University of London is *Very Frustrating*!!!

I'd like to make a few points. The first is that I disagree that joi's experience is totally irrelevant to Bo's experience. Bo may find it somewhat comforting to know that the service received to date is not typical and that improved service can reasonably be expected in the future. If I had a bad experience with a school then I would certainly want to know if others had had similar or different experiences. My second point is that I do not consider joi's comments to be off-topic. We all know that threads frequently meander on and off topic. We generally like them to remain on-topic but, let's face it, we're not very rigid about that. With that being said, I would reiterate that joi's posts were directly related to the topic of the thread. My third point is that it was quite clear that Bo was angry, and with good reason. However, I do not remember Bo saying in any way "I don't know what to do about this," or "please help me solve this problem." A number of people offered suggestions and that was nice of them. However, a member is not required to be "empathic" (by anyone's definition) or to offer remedies in order to post to a thread. Finally I would like to ask Simon to lighten up a bit.
Jack

 

Thank you, Jack.

 

simon, as you can see for yourself, I'm not the only one regarding your remarks as aggressive. I hope you learn to behave yourself in a more civilised manner.

Your example of a leg operation doesn't apply to bo79's situation for a very simple reason; bo79's situation is not hopeless, as a patient's situation would be if he or she were permanently crippled.

The External Programme has an excellent delivery system for their materials, using DHL with no additional cost for the student. I've been registered with them for several years, so I'm speaking out of experience here. This indicates bo79 is more likely than not to receive the excellent customer service pointed out by all other posters registered with the External Programme and participating in this thread, which also gives a clear indication of their level of service.

In one of your first posts in this thread you wrote:

"If the program offered by this school is unique and you wish to still attend in spite of the strong possibility that a similar level response may be the modus operandi of this school then you may wish to contact the administrator of the program or the chair of the department to voice your concern. Unfortunately by making rationalizations for this school's obvious failure to follo-up will not correct the problem and will reinforce this unacceptable level of timely and respectful service that each student is entitled to What some of these online schools fail to understand is that they are a business as well as being a school and that they are entering into a reciprocal business relationship with students who are paying hefty tuitions and that the student is not the only one who is repsonsible for demonstrating an acceptable standard of performance; so are they."

You were the one pointing out that the bad experience bo79 had in his initial contact with the External Programme may be "the modus operandi of this school", so it's your very post the one making all other posters' experiences with the programme very relevant. You are the one not proposing anything positive to bo79, other than assuming the same kind of behaviour you've been showing in this thread, and for which you’ve already been called to attention by one of the moderators.

You have no experience with this university; many of us do. You refer to the External Programme as “one of these online schools”, which doesn’t speak positively of your knowledge of it. This was the first distance program in the world, and deliver degrees designed and lead by some of the greatest institutions in the world, such as LSE, Imperial, and King’s.

As for your rudeness in calling my knowledge Einsteinian and calling me a master mathematician, you are not defining me. You are defining yourself. And your self-definition is quite negative.

I do have much more knowledge than you, beginning by the fact that I pay for my studies at the External Programme each year.

 

Because Jack as moderator has requested that I "lighten up" I will not respond in like kind to your angry and negative post. However, be aware that jack's intervention was not an invitation or approval for you to continue this matter either. So be a good model and demonstrate the civility, lack of negativity and beneficience that you state I did not display and as Jack stated to me, "lighten up".

 

UoL attitude towards DL.

Many students are put into the programme by small local colleges with little background and they are simply registered as DL students with UoL. The University provides the syllabus (and, presumably the exams) but takes no responsibility for the quality of tuition, and (as far as I am aware) does not vet any of the Colleges.

 

Oh, man, what a thread!

Anyway, AFAIK the University of London is aware of these delays and because of it they publish in advance reading lists and assignments, well ahead of time, so students that experience this type of situations can go on. The University of London clearly states the minimum requirements for admissions so if you meet them, you are accepted. It is just a matter of time you receive that letter. In the meantime you could start working on those readings, and assignments so you can take the exam next May.

 

Indeed, JLV's supposition is true.

Bo79 and all other students can see many of the guides'(although not all) first 4 chapters as pdf documents.

There are also basic reading list, though I'd suggest looking the conplete reading lists in the actual guides i just mentioned.

Bo79, you applied to a LSE Graduate Diploma, can you tell us which? I have all the guides for the BS. in Economics and enail you the reading lists, so you can buy your books in advance.

You may also find it helpful to knowthere's a discussion forum for the External Programme students. It's geared towards BSc. students, but since your 4 units will be drawn for a BSc., you may find the discussions helpful. You'll see many students addressing academic questions to one another, and this may help you brak some of the isolation most of us feel when studying at a distance.

This link will take you to the forum:

http://p215.ezboard.com/buolexternal

Good luck,


Joi

 

I don't need Jack's invitation to use my right to reply to your disrespectful post. He knows I always participate in a constructive way, as he has posted in several threads in which I posted as well.

