Where to Finish my Degree?

[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

This is the unpopular choice, but if the "traditional college experience" weighs heavily in your thoughts, I likely would go for the state uni, as (1) the debt is relatively light (although not as light as free) and (2) it would be hard to impossible to have a future opportunity to get that kind of lifestyle as you get older. I don't think you should count on networking so much, but you would have chance to at least get the experience if you want. Also, I'd say the appeal of the potential minors shouldn't really be a strong draw. I had a couple minors that were picked up almost accidentally, but they've never really come up again in my life.

In terms of debt, I personally left with more what you would face. It was paid off in a couple years, even living alone in a foreign country with all the costs that come with doing that. It sounds like you could rely on family or part-time work for support. I absolutely would not trade my memories or experiences, but everyone has their own reason for pursuing higher ed. I'd say to weigh how much you want to dip into the "traditional" experience vs. getting a degree done in a more economical manner, since networking can't be counted on, minors aren't so important in the long-run, and you don't plan to go after a grad-level degree in the near future anyway. To me, it looks like the most significant factor that remains.

[Ideas]

If you plan to stay in the same area, employers like that you went to a recognizable (to them) school.

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This is the unpopular choice, but if the "traditional college experience" weighs heavily in your thoughts, I likely would go for the state uni, as (1) the debt is relatively light (although not as light as free) and (2) it would be hard to impossible to have a future opportunity to get that kind of lifestyle as you get older.

I agree with this.

I don't think you should count on networking so much, but you would have chance to at least get the experience if you want.

I'm surprised at how many responses say this.

I think networking can matter a lot, depending on what field, what school, etc.

@PrettyFlyforaChiGuy I'm glad you found a good hamburger. Finally

[natshar]

Yes I'm over 25 but just barely. I have no kids and am not married. I live a simple lifestyle and have no current debt. Just wanted to put things into perspective.

[Tlm]

I think that the "college experience" you are looking for is really a freshman thing. If you are simply finishing your degree and not living on campus, I fear you might be disappointed. I transferred in my last year and it was very different than my first year.

If you are following a life dream of the experience is to take lighter course load for 2 years and work so you don't have debt.

[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

I don't think you should count on networking so much, but you would have chance to at least get the experience if you want.

I'm surprised at how many responses say this.

I think networking can matter a lot, depending on what field, what school, etc.

@PrettyFlyforaChiGuy I'm glad you found a good hamburger. Finally

It can matter a lot, but I just thought with one single year at the school, there are fewer opportunities to do it in general.

Hamburger goal completed at Katchup restaurant in central Beijing. I transferred there from T.G.I. Friday's.

[dfrecore]

Yes I'm over 25 but just barely. I have no kids and am not married. I live a simple lifestyle and have no current debt. Just wanted to put things into perspective.

I would pass.  If you were 18, I guess it might be a factor, but at 25, you are well past your "college experience" prime.  Nothing wrong with that by the way, to have a little life experience under your belt, and wanting to go to college at all.  But you're going to be surprised at how young everyone is on campus.

[Stoic]

Yes I'm over 25 but just barely. I have no kids and am not married. I live a simple lifestyle and have no current debt. Just wanted to put things into perspective.

I would pass.  If you were 18, I guess it might be a factor, but at 25, you are well past your "college experience" prime.  Nothing wrong with that by the way, to have a little life experience under your belt, and wanting to go to college at all.  But you're going to be surprised at how young everyone is on campus.

Yep and those young kids won't even pay attention to a 26 year old and might even look down on that person for being a late bloomer. Also, there's nothing to network about. You'll be better off going to meetup.com groups. At least people at meetup.com groups have jobs. In comparison a 26 year old at a masters program will mix in quite well with the rest of the older students, and will definitely be able to network (like career wise) beyond chatting about their favorite type of music or marijuana strain.

[bjcheung77]

Updated line: You're at 143+ credits and counting, don't stall... finish your Bachelors, it's great you already have 3 Associates, but those don't even add up to 1 Bachelors as the courses are all Lower Level.

You're so close to finishing at TESU, I would just finish it there and use the extra cash you save on a Masters degree instead. You can find an in-state university or something similar. TESU is a state university, so it would be the pretty much the same as your in-state college/university.

Unless you're going to an Ivy League or something similar, most in state universities are regarded the same... my gosh, there are so many 4 year college/universities in the US, how can people keep track of them... the main difference is, you may be in another state and the "local" uni would be more recognized - but again, it's most likely just a "normal" state college/uni.

[natshar]

I've always been a late bloomer and I've known that basically my whole life. Things always turn out good, it just takes me longer to get there for some reason.

When I had to temporarily move back in with my parents and temporarily got a fast food job I thought I needed to get a degree asap. But then I got a better job and living situation realized it was worth it to take a bit longer and get a better degree (I was originally going for a basic TESU BALS). Yes I do have 143 credits but they don't all fit together and even many of the ACE credits are the free ones which just count as electives. The only degrees I can realistically pursue at this point to take advantage of my credits and graduate quickly are business or general studies/liberal studies and maybe communications. I thought business would provide more opportunities than liberal studies. My goal at this point is to graduate by Spring 2020 with the best possible bachelors degree I can and I wasn't sure if the State Uni was a better option. I have no plans for grad school anytime soon or even at all at this point.

I also need to convince my parents and other close people in my life that online degrees are "real degrees."

[bjcheung77]

*snip*
I've always been a late bloomer and I've known that basically my whole life. Things always turn out good, it just takes me longer to get there for some reason.

I also need to convince my parents and other close people in my life that online degrees are "real degrees."

No worries, being a late bloomer isn't an issue at all, you're on the right track and you're nearing that finish line. You may not want a Masters, but if the BA and Masters would cost you "pennies on the dollar" or if it's paid for by your future employer, why the heck not eh?! I don't have that luxury, but if you do, go for it!

Not to worry about the "online degree is a real degree", you're telling them it's a State University that's providing in-class courses, but creating online content to them. In fact, there is no real need to convince anyone - even future employers/universities. TESU or any of the Big 3 are different than the exclusively online universities - mainly the for-profit ones, those are the main points, you actually learn, the differences are astounding as some online colleges/unis are so simple, it's literally like just paying for a degree without any work!