Like many other students, you may still be trying to weigh the advantages of attending school online against those of attending a traditional school. We know this is an important decision, which is why we've taken the time to survey some former students who have already graduated from an online program. In our survey, we asked what they liked most about online education programs compared to a physical college.
Here's a look at some of the benefits they mentioned most often! When it comes to taking online courses, being able to work from home is clearly one of the big advantages. Unlike having to go to a classroom each day, you're able to work in your environment and feel completely comfortable. That means you have the freedom to listen to music while you work or take a test in your pajamas. The ability to work from your own unique environment is something a traditional school just can't offer. If you were to take classes at a typical college university, you're generally hamstrung by the courses it has to offer. Most colleges offer the same basic classes, but there are definitely some unique ones out there once you get past prerequisites. By enrolling in an online school, you can choose the education program that has the classes you're really interested in. Perhaps the most universally appreciated advantage of attending school online is the flexibility it offers in a student's schedule. With so many students needing to work full time jobs just to get by, having the ability to spread school work around a busy schedule is a must. Online courses can give you the flexibility to take your classes morning, noon, or night. You could even study on the weekend and attend to your job during the week. A good number of students in our survey mentioned that they were able to graduate early by taking their classes online. It's not because the courses at an online university are easier though - students can simply manage a larger course load online. By having a flexible schedule, many people find they are able to handle more credits per semester and possibly even graduate faster, saving them time and money. They usually have an online college help and can ask questions any time. Finally, many students have found that taking classes online is actually less expensive than attending a physical campus. While the actual cost of tuition may be similar, there are other ways you can save by getting an online education. For instance, since you'll be working from home, you won't have to worry about spending gas on a daily commute. Online courses also tend to require less supplies and resources, since the majority of your work is completed over the computer.
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So you just entered high school and parents are already telling you that you need to get a college degree in order to have a nice paying career. This transition between middle school and high school is no laughing matter. At a time where adolescence change is happening in every kid's body some make wrong choices that will severely diminish their chances at a good life. Others make the right choices and go on to becoming a successful person.
In order to get into a college, a student must complete his high school curriculum with no failing grades. Some colleges require standardized tests called the SAT's or ACT's. Both hold exactly the same weight. Other colleges require application essays as well as multiple letters of recommendation from school faculty or job businesses. Top well-known colleges in the United States expects their applicants to possess strong academic abilities, social skills, and athletic qualities that make up a well-rounded person. Such activities that look good on a college application include varsity sports, being the president of a community service club, or going on to win a statewide competition in science. The most important factor in a college acceptance letter is one's grade point average, or G.P.A. This GPA is a number that is decided by how well one has done in his high school academic classes. Straight A's would be a 4.0 out of 4.0, straight B's being a 3.0, and so on. Four points for an A, three points for a B, two points for a C, and one point for a D. You add up the total amount of points and divide it by the number of classes you are taking. This is what is known as the unweighted gpa. Now, there's something called the weight gpa, which is in a sense, giving a bonus point for taking an AP class. In this case, if you got an A in an AP class, you would get five points and so forth. At most high schools, an extra point is given for taking a honors class or AP class. This gpa would be out of a 5.0 scale. There's some variations in what colleges expects around the country. The University of California and California State University, for instance, has what it calls the UC/CSU gpa, which is for students living in California. They give an extra point for a few honors and all AP classes. Using this UC/CSU gpa, students then apply to the UC or CSU colleges. Elsewhere out of state, you would have to calculate another gpa that may or may not be the same as your UC/CSU gpa. Over the past several years, many people have begun to question whether the benefits of getting a college education outweigh the costs. While we strongly believe that having a college degree can open doors and career paths that are otherwise unattainable, there's no question that attending school is an expensive endeavor.
Here's a look at some of the most important costs of getting a college education, depending on whether you choose to enroll online or at a physical location. Tuition Of course, the biggest cost you'll endure for attending college will likely be your tuition. In many states, it seems like tuition goes up every single year. Depending on where you go to school and how many credits you take, tuition can range anywhere from $1,000-$50,000 a semester. Fortunately, most online education programs are very affordable. Remember, college tuition is like an investment and it'll be a few years before it starts to pay out. Books and Supplies As any current student could tell you, college textbooks are generally priced at a premium. Even used books can cost upwards of a $100. Many people recommend that you search for your books online before settling on a college bookstore, as some students sell their old books at a steep discount. If possible, try to take advantage of online books or e-books, which are often less expensive. While supplies aren't usually too expensive, you might need to factor in the cost of a desktop computer or laptop if you don't already have one. Look for student discounts if you're in the market for a new computer. Room and Board If you plan on attending a physical college, have you considered how much room and board will cost? Depending on your school, living in an on-campus dorm can over $5,000 a year, if not a great deal more. Some schools may include meal-plans in their dorm costs, but it's still a pretty penny. Personal Expenses No matter where you enroll in school, you're bound to incur your fair share of personal expenses over the year. For instance, things like food, entertainment, and your cell phone bill all add up. Most students should plan to spend at least $1,000 over the course of a school year on personal expenses. Travel One of the advantages of attending school online is that you don't really don't have to worry about travel expenses! However, if you do attend a physical campus, keep in mind that you'll probably be making the trip to and from school at least 3 days a week. With the cost of gas already reaching epic proportions, you may need a full time job for travel expenses alone. |
AuthorKaren Parker is founder of Edu Blog, writer at Edusson writing service, passionate novelist and father of two sons. Karen likes traveling, hiking, participating in archaeological excavations and reading of classical literature. ArchivesCategories |