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Should I get a degree online or from a traditional school?
When making this decision, there are some factors to consider. Perhaps most importantly, you need to decide if you are someone who can learn effectively on your own through computerized class lessons, or if you are someone who needs an active classroom. Can you benefit from message board discussions, or do you need to be sitting in a room with your peers, bouncing ideas off one another? Beyond your own personal learning style, you should consider factors such as the commute to an area college campus, how the campus schedule fits in with your work schedule or other commitments, and how much time you are able to devote to a program. Online education isn't for everyone, but it certainly can be a convenient way to earn a degree.
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How do I know if I'm picking the right program for me?
One approach to finding the right school and program for yourself is to make a list of the criteria most important to you. Factors that are significant might include cost, location, online or in person, instructor qualifications, facilities, and curriculum. You can develop your own personal sorting and ranking system. Many students rely heavily on published rankings, but prospective students would be wise to take those into consideration with their own personal rankings as well.
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Will any schools offer credit for my previous college experience?
Many colleges do offer transfer credit to students who have successfully completed courses at accredited colleges. As long as the new school offers a comparable course, in most cases, your credits can be transferred and you will not have to repeat the course. Check with your school's admission representative when you start the application process to see how to go about getting your credits transferred.
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How good should my computer and Internet skills be if I'm pursuing a degree?
Any student enrolled in an online degree program should have experience with a computer and in using the Internet. The most common programs used are email, word processing software, discussion boards, and chat programs. All students should be able to use the Internet and send email attachments. If you are not as familiar with computers as you would like to be before starting a degree program, consider taking an introductory or refresher course at a local community college or community learning center. To find one in your area, visit ComputerSchools.com.
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I'm not a native English speaker. What can I do to improve my skills before I start a degree program?
Many degrees do, in fact, require students to have a strong grasp of the language before accepting non-native speakers. To that end, English as a second language (ESL) classes are offered at a variety of locations, including community colleges, local learning centers, online, and even through the college you are interested in attended. Our partner site, LanguageSchools.com, can help you find more information about finding ESL courses in your area.
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Where can I take the GED examination so that I can be admitted to a degree program?
Your state's department of education will be able to tell you which organizations in your area offer a reputable GED exam that will be state-recognized. The US Department of Education has a database of contact information for each state's department of education.
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Where can I get an email account?
There are a number of sites that offer free email accounts to users after a quick registration:
- AOL Mail
- Gmail
- Hotmail
- InBox
- Lycos Mail
- Mail.com
- Net@ddress
- Yahoo! Mail
In addition, most Internet Service Providers (ISP) offer email accounts at no extra charge as part of your package for home Internet service.
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