jsmunoz68:

If you do enroll watch out for there Automatic Disenrollment feature. 

Just an FYI - automatic disenrollment is actually a fairly common practice among colleges and universities, not just for-profit schools, or schools that offer online education.

So, for example, if you don't enroll in at least 1 course for X number of months or if there's a requirement that you complete a course within X number of months (or years, whatever), you could be considered inactive and then be automatically disenrolled. What happens then is that if you are disenrolled for inactivity, you have to reapply for admission. Disenrollment usually has no negative effect on your academic standing.

All this means is that you have to keep in touch with your advisor, or the school in general, to let them know about your progress. If you suddenly drop out of a course or decide you can't continue, you MUST notify the school that you need time off. You can usually try to work something out.

I am currently attending University of  Phoenix, and I wanted to attend Kellogg Buisness School for their MBA/JD program. I'm worried that I may not get accepted based on the school that I currently attend.

I have a 3.98 GPA and got a 707 on the GMAT. The question is will that outweigh what school I attended? Is it not a good idea to really look foward o attending this school?

What is it that intrigues you about Kellogg?  The JD combo?  At US$43000+ per year for 2 or 3 years, you're talking a very serious investment ;-)  [U. of Phoenix is a little pricey as well.]  So what is it you expect to gain at Northwestern you don't see elsewhere?

As explained previously in this thread, there are many factors - not just grades or test scores - that are part of the admissions process, so there's no point in rehashing that.  

Sidebar: I wouldn't put too much stock in whatever negative things you've heard or read about U. of Phoenix - a good 85-90% is nothing more than a relative handful of disgruntled, former students who couldn't do the work or can't adapt to the demands of distance learning and simply don't want to take personal responsibility for their own mistakes and failures.  Other than that, there is almost nothing that is specific or unique to U. of Phoenix that doesn't apply in varying degree to all distance learning programs - for profit or non-profit.  Retention and graduation rates are a chronic problem for a variety of reasons, and that applies to adjunct faculty and staff as well as students. [Case in point, the 'forced' disenrollment mentioned previous, which is not necessarily 'failure' on anyone's part but simply an indication that hundreds of thousands to millions of people would like to take a course or a few courses, but have no interest in a degree.]

Frankly, I don't think you really want to work at any company or institution that hires (and presummably promotes) based solely on the 'brand name' wow-factor on your diploma.  And remember, too, that diploma is precisely the same for every graduate whether you graduate at the top or the bottom  of the class  (...although some schools still print distinctions for graduating '*** laude' and above, most gave that up eons ago).

 

There are two things to consider:

1- Online degrees v traditional degrees.  Do employers view online degrees with the same level of confidence they have for traditional degrees?  As everyone else has said, it depends.  Some still view them with disdain.  Others have no opinion.  Still others may not even know that you pursued your degree online; so far as I know, you're not required to state you got your degree online, and some schools don't distinguish on their diplomas how you earned the degree.  Those who've completed online programs are even likely to say they're BETTER. 

2- For-profits v not for-profit schools (v well-known schools).  Some employers may frown upon potential candidates who come from for-profit schools.  Those schools, by the sheer volume of students they matriculate, collect a measure of bad press.  There's still the narrow-minded/elitist view that traditional is better.  I'd say it depends on the school and how it meets the needs of the student, but then I work in the industry.  At the end of the day, someone who has a degree from a well-known school fares has some advantage (ie if you were going to pursue an MSW from NYU); if the well-known schools have online programs they'd most likely give you an advantage over lesser known online schools. 

What I always suggest is that if you have an idea of some of the potential employers you'll be interviewing with in the future, try to talk to them now and find out what they think. If you're getting your BS in SW, go to your school's Career Resource Center, get them to find you some alumni who are working in your field, and ask them about their experiences.  Doesn't even hurt to ask potential schools if THEY have any student references or if they'd allow you to talk to their Career Resource Centers.  And, of course, keep reading the Community for others to chime in!

Also: never discount your experience.  As someone who's been in hiring mode for the past five months, I can tell you that a degree from a prestigious place may cause me to reread a person's resume, but it means nothing compared to a person's ability to demonstrate their experience and knowledge of our field. 

I am considering the same thing. Did you make a decision? I was about to sign up with Capella but then read some of their reviews and got frightened.

did you make a decision yet? i was bout to sign on to Capella but then read bad reviews of their psychology course.

I am going with Peru State.

http://www.peru.edu/online/index.htm#.htm

They have the best program to fit me.  Most of their courses are 8 week sessions costing only $157 per credit hour.  Ft. Hays is less expensive, however they only offer 16 week courses.  If you don't mind that, they are $130 a credit hour.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. 

 

Okay, I am not trying to be rude AT ALL... but I see a lot of "positive" comments regarding the University of Phoenix, and I simply cannot agree.  I honestly think that the school (even though I'm sure the actual curriculum is not), is viewed as a joke.  I currently attend Bellevue University in Omaha, NE, and would highly recommend their onling programs for anyone.  They seem to have a good reputation, as far as I know, and although they may not be the most "prestigous" school in Nebraska (although that is kind of a moot point), they are also not viewed at as a joke.  Also, the tuition is extremely reasonable.  Although I attend traditional campus classes, I believe the online classes are modeled the same, and my entire year was around 10,000.00.  Just a thought.

I think what you are seeing here is a group of unbiased opinions vs. the horrid insults on other sites.  While we are all entitled to our own opinion, I don't think UOP is viewed as a joke.  I chose not to attend there for a few reasons.  First and foremost was cost.  Had I not found this site, I would be starting my corses there right now.  Second was the reputation.  Hearing so much negativity, be it 1% or 90% of students, I couldn't take the risk.  Thrid, I found a State College with a great reputation (and resonable tuition).  That's all I could ever really want.

