The Enrollment Process for Online Universities

If you have decided to take advantage of the many benefits offered by online study, you may be awed by the entire application and enrollment processes. For those among you who are technologically-challenged, the process may seem especially overwhelming.

Take heart and fear not. You cannot afford to allow such trifling details to deter you. An old cliché' has it that "by the yard is hard; by the inch is a cinch." in the context of online college or university enrollment, a truer saying has never been said. Sit back for some super insights on breaking down the process of enrollment at online universities. In this session, you will get a lesson on reducing the entire routine to manageable mini-steps. Class has now started.

Take it from the top

The first step in your journey is getting admitted. Institutions vary in selectivity. Apply at multiple schools to increase the chances of acceptance into your chosen major. Next, visit each school's admissions website. After creating an account and logging in, you are presented with the actual application.

Questions are asked about prior college attendance, your desired major, and career goals. Be prepared to be probed about your criminal history and ethnic or racial origin. Toward the application's end, your level of self-discipline and commitment to online study will be examined.

Finally, the application fee is requested. If your funds are limited, the website includes links to Admissions or Financial Aid advisors who might be able to waive it. For instance, one online institution waives the fee in exchange for attending a weekly educational teleconference; others may allow installments. Be persistent; do not allow this relatively paltry sum to preclude your progress.

A helping hand

Upon admission, your assigned Admissions Advisor will review the required course curriculum in consultation with you. In conjunction with Financial Aid staff, he or she will determine the academic schedule that best suits your aptitude, finances, and availability.

Next, you will attend an online orientation wherein you receive a student ID and login password. If you are "technologically-challenged", do not be chagrined. You will be thoroughly familiarized with all pertinent details. Everything from how to use a mouse to class login is covered. The software platform utilized at most online universities is very user-friendly and includes twenty-four-hour technical support.

Time to hit the books

Having learned you way around the instructional website, you are now ready for further progress. Each of your courses will have one or more required texts. Order well in advance of class commencement to insure timely mail delivery. Schools add substantial markups to college course book prices. Search online for used copies through alternate vendors for the best prices. Verify the ISBN of each textbook to insure receipt of the correct volumes. Many sites specialize in discount sales of academic texts, so shop around. For those studying on a shoestring budget, check out cheapesttextbooks.com/discount-college-textbooks.html.

Your command performance

Having scoped out the electronic topography, learned to navigate the territory, and obtained sufficient backup materials, you are may now mobilize. On the prescribed day and shortly before the appointed hour, logon to your very first online course.

Doing so is no different than checking into your email account or peeping the scene at your favorite online gaming site. Simply enter your assigned student or user ID, password, and you are in. Early arrival is advisable to gain an advance opportunity for espionage into the online educational intrigue.

Upon entering the virtual classroom, you will see a cornucopia of conspicuous icons to coordinate your educational efforts. Convenient tabs or hyperlinks will be displayed. These beacons beckon you to virtual spots that variously reveal course-related content such as lecture notes, upcoming assignments, and exam schedules.

If you need assistance or have a question, your instructor is just a click away. A quick click of the "communication" tab sends an instantaneous inquiry through cyberspace at the speed of light. Response is usually rapid.

Consulting your classmates for input and advice on assignments or general intellectual discourse is easy. Simply click on their hyperlinked user ID to generate any discussion thread you desire. By the way, looking over their shoulder is no longer necessary to get a peek preview of their essay ideas. All research papers are openly displayed on a virtual bulletin board for all to see!

Initiate your intellectual intensification today. The market for study at online universities is more competitive than ever; cyberspace-based colleges exhaust every educational avenue to pave your path to success. With a modicum of persistence and a pinch of patience, your virtual success is virtually assured. Class dismissed.

My Colleges and Careers helps students connect with the best schools to earn their college degree and embark on a rewarding career! A powerful resource for individuals of all walks of life, My Colleges and Careers connects people with the programs that help them earn degrees on campus or online.

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