Would you recommend an Online Bachelors Degree?

avatar33

avatar33

e-Hustler
Dec 5, 2009
3,838
52
48
Calgary, AB
I know it's gay, but something bugs me about being the only one in my family without a bachelors degree. It's definitely not about the money, since I make more than all of them, it's just about the prestige I guess... and being a good example for my future children. (I definitely don't want my kids to skip university, unless they get in IM, but I rather they do something else to diversify the family assets lol)

That said, I definitely don't want to physically have to go to classes every day, and I'd rather go on a fast-track/accelerated one that I can complete in a year or 2... so I have been thinking more and more about taking the online route.

University of Phoenix, Full Sail and SanFran U seem to be very aggressive marketing-wise, I see their ads everywhere for their IT, Web Dev and Online Marketing Degrees... did any of you guys take one of these by any chance? What's your thoughts on getting an online degree anyway? Easy enough that I can still run my business on the side as usual, or very demanding and requires couple hours of study each and every day?
 


"You're born an original, don't die a copy" - this is from your own sig.

Why do you want to fit in to the degree crowd so bad? Most degrees are worthless anyway, especially if you're already working for yourself and not trying to get in to the career pool.

I'd personally focus on business first, and once you've made it you can splash 100k on one of those 3 month Harvard Business School courses and then put 'Harvard Business School' in your education whenever you want to show off your peen. That's what James Caan did.
 
Meh...

I know how you feel about the "prestige" factor and being a good example (I am returning to university this fall to finish my bachelors after an extended absence for those two reasons alone)

But...

"So, do you have a degree?"
"Yes!"
"Really? Where From?"
"University of Phoenix/Full Sail, etc"
"Where?"
"It's an online degree"
"Oh...."

I would try to find a way to do something at a legit university. Even see if you can do something via correspondence.

Just for example, I am going back to U of Toronto. Just finished setting up my schedule.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday -> 6pm-8pm
Thursday -> 4-6pm, 6pm-8pm
Fri -> Off

That's a full courseload. And, I get to go sit in a room of hit chicks. Then, after class, go out and get some dinner as a reward.

I know you don't want to do the "actually go to school and sit in a room thing", but if you want some of the prestige and want to set a good example, I would just suck it up and do it anyways. That's what I am doing.

Get out of the house, work on social skills, meet some new people, get out of your comfort zone overall, etc.

Just rambling on here.

TL;DR Version
Online Bachelors = waste of time. If you want a degree with a little prestige, suck it up for a little while and do it the old fashioned way or don't do it at all.
 
I've got a first class business degree. Rightly doesn't impress anyone except 9-5ers.

Don't bother with it IMO unless you've just left school and need more "development"/ time to mature as a person or it will actually help with your business (which is unlikely).

I'm glad someone else pointed out the irony of your sig BTW.
 
King. said:
"You're born an original, don't die a copy" - this is from your own sig.

Why do you want to fit in to the degree crowd so bad? Most degrees are worthless anyway, especially if you're already working for yourself and not trying to get in to the career pool.

I'd personally focus on business first, and once you've made it you can splash 100k on one of those 3 month Harvard Business School courses and then put 'Harvard Business School' in your education whenever you want to show off your peen. That's what James Caan did.
Click to expand...

Hmm, confusing... you start off by bashing degrees and not fitting in the crowd, etc... but then you recommend Harvard instead? lol so you do believe in the prestige of a degree after all?
 
Jimmy Clayton said:
Meh...

I know how you feel about the "prestige" factor and being a good example (I am returning to university this fall to finish my bachelors after an extended absence for those two reasons alone)

But...

"So, do you have a degree?"
"Yes!"
"Really? Where From?"
"University of Phoenix/Full Sail, etc"
"Where?"
"It's an online degree"
"Oh...."

I would try to find a way to do something at a legit university. Even see if you can do something via correspondence.

Just for example, I am going back to U of Toronto. Just finished setting up my schedule.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday -> 6pm-8pm
Thursday -> 4-6pm, 6pm-8pm
Fri -> Off

That's a full courseload. And, I get to go sit in a room of hit chicks. Then, after class, go out and get some dinner as a reward.

I know you don't want to do the "actually go to school and sit in a room thing", but if you want some of the prestige and want to set a good example, I would just suck it up and do it anyways. That's what I am doing.

Get out of the house, work on social skills, meet some new people, get out of your comfort zone overall, etc.

Just rambling on here.

