Which online college to choose is a big decision.
It will be one that will have a far-reaching impact on the rest of your life. That’s why it is important to take your time and make sure you’re in the best position for a successful college experience. Below are a few questions you should ask yourself before applying to an online college:
What Are Your Options?
Get familiar with all your options before committing to anything. In the end, you may find that distance learning isn’t exactly what you’re looking for. If you want to enroll in an online college for the flexible schedule, look into some night and weekend courses at traditional schools as well. They may be a great fit for your lifestyle. Or, if you’re drawn to online learning because you love the idea of working independently, you might also thrive in a blended learning program at a local college. Your ideal college program may be one you haven’t even considered yet.
Is Distance Learning Right for You?
There are some big advantages to online learning, but it’s not a perfect fit for everyone. Online college lets you study without a professor prodding you along every step of the way. As a result, you’ll need to be very self-motivated and disciplined. If you’re a chronic procrastinator, or if you’re easily distracted, it may be difficult for you to thrive in an online learning environment. It’s up to you to ensure your work is done on time, and it’s up to you to stay focused and make progress.
Be aware that you’ll do most of your learning through reading. Many students have great reading comprehension skills and do well with this learning style, but many don’t. If you find it difficult or unnatural to learn primarily through reading, you may want to reconsider online schooling and investigate some traditional programs instead.
You should also consider the social environment of online programs. Most of the interaction you’ll have with your peers and instructors will be through chat rooms, discussion boards, and possibly video conferencing. Online learners need to feel comfortable with the comparatively limited social experience they’ll get through online courses. If the college social scene, with its fraternities and parties and football games, is very important to you, you may want to do your learning at a physical campus.
What Are Your Career Goals?
Knowing your career goals will help you choose the right school, the right program, and the right courses. If you have a clear idea of what you want to do with your education after you graduate, you’ll make much smarter decisions as you progress through your program, and will be much better positioned to turn those career goals into a reality. And, while it is true that many people end up changing their career path later in life, having clear goals set will keep you more motivated, more focused, and will ultimately make it easier for you to succeed in your academic career.
What Are You Educational Goals?
This question is closely connected to your career goals. Perhaps your career goal will require you to get a Ph.D, or perhaps you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree and state certification. Once you know what your career goal is, check to see what credentials are required to break into that career. Knowing these requirements will help you move in the right direction as you work through your schooling.
Which Schools Are Best Suited to Your Goals?
Research many potential online schools, taking into account their reputation and, most importantly, their accreditation. Does the school offer the right programs for your educational and career goals? Not every school will, so make sure you choose one that fits with your learning style, your personality, and your aspirations.
Will the School Accept Transfer Credits?
This is especially important if you’ve completed any AP classes in high school or college coursework at another institution. Some online schools will accept transfer credits from that previous work, greatly reducing the amount of coursework you’ll need to do before graduating. Other online schools, however, are less generous in their transfer policies, and you’ll need to take every course listed on their program roster. Choosing the right school may save you several semesters of work.
Can You Get College Credit for Life Experience?
For students with career experience, some colleges grant credits in exchange for a portfolio review, letter of recommendation, or a high exam score. Talk to a counselor at your online college to see what options are available to you; it may end up saving you a lot of time and energy down the road.
Are You Eligible for Financial Aid?
Before you commit to a program, talk to the school’s financial aid adviser. Chances are, you’ll be able to save a significant amount of tuition money by applying for federal financial aid. Fill out a FAFSA form, and you may find yourself the recipient of a grant or scholarship, a subsidized student loan, or an unsubsidized student loan.
Have You Talked to Your Employer?
It’s a great idea to discuss your school plans with your employer, even if you don’t expect any problems or scheduling conflicts. If your employer knows about your plans ahead of time, it will be much easier to request time off for exams or seminars if necessary. Furthermore, many companies offer tuition reimbursement programs to their employees, which could be a great help toward paying for your schooling.
Have You Talked to Your Family?
Online college can be stressful, and will require a good deal of focused work from you. Talk to your family before you commit to any plan, and make sure you have their support. That way, they’ll know what to expect from your new schedule, and will be able to adapt themselves to your needs. It’s a good idea to establish rules to give you plenty of distraction-free study time every day.
Don’t Give Up
Online college will require a lot of focus, work, patience, and determination. You may feel discouraged or overwhelmed at times, but don’t give up. If you commit to finishing your program and seeing it through to the end, you’ll find yourself turning your goals into realities, step by step.