AA totally Through Distance

I am 25 and just recently divorced with three kids and have no college whatsoever. I have to get started but I am having problems with childcare, entrance exams, transportation, and a laundry-list of problems with traditional schools. Also, I sent my information to a school on the internet and the promise a degree by what I know for about $800.00. named "Trinity. I don't have the link right now but I will find out what it was.

I just want to get into classes without having to go through too much because I am frustrated and I don't want to get screwed. Please help!

 

Welcome to this forum, Jessica, and thank you for using a real name!

If you search for Trinity here, you will find many messages, all of them negative. Their degrees are absolutely worthless, and could get you in big trouble.

There are more than 100 properly-accredited schools with 100% distance AA programs. The three most popular are Excelsior, Thomas Edison State, and Charter Oak State (a search for these will find many positive comments). Often it is a good idea to shop around, and it is always a good idea to check any school out before sending money. This forum is one good place. Bears' Guide is another.

John Bear
Site for publisher of Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees
by Distance Learning: www.degree.net

 

Hi Jessica! You are doing the right thing by thoroughly checking out your options. If the program sounds easy or too good to be true, it isn't worth your time, money and life-energy.

I would plan on spending a few comfortable hours understanding the various programs you have available. Don't rush this. Take your time.

A trip to the local library is worthwhile. As well, the internet is loaded with lots of helpful information. Most schools have done a nice job of putting all their information online. (Though you can't believe everything you read - unfortunately.)

You might want to check the local community colleges in your area. They may offer distance programs. Many do. This would still leave you an 'out' - as you could attend a class here and there if necessary. Or find a proctor easily (someone to administer tests). Or see your teacher face-to-face. I've had friends who tried the DL (distance learning) approach, only to find it didn't match their learning style very well. Some got into DL, once they got back into the swing of school. A local school might give you the best of both worlds.

You can search the internet for schools near you. Once you find one, you can post it here for comments. There are lots of helpful folks on this board who know their stuff. (Plus there are some who do an effective job of faking it, too.)

Make sure the program you select is regionally accredited. Accept nothing less.

It sounds like a lot, but it's really important for you to understand what's important for you and your options. You'll find that good programs exists - along with some pretty bad ones. You are the one who lives with the choice. Nobody else.

Best wishes on your educational journey! As you stay focused, you'll find that it will go fast. It is fun and well worth the effort. You can do it.

Barry Foster

 

For those who care and are bothered by such trivial things: Just pretend I spell / grammar checked the last post. I thought I'd say it before you wasted your time - 'cuz I don't care.

Barry Foster

 

Hello, Jessica:
So that we might help you better, please tell us a few more things about yourself:
1) How did you do in High School? Were any subjects especially hard or easy?
2) Do you generally score well on tests, especially multiple choice tests?
3) Exactly what are you after: a degree (to meet promotion or better job qualifications), or additional learning in some specific field which would lead to a degree?
4) What are your educational and occupational or professional goals?
5) Do you live near a College or University (even a Community College)?

The Colleges listed by Dr. Bear are perhaps the most appropriate Regionally Accredited institutions for people who have busy schedules and many difficulties in pursuing a degree "conventionally." But each has its advantages and disadvantages for certain people, so selecting the right one for you (if, indeed, one of these is your best route) is crucial. Awareness of their practices and policies, along with what you want and need, will help to achieve this.

Some real, legitimate schools will grant credit for experience-based learning. But genuine schools do this on the basis of your demonstration that you have learned college-equivalent material, the same knowledge you would have learned in specific college courses, not just that you have been alive and performed certain tasks for some period of time.

Many legitimate schools will allow you to take examinations to show your level of knowledge, granting college credit for those things you already know at the college level.

Many colleges grant credit for courses which can be taken in many different ways... some classroom courses at convenient locations and times, some courses by videotape, some over the Internet, some by mail.

Trinity, along with many other questionable institutions, will grant you almost anything you need to get one of their "degrees" so long as you are willing to send them a lot of money (in your case, $800). Most Human Resources or Personnel departments that truly earn their keep will toss your resumé right into the trash if you show Trinity as the source of your "education."

Question number 5 above, by the way, is there because if you do have this advantage, you should seek permission to use the college library. This can be extremely helpful. A nearby college bookstore (operated either commercially or by the college) can help a lot, also.

Do let us hear from you again.

Regards,
John

 

Another alternative is a community college with a DL program. If you tell us what state you're in, someone may know of a program. The state is important (even for DL) because of cost.

For example, this CC has a 100% DL AA degree: http://web2010.brevard.cc.fl.us/campuses/virtual/virtual_everything.html

If you happen to live in Florida, the tuition fee is $52.50/credit, but $182.50 for non-Florida residents.

 

More information: I live in Georgia right now but I have to move and I don't know exactly where...probably Hawaii. There is Coastal Georgia Community College Here in Brunswick. I got accepted but I don't have the tuition money and time with kids. Plus if I leave Georgia then I will lose the money I sink into the program.

I graduated from McKinley High School in Honolulu and as my husband used to always say...Hawaii schools stink! I have no testing ability! I am smart though and I have the following:

1. New Jersey Real Estate License
2. Certificate in Alcohol and Tobacco Sales (took 4-week course on Army Base in Jersey)
and a bunch of other little training certificates but nothing too impressive. I know that the real-estate licenses is something.

I bought the 25th anniversary dr bear book from "BookMine" in Brunswick and I think that the Portfolio may be something that I can try. I just want to get something (some credits) in my corner so I know exactly where I have to go. Starting from scratch is gonna be too hard with the traditional way!

By the way, Thank you all for responding and taking my situation seriously! Even if I don't get where I need to get to, you guys helped me at least suck it up and try!