I won't accept any orders from you, as you are not a moderator. And, as you correctly pointed out, Jack requested that you, not me, lighten up. I always respect other people's opinions, and that's why you, not me, were called to attention by a moderator.

So stop being aggressive, respect other posters, and learn some manners.

 

I have been reading this thread for a while now and I agree with Joi wholeheartedly. There is nothing wrong in stating your experiences with the school in question because it should simply ease some negative uncertainties that Bo79 has with the institution.

Personally, I have been admitted and will begin my Msc with U London in January, and up until now, they have been nothing but accomodating with any concerns or questions I had. In fact, I received whatever documents that were neccessary on time and they went above what was required by helping me with adequate documentation that was needed in order to obtain financial aid in Canada. So I would imagine that Bo's experience may have been one of a very few "isolated" instances.

I appreciate your posts Joi, keep em coming!!

 

Thanks, Elyko. I deeply appreciate your post.

What's your MSc. degree in? Can you keep us updated with your experience with UoL?

My wife and I plan to migrate to Canada in a couple of years. Perhaps we'll met someday.

Good luck,

Joi

 

It appears that you still need to ventilate your anger so please do so. However, be aware that my silence in not responding in like kind to your aggressive posts does not imply that you are correct or accurate in your responses. So if you wish to continue to spew venom be my guest but understand that it does not make you look any less aggressive and disrespectful to the other posters who wish to move on with this topic and which you cannot let go.

 

joi, the "rat" is about to transit to a better life. I would never ever trade a minute in Havana for a lifetime in Canada (with all respect and friendship to all Canadians posters). It is just a matter of time that Cuba takes off. Americans will soon be pouring tons of USD. The EU, and especially Spain, has been doing it for years.

 

JLV, Havana is indeed a beatiful place. Our reasons to migrate are of another nature, but we may well stay if things change for good here.

Good luck,

Joi
PD: What's your MSc. in?

 

Despite the fact that you’ve already been called into order by Jack, you continue throwing your anger at me.

Of course, you now try to assign me all your negative qualities, accusing me of spewing venom, and going so far as to speak of respect for other posters, when you have attacked every single UoL registered student who posted their experience with the External Programme, while contributing nothing positive to address the thread’s topic.

You may have noticed that, whenever someone posts something after you have posted one of your disrespectful posts, I answer the other post first (such was the case with Jack , elyko, and JLV), and only then send you the firm reply your bullying deserves. You may have also noticed, if your inner rage allows you, that I have followed all other posts, and continued to include as much useful info I have on UoL's External Programme.

So, now that you've finally decided to stop attacking me (not because you wanted, but because you were reprimanded by a moderator), we can continue discussing constructively among the decent and respectful people who are an overwhelming majority in this forum.

 

The MSc is in financial economics through SOAS U London...I will keep you all updated on how it all goes...Im hoping it all runs as smooth as possible....I was also planning on pursuing the Bsc (graduate entry route) in Economics with LSE (U London external) as I am trying to re-align myself with the subject and field that I should have done in the first place but for various reasons didnt.

I am assuming (only from the posts I have read from you) that you have or are currently enrolled in the LSE external programs. If you are, any experiences you have would greatly help me.

As for migrating to the frozen tundra..I mean Canada, we sure have enough room for you!

Best of Luck...

 

The frozen tundra???

Indeed, I'm registered with the External Programme, and I'll be happy to share my experiences with you.

Actually, I transferred from the BSc. Economics to the BSc. Politics and International Relations, but I have all guides for the BSc. Economics, and several years of experience with the University.

I intend to complete my BSc. Economics after the one I'm enrolled in.

By the way, and I think very important for all people interested in the External Programme: It's possible to enrol in 2 concurrent degrees, provided they don't overlap substantially. I received confirmation of this by an External Programme Admissions Officer.

If someone is interested, I suggest you contact the External Programme, particularly William Eames ([email protected]), although I think any Admissions Officer may address this issue.), and state their interest in this option.

I hope this is useful.

Good luck,

Joi

 

BTW I was not attacking you but pointing out my observations. Now whether YOU interpreted them as an attack is another matter but not a fact. In fact I still hold to my observations.

So it is not a matter of "finally deciding to stop attacking (not because you wanted, but because you were reprimanded by a moderator)" because there was never an "attack" but that when Jack REQUESTED that I "lighten up" I realized that his feedback was valid and it was time to discontinue this "engagement".

At the end of the day you may feel like a winner but I assure you it will be a pyrrhic victory. In relation to the many significant things that go on in our lives this is very inconsequential one in comparison. At least for me.

 

This thread has reached the end of its utility. It is my sincere hope that the parties involved in the "debate" will not carry it over to another thread.
Jack