What do I do about my online school?

[Fedfireman]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So,

I am currently enrolled in a BS B.S of fire science degree at Columbia southern unifarsity. I am doing it now to save up some more money and pay down debt (GI Bill money) but I've been told by UNC-CH (my hopeful UG) that I won't be able to attend if I get my B.S. Even if it's online only and not regionally accredited.

So I need to withdraw before I graduate. Will that look bad? How will that coursework look to adcoms? I know the credits are worthless for transfer and thus I will need to complete an entire UG curriculum but will they be scrutinized? I got a B in Eng 1 because at that time I was just going for GI bill money not for GPA. Since then I have been maintaining A's but do these courses even matter?

Thank you in advance.

 

[xxx2012]

So,

I am currently enrolled in a BS B.S of fire science degree at Columbia southern unifarsity. I am doing it now to save up some more money and pay down debt (GI Bill money) but I've been told by UNC-CH (my hopeful UG) that I won't be able to attend if I get my B.S. Even if it's online only and not regionally accredited.

So I need to withdraw before I graduate. Will that look bad? How will that coursework look to adcoms? I know the credits are worthless for transfer and thus I will need to complete an entire UG curriculum but will they be scrutinized? I got a B in Eng 1 because at that time I was just going for GI bill money not for GPA. Since then I have been maintaining A's but do these courses even matter?

Thank you in advance.

GPA and MCAT matter more than school name. Is it regionally accredited? If so you are no better off at Harvard than Pheonix. (If DETC welcome to my world)

 

[MedPR]

GPA and MCAT matter more than school name. Is it regionally accredited? If so you are no better off at Harvard than Pheonix. (If DETC welcome to my world)

You're drunk, or high, correct?

 

[Caprica6]

I don't understand this. What do you mean UNC told you that you won't be able to attend if you have a BS? People go back to school for second bachelor's all of the time. Plus, if it's not regionally accredited, and they don't consider it a real degree, why would it affect your matriculation? I could see how having a BS might affect financial aid, but even then, I think it's institution dependent. If your courses don't transfer, you are still going to be considered an undergrad.

That being said, I do not think your decision to abandon a worthless degree will be scrutinized. But you are required to report all of your college grades. I'm not familiar if that is the same for online grades (I think there is something about credits not counting unless exams are proctored, but that could be school dependent). Someone here may offer some more insight, but you probably should ask AMCAS and the medical schools you apply to once you get to that point.

 

[xxx2012]

You're drunk, or high, correct?

Not at all. Live and learn.

Common misunderstanding that people continue to want to believe. Spend time with admissions staff at doctoral programs. They couldn't give a crap where you went, as long as it is regional accredited they care about your GPA and admissions scores.

The only time this might not be true if going from the specific undergrad to the specific grad at the same university. In which, Harvard would be worse than UOM undergrad if applying to UOM grad.

 

[MedPR]

Not at all. Live and learn.

Common misunderstanding that people continue to want to believe. Spend time with admissions staff at doctoral programs. They couldn't give a crap where you went, as long as it is regional accredited they care about your GPA and admissions scores.

The only time this might not be true if going from the specific undergrad to the specific grad at the same university. In which, Harvard would be worse than UOM undergrad if applying to UOM grad.

I really find it hard to believe that anyone would value a university of phoenix diploma the same as a harvard diploma. Just me though, apparently.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Not at all. Live and learn.

Common misunderstanding that people continue to want to believe. Spend time with admissions staff at doctoral programs. They couldn't give a crap where you went, as long as it is regional accredited they care about your GPA and admissions scores.

The only time this might not be true if going from the specific undergrad to the specific grad at the same university. In which, Harvard would be worse than UOM undergrad if applying to UOM grad.

This is patently false. While it's true that ADCOMS hold GPA and MCAT to a higher esteem, obtaining a degree from a diploma mill like University of Phoenix or other online colleges will not be seen positively whatsoever.

Attending better name universities can help in that the reputation of the university can help reflect what the GPA means in actuality and the academic power. If I saw a 4.0 from Bob Jones' Clown College, I'd put it into question if the MCAT was subpar, whereas a 3.7 from UC San Diego with a subpar MCAT can still reflect how well a student can perform in the classroom.

Again, going to a college that's not well known, and assuming it isn't Phoenix or the like, is not going to be hindrance, but going to a top college and doing well can only reflect more positively on you.

