.
  
  CW
  

• MsStar39 said on Sep 04, 2009....

  If you can I would return the laptop and try to get a cheaper one while you do your research on finding a good online school..

• danielsan1701 said on Sep 04, 2009....

  Charter Oak State College is great for students that already have lots of college credits from years of going to different schools. Those credits, combined with college credit earned from examination, credits awarded for training & certifications, Charter Oak's own online courses, and a portfolio course, can help you finally earn your college degree. If you're looking for more info on Charter Oak, this is a great place to start: http://www.charteroak.edu/fall2009/

• speaking_up said on Sep 04, 2009....

  why not phone employers you would like to work for, and ask if the U of P degree would be an asset to your resume.  I heard the school is good, and I almost signed up to complete my degree but ended up with tendig to my dying dad...
   
  Try calling around....

• starchini said on Sep 04, 2009....

  Oh wow, everyone has given me lots to think about...

  momofkandn:.....well....I cant really say that I "know", i have absolutly zero first hand experience with them, let me just direct you to the website that I found... http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/  you can see for your self all the horrible things i read about the university of phoenix.  Just remember what I wrote in this post about not knowing what to think.

  Uni, my brother graduated with a double major in business and history and minored in spanish, he is a branch manager for wells fargo and is in charge of all the hiring, ive been meaning to call him...

  thank you wombie, im very familiar with the BBB, i cant believe i didnt think of that before.

  Thank you hege, the closest school to me is a community college but im almost positive that they only offer a few telecourses.

  Sweet soul, see most of these online colleges are accredited.  While your company has pretty high standards many companies these days welcome online degrees, so long as they are a respected school.  To be honest i think it is far more impressive a single mom with three kids and a full time job graduates from college (even if online) than any snot nosed 23 year old with no responsibilities other than school (and my experience says that most are that way).  If i was an employer i would pick the mom. Sure the kid deserves kudos for having his shit together early, but more likely than not his mommy held his hand the whole way.  I just find the busy people with ginormous responsibilities being able to graduate more impressive.

  Ginger....i dont know how to defend myself on that one.  Its not made of gold, and im not sure exactly what i paid for.  That was the grand total price after i had all my programs and stuff included.  Quickbooks, Microsoft programs, 3 years of McCafee, Lowjack, i dont even know what else, etc etc...apparently its top of the line and as pimped out as it gets...I cant tell you that from experience bc i barely have opened it...its a dell...I love dell.  Yea, i prolly got screwed, but i like it and im keeping it.  The sticker price for bare bones with an intel core 2 duo was $800.00 but after all the fancy crap (ill prolly never learn to use) it was $1700.00...I blame the smooth over the phone sales lady..."oh and youll want this for when this happens", and "theres a special 1 year price for 3 years and youll need this so you dont need that later" etc etc...

  Thank you beautiful wreck, ill be sure and check out our only college for a bazillion miles and mines a dell too...

  CW, business administration/management...peru, i knew a guy that went there, aww memories i had the biggest crush on him use to follow him around like a puppy dog, never had the nerve to say a word to him, he was far to beautiful : P

  lol msstar, that was the price after all my additional programs were added on, sticker price was 800...is that still too much?

  thank you daniel, ive only got 42 college credits...?

   

• momofkandn said on Sep 04, 2009....

  Thank you for showing me that sight. I am going for my BHCA and I found specific comments on there about the UOP. There were only four but still all four were very optimistic. I hope that the rest of the world feels about like you do with online colleges and single moms cause that is really how I am going at it. I have to work to support my family and then I have to go to class and then I have to help my kids with their homework then I have to cook and clean and oh yeah sometimes I even get to sleep lol. Best of luck on finding what is right for you. Remember if you are not happy in which ever college you pick then it will be a bad and expensive experience.  

• starchini said on Sep 08, 2009....

  mom, only 4?  I think we ended up reading different pages...I found 80 comments about UOP and student experiences, and not many were optimistic... http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/university-of-phoenix-online-campus/ 

  but lets talk about your experience, you like it so far?  Good teachers, easy set up online, interactive classes and easy to follow message boards?  Stuff like that?  Do you feel like you are actually learning something?  Are the text books up to date?  Is it real expensive? 

• starchini said on Sep 08, 2009....

  this comment about UOP particularly startled me.  http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/university-of-phoenix-online-campus/bachelor-of-science-in-businessadministration-523/3100/ I read an article on how to spot bogus schools on CNN, and they specifically said to watch out for what this kid is talking about.  That they pass everyone to keep collecting tuition. 

  and I do agree with the logic to go to a unknown school that is accredited and has no reputation rather than a well known one with a bad rep...

  what do you think?

