In addition to the networking advantages, I guess I was also thinking about things like leadership opportunities, exposure to different types of people, and those opportunities for casual and informal connections with faculty members where experiences and guidance are shared.

You’re right on target in saying that each student must make informed and thoughtful choices. There are definitely pros and cons on all sides of the situation.

Thanks for your posts that get students (and their families) considering some important issues.

Thank you for your contribution! I agree that students do need to be very careful when choosing online schools – evaluating distance learning schools might be a good topic for a future post.

I also agree with your second point… to a certain extent. It is true that parts of the on-site college “experience” are useful. Networking, for instance, can be completed more easily when attending a brick-and-mortar college.

However, I expect that you would agree that not all of the college “experience” is truly useful… or even neutral. The widespread drinking – to name only one issue – is a major problem on college campuses across America.

Each college student must evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of traditional colleges and decide for himself which is of more pressing importance.

Thanks again for your useful contribution, Vicki. I am always glad to have you join the conversation here!

Secondly, students may want to consider that going to college is often about more than simply the degree. The experiences students have in school outside of the classroom, and the independence some students gain by living on their own, may be equally, if not more, important than just the “book learning” that they get in the classroom – whether that is an actual classroom or an on-line classroom.

On-line degrees are right for some students, but not for all. Students might also consider a combination of both experiences.

Thanks for providing some good food for thought, Nate