"Big 3" degree value?

[OE800_85]

Couldn't agree more, I dropped out of my brick n mortar school and never really got back into the program. Signed up for online/distance courses but I always put it off, it's hard to put yourself through an entire course online, especially when you see no end in sight, in University it was still fun to go to classes, I remember some lectures I attended merely because of the 'ahem, female presence. Or nights studying at the lib were actually fun, you could share in your misery studying for finals. I think this experience alone is invaluable, and I would recommend my kid to go to a b'n'm school, and especially to live in residence. However, maybe that's why I dropped out to begin with Regardless I regret nothing, that was a really great time in my life, and it shaped me as a person.

But when you get older, the value of that experience goes down, and it's hard to participate in the University environment. When I was young I never really wanted to graduate, now I just want it over with! Also, those of my friends who graduated didn't necessarily do well either, it's mostly those people who picked the right program, got a good GPA, got into a good grad program who are doing well. I see all these graduates from the big 3 on here doing all kinds of good professions, career-wise I don't think it matters unless you go into a big program.

After a little while I packed up and went to china to work, teaching english. It's a great experience, I actually want to live here permanently now, but without a degree and teaching certification, you'll always settle for mediocre jobs. I was really excited when I realized that I could enroll at one of these big 3 colleges, and get my degree quite quickly, and then use it as a stepping stone to teacher's college. I'll be much more marketable and make double or even triple what I currently do, and my life is already comfortable here.

Anyways, I went on sort of a rant, but I personally feel right after high school, a real school is worth it. However once you're older and focussed on a career and the real world (shudder), it's best to just get it done ASAP and improve your career prospects.