 

[TriagePreMed]

OP - I don't know if you want to apply Osteopathic, but the D.O. programs don't calculate GPA for non-accredited institutions. They won't care if it was 1.2 GPA or 4.0. Your new degree from scratch will do all the talking.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I don't understand this. What do you mean UNC told you that you won't be able to attend if you have a BS? People go back to school for second bachelor's all of the time.

Many schools, the majority of public ones in California for example, will not accept second bachelors students anymore.

 

[xxx2012]

I really find it hard to believe that anyone would value a university of phoenix diploma the same as a harvard diploma. Just me though, apparently.

People will assume and lie, but sit down with admissions. Seen it first hand.

 

[xxx2012]

OP - I don't know if you want to apply Osteopathic, but the D.O. programs don't calculate GPA for non-accredited institutions. They won't care if it was 1.2 GPA or 4.0. Your new degree from scratch will do all the talking.

most online is accredited by the exact same accrediting agencies as on campus.

 

[xxx2012]

This is patently false. While it's true that ADCOMS hold GPA and MCAT to a higher esteem, obtaining a degree from a diploma mill like University of Phoenix or other online colleges will not be seen positively whatsoever.

Attending better name universities can help in that the reputation of the university can help reflect what the GPA means in actuality and the academic power. If I saw a 4.0 from Bob Jones' Clown College, I'd put it into question if the MCAT was subpar, whereas a 3.7 from UC San Diego with a subpar MCAT can still reflect how well a student can perform in the classroom.

Again, going to a college that's not well known, and assuming it isn't Phoenix or the like, is not going to be hindrance, but going to a top college and doing well can only reflect more positively on you.

Not a diploma mill, common misunderstanding/lie. It is regionally accredited with a physical campus just like any other state school. (many do not have a physical campus but does not matter if you can still pull off the labs)

They require higher GPA&scores for DETC, but Regional is Regional. Period. (ask, watch,see)

 

[xxx2012]

Many schools, the majority of public ones in California for example, will not accept second bachelors students anymore.

They do the same thing in law as far as calculating undergrad GPA. (considered a "grad" once you graduate). A lot of people hold up on graduating for that very reason and take a bucket load of BS but easy A's like college level gym and dancing.

 

[MedPR]

xxx2012 could be the most persistant troll I've ever seen.

 

[xxx2012]

xxx2012 could be the most persistant troll I've ever seen.

on which part? Look into each part I've said, and every issue I've said. All check out.

Troll? Really? That's just lazy.

People spend their whole life full of assumptions, very few double check anything since "everyone knows" and yet everyone is wrong. It would amaze you how little of "reality" people actually know.

Spend three years in a school focused on looking under rocks and you will start wondering why no one else ever has, and mind-boggled how people would rather argue with you for longer periods of time than it takes just to lift said rock because, "everyone knows".....

 

[TriagePreMed]

You're welcome to believe University of Phoenix and Harvard will be held to the same esteem if you want, but don't expect reality to conform with that.

 

[jsp132]

You're welcome to believe University of Phoenix and Harvard will be held to the same esteem if you want, but don't expect reality to conform with that.

this

 

[LupaCupcake]

A 4.0 at an everyday college will do more for you than a 3.5 at an Ivy. A 4.0 from a student at an everyday college versus a student with a 4.0 from an Ivy will be at a disadvantage. GPA means more than the school you came from, but a limit is on just how much they don't care. That being said...if the 4.0 is from an online college without proctored exams.....that is no good.

I take a lot of online classes, but not my science prereqs. I don't have a choice because I live overseas. (military) So I have a limited amount of face to face classes. I have called multiple schools to find out how they view online classes and majority of them have told me they need to have proctored exams and I cannot do the science prereqs online. Some schools will not accept any online courses even if you take proctored exams so keep that in mind. Due to my situation of being a military family I have a little more wiggle room with this than you will because some schools (such as Northwestern) told me flat out that they work with those associated with the military and understand that we often can't take our classes face to face so they give me a bit more allowance with online schooling than they will a "normal" student. The point being, a lot of the schools judge online classes on a case by case basis so you need to have a good reason for doing classes online.

 

[Fedfireman]

Wow! Didn't know I pulled the pin out of that grenade before I threw it. Lol.

So, CSU is DETC only. According to the admissions counselor I spoke to UNC does not accept 2nd bachelors students. Additionally, I will have to retake all curriculum classes I have taken/will take at CSU. The exams are proctored, but by my chief at work.

