It’s no secret that the more education you have, the more options will be available to you in the workforce. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics states that the employment rate for 25 to 34-year-olds in the U.S. with a bachelor’s degree was at 86% in 2018. However, the employment rate for the same age group is only 72% for those with a high school diploma.
Keep reading if you are considering going back to school online. This article will go over some of the most important information you need to know before applying to schools.
How To Apply
The key to applying to online colleges is to read the application requirements carefully. All schools will have clear deadlines for the application, so be sure you’re doing the work and turning everything in beforehand.
The three main categories are the school’s admission application, financial aid forms, and test score submissions.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is a requirement for anyone hoping to get a federal loan, grant and work-study job. Therefore, if you want help paying for school, you definitely want to fill one out. Go here to apply.
Write an essay or personal statement
This is your chance to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Make sure your essay details your work and school experience, and write about how the current program you’re applying to will directly benefit your future goals in life.
Recommendation Letters
These letters are often required for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The best approach to getting a good letter of recommendation is to ask a teacher or employer with whom you have a good relationship. They will be the biggest help to you because they can speak to your quality as a student and/or worker.
How Online Schools Work
Much like going to school in person, online schools offer degree programs. So the logical first step would be to figure out where your interests/passions lie. Once you’ve decided where and what you want to study, online courses will usually take place virtually in a video conference room. This is where your professor will give their lectures, go over course material, and all other class-related activities.
In-Person Requirements
Some online classes and programs can have in-person requirements, where you need to be on-site. The length and activity of on-site requirements depend on what type of program you’re in. Some programs like nursing or social work, which demand face-to-face interactions and hands-on learning, may require longer periods of on-site time than, say, a literature or communications program.
Going to college online is becoming way more popular these days, so we hope that you’ve found some useful information in this article that will help you down the road.