In my opinion, since UOP is so widely advertised, some would think it's a joke.  The reality is, they have the funds and to advertise and a huge student pool. 

Should they be viewed as a joke because they can advertise so extensively?  Well, I don't call Ford or Chevy a joke because I see them more often on TV than the others.   In the end, I don't have an opinion about UOP.  My EC was great until I applied to the school.  Then when I needed information about Financial aid and other things, I couldn't get ahold of him.  As it got close to my start date, he was calling me often talking about how everything iwas ready for me to start.  Well he hadn't even gotten any transcrips from High school or College so I wasn't sure how that could be.

Anyway, my daugher just cut her bangs, AGAIN, so good luck with your schooling.

 

calipc1 -

The question wasn't "should" it be viewed as a joke.  Thats not the point, of COURSE it IS viewed as a joke.  I'm sorry, but there are so many other schools that are online to attend that people won't roll their eyes at when you mention it.  I personally would rather go to a school that is a little more unheard of, than UoP.  Also, there is absolutely no point in paying a ton for one of their associates degree...its called a community college, and yes, I realize people work, and that is the whole point of going to school online, but I managed to work full time, and take 19.5 (in class) credit hours, so I'm sure if others want an associates degree that is not through the roof price-wise bad enough, they could do it too.

P.S. 

I don't understand comparing Ford and Chevy the UoP.  A college education, and a pickup truck should not be advertised in the same way.... 

Facetious...not to put too fine a point on things, but would you care to qualify your opinion on UofP being viewed as a joke? I don't have a dog in this fight one way or another but I will tell you from personal experience, I know more than 1 UofP grad working in govt. and in the private sector in jobs of substantial responsibility, whose work you probably count on daily, that have done very, very well for themselves. In my organization, UofP is given the respect that any other school (non Ivy) would get. You also have to remember that they are the largest school in the U.S. and probably not by accident. UofP is or was a leader in non-traditional education and though I have nothing but the greatest respect for Bellevue (I almost enrolled there myself) UofP has impacted far more people's lives. Personally I like UofP's MS in the Admin of Security and Justice degree but their tuition is IMHO stupidly high. This site is full of objective people who seem to call it like it is sometimes good, sometimes bad. Personally I think UofP needs to tone down the advertising a couple of levels but they are a reputable school. As for the community college thing, I graduated from community college with a cert before entering law enforcement. I will tell you, though you did it working full time, it would have been impossible for me with my schedule. We don't all have fixed predictable working schedules.

facetious:

calipc1 -

The question wasn't "should" it be viewed as a joke.  Thats not the point, of COURSE it IS viewed as a joke.  I'm sorry, but there are so many other schools that are online to attend that people won't roll their eyes at when you mention it.  I personally would rather go to a school that is a little more unheard of, than UoP.  Also, there is absolutely no point in paying a ton for one of their associates degree...its called a community college, and yes, I realize people work, and that is the whole point of going to school online, but I managed to work full time, and take 19.5 (in class) credit hours, so I'm sure if others want an associates degree that is not through the roof price-wise bad enough, they could do it too.

P.S. 

I don't understand comparing Ford and Chevy the UoP.  A college education, and a pickup truck should not be advertised in the same way.... 

 I was actually refering to their Mini Van's and SUV's, not pick ups.

 

Hi.  I just stumbled upon this site, but wanted to add my 2 cents.  I am also a distance learner, getting ready to graduate from Rio Salado Community College, and will be transferring to the distance program at Northern Arizona University.  In addition I am also employed full time as an HR Generalist with a local government agency. Like Facetious, I can tell you from my experience that a degree from U of P is indeed and unfortunately looked upon as a "joke" by alot of employers.  I have personally had experience with applicants holding a BA in Business, etc. from U of P that can barely qualify as a Secretary.  This is not because the degree was obtained through distance learning, but because of the structure of U of P's courses. 

Working in a group environment can and should be a wonderful learning experience, but too often, there are a small few that end up doing all of the work and carrying the load for the rest of the group to actually EARN that A, while the rest of the group coasts along and receives the same group grade.  Though there are some very intelligent and deserving U of P graduates, it is the "coasters" that have created a bad name for U of P.  In my company, the mention of a degree from U of P easily brings chuckles and comments of "buying a degree".  I, myself, would only attend college that bases your grade on your individual effort.  (Unless of course you WANT to coast along and buy your degree)

Hi zonie - I don't know a lot about U of P but what I do know makes me look elsewhere.  First, I think it's too expensive.  This is especially true if even a few people think it's a substandard school.  If you're going to pay top dollar then the product should be beyond reproach.  It's possible that U of P could be a fine school (I don't know, I've had no first hand experience with U of P) but just the fact that there is some common perception that it is substandard means that I'm disinterested, especially at that price.  The second piece is the whole cohort system.  I work best on my own and I've had enough success that I'm willing to sink or swim on my own merits.  I don't want to get shackled to a bunch of others, some of whom are parasites.  Oh yeah, and especially not at that price.  I'm sure that there are a lot of people who have gotten a good education at U of P and they're hopefully doing well in their careers.  However, you DO hear stories that tend to make you think twice.  If the programs that are offered by U of P were rare commodities then I'd say that maybe you just have to grit your teeth and go through the process.  There's no real choice.  But the programs they offer are really quite common.  There are almost 200 distance learning MBA programs in the USA.  Why would you go to one that is not only tainted (even if it's just a perception) but IT'S EXPENSIVE.  You're actually paying extra in order to get a degree with a bad rep.  I don't get it. 

Yes, Kizmet explained it nicely - "even if it's just a perception" (of University of Phoenix being a not-so-good school), thats what I was getting at.  I'm sure the program is great for some people, but I honestly believe its just looked at a little "differently" by most people.