Any WGU graduates willing to share?

[KAnn]

I want to apply to WGU for post baccalaureate teaching certification. The self paced model and reasonable cost are huge draws for me.
I realize unhappy people write more reviews than happy ones, but there are just so many negative reviews out there about WGU. Complaints I have seen more than once or twice include:
-rough mentors who won't aprove students to move on (and finish as quickly and cheaply as possible)
-assessments that do not correlate with the material learned because course work and tests are created and graded by different entities
-generic feed back and answers by mentors who don't know what they're doing
-students labeled as difficult and given a hard time for questioning mentors and/or going over a mentor's head
-disorganized administration, a lot of run around, and wrong answers.
The reviews go on and on. I'd love to hear from people who have successfully graduated from WGU and would share their experiences.
Thanks!

[jsd]

We have a few WGU grads around here, and they all have good things to say about the school. If there's someone here who dislikes the place, they haven't been vocal about it.

I'm not a grad yet but I've completed my first 4 courses, and I absolutely love the school and staff so far. I was hesitant because I tried a different competency based school in the past and it was a bad experience which your list above describes perfectly. I have found WGU to be the complete opposite so far, and am extremely happy with my decision.

My mentor encourages excelling through the course quickly. It seems pretty common in talking with other students. But if you get a mentor who for someone reason isn't okay with it (even though that's a selling point the school uses), you're not stuck with the mentor, you can request a new one who fits your style better.

[sanantone]

I haven't attended WGU, but they were ranked very highly by U.S. News for teacher preparation. Their ranks were #1 and #16, but I can't remember which one was which for elementary and secondary education. It's a good option if you can afford to quit your job to intern for free for a semester or you work nights and don't mind going without sleep.

[keepsingin]

you might like this thread http://www.degreeforum.net/graduate-scho...ience.html

[romocat]

Just curious...did you go with WGU? I'm thinking of doing the MA with tacking licensure as well. Love to know what you decided.
Thanks!

[jsd]

This thread is less than 24hours old so they probably haven't decided yet.

[KAnn]

Thanks for the posts and the thread! They were helpful.
I am in the middle of testing out of a BA from TESU, so going to WGU is a little way off. I feel better with a general plan, though. The approved alternative teacher certification programs in Illinois are so prohibitive, both in terms of time and money. Knowing that WGU is an option is great news.
BTW romocat, I was strongly advised by a few acquaintances (who are teachers) to NOT get my MAT until after I had experience as a licensed teacher of record. At least where I live, districts don't want to hire a teacher with a Master's (which demands a higher pay grade) who has no time in the classroom.