Hello Everyone, I've just completed my Associate of Applied Technology in Computer Information Systems from Okefenokee Technical College in Waycross, GA. It's a small school, but the hands on education was excellent and really helped my career. I was recently promoted to the position of technical support division supervisor at the telephone company I work for and at 20, I am the youngest division supervisor in our organization. I feel I owe it all to the education I received at OTC. My plans are to use this as a springboard to complete a bachelor’s degree. I am currently enrolled and scheduled to start American Intercontinental University Online's BIT program on the 23rd. I was wondering if any of you have had experience with AIU Online and what your thoughts are ? Asside from the admissions guy being a little pushy about my start date, I've found everyone on the AIU staff to be very helpful and easy to deal with. Online education is really my only option right now, working for a rural telephone company puts me at least 60 miles from the nearest 4 year public university and truthfully, even though I am a HOPE Scholar in Georgia, I still lack the finances to quit my job and attend school. I hope in time, after finishing my BIT, to be able to go to law school. I was also wondering if any of you thought an AIU education would severely impact my chances? I appreciate your comments!
I spoke to a guy from admissions last Wednesday. I am not sure about the undergrade program, but he pretty much taked me out of the MBA program, Yes he said they were cheaper than UoP and the degree woul be obtain in a short period of time, (13 months i believe for undergrad) but he said that because of the fast pace (the MBA classes are 5 weeks lomg) you have to put in at least 20 hours a week. I was attraced to the 8 month time frame, but decided not to put myself through that much stress. Keep in mind this was all based on the grad program, but I can imagine that 13 months for an undergrade degree will also be pretty much the same. Good luck
Thanks for the input. I kind of expected the 13 month deal to take a lot of work, really I was putting in 4 hours a night 5 days a week for my associate degree program, so 20 hours is about right. The advantage for me is not having to quit my current job, and not having to drive 60 miles one way to a state university.
I currently attend AIU. I started last November (2002). I am half way through the MBA program. It is about 20 hours a week of work and it's intense/fast. I am glad I did it because I would rather be done in 8 months then to drag it on for 1.5 years. Plus AIU is regionally accredited. Although they are not AACSB accredited, I talked to NCU and they would accept AIU credits toward their PHD program. NCU is the school I want to go to for my PHD. If you are concerned about how AIU would do for you. Look for the law school you are interested in and find out if they would recognize your AIU credits ahead of time. mbastudent AAS - Computer Programming BSIT - University of Phoenix MBA - scheduled completion 7/2003
Good luck with your MBA, the accelerated pace was also one of the reasons I chose AIU. I droped an email to the law school I want to attend, I'll post the reply here when they respond. If you don't mind my asking, what do you plan to do after earning your PhD?
Thanks! Sometimes we jokingly wonder if they shouldn't rename the school "The College of the Swamp." The school gets its name because the city of Waycross, GA is one of the “gateways” to the Okefenokee Swamp Park.
Oherra, I'd also be interested in hearing your response from the law school to see if it would be a problem with you pursuing an AIU degree. Which law school are you considering after you finish your bachelors? I'm considering AIU's MBA program too. I'd like to pursue a law degree afterwards as well. I'll try to write an e-mail to couple of law schools and see if I can post some responses as well.
Ah, Georgia State! So cool Oherra. I have family down in Atlanta as well and that might be a good option. I'm from New York. I just wanted to say that you have a pretty nice position at the telephone company that you work for. Especially at age 20. That's a nice accomplishment. I'm 24 and still trying to find my niche. I just received my B.S. in Computer Science last December. I just e-mailed couple of law schools like Univ. of Utah, Seattle University of Law School, Wake Forest, and Case Western Reserve, to see if it would be a problem with an AIU degree. When they respond, I will post what they said about it.
I received some responses: Washington & Lee University [School of Law] "Should you decide to pursue an online degree, it will not hamper your chances of admission at W&L." Case Western Reserve University [School of Law] "As for your question regarding an on-line MBA program, I do not think that enrolling in such a program would jeopardize your ability to enter law school. In evaluating applicants, law schools will be reviewing your entire record (undergraduate/graduate school performance, work experience, etc.)" Yay!!!
Very cool. Thanks for posting the info from those law schools. So far GSU has not written back, I've not had time to contact any others yet.
GSU would accept undergrad degree from AIU. I contacted the law school admissions department at Georgia State and received this: You must receive your degree from an accredited university. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions for verification of which accreditations are accepted. Law Admissions I spoke with an undergrad admissions clerk who told me they would accept SACS accredited schools. So it looks as if AIU is going to be perfect for me.
