greenday3437

iTrader: (2)

So I've been reading frt's thread about going to school for a computer science degree, which is pretty much what I've decided I want to do.

My main situtation is I work full time, evening shift. I'm wondering if anyone here has real experience with online schools and wether or not they are legit as far as actually using them once you graduate. The convenience of being able to go to school from home is obvious, but if it puts me at a disadvantage over others when I go to get a job it's not worth it.

I've tried researching but you find lots of conflicting information and bs websites that are praising the obvious junk online schools.

Schools like this: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Accredited Online Degree - UNIVERSITY OF ATLANTA are they legit, or is online school for cs not a reality.

gearhead_318

iTrader: (1)

I'd also like to know if they're legit or not, the idea sounds really convenient.

2ndGearRubber

If they advertise, they are generally "for-profit" operations. Those institutes are often sub-par.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I disagree. For-profits schools are the best out there (online or in-real-life).

I took courses at Unv. of Phoenix.

Stein

iTrader: (46)

As tight as the job market is, I can't see an online graduate getting a position over someone that attended a regular accredited university, assuming all other things are equal.

There could be some decent ones, but the "buy a degree for $200" thing has really tarnished the reputation of the other legit onlines.

greenday3437

iTrader: (2)

That's what I figured but wasn't sure, would going the first 2-3 years online then transferring to a classroom school to finish my degree make a difference I wonder?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

i have a feeling the credits wont transfer well.

greenday3437

iTrader: (2)

So general opinion is it's not really worth my time then? Even schools like the one I linked to?

skidude

iTrader: (3)

I would pick a school you want to graduate from, then find out if there are any online schools whose credits they will accept, then take a bunch of courses there and finish at the brick school.

greenday3437

iTrader: (2)

That's what I'm thinking, I'll look into it and see of its a viable option, I really appreciate everyone's help.

I still would love more opinions from other people that have experience with it.

albumleaf

iTrader: (7)

Take some community college courses to knock out your generals, find another job/take out loans then do the real thing. The plus side of this is that you'll actually be able to find a job because people will respect your degree.

Brilliant troll.

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

Gotta agree with Albumleaf's original post (laughing at Brainy) there, and I totally missed it when I first glanced over this thread this morning.

Dealt with a ton of ****-poor juniors from various for-profit schools, so much so that if I see that on a resume, I cringe now. The percentage of ****-poor SEs of for-profit vs. self taught vs. public/private universities make it a done deal if I see it and they don't have some ------- awesome project/experience on their resume. Oddly, I see a pretty similar percentage of really good SE's from self-taught and university background though.

/Lesson to take from it? Don't go to DeVry and expect to be a top flight software engineer
//Another lesson? Self-taught SE's are actually pretty damned good if they are motivated. Seriously, the best SE I know is self-taught.
(Edit) And it just hit me, before Brainy tries to pull the strawman. I'm not saying all software engineers from for-profit schools suck, I'm just saying that of the ones I've dealt with, the majority have been pretty bad and required me to do so much teaching of them it wasn't worth hiring them. Plus this is just one anecdotal data point, who knows? The actuarials from for-profit schools may be the best in country, although a quick perusal of statistics on the topic refutes that completely.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

how is that trolling? did i say something brilliant that i, myself, missed?

greenday3437

iTrader: (2)

Finding a different job is not an option, and I'm not sure what you mean about taking out loans, if you mean for school itself, I have the gi bill to pay for school.