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University of Phoenix...Anyone Attend There?

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Originally posted by: timosyy
IMO, regardless of whether the stigma is justified or not, the fact is that it exists, and will hinder the usefulness of the degree. No one in this thread has given a positive reason to go there yet, while there are many negatives contained in the links scattered throughout.

For what its worth, I'm currently attending a community college and then transferring to a 4-year school (UVA). CC's are very cheap and imo, very good deals- many of them, as mentioned before, have agreements for guaranteed admission to 4-year universities (I know my current one has such agreements with GMU, Va Tech, UVA). If time is a factor, most community colleges also have many of their courses online, which seems to be your main draw to UoP. I took both economics and calculus online last semester. My friend (a 4th year civil engineer at Virginia Tech) is taking Circuit Analysis online over this summer. I would imagine most classes required for an associates (to transfer to a 4-year institution) are available online.
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GMU doesn't let you transfer credits from a CC once you are enrolled (they do accept transfer credits before you enroll though). 🙁

ng
 
Originally posted by: XxPrOdiGyxX
Look, it looks like you are strongly leaning towards UoP. If it is your desire to attend that school and it makes sense for you then do it. You can't come into a forum and expect quality advice from strangers. The only thing I can recommend is looking at the chances of doing distance learning through your CC and then look for distance learning options in the 4 year university you transfer to. My personal opinion is to stick with the traditional colleges. Why? Look at the response from other posters and you will see why. True, it's a forum full of anonymous people who usually speak up better behind their computers than in person...but these people also make up the workforce you will probably become part of. You could save money and avoid the stigma by selecting the traditional route of education. It may seem shallow to avoid UoP because of the stigma, but these people could easily have the same opinions hiring managers do. You want to give yourself the best chance you can at anything you do. But don't let us tell you what to do or put too much weight in what we say. Do what you want to and learn from your mistake or prosper from your success.
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Couldn't agree more.
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: MaverickBP
Originally posted by: halik
Heh I'd go to community college over that place... you might as well buy yourself a degree from the first spam email you get.
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Ok but you're not giving any reasons behind your opinion.
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I doubt he's gone to college yet either, otherwise he may have known how to support a statement better.

UoP is hit or miss. It really depends on what you are looking to do and how the job market you are entering views those credentials.

For some in upper management, it makes it easy to get additional degrees while already having a decent job. YMMV on some of that.

To me with a science background, nothing can replace hands on actual lab time. You can mix up chemicals virtually all you want, and Joe the Idiot Genius does well at that. However; put that same guy in a real lab and all of a sudden he can't release less than 5 drops from a pipette when the reaction calls for no more than 1 in bold print.

Å
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<- Double B.S. from undergrad, starting Gradschool in September...

I currently work for a very prominent investment bank and, from what I've seen, recruiters won't give you the time of day if you have one of those "buy yourself an MBA in two weeks" degrees on your resume. Spend your money wisely.
 
OK, I'll give you a very good reason to consider a school other than UOP. Look at all of the responses in this thread. Regardless of the quality of the education you get there, the reputation is bad. The school's reputation determines the value of your degree. You could get the same education that you could get at UOP - or at MIT for that matter - for free off the Internet or at your public library, but it won't give you the "prestige" of the degree.

I would strongly recommend distance learning from a state school.
 
Nevada's university system has some of the most diverse online class and degree offerings around. Plus, if you look, you would find that there are even some BA/BS programs at CCSN.
 
I think everyone else already hit the nail on the head in terms of the problems with UoP and similar online "universities". Remember that the point of a college education is to not take the path of least resistance. If you think it's too hard or challenging to attend a community college and transfer to a four-year, then college probably isn't right for you.
 
A no degree resume is better than a UofP degree resume if all other variables are equal.

Sure the person with the UofP degree may have worked really hard for his degree, but I would not hire a person with a poor perception/judgment of the society.

You have to understand, it does not matter whether UofP actually provides quality education or not, all that matters is what the society perceives of it, which currently isn't too favorable.

I would not hire any person who is too stubborn to see through this fact, I want an employer to work smart, not hard.

If you are just using UofP to expand your personal education level, then it is fine. If you plan to use it as an asset on a resume, then it does not fit the bill. As you have already seen, most people on this board have a negative view towards UofP (justified or not), so take this as a small sample that represent the IT hiring managers out there, you get the point.
 
In 2007 it didn't even make the top 125 universities by US News. Who knows where it is really ranked.

from US News website:

"U.S. News ranking: International, specialized, and other institutions, unranked"
 
Ive done UOP, UOP Online, CC, and CSU.

My .02...It's who you know that counts in business and getting work. AND. Employers care more about experience and whether or not you are a hard worker.

If I had to rank the above 4 options I would rank UOP Online at the bottom.