• starchini said on Sep 08, 2009....

  and this one was very positive: 

  After acquiring credits from 2 different brick and mortar schools, I decided to complete the last 60 hours of my bachelors’ degree at UOP. Like the other colleges I have attended, some classes prove very challenging while others seem very easy. I will say that while I have been at UOP I have had to do more writing than I have ever had to do at any time during my education. I find the UOP classes very engaging because class discussions are performed via an online message board. When the professor posts specific questions about the reading material, the students have no choice but to read and interpret the information. You can't sit in the back of an online class and simply dodge the instructor. I have also had very few multiple choice tests. Most final exams are 1100+ word written assignments in conjunction with a 15 to 20 minute presentation. I don't know about you but I am a lost on how to fake my way through that.

  As far as in the business world, I work for the largest health insurance company in the US. I have received a promotion during my time with UOP and currently in the running for a management position. I have listed my studies with UOP on my resume and have had no shortage of job opportunities.

  In light of my positive remarks about UOP, I have decided that upon graduation in January, I will go on to complete my MBA with an online business school accredited by the AACSB (East Carolina University).

  Overall I guess my advice to anyone considering UOP is to do your research. Like every school, UOP has its pro’s and con’s. Ultimately, I think a UOP education is what you make of it.

   

  however this one was right behind it and was quite the opposite: 

  I graduated from UoP. BBA Business administration. Since I've been shocked at just how bad a reputation UoP really has in the business world. In speaking with several HR professionals at various organizations the concensus is overwhelmingly negative.

  If I had it to do all over again I would have NEVER inrolled here. DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE!!

  Avoid all apollo group schools like the plague.

   

  so what do what to do?

• momofkandn said on Sep 08, 2009....

  I have found the material to be up to date yes. I am in a text book right now that has a copyright of 2007 for my religions of the world class. My psychology class is a 2008 copyright. I feel that I am learning stuff. They have a plagiarism checker for students and a grammar checker that I put to good use when having to write a paper. I just got out of an English class which is really a brush up course and if I was fresh out of HS I would find easier I think. My sister is the executive administrator at a state prison in my area and she is kind of a control freak. When I told her I was going to UOP she said not to do anything until she checked it out. Well when she was done she told me that everything seemed to be on the up and up as far as accreditation and all that but it was expensive and she did not think I should go there based  on money alone. my pell grants have been a major help in that area and I got a smart loan from a company that I only loans what the pell grants do not cover. As far as the teachers and classes themseves I have been able to get every teacher that I have had call me within 24 hours of having a question. The school has spaced out the material and participation so that it it easier to comply. My GPA has dropped a bit since my kids were out of school and I did miss some assignments because of doing something with them. I have came close to failing one class but with the 1000-3000 word APA formated papers that are due at the end of the course and make up about 1/4 of your grade I was able to pull my own tail out of the fire. I have no complaints except for the cost. Honestly I have all ready talked to a local college about my time a UOP and about switching when I finish my first two years which is middle of next year. They said there should be no problem and just contact them at that time. The only reason I am even thinking about switching is because they raised the rates again and I think may be just maybe a face to face class room might be a little better. 

• starchini said on Sep 08, 2009....

  Yay, good info, thank you.  Im mostly concerned about financial aid.  Im already treading water and in debt up to my ears i do not, should not, will not get another high interest rate student loan, im still paying off the one i got from beauty school.  This is why i need a good cheap online school...the more i think about it, the less concerned i am about "respect"...Im doing this for me, the entire reason for it all is so that i can be self employed.  So i really dont need to worry about it being a respected school, i just need to make sure it is legit and accredited, and then the cost of it.  Im not going back to college to be employed by some asshole, im going back so that i can run my own business and maybe know wtf im doing. So cost is insanely important to me.  Plus i hear rumors that obama "wants moms to go back to school" so hopefully i will be eligble for lots of grant money.  : ) 

• momofkandn said on Sep 11, 2009....

  starchini, I have my fingers crossed about the grant money too. right now my loan is at a fixed rate of 6.2% so I am hoping that I can do away with the loan and get enough grant money to pay for it all. I wanted to wish you good luck too.
  
  

• starchini said on Sep 17, 2009....

  Thank you mom

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