I have Katie, and it wasn't a very pleasant conversation. I attend Ashworth and I truely love it. I also attend another college so that I can get two degrees at once. And when I went searching for another college I was told "Ashworth isn't a real College" then the conversation got heated. I did have a few choice of words and told them to stick it. Well I do attend another college and they took Ashworths Credits and I am a happy camper. I totally believe in Ashworth. I am in the BS in Business Admin. Program and loving every minute of it.

The reason I am attending another College because Ashworth doesn't offer the BA in Psychology. I did get my Associates in Psych from Ashworth. I have a feeling I will be attending Ashworth for a very long time. Ashworth enables me to continue my lifesyle. I have this little saying "I can never get enough education".

Take care,

Sandy

P.S. Online is harder because you have to write more papers. My daughter attends West Virginia University and for the past year of classes she has had to write only one paper. And so far I have had to write two papers in each class here at Ashworth. And my other college is all about papers.

I have to say that people in general state that online school is easy when it is not. We have to put in the same work ethic as students who walk in to their classrooms. I went to Phoenix as well and I loved it. I went online. Financially speaking as someone mentioned Ashworth is very reasonable. I'm paying for school out of my own pocket and Ashworth allows you to pay what u can. I love Ashworth.

I want to say that online studies is harder than campus studies for these reasons:

1.  You are still employed full time while studying part time.

2.  You do not have a physicl study group on hand or persons on hand that you can discuss things with face to face.

3. You are still at home with all the house chores to complete.

4.  You still have kids or spousw to share your time with

If you are on campus, then you are just on campus PERIOD!

1. No full time work;

2. Many colleagues around to discus  stuff with

3. You are not bound by many house chores because you are catering for YOU alone.

3.  You have probably left you spouse or parents to look after your kids.

So the folks who think it is so easy should try it.  If it was that easy I wouldn't be up now trying to read a few chapters. (11:57 pm)

I am not an Ashworth College student, (High School) But I still have a hard time explaining to them that it is a legit school because they haven't heard of it. I have to explain to them how distance learning and the correspondence option works. I chose correspondence so I have all the time in the world to finish and there is no deadline for me and this just totally mindwarps them, they are like "okay..." and fall into silence. Or they ask me, "Why don't you just go for your GED?" And I have to explain that to do that I'd have to give up everything, time and money, I have invested in this. And then I also tell them that I promised my mother I would get that high school diploma and I am not gonna settle for second best.

Message was edited by: ravenosky

I've worked for a financial services company for the past four years and having a bachelor degree is an unspoken requirement. When I tell people I'm working my degree online, they are usually just happy to hear that I'm bettering my education. If they ask the name of my school and I tell them Ashworth, I get a blank stare and an "Oh okay, never heard of it." But then again, how many of you have heard of Washburn? Or St. Joseph Maine? Or Ottawa? There are *tons* of schools (brick and mortar and online) that people haven't heard of. That doesn't make the program any less valid or "real." Besides, if Ashworth was a University of Phoenix - I wouldn't be able to afford it!

I usually say "I'm finishing my degree at Ashworth College, an online university based outside of Atlanta, GA." Even tough Norcross isn't that close to Atlanta, that seems to help people understand it's not just some diploma mill run out of some dude's basement. And not a *single* person ever asks about accreditation. I always think it's funny how many people get so obsessed about that, but it's really not that big of a deal unless you're getting into academics. A nationally accredited (Ashworth) degree is on par with every other nationally accredited school in the country, and it's recognized by the US Department of Education. AND there are several regionally accredited graduate schools that will take an Ashworth degree. So if people don't "get it," that's there fault. Be proud of where you're going to school!

I have heard a lot of different, negative comments about online classes and it did bother me as well. The funny thing is that most colleges offer some type or version of an online class now. It's not to make it easy, but to make it convenient for more people to attend college and obtain the much needed degrees or credits, etc.

My son was dually enrolled in college while he was still in high school. One day, while in his college class, the instructor walked in with an Ashworth t-shirt on. My son was very proud and so excited that he spoke with him and boasted that that's his mom's college. After class, he brings the guy out to my car to introduce us. I was not only surprised at the introduction, but at the instructor's reaction. He hugged me and said that he was elated to meet a fellow Ashworth student.

After that, I proudly say that I am a student of Ashworth. I have had others check out what we already know about this school. Some have joined (wish they used me as a referral ), and some are still seeking. Either way, it doesn't matter. I will always say that it is not easy, challenging and a great decision on my part.

By the way, I checked out many other schools and still see Ashworth as a top choice. I only wish that they had a way that we could all get financial support and sometimes, miss the face-to-face interaction with other students. It helps to be able to communicate in a structured manner or just communicate period. Still, I love my choice and will continue until I am done.

Good luck all!! Stay positive!!

Hi Katie,

I think most of us get into those types of conversations. It used to get me upset, but now I just smile and say we'll see how real it is sooner or later. When I was doing my certificate my family and many friends didnt believe I was in a real school and said I was wasting my time. When I got my promotion last year (I work for an Ivy league University Health Center), everyone bit there tougue about Ashworth and began to ask me how they can sign up. Remember you dont have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. Make sure you do your research, get good grades, look past all the negativety.