DegreeScout Blog

Today, we’re discussing the increasingly sophisticated tactics that fake online universities use to lure students. In Part 1 of How to Spot Diploma Mills, we discussed a few red flags, especially the claims degree mills make regarding their accreditation.

Unfortunately, degree mills’ tricks extend way beyond false or misleading statements about accreditation. Many fake universities speak about their academic programs in a certain way that sets them apart from legitimate universities:

• Diploma mills tend to put an emphasis on how impressive the diploma looks and how easy it is to earn your degree. Some diploma mills say outright that little or no work is required to earn a degree, but it’s more common for them to take a more subtle approach. It’s common for diploma mills to advertise that you can earn your degree based on your previous life experiences. Though it’s possible to earn an undergraduate degree partially or entirely because of your life experiences, it’s unheard-of at the master’s or Ph.D level. Thus, you may want to steer clear of schools that make these claims.
• Diploma mills will allow you to add prestigious accolades to your diploma for a fee. Whereas it takes exceptional coursework to earn a cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude distinction at a legitimate university, diploma mills will award these for a fee.
• Similarly, diploma mills may offer package deals when you “earn” two degrees, such as a master’s along with a Ph.D. A legitimate university will never offer a discount for completing more than one degree, and they will charge by the course or credit hour, rather than charging a flat fee for a certain degree.

Unaccredited schools that sell worthless college degrees, often referred to as “degree mills,” are a large and growing problem, and it pays to stay up-to-date on the tactics these fake schools use to lure unsuspecting students.

Because it is so easy to create an official-looking website and fake accreditation, and so many students are eager to enroll in distance learning programs, degree mills continue to proliferate. Enough students fall for their scams that the people behind degree mills continue to profit. It’s common for a degree mill to pop up online, enroll a handful of students, then disappear without a trace as the creators pocket their money and move on to another shady scheme.

In addition, the people and technology backing up degree mills are constantly growing more sophisticated, so it pays to be aware of the shrewd tactics they use to suck people in.

As with any major life decision, you should do plenty of homework before choosing a college degree program. This includes researching a school’s background, accreditation, faculty, financial aid, payment structure, course offerings, and more.

This necessary fact-finding mission will help you separate legitimate schools from shady ones. As soon as you start researching a fake school, for example, holes and inconsistencies will appear. You will realize that a school’s name is deceptively similar to that of a well-respected school, such as Columbia University or UC Berkeley. You will find that the school has few or no faculty, or that the faculty mostly has degrees from the school itself (which is a warning sign). You will find that the school downplays their accreditation, has language about “pursuing” accreditation, is accredited by a bogus organization not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or is accredited by an organization that doesn’t make sense, such as a government body in a foreign country.

It’s common for a fake school to make false or misleading claims about accreditation. They may claim that distance learning programs aren’t eligible for accreditation, which is false. They may also claim that accreditation isn’t important, or that getting a degree from a school that is preparing to be accredited is acceptable. Language about “preparing for” or “pursuing” accreditation is a red flag, because legitimate accreditation organizations don’t allow schools to discuss the process of becoming accredited.

Related posts: How to Spot Diploma Mills, Part 2

Each year, an untold number of people think about returning to school – but most never do. Why is this?

• Fear that you have “forgotten too much” since you were last in school
• Fear of success or doubt that you can succeed
• Fear of making decisions about where and what to study
• Intimidation in the face of a university, professors or other students

In short, many adults have their dreams curtailed by fear and self-doubt.

The best way to control fear is to educate yourself. Learn as much as possible about the program you are enrolling in, the professors, the classes, and other aspects of completing your education. This will help you get a realistic picture of what will be expected of you.

Self-doubt can be a tougher demon to tackle. It may help to take some interesting classes at a community college before taking the plunge into full-time study; these classes will reignite your passion for learning, increase your confidence in your academic abilities, and help you warm up for a more rigorous study schedule.

Many adult students are plagued by self-doubt because they think they need to achieve perfection. In fact, this is not true. While it is important to do your best in your classes, perfection is never expected, and success can be measured in many different ways.

Adult education is designed to accommodate a diverse array of adult students who share a desire to complete their educations. Many adult students have spotty educational histories, busy schedules, modest incomes, and other challenges. As long as a student is committed, though, these challenges can be overcome.

