I Need Opinions

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by President, Jul 1, 2010.

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  1. President

    President New Member

    The following universities have unofficially let me in:

    Fort Hays State University
    Penn Foster Career School
    Thompson Rivers University
    Excelsior College, University of the State of New York
    Cornell University
    Open Universities Australia
    University of California, Berkeley
    University of Oklahoma
    Harvard University
    Athabasca University

    I don't know what I want to study but I know I want a degree.

    The two Canadians (Thompson Rivers and Athabasca) seem pretty expensive, but I may have miscalculated.
    Cornell, Harvard and Berkeley seemingly don't offer complete degree programs without a residency requirement, which I'm not comfortable with.
    Penn Foster is only DETC accredited.
    Excelsior is very well thought of here but I can't really find anything to be impressed with.

    Any thoughts?
     
  2. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    It's hard to give an opinion on the options without knowing a little more about why you want a degree, what field of study you are interested in and what your plans are once you finish the degree.
     
  3. james_lankford

    james_lankford New Member

    what kind of things impress you ?

    the name ?
    then Harvard, Berkeley, Cornell, Oklahoma in that order, forget everyone else

    the cost ?
    then Excelsior, maybe Penn Foster

    ease of getting a degree ?
    Excelsior EASILY

    quickness of getting a degree ?
    Excelsior EASILY (well, depends on what you want to major in)

    with Excelsior you can get an AS in Computer Software almost entirely by testing. You might have to take 2 courses, 3 tops

    same with a BS in History. You could do it almost entirely by testing. You might have to take 2 courses, 3 tops.

    you could knock out an AS in Math, Music, Psychology, History, Homeland Security, Biology or Criminal Justice in 3 to 12 months depending on prior knowledge

    I'm enrolled at Excelsior so maybe I'm biased, but I just don't see a downside

    currently taking this
    Online English Composition Course - College English Course - StraighterLine
    to satisfy Excelsior's written english requirement, if it takes 2 months, that's only $ 237, if I can do it in one month, then $ 138

    and I'm doing this
    C++ Game Programming, C++ Programming Basics, Introduction To C++ Programming
    for 3 credits for $ 135

    I've already got 42 credits done entirely by testing: CLEP ( $100 each exam for 3 credits ), DANTES ( $100 each for 3 credits ) and Excelsior exams ( approximately $ 200 each for 3 credits )

    going for a BS in Psych
     
  4. simon

    simon New Member

    You seem to be a viable candidate for career counseling and assessment to determine your interests,aptitudes and personality characteristics in order to explore appropriate career options that will meet your personal and professional goals. To enter any educational program without this information will increase your chances of dropping out and not completing the degree program.
     
  5. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    What do you like to do? Any hobbies that could be turned into a degree?
     
  6. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I'm curious to know what program Cornell has that allows you to do a majority of your course work online? I am aware of eCornell, but do they have another program where you can pursue a degree?
     
  7. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    This means nothing - did you submit an application? -with what you have publicly stated about your entry qualifications and age I am very skeptical of your gaining official admission I'm sorry to say..

    If you mean you have been unofficially approved to take courses as an extension student then that is a different matter.
     
  8. President

    President New Member

    I'm a watch collector but I don't want to work in horology.

    How does it compare when not getting a degree by exams? Also, wouldn't that mean booking a proctor and a hall quite often?

    I've tried various online tests for things like that but they never suggest anything even remotely interesting.

    Of course I am referring to these schools' distance learning programs. I told them my age, location and about my lack of qualifications. Those listed are the few that replied positively.
     
  9. simon

    simon New Member

    President: I've tried various online tests for things like that but they never suggest anything even remotely interests.[/QUOTE]


    My friend what I suggested is NOT online tests BUT collaboration with a professional credentialed career counselor who can work with you to clarify your educational/career interests, needs and goals as well as internal barriers that may be blocking you from finding an appropriate educational choice. In addition they can assist you in the selection of specific assessments (tests) that are oriented towards exploring realistic educational options as well as with making an appropriate decision. Furthermore, they can determine your level of readiness to pursue a degree at this time.

    Based on what you have indicated so far IF you do not seek out such professional assistance it appears that you will continue to flounder and be unable to pinpoint a specific area of educational interest that will result in a positive outcome and/or career satisfaction. Just my opinion.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2010
  10. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    If I recall a previous post President is 16 years old. I suggest in that case, combined with not yet selecting a career path, that he takes some basic courses in English Composition, Math, and Science. These can be transferred later to any degree he decides to pursue.

