College is NOT a test drive vehicle!

Have you seen the commercial on TV advertising a "test drive" to see if online college is for you? It states no obligation, but I was curious, so I typed in the address and checked out the site. Nice site, I must say...very inviting and informative. However, I quickly learned, upon exploration, that several steps are required before you can take your "test drive." First, you must take a college assessment exam (I assume much like the standard test given ALL college enrollees!). Second, you must complete and submit a student declaration form (a form to "declare" yourself a potential college student?...isn't this self-evident if you are on this site?). Third, you must speak with an academic advisor to get your test scores (from the assessment exam) and select your course. Fourth, take the course (typically a five-week course...more on this later). Finally, talk again with academic advisor about your transfer of credit process (and what happens if you decide online college is NOT for you...smells like pressure to me!). The following is directly from the homepage"

"To qualify for the program, students are asked to pass a short assessment exam and discuss their education goals with a Test Drive College Online advisor. After the interview, students who meet our criteria choose an online college course and are immediately registered.
Students must speak to an advisor to get their exam scores and take the course."

After exploring the site, I learned this "test course" is only good for participating universities. You cannot get credit if you go to a college outside their network. Most of the colleges participating offer technical degrees, though a couple DO offer BA/BS degrees. The site is Education Dynamics, and they DO admit to not being accredited, since they (Education Dynamics) do not actually offer the degrees. If you take and pass the course, you are "encouraged" to enroll in their network.

Before you immdiately dismiss this, I strongly urge you to read and explore the site thoroughly before clicking "Let's Get Started." All the information is there for you to read and understand BEFORE you take that free course! I can offer a couple of bits of information for you. 1) The course takes 5 weeks. Since I teach at a university, I can tell you a five week course is a semester's worth of work crammed into the five weeks. If you have a full-time job and/or a family, this may be a bit much for you! Think about it carefully before you make a decision. 2) The current assumption throughout the educational system is that EVERYONE has/knows/understands technology. This is a vastly erroneous assumption! Online courses require a greater knowledge of technology beyond point and click. You will need to learn to use varying technologies to earn an online degree. I found no information regarding required technology on this website. If you are not comfortable using technology, online degree programs are NOT for you. 3) The free courses offered are courses commonly offered by accredited colleges, but the only common course in them all is English Composition I. No matter what degree program you may be interested in, English Comp I is a requirement for all! If you have always had problems with English, it's far better for you to take the course in a classroom, not online. I also teach a hybrid English class online (hybrid means you meet in a classroom 25% of the time and work online 75% of the time), and I can say with complete confidence writing is better learned in a classroom where you can ask questions and get assistance when you need it.

Final analysis: This site is what it is, and it offers all the information you need to decide whether you want to take a "free course." Just remember, nothing is ever free. If you scroll down to the bottom of the "How It Works" page, you will find the following:


"*Note: If financial aid is needed, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before enrolling in the Test Drive College Online program."

If this is free, why do you need to apply for financial aid prior to taking the "free course?" I must assume the FAFSA is required if you choose to continue your education under this Test Drive College Online Program, AFTER taking the free course. If my assumption is wrong, the free course is not free at all.

As we all know, times are hard, and money is tight. Don't fall for "free courses" you see on TV. I fear you may fall quickly into debt before you realize it. Technology is wonderful and expanding into every aspect of our lives. But the best computer ever invented is the one between your ears! Use it wisely, and you will gain an education you want, designed for you by you!