I have my heart set on USUHS. So I guess my question now is, for GPA's sake, these BS online classes are great. I can very easily get A's and if they will act as a buffer to a future C or B's then I should continue right?

Does anyone know whether or not I could enroll at UNC with 1 class remaining for my B.S. Of fire science and then just take that class online after acceptance? I just think having that BS B.S. Will look better than dropping out of the program. I think that might be a question for admissions at UNC and CSU but hey, maybe y'all can chime in.

Thank you all for the many replies.

 

[Law2Doc]

A 4.0 at an everyday college will do more for you than a 3.5 at an Ivy. A 4.0 from a student at an everyday college versus a student with a 4.0 from an Ivy will be at a disadvantage. GPA means more than the school you came from, but a limit is on just how much they don't care. That being said...if the 4.0 is from an online college without proctored exams.....that is no good...

this.

 

[xxx2012]

A 4.0 at an everyday college will do more for you than a 3.5 at an Ivy. A 4.0 from a student at an everyday college versus a student with a 4.0 from an Ivy will be at a disadvantage. GPA means more than the school you came from, but a limit is on just how much they don't care. That being said...if the 4.0 is from an online college without proctored exams.....that is no good.

I take a lot of online classes, but not my science prereqs. I don't have a choice because I live overseas. (military) So I have a limited amount of face to face classes. I have called multiple schools to find out how they view online classes and majority of them have told me they need to have proctored exams and I cannot do the science prereqs online. Some schools will not accept any online courses even if you take proctored exams so keep that in mind. Due to my situation of being a military family I have a little more wiggle room with this than you will because some schools (such as Northwestern) told me flat out that they work with those associated with the military and understand that we often can't take our classes face to face so they give me a bit more allowance with online schooling than they will a "normal" student. The point being, a lot of the schools judge online classes on a case by case basis so you need to have a good reason for doing classes online.

Thank you. Someone gets what I was trying to say (albeit you worded it a lot better)

I don't think they care about the proctored exams part if you have a lot of required face time online, but most the "self paced-self proctored" ones are not regional (they require a lot more from detc and some don't even take it) and most of those don't have labs anyways in their degrees (just B-school degrees mostly)

My main point being the part about Ivy vs state though.

 

[Law2Doc]

Thank you. Someone gets what I was trying to say....

Um she didn't agree with you with respect to the online courses. Actually said the opposite.

 

[xxx2012]

Um she didn't agree with you with respect to the online courses. Actually said the opposite.

Agreed with me on some, disagreed on some based on her personal experience with some (my personal experiences and researches differ a bit, but at least she has real world experience on it)

Thus the thanks.

 

[MedPR]

Thank you. Someone gets what I was trying to say (albeit you worded it a lot better)

I don't think they care about the proctored exams part if you have a lot of required face time online, but most the "self paced-self proctored" ones are not regional (they require a lot more from detc and some don't even take it) and most of those don't have labs anyways in their degrees (just B-school degrees mostly)

My main point being the part about Ivy vs state though.

Um she didn't agree with you with respect to the online courses. Actually said the opposite.

+1

Agreed with me on some, disagreed on some based on her personal experience with some (my personal experiences and researches differ a bit, but at least she has real world experience on it)

Thus the thanks.

Isn't your main point that "ADCOMs don't care whether your degree is from Harvard or U of Phoenix." ? If that's the case, she didn't agree with you at all. I doubt by "everyday college" she was implying "online" college.

 

[LupaCupcake]

I find it a little amusing to watch people argue over whether or not I agreed or disagreed with someone.

I could add clarification, but then again you guys seem to be having fun and it is not everyday a premed girl gets to see herself repeatedly quoted

t

 

[xxx2012]

+1



Isn't your main point that "ADCOMs don't care whether your degree is from Harvard or U of Phoenix." ? If that's the case, she didn't agree with you at all. I doubt by "everyday college" she was implying "online" college.

I had multiple points and regardless someone with real life experience (and just daddy told me) is refreshing.

UOP is not an online school by the way (not any more than an online degree from any other state school) they have physical campus too. Plus one schools opinion is not that of all.

I stand by that it is better to have a higher GPA and MCAT at even UOP than lower ones at Harvard. Most people don't understand that all online schools are not created equal (regional accrediting vs DETC)