Whatever your situation and educational history, adult education can improve your situation and allow you to enhance your knowledge base, marketability and self-confidence.

If you’re an adult student, you know how important it is to have the support and encouragement of your friends, family, and children.

However, it’s common for those around you to have mixed reactions to your educational endeavors. Some people may try to make you feel guilty for investing time and money into your education; or they may resent your decision because it means you will have less time and energy for them, at least in the short run.

Forging ahead in such circumstances can be difficult, but keep the following in mind:

• Education is an investment in your family. Earning your degree may cost time and money right now, but over the long run it will increase your earning potential, put you closer to a career you truly love, and help you support your family while acting as a superior role model.
• The people in your life don’t know your situation. It’s natural for your co-workers, friends, and family to feel neglected or resentful – they don’t understand your reasons for going back to school, pursuing a particular course of study, or aiming for a certain career. Remember that your passions and goals are yours, and those around you may not understand your motivations or commitment to your goals.
• If someone tries to guilt you about your decision, it’s probably a sign of insecurity. Pursuing further education is a sign of strength and ambition, and may put certain people on the defensive. They may express their insecurity about their own education or career by trying to make you feel guilty. Try to ignore these people or open their eyes to the educational opportunities available to them.

Completing your degree while working full-time is hard enough as is; it’s even more difficult if your friends, family or co-workers are questioning your decision and trying to make you feel guilty. Try to keep your eyes on the prize, tune out the words of insecure people, and continually revisit your reasons for pursuing your education. Good luck!
If you’re considering going back to school, choosing a great university is the first step. Good programs abound, offering special resources for adult students and many different courses of study. If you live in Portland, Oregon, Warner Pacific College provides highly regarded adult degree programs.

Many returning students underestimate the power of speaking to students who are currently in the program or programs they are considering.

Tracking down current students should not be difficult; most reputable universities will have a list of resources on-hand and will readily give it to students who are considering a particular program.

Why is it so important to talk to current students before enrolling in a college degree program?

1. Students can give you insights no one else can. Advisers, brochures and campus tour guides will only tell you so much. Real students are the most qualified to dish up the truth about tuition, housing, student life, campus dining options, professors, grades and other important aspects of the school.
2. Students will not sugarcoat the truth. Whether they have overwhelmingly positive or negative things to say about the university and the program, current students are a reliable source for truthful information because they have no vested interest in getting you to enroll.
3. Students will help you make the right choice and set expectations. In the book “Stumbling on Happiness,” Daniel Gilbert demonstrates that the best way to predict what’s likely to make you happy is to ask someone who’s currently having that experience. People often enter into an academic program or job because they think it will make them happy or put them closer to a goal. Sadly, this isn’t always the case, as people often miscalculate what will make them happy or unhappy. Speaking to current students, then, is a good way to gauge whether a certain university or program of study will make you happy and set you on the path you desire.

If possible, speak to at least 2-3 current students who are in the major you are considering. They can give you the most relevant information on the difficulty of the program, the quality of the professors, the resources available for students, and more. Surveying a few students will give you a range of opinions, and you will be able to pick out the patterns in what they tell you – recurring themes like excellent professors, a particularly difficult class, lack of parking, and so on.

This is the last in a series of posts on how to return to school as a mature student. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, eighth and ninth tips here.

Our last tip for educational success is to stay one step ahead in your studies.

Feeling overwhelming or constantly behind will make your discouraged and unmotivated. On the other hand, feeling in control will be empowering and will help you maintain a standard of excellence.

So how do you feel in control, even in the face of a busy schedule and difficult classes?

1. Create routines. Set aside time each day for studying. Try to study the same place and time each day.
2. Keep your work area uncluttered. File papers and notes on a constant basis, and keep your desk clear so you can focus on the task at hand.
3. Make lists. Whenever you receive a new assignment or test date, write it down. Maintain a planner that you can consult anytime.
4. As soon as you learn of an assignment or test date, work backwards. Figure out what you need to do to complete the assignment or prepare for the test. Break down the assignment into small, manageable steps, and take one step each day.

Small, productive habits like these will help ensure that your assignments are completed on time and you are prepared to do well on quizzes and exams. In addition, chipping away at large assignments one bit at a time will help you avoid the need to cram or work for extremely long hours.

