subject: 5 questions you must ask your online contact before joining an online college [print this page] 5 questions you must ask your online contact before joining an online college
Online college has facilitated a lot of things and made things lot easier than what they were. There was a time when acquiring the application from a college before the last date and then personally submitting them was really difficult. Colleges in some places always had longer queues because of the relative density. Online colleges with their online application submission, online profiles and online lessons and lectures hardly need students to come out of their homes. But when you talk to your online contact who clarifies your questions about the online school you are considering, you must ask 5 questions whose answers really matter and should decide whether you should join the online college.
Does the online school have accreditation and from where?
You need to know if the online college has an accreditation from a certified and authorized body. If it doesn't then enrolling for such a college would be a sheer waste of your time and money. More importantly, there is hardly any chance that employers would consider your degree after you finish education and are looking for a job.
How long has the online school been around?
It is a good idea to check the history of the online school or college to find out how many batches have previous passed out. If there are quite a few, it would definitely be possible to get in touch with ex-students who can provide valuable information and feedback about the college that will help you in making your decision about joining the college.
Will there be doubt clearing sessions or weekend classes?
A lot of reputed universities that offer online degrees either provide weekend classes or doubt clearing sessions with lecturers and professors in the study centers. An online school with no such facility has a shortage of faculty in all likelihood and should best be ignored.
What is included in the support system of the online school?
Online school means that most of the teaching happens online but that doesn't stop universities from providing CDs and DVDs of recorded lectures to students or plans and scheduling through a learning management system. Those online schools which only provide course content and conduct examinations are not really worth your time or money. The support system should be strong enough and should be inclusive to allow students of a particular course to discuss and interact amongst each other and also with the faculty. That would be a good way of motivating each other further. Online schools aren't about avoiding full time school and preparing on your own. You would need a good support system in place to help you prepare just like in full time college.
Are there any efforts to get corporate to hire students?
Most of the full time colleges have a campus selection wing, where companies are invited to come, interview and hire the best talent on the campus. Online colleges which try to do the same are a better bet than colleges which just provide degrees and don't offer any help as far as students' career is concerned.
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