college traditionally or college through the mail? which is better?
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
United States
January 4, 2010 3:23pm CST
i have often wondered if once you were to go through the college through the mail if it would really mean as much to your future employer as if you had gone to a real brick and mortar school? i mean face it not as many people can afford the time or money for traditional colleges so some are going to doing it through the mail or internet.. but that would be so easy to cheat on in my opinion that i would wonder if i hired some one from that if they would really be as good as another person with the same skills only learned from an actual college campus..
do you think it matters in the employers eyes? do you think you would choose the traditional schooling over the mail/internet schools? are the people wasting their money on mail/internet school to have a degree or whatever that people will think is a joke?? or am i just being judgmental and old fashioned?
i do know that being homeschooled (through regular elementary, middle and high school) did seem to affect me getting a job. a lot of interviews i went to the people acted as if i was making up a school and had really been a drop out or something!!
1 person likes this
10 responses
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
19 Jan 10
I think that some places put a high value on the place you go...others all that matters is that you have a peice of paper saying you did it. Theres still other places that would rather you have experience over book learning.
I've got a peice of paper saying i went to school but i intend to further my education via learning on my own, possibly a online course or two and certification exams.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
5 Jan 10
Well, I think technically, as long as a school is accredited, it's a.. good source of education. But personally I think on-campus schools are much more professional and impressive than online schools (by the way: I didn't even know there was such thing as "through the mail" school! When did that come out?) I love the idea of online education - as it seems so technologically-advanced and convenient, but I don't think it can honestly take the place of an "in-real-life" school. But that's just my opinion. I'm not an employer, so I can't tell you what THEY think like!
1 person likes this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
15 Jan 10
yeah i dont think it can compare to traditional either.. the through the mail schools have been out for a long time.. i knobw my husband was doing one college course 11 years ago and it was out awhile before that.. of course now its slowly going to online but they are still out there
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
5 Jan 10
Hi dear!
I think when one is young and is unemployed and can afford to attend a regular college, one should go to a regular college. However, when one's is in any employment and does not have time to attend a day time regular college, then long distance learning comes handy. Many people opt for correspondence courses/long distance learning because they cannot afford to join a regular college due to one reason or the other.
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
15 Jan 10
yeah sometimes it really just depends on where you are in life to figure out which is the best choice
@edu4625 (188)
• United States
5 Jan 10
Today taking courses through the mail has become very sophisticated because of technology. You can take a course through the computer and have probably more contact with an instructor than through mail.
I feel that many employers give on-line courses credibility as they are being offered by most colleges and universities these days. It is easy to verify that the person actually took the course. Also an employer should be impressed by an individuals independence to complete an on-line course. It gives the employer the idea that this person is able to make decisions and follow through on completing things on their own.
As you mentioned because life is becoming busier by the second mail/internet courses are a very popular way to educate oneself.
Personally I love the atmosphere of a classroom where you share the energy of learning with others. Many of us learn more interpersonal skills and get a chance to increase our social contacts through school.
But as far as whether you are better educated through a classroom or an on-line course depends on each person.
1 person likes this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
15 Jan 10
i would just think if i was going to hire some one that i would wonder if the person that went through the mail was the one that actually DID the work or if they just cheated through the whole thing lol..
@HansonFan (1653)
• United States
5 Jan 10
As a college student right now, I would say the traditional route is best. Its not because I am a student, I assure you. I hate college - its not for me at all. However, I am sticking to it and can honestly say that I have learned not only what my classes taught me, but about life itself through my time on campus. I went through high school with friends that I thought I knew and never had any drama. In college I have met some real friends and some that stabbed me in the back. I am much more mature and see the world as it really is compared to what I would if I had stayed at home and done college by mail. I agree with someone above who said that you have to research the "college" first, as some are by mail. If you are unable to afford the time or money, try a community college. They are much more affordable and you can take one or two classes a semester. It will take more time, but you will have a more well-known college to put on your resume but it still allows for you to have a job and life on the side.
1 person likes this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
15 Jan 10
your very lucky if you didnt have to go through a lot of drama during high school!! i was friends with a lot of drama queens and back stabbers in high school lol..
@sunny68 (1327)
• India
5 Jan 10
it really depends upon the credibility of the institution you are joining. also if you are doing a course that requires practical training then mail courses are certainly out of question. in regular colleges, routine studies are a norm whereas in mail studies you cannot be that much regular (as you study at home which can have distractions). however some very popular commerce, finance and economics courses are conducted through mail only like Chartered Accountants, Chartered Financial Analysts. but these are high level courses. for lower courses, it may also depend on how much knowledge you have gained which will certainly be tested during interviews.
1 person likes this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
15 Jan 10
yeah it kills me how they have some places trying to teach you how to fix inside of a computer with a book through the mail with no actual computer to work on! im a hands on person and i have to physically do it not read it
@ankit08 (25)
• India
5 Jan 10
i'll definitely choose traditional college/school rather than mails etc.,
because the enviroment,the friends,the pranks,the fun u get in college could not be there inb mails, the college not only teaches us study and basic knowledge but also gives us knowledge to interact with other persons which is not that prominent in mail learning.
1 person likes this
@RAVENBLADE0842 (493)
• United States
4 Jan 10
The problem is not really with online education versus traditional education. It's with the school you choose if you go the internet route. You have to be careful and research the academic institution itself before you make a decision. There are several nationally respected schools that offer online degrees, but for every one of the truely respected schools and programs out there, there are probably a hundred of them that are just simply not worth their weight in salt to perspective employers. Online education could be a real, viable alternative to traditional schooling, but like anything else its buyer beware. As for correspondance courses, I generally would not bother with this route unless it is administered by a well respected state or university runned school.
1 person likes this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
15 Jan 10
true there are a lot of fake schools or uncredited ones out there scamming people