Choosing your university carefully will help put you on a productive, fulfilling path. With campuses in Charlotte and Asheville, North Carolina, Montreat College’s School of Professional and Adult Studies provides quality adult education to North Carolina residents.  

This is the ninth in a series of posts regarding how to return to school as a mature student. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh and eighth tips here, and stay tuned for more tips!

Getting enough sleep may seem a like a pipe dream for busy students with families and multiple commitments, but getting enough shut-eye is important to achieving peak productivity and keeping your sanity.

Getting enough sleep is an important part of knowing when to take breaks, a tip that was discussed earlier. All adult students will have times when they need to choose between studying a little bit longer, or giving into exhaustion. In these sorts of situations, it’s important to realize that sleep is a crucial part of processing and internalizing class material. In addition, being well-rested is necessary if you would like to ace an exam, stay alert during class, and be able to achieve excellence in your schoolwork and other duties.

Studying is important too, and some late nights and long hours may be a necessary part of your studies. But if you are truly exhausted, listen to your body.

In addition, try to maintain as regular a sleep schedule as possible. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Enough sleep is the secret weapon of motivated, energetic students. Sometimes, making the decision to give up and go to sleep is actually the smartest decision you can make. Sweet dreams!

This is the eighth in a series of posts regarding how to return to school as a mature student. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh tips here, and stay tuned for more tips!

This is the eight in a series of posts regarding how to return to school as a mature student. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh tips here, and stay tuned for more tips!

When you are going back to school, it’s easy to set realistic expectations for yourself. However, if you are taking difficult classes and have a hectic schedule, achieving perfection is impossible – and trying to achieve will perfection will only make you feel stressed and discouraged. Set aside the desire for perfection; instead, try to achieve excellence in your schoolwork, maintain balance in your life, and enjoy the journey.

Trying to achieve perfection can actually stifle your creativity and motivation. Many of us can recount a time in our lives when unrealistic expectations have paralyzed us – so why saddle yourself with unrealistic goals?

We recommend keeping your goals high but attainable. Meeting small goals as you go, and meeting your standards of performance, will keep you on a path of success and fulfillment.

One of the first steps in higher education success is choosing an appropriate school for you. With so many excellent adult education programs out there, it can be tough sifting through your options. With multiple campuses in Pennsylvania, Gwynedd Mercy College is a longtime provider of quality continuing education programs.

This is the sixth in a series of posts regarding how to return to school as a mature student. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth tips here, and stay tuned for more tips!

This is the seventh in a series of posts regarding how to return to school as a mature student. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth tips here, and stay tuned for more tips!

Pursuing your education is a great way to teach your children the value of hard work, education and following your dreams. So why not share homework time with them?

Especially if your children are older, it can be helpful and productive to discuss class material with them and have them quiz you in preparation for exams. You might find your children excellent study buddies who help awaken your enthusiasm and curiosity while helping you learn and prepare for exams.

In addition, doing homework alongside children can be a great bonding experience. Studying together may help all of you focus, concentrate and stay motivated. Teaching the value of hard work by example may help your children take their own studies more seriously.

Many successful adult students name their children an invaluable element of their success. Children can give you energy, motivation and inspiration, and will often show an interest in your studies and eagerness to help you succeed.

This is the sixth in a series of posts regarding how to return to school as a mature student. Read the first, second, third, fourth and fifth tips here, and stay tuned for more tips!

Experts recommend creating a productive routine as soon as possible as you begin your studies. This means studying in the same place at the same time each day, as well as getting in the habit of going over class notes while riding the bus, before you go to bed, or other times that can benefit you.

Creating a routine will help you keep on track with your studies and maintain a good pace. It will also help you set aside time and space for studying.

When putting aside space for studying, it helps to carve out a peaceful, quiet space for yourself – even if it’s just a small desk in the corner of a room. Tell your family that when you are in this space, you are concentrating and should be left alone as much as possible.

Have your study time be a peaceful time, for example after your children go to sleep each night. It’s important to be rested and undistracted when studying, writing papers or completing assignments. If you are stressed out or harried, you will get very little done.

At the beginning, feel free to experiment a little to see what works. Some people prefer to wake up early and study in the morning; others prefer lunchtime or evening study sessions. Find out what works for you, and stick with it.