Jess
Lost in the good ole south!

 

Jessica, there are plenty of really substandard colleges in Hawaii and a few that are very good. In passing, Community College tuition is all over the spectrum of cost, depending on where you are. In California (for residents), it's $13 per credit, for example.

Someone more up-to-date than I am might know offhand if that Real Estate License is good for any credit at TESC. And by the way, Jessica, how did you get a Real Estate License if your testing ability is poor? Maybe it's better than you think.

That's where being close to a College or University library comes in very handy. You can check out College Catalogs for course descriptions. Read lots of 'em, and you'll no doubt find some that'll have you saying, "Heck, I can do that." Copy it down, and begin figuring out how you can demonstrate that knowledge. Steve Levicoff, who got a substantial amount of credit by portfolio at TESC, played a couple of songs for an Evaluator to earn three credits for a course in "Folk Guitar" (met a course description from Kent State University). You get the idea, right? Later on, take a look at Steve's suggestions on how to do a Portfolio.

Well, if you try, you might even succeed. If you don't try, thatt sure reduces your odds a whole lot.

Regards,
John

 

John McAuley suggests "Well, if you try, you might even succeed. If you don't try, thatt sure reduces your odds a whole lot."

Indeed, Jess, to adapt the lovely 'Dear Abby' quote somewhere in my book:

"I'm 25, and if I do this degree, I could be 30 before I'm done."
"And how old will you be in five years if you don't do it?"

PS: Thanks for buying Bears' Guide. I'll invest my $1.25 royalty from that sale in a small latte at Peet's to toast your good health and eventual success.

John Bear

 

Jessica,

If you are going to move, you may wish to consider California. In state tuition for community colleges is only $11 (and there is legislation proposed to reduce that!). Several community colleges in the state offer associate degree programs completely online.

You can access information about many of them at the Caifornia Virtual Campus website http://www.cvc.edu/catalog/index.asp
Be sure to click on the "Programs" link.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Tony

 

I see that you took my advice and got on the discussion board! Some of the stuff I told you is being reinforced by other posters! Don't quit and I will help you!

Mike

 

When I graduated from the Los Angeles Valley [Community] College in 1984, it was free!!!

 

Jessica,

I am sorry for your current problems; I hope things get better for you real soon. My advice is to avoid Trinity and all other degree mills like the plague because the degrees that they issue are worthless in both academic and business worlds. Please look for a regionally accredited (RA) school.

After you get yourself relocated, wherever you relocate, check out your local community college. You should do this because:

1. They generally have the lowest tuition. ($50/semester hour in Des Plaines, IL -- not as cheap as California, but still cheap for college.)

2. They have "open door" admissions policy for high school diploma/GED holders. You may have to take placement exams for english and math BUT that is all they are. You're still admitted, even if you need to take remedial math and english.

3. They have many older and part-time students. Classes run during the day, evenings & weekends. If you are lucky, they may have some distance education offerings.

4. Besides teaching the usual academic subjects, community colleges also teach a number of applied or vocational subjects and skills that employers seem to like.

I know it can look like it is impossible to get a college degree, 2 year or 4 year, starting out from scratch as an adult. However, it can be done. Really. It may not be as fast and easy as you like, but it is possible. Wherever you go and whatever you decide to do, I wish you every success. Let us know how you're doing in the future.

Kind Regards,

Mike Goldberg

 

One thing to bear in mind is that if you move to a different state you may not be immediately eligible for in-state tuition rates. In general it seems that you need to have lived in a particular state for a year before you are considered a resident for tuition purposes. It probably varies depending upon the state though.

 

In Honolulu, the Kapi'olani Community College has televised and Internet-based courses: http://www.kcc.hawaii.edu/academics/distance/

For a resident (which you would be eventually, or perhaps are based on your past residence there), the annual tuition is about $1100 ($36/credit). They have daycare for young children that is included in the tuition since the daycare serves as a "laboratory" for, I presume, child care or education students. They also have tuition remission for volunteers to the college.

The tuition is about five times that for non-residents.

In general, this and many other CCs have many services and, if you're lucky, may have someone willing to help find creative solutions.

While you're waiting for residency status, you could study independently and test out on courses. Search here for some "BA in 4 weeks" threads to see how that is done.

The Honolulu Community College tution is $48/credit for residents; again, 5x for non-residents: http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/distance/index.html

As a point of reference, Maui CC fees are about the same: http://mauicc.hawaii.edu/

Important: your comment about courses taken in Georgia being lost probably isn't true, if taken at an accredited CC or senior college. If you take general education courses (as opposed to car repair), they should transfer. Also, if you go with one of the earlier suggestions by Dr. Bear (TESC, COSC, Excelsior), your place of residence will make no difference.

Good luck.

 

Hi Jessica,

I'm a single mom in Georgia, too, but I live near Atlanta. Are you familiar with the HOPE Grant? It's different from the HOPE Scholarship in that it offers free tuition in an accredited certificate program at a state school for all Georgia residents who don't already have a college degree. If you plan it right, once you've completed the free certificate program, you can apply the credits to a regular degree, and if you continue to live in Georgia and get good enough grades in the certificate program, you can use the HOPE Scholarship to earn the degree for free. For some reason the website about the HOPE Scholarship and Grant ( http://www.gsfc.org/ ) is down tonight, but you can read about it at Clayton States' website http://adminservices.clayton.edu/financialaid/frames/Hope_frame.htm (scroll to the bottom for the info about the Grant). I don't know what you are interested in studying, but I believe that some of the certificate programs offered through the Georgia Virtual Technical College at http://www.gvtc.org/ are eligible for the HOPE Grant, and some of those might be able to be used for transfering into an associate degree program once the certificate is completed.

Good luck!
Michelle