You know in the back of your mind that you should go back to school & finish that degree. There are lots of factors to consider as you re-think your education options and try to decide what will work best for you.
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Should you pursue the career path you are already on? Make a dramatic change? Or, do want to turn a favorite hobby or interest into the career you’ve always wanted? You know you need re-education, but how do you make it happen? Which educational option will suit your needs? How will you know you've chosen well? How do you select from the numerous degree programs in existence?
Obtaining the information you need can be a daunting task. That is why we have published this "How-to-guide" to help you choose the right academic environment for you.
The size of a university can influence the accessibility of teachers, the size of individual classes, and the level of participation required. Will there be opportunities to develop leadership skills? What type of student-accessible technological support exists? Is the weather bearable? Is extra clothing required?
Is there a wide array of course offerings? Does the library have extensive holdings? Is the campus environment cold and impersonal, or welcoming?
How varied are the educational offerings? Will it be difficult to access courses outside your area of study?
Are there support resources available in case you experience academic difficulty? Will you be assigned an advisor to assist you with educational planning? What type of degree requirements must you fulfill for graduation? Is there a language requirement? Are students required to do community service? Are travel abroad programs available? Do opportunities exist for learning outside the classroom, such as internships or co-operative education?
Will the environment provide opportunity for intellectual stimulation? What is a smart classroom? How about
a social life- is there time and opportunity to let your hair down? Will you feel pressured and over-loaded? Are there folks around to assist if you need to talk about the stress? Will there be others who are at the same stage in their lives, trying to figure out their academic, career and life plans? Is help available for career planning and job placement after graduation?
How difficult is it to get admitted?
Are there prerequisites? Will they accept older students? Are there any special admission requirements? Do you have to take a test to qualify for admission, or for special programs? When is the best time to apply? Can I appeal an admissions decision if I am rejected? Is an interview or portfolio required? Does this institution offer credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or credit for life-experiences? Do I have to submit a specific application to apply for admission to my major? After I have submitted an application and have been accepted for admission to the university or college, do I then have to apply to be admitted/approved to study a specific major?
Is resident housing available? How difficult is it to get Residence Housing? Are all resident accommodation the same, and do the costs vary? Is the cost of food a separate expense, or is a meal plan included with housing costs? Can I get a meal plan? What if you’re a vegan – will the standard dining hall be able to accommodate your diet?
Are scholarships and financial assistance available? Does the school require that you file an institutional financial aid or scholarship application? What are the chances of financial support? How does the institution award aid – what portion will likely be grant or scholarship money and what portion may be loans? Is aid available to first year students? In the second year, also?
Costs can vary from $3,000 per year to $45,000 to year to earn the same degree. What is the difference? Are there other expenses beyond tuition, fees, books and class materials? What type of associated living expenses might be incurred? Do you have to pay extra to use campus facilities such as the physical fitness, computer labs, student health facilities?
Is the virtual classroom for you? Can you maintain the self-motivation to carry you through an entire on-line program? Do you need the stimulation that comes from interacting face-to-face with the professor, classmates and others? It may seem more convenient to attend school in your living room than by driving to a campus, but will the flexibility of the asynchronous learning experience (video, audio, chat rooms, internet) prove to be too much flexibility for you? Is distance learning just a trendy phenomenon, or is this something you can consider as appropriate for your situation? Do you need the discipline of regularly scheduled meetings at identified times – synchronous learning – in order to insure you will stick to the task? Will the asynchronous program provide the academic support system you may need? Do you have the appropriate technical resources to manage the asynchronous learning experience? Will it take longer to complete a program using asynchronous methods?
Have you asked about whether the program, or the institution, is accredited? No matter what type of program you consider, research the accreditation status. Accreditation establishes the fact that the institution has met certain standards.
This is an important issue for all programs, whether the learning method employed is traditional or asynchronous. Accreditation is not a guarantee of excellent quality.
It is only a guarantee that the school has been reviewed by an accrediting body. Not all accrediting body are ‘recognized’.
Check with your professional association to ascertain whether your ability to get licensed or certified in your area is dependent upon graduating from an institution with recognized accreditation. Also, check with prospective employers to gauge the importance of accreditation.
Students are consumers, so do look for service convenience and excellence. Whether dialing a toll-free number to access your on-line course and professor, or writing to request a transcript, students are all seeking service. Pay attention to the type of services available, how readily you can access high-level decision makers, and how readily you get responses to specific requests or complaints. Above all, your goal is to earn your degree, so consider how helpful everyone is in helping you reach this goal.
Environment: Yes or No
Discipline Strength Weakness: yes or no
Also Read:
How To Choose a School for Your Child