I’m in school now - Fort Hays State University, and I’m concerned my degree won’t mean anything, regardless of my GPA - for getting into grad school.
My coursework has been unbelievably easy. My psych class quizzes are open book and unlimited attempts. My sociology class is two attempts, but also open book…
For example, I “earned” 92% on my sociology quiz after reading the material once, not reviewing the material or going over my limited notes, and not going back to my textbook for answers.
And if my psych class didn’t force me to wait to take my quizzes, I could have spent 3 days to study my book, take all of my quizzes, write my 1-page essay - and be completely done with this semester’s class.
The coursework is too easy; are good schools going to consider me - even if I get 4.0 GPA?
The school I’m most interested in is Baylor, and the program I want to do is very competitive.
@PrimeMeridian Yep, I’m thinking about studying for them with all the free time I’m going to have, having my school work done early…
But is that enough? Or do I need to also have a degree from a … more difficult school?
Find out what schools have students in that Baylor program. I really doubt you need to go to a “more competitive” school.
What year are you at Fort Hays?
@“Erin’s Dad” Nice idea, thanks.
@PetulaClark First semester… When I looked at the coursework (though, not the syllabus - I couldn’t find it) for some 3rd and 4th year courses, the ones I saw weren’t better. :\
Okay, so it sounds like you just started college? The best plan is to do your best this year, both semesters. Get as high a GPA as you, not being discouraged that courses are too easy. Have you thought about transferring to another school for undergrad? Because they will look primarily at your college GPA. A common path is to transfer after 2 years, especially if you have been ‘mismatched’, that is, attending a college that is less demanding than others you could have gone to. I read a book-long study how being undermatched actually leads to LOWER GPA and LOWER retention rate than if students were at a school more in their academic level. Why? Boredom and lack of motivation among other reasons.
But a caution here: I don’t have all the info of why you are at Fort Hays. Was it nearby? Less expensive? Did not you get into, or not apply, other schools like Kansas? It is still early, so don’t be discouraged. Your question, ‘Will my degree mean anything?’ has more than one answer. Yes, it is a college degree. Your major matters. Could it be harder to get into grad school with a degree from Fort Hays versus a school with a higher academic profile? Maybe. But a 4.0 or 3.8 from anywhere will look good. And as mentioned above, the GRE will be a leveling factor.
@PetulaClark I chose FHSU because it’s the only one I could afford. However, if I get scholarships and not just Pell next time - I could possibly switch. I don’t dislike this school, I just want to know their degree won’t hold me back.
It’s an online school, and for my undergrad - I’m unwilling to do on-campus.
I’m not worried about my grades here; yes, I understand your data. And I am bored with the work, but I prefer that, because I don’t learn from schools as well as I learn on my own; it’s just my style :). That is, the sooner and easier I get it done, the more time I have to study freelance, or maybe take on research projects… So, I’m not discouraged by easy classes; I prefer it.
At the current rate, I think getting 4.0 from here won’t be very difficult. That was my other concern - if I stay here and get 4.0, or go somewhere harder and get something less than 4.0 (who knows how much less…), what looks worse? lol
Thanks!
The online part is likely to cause issues with acceptance into a psychology graduate program. Undergraduate research is a key component of a strong application combined with grades and test scores.
Why are you unwilling to do on-campus other than finances?
Online is more of a concern. Online is not going to give you the research experience and the faculty interactions you would otherwise benefit from.
If it matters, although mine is online - that school also has a campus. (They wouldn’t know mine was done online?)
Ideally you want a professor to write about how useful you were in his or her lab or research group. Hard to get that experience online.
Online and lack of rigor are both going to be a concern.
Why are you opposed to studying on campus?
Considering graduate funding (and, often, acceptance) will often depend on your ability to TA you do not want to step on a campus for the first time in grad school. In addition, you don’t want to live on our own and handle ‘in presence’ classes for the first time as a grad student. I can’t emphasize that enough.
Online + no research + no campus experience will be a red flag for grad programs.
What were our high school stats?
@MYOS1634 I didn’t go to highschool, my school experience is abysmal; I dropped out as soon as it was legal, then later got a GED. My GED scores were decent, but I didn’t study for it - so, they could have been higher.
My ‘reasoning through the language arts’ was rather high, 176.
A couple of reasons against on-campus… for one, right now I couldn’t afford the gas to get there every day. Hopefully I’ll make a few $ in a while.
My other reason is political, and I’d rather not dive into that conversation.
I think you should focus on doing the best you can in your courses and then think more about graduate school later.
OK.
Please understand that the level you are describing is not typical and doesn’t have enough rigor.
Do you have a job right now?
How old are you?
Are you a boy or a girl?
I asked about your reasons (you may have had a disability or illness that prevented you from attending in pzrson, been working full time, or may have been in a situation where you can’t go anywhere…) because depending on your situation some meet-need schools may be more doable financially and would provide a better experience.
What you could do is complete the course quickly, thoroughly, and get an A - and then take the next level. Try to get as many advanced classes as possible before you move on to a 4-year, brick and mortar school for junior and senior year.
Having straight A’s will go a long way to help you transfer to a reputable 4-year school which will prepare you for grad school.
You write ‘I am bored with the work, but I prefer that, because I don’t learn from schools as well as I learn on my own; it’s just my style.’ A big part of higher ed (college and grad school) is collaborative. So being on campus will need to happen sometime. Thankfully, it’s a lot different from high school.
You made a good online choice in going to a state college and not a for-profit. For now, as above poster says, do the best you can. It sounds like lack of funds is an issue and there is a limit on how much you can borrow. Maybe you are paying this yourself?
I agree, you picked the right online school for your pre-reqs.
@MYOS1634 Meet-needs school?
I’m paying for my school with the pell grant.
I’m disabled, a self-employed photographer (new business, no clients yet.), and a 27 year old male.
I think you’ll understand that given my age, I don’t want to take longer than necessary.
@PetulaClark If I could go to college in one of the states listed below, I could probably tolerate being on campus (if I had the funds, currently I do not… and cost of living is a huge issue; not just the cost of school. I live on $750/mo, right now.)
Mississippi, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Idaho.
Okay, since you’re 27 you wouldn’t be able to live on campus, you’d still be able to contribute to discussion, participate in labs, etc. Universities that are good to veterans may be good places for you to look into.
Meet -need colleges are colleges that guarantee to meet the difference between what you can afford and what their total cost is. They’re very selective but are often the best deal for lower income students with excellent academics. Rice may be one - Houston is relatively low cost of living, plenty of jobs.
Have you looked into Deep Springs College ? It’s a peculiar institution in that students learn how to be self sufficient on top of highly participatory classes, having to grow food and milk cows and what have you, they had to read a lot on their own, they have to be self motivated since all is by self regulation, and they’re a really strong preparation for a high level college. And they’re tuition free.