Degree Hack: Cobbling Together Credit Hours For Cheap 368
McGruber writes "The Chronicle of Higher Education has a web episode about Richard Linder, a US college student who was determined to do the impossible: earn a U.S. college degree while not taking on any student debt. Mr. Linder cobbled together an associate degree in liberal arts for a mere $3,000. He did it by transferring academic credits to Excelsior College, a regionally accredited institution that doesn't require students to take any of its own courses. Mr. Linder's earned his transferred credit hours from an array of unexpected sources: from high school Advanced Placement courses to classes taught by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Fire Academy. He even managed to get one credit hour from Microsoft." I find his creativity in breadth and sources of credit-worthy instruction more interesting than the pricetag, though the commenters on the linked story are sharply divided on the value of the courses taken. While $3,000 is cheap for an associate's degree compared to many U.S. colleges, it's not unheard of; tuition for locals at a community college near me wouldn't be too far off that, even without transferring in any credits.
Re:Bullshit (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I'd hire him (Score:5, Funny)
I never really got an education, seeing as I was born an orphan and went to art college...
BORN an orphan? Now there's a disgusting image...
Re:Impossible? (Score:5, Funny)
On a college campus and you can't find a better gig then minimum wage?
Seriously?
Start a birth control delivery service. 30 minutes or it's free. All you need is a phone, inventory and an unusual sleep pattern.
Sell pot. Make fake IDs. Start an underground brewpub. Buy an old slushy machine and rent it out for parties (get deposits). Not your job to keep tequila out of it.
A very large percentage of college kids are suburban rich kids following a script provided by the rents. They are often flush with cash and short on sense. Take them for all they are worth before they flunk out. It's a life habit that will serve you well.
Re:I'd hire him (Score:5, Funny)
However, the Art College thing is entirely his fault.