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karlie -> RE: Online college good or bad (5/19/2008 2:07:53 PM)
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I am a psychology major finishing up my B.S. and there is no way I would have wanted that online. Most of my valuable information and knowledge hasn't even come from the textbooks or assignments you would get online, but from the interaction with experienced professors and clinicians I've been taught under, and the guest speakers they bring in to address the class. You just can't get that kind if interaction online. I did take several GE courses online through my university when classes were full, so I know how they work. I think they are fine for most GE, but I think for solid courses that are in your chosen field of study, they don't come close to the preparation that real classroom attendance can, especially if you plan on continuing your education.
As someone pointed out, even a bachelors degree in psychology means very little before grad school, and an AA(if it's even offered) even less as far as marketability. And many graduate programs, including the one I'm applying to, won't give any consideration to students whose BA was earned online, regardless of your GPA or GRE scores. They don't feel like it's a well rounded education base for which to begin a masters degree. Since more than enough traditionally educated students apply, those are the ones they choose among. I'm sure not all programs are like that, but more and more I hear of people wishing desperately they hadn't gone with online classes for a degree when it came time to apply to gradschool because it's been a detriment to them.
So, you need to look long term and figure out what your plans are. Talk to schools you may have an interest in earning a BA or MA from and find out what their policies are about online credits and degrees. I know a few students who got AAs online and actually had to repeat some classes because the university wouldn't accept them as valid for their BA. You don't want that!
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