TL;DR Version
Online Bachelors = waste of time. If you want a degree with a little prestige, suck it up for a little while and do it the old fashioned way or don't do it at all.
Click to expand...

A degree is a degree, whether you take it online or in-person, it's the same degree isn't it? It's not like people are going to ask you whether you took it online or in person. It's just about getting that damn piece of paper that you can hang in your office.

Also, hot chicks in computer-related programs? Not so sure about that. Let's be honest, it's 90%+ gay webmasters that attend these programs. :)

The other problem with attending classes in person is that you're wasting a lot of time commuting, eating out, etc... that you could be using to work on your biz.
 
A 3 month course is not a degree. And how can you even compare the two? One is an online peasant degree which anyone can get and the other is an expensive course with strict admissions, only reserved for wealthy and succesful business owners who want a premium and specialised education in a short amount of time to take their business to the next level.

And no, a 'degree is not a degree'. The highest first class degree from a subpar university is nowhere near as valuable as a second class from somewhere like Stanford or Harvard.
 
avatar33 said:
A degree is a degree, whether you take it online or in-person, it's the same degree isn't it? It's not like people are going to ask you whether you took it online or in person. It's just about getting that damn piece of paper that you can hang in your office. Also, hot chicks in computer-related programs? Not so sure about that, it's 90% gay webmasters that attend these programs. The other problem with attending classes in person is that you're wasting a lot of time commuting, etc... that you could be doing some actual work on.
Click to expand...

Well, a degree is a degree is debatable. If you are looking for at least a little bit of "respect" (which may not be the right word) name recognition does play a factor. Places like Full Sail, Phoenix, etc

Hot chicks in computer related programs? Probably not. But, you didn't mention that in the OP. But, there will be hot chicks on campus, at the Starbucks, walking around between classes, etc.

Wasting a lot of time commuting, etc. Depends on how you spend your time. If you are busting your ass for the rest of the day, maybe driving to class listening to some music would help you chill and relax. Listen to audio programs. Taking public transit? Read books, do schoolwork, chill, etc. Ride a bike to class and get your daily exercise while listening to an audiobook. Commutes don't have to be a waste - you just have to spend your time wisely.

If you want something that will actually matter and people will give you a certain amount of respect for, you are going to have to give up some of your time and put up with some bullshit. If it was that easy, everyone would do it.

P.S How old are you OP?
 
A degree isn't a degree if it is from a diploma mill like University of Phoenix or Full Sail. If it really bothers you about not having a degree, attend a Regionally Accredited (Not Nationally) school. A good number of semi-reputable schools offer distance learning or online classes, especially regional schools. You're better off with a degree from someplace like Eastern Michigan University than someplace like DeVry.

Save your money. College's biggest benefit is networking with people who want to work for someone else. You can do that for free elsewhere.
 
Consider a professional degree/direction that would supplement your current business knowledge.

Imagine having the knowledge you have now, and then pairing that with professional ability/knowledge in another realm. Imagine the contacts/business dev/portals for financial growth that would come with another body of knowledge under your belt.

Yes, getting some random liberal arts or social science degree won't better your earning's potential, but imagine if you were a CFP today. Imagine what that brings to the table. How many verticals of growth exist in that ONE industry.

When it comes to edu, we're post "stamp" value in this world. Higher edu is too watered down (even at the best schools) to merit much worth. But there are still a ton of professions that offer amazing verticals that REQUIRE higher edu.

Re: the choice to GROW... very few people, I'd imagine, have ever looked back on personal/professional development and thought, 'Well, that was a waste of time.'
 
I just got a college degree and it feels good, but just for my ego, nothing else. Sure, my family is the happiest, but I am seriously thinking this: Park my Ferrari in front of the University and take a dump on my degree paper, then leave.
 
avatar33 said:
I know it's gay, but something bugs me about being the only one in my family without a bachelors degree.
Click to expand...

If you care only about possessing a degree, buy it. Many non-accredited online colleges will happily give you a piece of paper for a price.


avatar33 said:
A degree is a degree, whether you take it online or in-person, it's the same degree isn't it?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Suppose cardine is armed with a compsci degree from Carnegie and you are armed with a compsci degree from University of Phoenix. Who is likely to be associated with a better background in compsci?

The question answers itself.

