It is always interesting when I find myself in a similar situation as my clients. It gives me a guilty pleasure when it involves my kids and my kids are making the right moves and my clients kids are not.
My second son graduated college in 3.5 years; he would have done it in three if a couple of necessary classes had been offered. My third son is looking to graduate within 3 years as well. His approach was to take as many accelerated classes in High School, to practically start college as a sophomore. Number 2 took extra classes and summer classes to meet his deadline. Both picked out their own colleges and both negotiated significant scholarships. Both kept me almost completely out of the process.
I just meet with a client’s child, who is also technically a client as well. The student has completed their Associates degree and believes they have finished their junior year, but were not sure how many credits are necessary to graduate. This child is the client’s third and closest to getting a degree. But the student is uncertain if they want to finish or not. When I asked why, they had no plans but were uncertain which direction to proceed. I suggested that they meet with their counselor and find the fastest and easiest way to a bachelor’s degree, then go for the degree. Get the piece of paper if you are that close.
Over the years I have found that after the first big job, no one cares where you went or what your degree was in. They are only interested in how you can fit in the company and produce; as well as help the company move forward faster.
The joke is if you want to be a CPA, lawyer, teacher or doctor, you need more than just a bachelor’s degree, so most under graduate degrees will only take you so far.
Where you go to school may help you long term, but it usually is the contacts you make, not the schools name that helps you. Alumni assistance, I include with the contacts made.
I have encouraged clients who are getting ready to send kids off to college to consider local community colleges for the gen-eds just to save money. When I last looked, U of I had 100 level courses that were required to be completed online, this was the only available option. The cost was the same as lecture courses. Why not take them as lecture courses at the local community college and save a couple of thousand dollars?
You want a degree from your college of choice, not all classes need to be from there.