No arguments, Just Facts

[aerotim]

I have been over this forum time and time again. I have found that people seem to be opposed to the option of getting a degree online. I have also read time and time again that it does'nt matter where you go to school, as long as you get a degree. Can you please tell me why going to college is better. The degree seems to be the puzzle piece thats needed. In my situation I have to work to pay bills. I cant go the college/FBO route. The online option was/is the way i'm going. My VA educational bennies run out in about 18 months. I am not a wealthy person, so I need to utilize these benefits. I am also thirty-one years old so I need to start building some hours fast. THe reason I say that I want the online degree is because I am also trying to maintain a healthy relationship with my new wife. She supports me, but at the same time does not deserve to be abandoned so early in the game. Online I am at least at home. I know what you are thinking...... " You will be gone from home alot when you get that airline job oneday." I agree. Its one thing to be away from home and making money, but another to be gone all the time and spending it all. So I guess my question is am I shooting myself in the foot with an online degree? A degree is a degree is it not.

[MDPilot]

I agree, a degree is a degree..... if you finish it. I think a lot of the skeptisism you see here about online degrees is because it is apparant that it is hard...extremely hard... to finish a degree online. Some folks here know that and discourage online degrees because they know that the majority of people will never graduate. Only you know your level of motivation. Just realize the problems inherent in working a job and doing an online degree.

[SkyyAngel]

As long as it's an accredited institution offering the online degree then I see no problem with it. You're right, a degree is a degree. Just make sure it's not one of those schools that show all those stupid "You too can get a degree in : dental assistant, medical assitant, paralegal...etc etc blah blah" those places just look like a rip-off waiting to happen.

Does your wife have a job? Perhaps you could just attend a few classes at a community college while she's at work? Most CCs I've attended offer online classes, so you could get the majority of your degree with those and perhaps attend just one class in person?

The on-line thing is cool, not really for everyone..I for one, suck at taking them. I'm much better in front of a teacher I can ask questions to.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[MQAAord]

I don't have issues with online degrees. Just make sure it's fully accredited.

I think maybe where the people who may not seem too keen on the online degree programs are kind of aiming their comments at are the folks who are just graduating H.S. and instead of going and getting the life experience of college under their belt, they want to do the accelerated flight training and do an online degree on the side or later.

Quite frankly all my 'college experience' amounted to was a lot of beer, many hangovers & the feelings of failure when I dropped out after two years. I personally was an immature slacker who had no business taking up a seat in a classroom at that time in my life. I went back years later and suceeded (thanks to a much more mature mind-set).

A degree is a degree. If you have the self-motivation to complete a degree online, go for it!

[aerotim]

Yes my wife does work, but we make our way together. We do alright, but as we all know flying is the best thing as well as the most expensive. In my case, it takes two. By the way I am highly motivated.

[RPM]

UVSC has a great online degree program....it has worked well for many pilots I know, including myself.

Nobody cares where your degree came from, they only care if you've earned one or not.

If you have any questions about UVSC, shoot me a PM.

[Ecl!pse]

<off topic> Happy Birthday RPM!
</off topic>

Like what everyone else has said here, try the local CC and their online programs. You said it yourself, and sound motivated enough to try it. However, monitary issues aside, I don't think you need to rush to build flight time. It seems like CFI'ing is the way to go, and that would be a nice start for you making money in the business. Take your time, make sure you get the experience you need (fun and serious!) along the way! Again, this is purely from a wannabe, highschooler!

Good Luck

[RPM]

thanks wannabe!

[TheWife]

I haven't seen there be that much oposition to online degrees?? Not sure why you feel there is. My husband is also in UVSC. He'll have his 4 year next year, most of the classes were done online. The only reason it doesn't work that well for us is because he is a major procrastinator. Get over that, and you'll do just fine w/ an online program.

[montanapilot]

Michelle are we gonna have to send MikeD up there to get Corbin to shape up.

[aerotim]

Thanks for the info and comments everyone. I just feel I have one more shot at this and don't want to mess it up. Excuse the paranoya.

[VaughnAir]

I don't know if this will help, but I will give you my experience. The biggest difference between online courses and taking classes on campus is the work. While the online courses free up time, they eat time because you have to demonstrate compentencies without ever meeting the instructor face to face. The homework in the online courses is longer and a lot more detailed oriented. That being said, many Regionals don't require a degree, so taking online courses could be the way to go for you. I am taking a full schedule with 2 courses currently being online. With on campus classes, I passed two of them (both "A's") without cracking the book once. I will now end my rambling.

[viper548]

[ QUOTE ]
UVSC has a great online degree program....it has worked well for many pilots I know, including myself.

Nobody cares where your degree came from, they only care if you've earned one or not.

If you have any questions about UVSC, shoot me a PM.

[/ QUOTE ]

UVSC worked great for me too