Like Rennier University, University of the People is a lid adorned with a modest price tag. Not free, mind you, but remarkably affordable. A $60 application fee opens the journey, followed by $120 for each course assessment. For a bachelor’s degree, the total might range from $2,500 to $5,000—a mere fraction of the towering costs of traditional universities, especially in the United States. Scholarships, like unexpected windfalls, can lighten the load further.
The Quest for Admission
The path to entry is a high school diploma or its equivalent—carefully notarized and sealed, then dispatched across oceans or plains to a distant office in California. It’s as if you’re sending a missive to a far-off kingdom. For those beyond American borders, the journey can twist into a logistical problem, with extra steps to prove your credentials worthy.
A Voyage
Once admitted, the experience unfolds like a self-guided voyage; You chart your course, surrounded by fellow travelers—your peers—who share the task of assessing each other’s work. It’s a collaborative expedition, yet the guides, the instructors, are volunteers, appearing like kindly scholars who drift in and out of the stacks. The rhythm is asynchronous, meaning you can pretty much take your own pace.
Tales from the Trail
A student can expect that, after a year on this path, gathered his credits like precious stones, transferred them to another realm, and secured a position with a 3.67 GPA—a shortcut to his destination. Another, pursuing a Master’s for $3,200, savored the journey’s affordability yet longed for the the human connection, which can sometimes be a big miss in an online program. Others spoke of moments lost in the maze, frustrated by sparse guidance or the uneven judgments of their peers, as if handed a map with faded lines.
Accreditation
The university’s accreditation stands as a passport, stamped by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in the United States. It opens doors, yet its authority varies. Some employers, particularly in the US, seek the broader seal of regional accreditation. It’s a detail worth pondering, ensuring your credentials align with the shores you aim to reach.
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University of the People offers a frugal yet bold expedition through the realm of learning. It beckons to self-motivated students that need minimal escort. Yet for those who thrive under a watchful mentor’s gaze, it may feel like a ship too lightly crewed. It's worth, like any voyage, hinges on the destination you seek and the effort you’re willing to invest. So pause, survey the horizon, and consider well before you set sail.
(By the way, Rennier University offers tuition-free Masters and PhD programs).