Having said that, the orgasmic pursuit of higher education among the masses has resulted in a lot of knuckleheads with degrees. It's a mockery that disguises itself as pedigree. Other factors remaining the same, that has elevated the value of a Carnegie degree and reduced the value of most other degrees. And in the eyes of smart people, I should think that practical experience with provable results - successes and failures - trumps all.
 
If you are a programmer, a github profile with proof of your talents could work well for you. It's like a modern "piece of paper".

I am sure other skillsets have their analogues.
 
avatar33 said:
A degree is a degree, whether you take it online or in-person, it's the same degree isn't it? It's not like people are going to ask you whether you took it online or in person. It's just about getting that damn piece of paper that you can hang in your office.

Also, hot chicks in computer-related programs? Not so sure about that. Let's be honest, it's 90%+ gay webmasters that attend these programs. :)

The other problem with attending classes in person is that you're wasting a lot of time commuting, eating out, etc... that you could be using to work on your biz.
Click to expand...

For most programs, it's not the same; some things you are not going to get unless you are there in person. College doesn't really teach you a lot or get you a job. Those are things you do for yourself if you really want to get something out of it. The most you will get taught is the set of fundamentals for your field- it is how you can identify and communicate with others in your field once you get done. If that is all you go for, that is all you will get. And that is all most people come for.

The stuff that happens outside of class is important. Networking is what gets people where they want to go. Even if you don't end up working for someone else, you have hookups out there who can cut through red tape to help you get things you need for your business.

You will need to know how to do your own laundry and cook more than hot pockets and pop tarts.
 
avatar33 said:
A degree is a degree, whether you take it online or in-person, it's the same degree isn't it? It's not like people are going to ask you whether you took it online or in person. It's just about getting that damn piece of paper that you can hang in your office.

Also, hot chicks in computer-related programs? Not so sure about that. Let's be honest, it's 90%+ gay webmasters that attend these programs. :)

The other problem with attending classes in person is that you're wasting a lot of time commuting, eating out, etc... that you could be using to work on your biz.
Click to expand...


I agree but why don't you buy a damn degree if you want a piece of paper to hang around?

I did a Full time regular bachelors degree in Business from a Top Univ in India. Then, I opted for an online master degree in Business Administration (coz IM became full time for me). My scores were good but suddenly I realized that I was wasting too much time running after a Stupid Degree. I was investing the time I was supposed to invest on my business, on preparing for exams.

I asked myself, ''If tomorrow I had the MBA degree certificate and no business, will I be happy?''

The next question was, 'If I had no MBA but a Solid business to mark my legacy, if I become a multi-millionaire and can spend rest of my life traveling across the globe, will I be happy? Will this sacrifice be worth it ?"

It wasn't a hard choice to make. I dropped out and am more than happy doing it. Oh, by the way I took this decision just a week back. As am writing this down, my Semester exams are still running.

I wouldn't want my kids to fell proud by holding a degree certificate. They should be proud at doing what they are best at, for what they are born for.

As for Education, learning to cook like a professional, learning to speak Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, learning Salsa, Karate, Mixed martial arts, traveling across the world, writing some damn good books to mark your legacy, is what I would want for me or my (future) kids.

Ask yourself, "Why are you getting this degree? Will you enjoy the whole process of studying, and sitting for semesters"? If the answer is yes, find any damn college and finish your degree. It seriously doesn't matter which college you opt for if you are not trying to get a job.

btw, if you want to know about any reputed Indian universities that offers Accredited and globally recognized Online Degrees hit me up. It will hardly cost you $1k for the whole course.
 
If you're concerned about the prestige, I would do something like University of Maryland Online. Even though their online degrees don't mean that much, saying you got a degree from University of Maryland sounds a lot better than Full Sail University.

If you were looking at education for the sake of knowledge, I'd stick with Coursera.
 
I work in entertainment.

PLENTY of successful people goto Full Sail.

I've heard UOP was good.

In like 5 years, most universities will have on-line courses required as funding is cut. Way more normal than even now.
 
If you want the prestige you aren't going to get it from completing the degree online. Enroll in one of the top ranked universities and go the traditional classroom setting route. Plus, you'll gain friendships and network with people you would never otherwise have access to.

It's been 20 yrs since I was in college and I am still friends with many of the people I met while attending school. You can't put a price tag on those relationships.

If you decide to get your BA/BS online, at least get one from a traditional university -- many have distance learning options now. For ex: Oregon State University has many to choose from- Undergraduate Degrees Online -- Online & Distance Degrees -- Oregon State University Ecampus -- OSU Extended Campus
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom