Here we go, I'm taking the plunge!

Well, I've finally decided to take the plunge and go ahead and get a degree via DL. I've spent several years working on getting restarted, and reading all of the discussions here certainly helped me make the right decision.

Background:

I'm 44 years old, married, with two teenage daughters. Back in 1980 I was given the chance to advance in my career, but doing so meant I would have to leave my education behind. I took the promotion and dropped out of Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, having earned 20-some-odd credits toward an AS.

The plan was to establish myself in my new position, take a little time off school, then finish my AS and eventually earn a BS (most likely at the University of South Florida). Well, my career took off and I continued to advance quickly.

Of course I later got married, had kids, etc.

Well, now I'm very comfortable. I'm a VP with a large financial institution and my oldest daughter starts high school next year. I'm earning a very, very nice salary (enough that my wife doesn't have to work at all) and I don't "need" a degree, but I've decided that now is the time. I will go back and get my Associate's Degree and then go on and get at least a Bachelor's, via DL.

After much research (and that included reading these forums) about a year and a half ago I had submitted an admissions packet to Brevard Community College here in Florida. I was accepted but failed to follow through, most likely because I would have been required to go on campus across the state a few times and all exams would have to be proctored.

I contacted BCC this week and planned to overcome those obstacles and start the program. Then someone mentioned to me that St. Petersburg College offers an Associates in business completely online. With the low price of $66 per credit hour for Florida residents, and after speaking to a counselor who told me that it would be unlikely that I would need much exam proctoring (if any at all), I have sent in my admissions packet and registration fee and requested my transcripts from HCC and my HS be sent to St. Petersburg College.

I plan to begin my first online class during the summer session. Best of all, my employer offers tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 per year. With 60 credits needed for my first degree and credit hours costing just $66 each, my employer will likely pay for the bulk of my college costs.

I just wanted to delurk and tell you all about my odyssey and let you know that your discussions in this forum inspired me and put me on the right track.

 

Congrats Fax!

Well done! Welcome to the site, you are in the right place! Lot's of helpful, knowledgeable people.

The first step is by far the hardest. You might want to consider all of your options and look into the Big 3: Excelsior, Charter Oaks and TESC. The cost would also be under your companies $2500 tuition threshold.

I was in a similar situation, JC then stopped, work, family, and then going back to school. Personally I think the DL option is superior to almost all others, including the JC route. You can work full time, schedules revolve around your life, no parking permits and hassles needed. You can also progress at your pace, not the pace of a JC professor. If you are motivated, you can complete your AA and BA/BS in under a year.

Check out Lawries site: www.BAin4weeks.com and Mark's site: www.Degreeforum.com Both are excellent, along with this site, and will provide you with everything you will need. The DL path would be faster and more work conducive than a JC to traditional B & M route.

Another site you might find helpful is www.123collegedegree.com
He finished his Bachelors in record time, and is now pursuing his Masters.

Best of luck!

 

Steve:

For what reasons do you single out Charter Oak?

 

I envy you!

Good for you!

I'm 45, and I want desperately to do a degree with a bible college in the UK via distance learning. But...oh, that darned cash thing, you know. Sigh!

Well, congratulations and good luck!

Starkman

 

Good choice SPJC or now SPC is a great school. I took quite a few classes there and the instructors are great.

 

Good to know. It's going to be a great adventure, that's for sure. One of my staff members is just one class away from completing his degree, online, via SPC. My enrollment has spurred him on to go ahead and finish up.