    Such courses from UC Berkeley should have little problem being transferred (unless of course they are elementary courses).

    To see if one is DL material why not enroll for a couple of courses at Clovis CC (assuming they accept foreign nationals). This is a low cost approach.

    For many (but not all) DL courses a proctor is required.
     
  11. simon

    simon New Member

    Anderson, thanks for the clarification regarding the chronological age of President. This changes the entire understanding of his dilemma.

    In fact the vast majority of individuals in his age range have not forged any stable educational/career interests due to the fact that they are still evolving a sense of personal identity and purpose. Without this individuation process one is unable or ready to develop clear and stable educational/career objectives or viable and stable decisions relating to appropriate and realistic educational goals.

    At President's age it may be in his best interest to spend his time exploring different and general occupations by reading relevant material relating to potential areas of interest and speaking with professionals in areas of potential interest to obtain their feedback and a general feel of what they do. If possible he may be able to "shadow" such professionals to experience the nature of their work first hand. Such strategies may provide him with a general overview of educational opportunities so that when he is ready he can make a positive and satisfying choice.

    However as I previously mentioned, President could benefit from speaking and collaborating directly with his guidance counselor or a private based career counselor.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2010
  12. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Here is his post (#1)
    http://forums.degreeinfo.com/distance-learning-discussions/34505-stranded.html


    Note to President: If you just updated your initial posts regarding your degree needs then respondents would get a better understanding of your needs. Otherwise they may have missed or forgotten your previous posts.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2010
  13. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member


    Everything I read from you I hear it accompanied by the voice of James Earl Jones. :D

    I agree with everything he says President. At my age it's still tough trying to "know" what you want to do in life. A counselor should be able to help you concentrate your interests and help point you at least in the right general direction.

    Good luck with your future!
     
  14. President

    President New Member

    Clovis rejected me. I can't remember why.

    I've asked people before about career counsellors and no one has heard of one here in Pakistan. Even if there were one, I doubt they would understand my situation. Most English speaking people here are looking for a way to gain citizenship of a first world nation (which I already have).
     
  15. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member


    Perhaps because of your age and having no GED (or equiv such as GCEs). Also some US schools only accept US residents. So I refer you to my previous recomendation: If you have the money sign up for a UC Berkeley course in English, Math, or other general education subject of interest to you (assuming their unofficial acceptance of you extends through enrollment).


    Perhaps reading the book "What Color is Your Parachute" will help you decide on a career. I've not read it myself but have only heard good comments about it.
    Amazon.co.uk: what color is your parachute: Books
    You can probably find a copy at low cost on the Internet.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2010
  16. simon

    simon New Member

    Unfortunately Ian, What Color is Your Parachute is for an individual who is self-directed and ready to make an educational/career commitment, a stage that President does not appear to be at this time.

    There are online career counseling and assessment programs,such as Readyminds, that MAY be of assistance. The client has direct access and assistance provided by a Nationally Certified Counselor including appropriate assessments. Such online programs may offer a viable option if there are no such programs in Pakistan.

    ReadyMinds | Career Counseling & Training
     
  17. Harvard and Penn Foster "unofficially" let you in? WTF? The OP is a joke (and a bad one). I can't believe you guys are falling for this.
     
  18. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Your fortune cookie for today is "Man who leap off cliff jump to conclusion!"

    What he probably means is that he has been accepted, but not enrolled. OR, as in the case with Harvard, he may be required to take a couple of courses before he is officially admitted into the program.
     
  19. President

    President New Member

    See:

    Now Excelsior is saying something about Pearson Vue Testing centres not being in my country. :confused:
     
  20. simon

    simon New Member

    President, you have been offered a significant number of suggestions by posters as to how to proceed BUT yet you continue to throw up reasons as to why this or that recommendation will not be productive. For example, I suggested that you follow through with online career counseling to assist you with your educational dilemma because you indicated that there was no such counseling services available in Pakistan. However you have not followed up with this suggestion. So I suggest that at this time you follow through with some of these suggestions because if you expect that someone on this forum will magically resolve your alleged dilemma, in fact this will not occur without effort on your part.
     

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