Article

Should Student Testimonials Sway Your College Choice?

Written by Glen Michell

Topic: Continuing EducationPublished April 18, 2012
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Student reviews and testimonials are a great way to learn about student experiences and what you should keep an eye out for should you decide to attend a particular college. Student reviews and testimonials are a less formal way of gauging the quality of a program but usually provide a fairly good idea about what the students found favorable in the college and where they think the college needs improvement. Student reviews and testimonials bring to light finer details of the programs offered by the college which you might otherwise not realize the importance of or be unaware of altogethersuch as: student-teacher ratio, student body diversity, accreditation,intake of students per program, financial aid assistance programs, free student services, career services etc. If you’re looking to pursue an education online, it becomes more important to find reviews from students who have had firsthand experiences with a particular college. You want to make sure you’re not falling for advertising tactics and getting caught in the traps of a degree or diploma mill. Independence University is a fine example of an accredited online college that offers degree programs in business and healthcare at the associate, bachelor and master degree level. Testimonials of Independence University confirms the college’s accreditation, availability of financial aid assistance, student services and much more. What about the negative reviews? rnThe truth is you’re bound to come across negative reviews as most people use the Internet to vent and complain about problems they might have faced while studying at the college.The key is to look for unbiased reviews, those that are informational and insightful, because chances of you coming across rants are greater than those offering constructive criticism. So how should you not let your decision of which college you attend sway because of student testimonials and reviews? Be very clear of what you want from your college.There are some things (scholarships, tutoring, financial aid assistance, etc.) that you can’t compromise with and are absolutely non-negotiable. Be clear about these things. Keep in mind that in most cases, people are more likely to complain about certain aspects of college than to praise it. The key is to watch out for repeated complaints against a college. For instance, if you come across multiple reviews speaking poorly of the faculty or the staff, make a note of them and try to find out the measures the college has taken against resolving them. You can do this by directly taking them up with the admissions office. While trying to decide on a college, read as many reviews and testimonials as you can find and use the information you get to narrow down your choices to one that best matches your needs and preferences.

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About the Author

Glen Michell is an avid reader, blogger and a Career Consultant having rich experience of more than 15 years. His areas of expertise include Educational Planning, Career Planning & student counseling. In his spare time, he loves to participate in debates, discussions, forums and promote reading among today's youth.