I would rank UOP campus at the top. I learned everything I needed to know about working in a business environment from my time at the UOP campus. CSU was just as bad as the CC. Just an extension of high school. UOP online was a joke.

just my .02
 
Originally posted by: Imdmn04
A no degree resume is better than a UofP degree resume if all other variables are equal.

Sure the person with the UofP degree may have worked really hard for his degree, but I would not hire a person with a poor perception/judgment of the society.

You have to understand, it does not matter whether UofP actually provides quality education or not, all that matters is what the society perceives of it, which currently isn't too favorable.

I would not hire any person who is too stubborn to see through this fact, I want an employer to work smart, not hard.

If you are just using UofP to expand your personal education level, then it is fine. If you plan to use it as an asset on a resume, then it does not fit the bill. As you have already seen, most people on this board have a negative view towards UofP (justified or not), so take this as a small sample that represent the IT hiring managers out there, you get the point.
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and what school did you attend? 😛
 
Originally posted by: txrandom
Why is the OP so adamant on UOP?
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OP isn't adamant on OP. Why isn't anyone reading the entire thread? I already mentioned all that i'm doing is looking for people's knowledgeable opinions and experiences. All I said was UOP fits my needs a little better than a normal college but if possible i'd obviously rather go to a local CC and then upgrade to UNLV.
 
Originally posted by: MaverickBP
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
The fact that all of those online universities spam the hell out of everyone's email box does not help in building a good reputation for higher learning.
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That I agree with. Of course one could argue that since it's not an obvious State college that it has to find a way to advertise itself. I could do with a little less spam though lol.
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In all honesty, that might not be the best school name to have on a resume. If your looking for the best router financially state community college, the state university. Pretty much any state school is going to look at least good on your resume, and you won't spent as much. Private schools for a degree, stick to nonprofits...

Where do you live? I'm sure people here can find you a good school at a much better price.
 
Originally posted by: esun
I think everyone else already hit the nail on the head in terms of the problems with UoP and similar online "universities". Remember that the point of a college education is to not take the path of least resistance. If you think it's too hard or challenging to attend a community college and transfer to a four-year, then college probably isn't right for you.
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It's not about it being hard or challenging. I went to an excelled school and even tested out of 95% of highschool so am not worried about a couple remedial college courses and some computer classes covering stuff I do on a everyday basis. I just have to worry about the class schedule due to the extreme amount of overtime I have to do at work and my brand new baby girl. Obviously a local college would be my first stop...and more than likely still will be. I just wanted to see your guys opinions.
 
Originally posted by: OrByte
Ive done UOP, UOP Online, CC, and CSU.

My .02...It's who you know that counts in business and getting work. AND. Employers care more about experience and whether or not you are a hard worker.

If I had to rank the above 4 options I would rank UOP Online at the bottom.

I would rank UOP campus at the top. I learned everything I needed to know about working in a business environment from my time at the UOP campus. CSU was just as bad as the CC. Just an extension of high school. UOP online was a joke.

just my .02
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I agree that UOP online is a joke. That's why I would (if I went) take my english/math/social studies/etc courses that I didn't test out of online and take my career focuses courses at the school itself.
 
Originally posted by: wetcat007
Originally posted by: MaverickBP
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
The fact that all of those online universities spam the hell out of everyone's email box does not help in building a good reputation for higher learning.
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That I agree with. Of course one could argue that since it's not an obvious State college that it has to find a way to advertise itself. I could do with a little less spam though lol.
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In all honesty, that might not be the best school name to have on a resume. If your looking for the best router financially state community college, the state university. Pretty much any state school is going to look at least good on your resume, and you won't spent as much. Private schools for a degree, stick to nonprofits...

Where do you live? I'm sure people here can find you a good school at a much better price.
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Well last time I met with a rep for CCSN the scheduling was in no way workable for me...but I will try again and see what we can come up with. Besides another bonus of local classes...local chicks! 😛

I live in Las Vegas (Henderson) so I believe i'm limited to CCSN or UNLV.
 
If you want a professional career, then don't go to UoP for the reasons already stated.

If you want to be the manager of a Hardee's or be an "IT Engineer" replacing computer mice and installing Windows, then UoP might be ok for you.

Most people with higher ambition will say that UoP is no good because in professional circles, UoP has a horrible reputation.
 
Originally posted by: CanOWorms
If you want a professional career, then don't go to UoP for the reasons already stated.

If you want to be the manager of a Hardee's or be an "IT Engineer" replacing computer mice and installing Windows, then UoP might be ok for you.

Most people with higher ambition will say that UoP is no good because in professional circles, UoP has a horrible reputation.
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Ya it just sucks because this place would work great for me schedule-wise...not so much cost wise. I agree that work experience is much better then the degree. Some colleges take certifications and work experience as a huge credit towards your degree. I wish I was still in San Diego because my certs at the time would cover almost half my degree in one shot.
 
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