Question from admissions counselor...was it rude? (GRE, PhD, degree)

[BlackGoldPride]

I am starting my grad school search and hope to get into a program in fall 2014. This is because some of the schools on my early favorites list require the GRE or GMAT, and there's no way I am ready to take that right now. (I need to brush up on math, for one, and will be likely taking the GMAT.) Also, there's no way I can write a personal statement, get transcripts, etc. in that time...much less pay tuition.

Anyway, yesterday, I sent for info on an online Masters. The students were saying positive things about the school on the Facebook page and the tuition seemed affordable. It is a school with both campus and online programs, and it's not a diploma mill...actual college. The admissions counselor was quick to contact me and try to set up a call. She said they were still enrolling for fall 2013 to start at the end of September and wanted to talk to me. I replied and said I was still interested in the school, but that I was not looking to enroll this fall.

This morning, she responded and asked if she could ask why I was not looking to enroll now and that she would call me tomorrow. Was this rude? I don't know if I should have to explain that to her. I never thought I'd go to grad school, but here I am, so I'm not sure if I'll be asked this question by reps of other schools or not. For me, this is a big choice and I want to make it the right one...not rush into a program that may not be right for me.

For the record, the online program doesn't ask for letters of rec, test scores or a personal statement, but they do want transcripts and a resume, as well as an optional interview. I am not looking to go into a PhD program or academia. I'm looking at a degree that will get me more background in my chosen career field as well as more networking opportunities and internships, so it's a professional development thing more than anything else.

[marie5v]

Originally Posted by BlackGoldPride

I am starting my grad school search and hope to get into a program in fall 2014. This is because some of the schools on my early favorites list require the GRE or GMAT, and there's no way I am ready to take that right now. (I need to brush up on math, for one, and will be likely taking the GMAT.) Also, there's no way I can write a personal statement, get transcripts, etc. in that time...much less pay tuition.

Anyway, yesterday, I sent for info on an online Masters. The students were saying positive things about the school on the Facebook page and the tuition seemed affordable. It is a school with both campus and online programs, and it's not a diploma mill...actual college. The admissions counselor was quick to contact me and try to set up a call. She said they were still enrolling for fall 2013 to start at the end of September and wanted to talk to me. I replied and said I was still interested in the school, but that I was not looking to enroll this fall.

This morning, she responded and asked if she could ask why I was not looking to enroll now and that she would call me tomorrow. Was this rude? I don't know if I should have to explain that to her. I never thought I'd go to grad school, but here I am, so I'm not sure if I'll be asked this question by reps of other schools or not. For me, this is a big choice and I want to make it the right one...not rush into a program that may not be right for me.

For the record, the online program doesn't ask for letters of rec, test scores or a personal statement, but they do want transcripts and a resume, as well as an optional interview. I am not looking to go into a PhD program or academia. I'm looking at a degree that will get me more background in my chosen career field as well as more networking opportunities and internships, so it's a professional development thing more than anything else.

Real universities don't have "admissions counselors" that call you up and try to sell you on registering now, or at all. Especially in grad school. Sounds like a for-profit school and you should steer clear of it.

[helloimage]

Please go to a real university, take the GRE's, study study study!!! My partner prepared for 4 years to get in to graduate school :-).

[karen_in_nh_2012]

Originally Posted by marie5v

Real universities don't have "admissions counselors" that call you up and try to sell you on registering now, or at all. Especially in grad school. Sounds like a for-profit school and you should steer clear of it.

^^^ This. OP, as I read your post I was thinking, hmmm, this doesn't sound legit. And the fact that they require so little in terms of credentials for admission also makes me skeptical.

[ebbe]

You want to make sure your graduate school is accredited for on campus programs as well as online learning. Check the council for higher education accreditation website for more info.

[Lunabell]

I had a similar experience when I decided to return to college. One school that is both brick and mortar and online kept harassing me. Another school that has both programs as well, treated me like I would expect to be treated as perspective student. I chose that school even though I am doing my degree online, which is really my only option at this stage of my life. The application for that school was the same, regardless of how I was planning to complete my degree.

[BlackGoldPride]

I will check the accreditation, but this is not a for-profit. They are advertised as a non-profit, private school with both campus and online programs. I read mixed reviews...just as you would with probably a lot of colleges. My undergrad school was a perfectly legit state college, and my experience was just OK, but other people loved it.

I did a pre-application for another school where you just give them basic information, like your work experience, GPA and GMAT/GRE scores, and they tell you where you stand for getting in. They couldn't evaluate me fully without test scores, but said my professional experience was a strong fit for the program. They also said my GPA was only average, but I'm hoping that now that I've been out of undergrad five years, it matters a little less.

[Pitt Chick]

And the name of this grad school is..... ?

What you described sounds very sketchy.

[jobaba]

Originally Posted by BlackGoldPride

I am starting my grad school search and hope to get into a program in fall 2014. This is because some of the schools on my early favorites list require the GRE or GMAT, and there's no way I am ready to take that right now. (I need to brush up on math, for one, and will be likely taking the GMAT.) Also, there's no way I can write a personal statement, get transcripts, etc. in that time...much less pay tuition.

Anyway, yesterday, I sent for info on an online Masters. The students were saying positive things about the school on the Facebook page and the tuition seemed affordable. It is a school with both campus and online programs, and it's not a diploma mill...actual college. The admissions counselor was quick to contact me and try to set up a call. She said they were still enrolling for fall 2013 to start at the end of September and wanted to talk to me. I replied and said I was still interested in the school, but that I was not looking to enroll this fall.

This morning, she responded and asked if she could ask why I was not looking to enroll now and that she would call me tomorrow. Was this rude? I don't know if I should have to explain that to her. I never thought I'd go to grad school, but here I am, so I'm not sure if I'll be asked this question by reps of other schools or not. For me, this is a big choice and I want to make it the right one...not rush into a program that may not be right for me.

For the record, the online program doesn't ask for letters of rec, test scores or a personal statement, but they do want transcripts and a resume, as well as an optional interview. I am not looking to go into a PhD program or academia. I'm looking at a degree that will get me more background in my chosen career field as well as more networking opportunities and internships, so it's a professional development thing more than anything else.

Well, I wouldn't call it rude. She's just doing her job.

Tons on schools are doing online these days. Depending on what you are getting your degree in, I'd inquire a bit more. Who knows? Maybe they'll throw you some $ and let you finish in a year. Never hurts to find out. And depending on what degree you are getting, it really doesn't matter where you got it from.

[ebbe]

Originally Posted by BlackGoldPride

I will check the accreditation, but this is not a for-profit. They are advertised as a non-profit, private school with both campus and online programs. I read mixed reviews...just as you would with probably a lot of colleges. My undergrad school was a perfectly legit state college, and my experience was just OK, but other people loved it.

I did a pre-application for another school where you just give them basic information, like your work experience, GPA and GMAT/GRE scores, and they tell you where you stand for getting in. They couldn't evaluate me fully without test scores, but said my professional experience was a strong fit for the program. They also said my GPA was only average, but I'm hoping that now that I've been out of undergrad five years, it matters a little less.

If you're going for an MBA the work experience should be a plus.