I recently read an anonymous comment from a person who is going back to college after spending two years buying expensive products from Internet marketing gurus. He/she writes,
The light at the end of *my* tunnel is that losing two years of my life to these jokers has made me serious for the first time in 10 years about going back to school.
Upon reading this, I felt I had to say this:
If you are considering “going back to school” as an alternative to Internet marketing or any other kind of business, please BE CAREFUL.
Being a perpetual student is a costly endeavor, no matter who you’re paying for your education. At some point, each person has to get down to the business of using their education instead of acquiring more of it.
In my humble opinion, the only difference between expensive Internet marketing courses and college education is… college costs more.
Of course, this isn’t true for all colleges (there are a few good ones), but it’s true of many colleges. The one you especially want to steer clear of is University of Phoenix.
Just search “University of Phoenix scam” on Google to see what I mean.
There have even been recent television programs revealing that University of Phoenix uses predatory practices to squeeze as much money out of each and every student as they can.
Not to mention, a lawsuit alleging University of Phoenix committed fraud was recently settled for $78.5 million, “the second-largest settlement ever in a False Claims Act case in which the federal government declined to intervene.”
Start doing some research and you’ll discover that many students leave UoP with tens of thousands of dollars of debt and a worthless education. Worse still…
First time freshmen have a 7% program completion rate, according to a June 2005 report of the National Consumer Law Center. Hundreds of thousands of former University of Phoenix students without degrees are obligated to pay back high interest loans for decades.
I mention all of this because these days “going back to school” is often synonymous with “going to University of Phoenix.”
Now, I’m all for good education.
In fact, learning and the acquiring of knowledge should be a lifelong pursuit so long as it’s balanced with an equal share of work and implementation.
But “education” shouldn’t cost you a king’s ransom or turn you into an indentured servant.
Unfortunately, many colleges are designed to put you into debt so they can have a claim on your future earnings for much of your life. And if you take the bait (e.g. student loans), you could literally become a slave to your alma mater for decades.
Caveat emptor.
-Ryan M. Healy
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About Ryan M. Healy
Ryan Healy is a direct response copywriter. Since 2002, he has worked with scores of clients, including BoostCTR, Alex Mandossian, Terry Dean, and Pulte Homes. He writes a popular blog about copywriting, advertising, and business growth, has been featured in publications like Feed Front magazine, and is a regular contributor to WordStream.com, BoostCTR.com, and MarketingForSuccess.com.
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{ 21 comments }
Well said Ryan. Well said. I didn't know about the UoP stuff, but I agree with your message 100%
I wouldn't limit this problem to University of Phoenix. A lot of people have been programmed that college means a guaranteed job and a guaranteed increase in income. That would be nice if it was true, but it isn't. Except in some limited professions that are in high demand, college doesn't always result in extra income.
A big mistake people make is “going to college” as a plan. No one should go to college unless they have a specific profession in mind from day one. The purpose of college is to provide you with additional skills to further that career. In fact, in today's high priced environment people who are going back to college will often be best served in the local community technical schools which are much lower cost and focus on specific careers.
I know a large number of people who are professional college students who never finish (part of that is because they don't ever want those college debts to come due).
I highly recommend watching the PBS Frontline Special – “College Inc” – you can watch it online here – http://to.pbs.org/CollegeInc
Thanks for the feedback, DK!
Absolutely. I watched part of it a month or two ago and was SHOCKED.
“No one should go to college unless they have a specific profession in mind from day one.”
Couldn't have said it better. Most people go to college because they think that's what they're supposed to do — and then end up squandering 4 years while drinking, partying, and racking up loads of debt.
“I know a large number of people who are professional college students who never finish (part of that is because they don't ever want those college debts to come due).”
I know a handful of people who are in this situation, intentionally extending their stay in academia to avoid having to start paying off their student loans.
Unfortunately, staying longer just makes the problem worse.
Wow Ryan, thanx for putting that UoP stuff up. I'd no idea.
I agree w you completely. On almost any job in almost any field, the new person forgets 80 percent of schooling and is taught about the “real” aspects.
FWIW Gary North sells a program on how to quiz out of college, or at least get a BA for a few thousand, instead of the tens of thousands most parents spend.
You're welcome, David.
In all the jobs I ever had, my employers were more interested in my experience than anything else. Education really wasn't an issue — even when I was being promoted up the ranks at Merrill Lynch.
I've known of Gary North's stuff, but I've never looked deeply into it. Probably will have to do that one of these days. :-)
If you want to be a professional then you need to master your trade – whether it's carpentry, teaching, nursing, copywriting, or whatever.
Education is important and should never be looked down upon. But you're totally right Ryan, you must be CAREFUL in choosing where you want to be educated.
Books are probably the best bang for your buck you'll ever find. College/University is debatable. I loved it and found I received a great return on investment. But I know way too many people who wasted their time there.
But to be honest – if you're set on becoming successful and educate yourself wisely, you'll be alright. If you're not focused and would rather partying, it isn't the college's fault that you wasted four years. That type of person would have wasted four years anyways.
I can see someone be fed up buying tons of courses and getting no where. But “school” is hardly a solution. You'll just be paying more money to get information from less experienced people — plus waste time commuting and taking tests.
I'd suggest the person become an apprentice. Approach successful internet marketers and offer to work for free. Do grunt work for a while, and build yourself up.
Apprenticeship used to be the way any trade was learned, not paying the college industry where you get little one-on-one coaching.
60% of University Students Feel Absolutely Hopeless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q37EJH3eX0c&feat…
Just got this message on Facebook…
******
i just read your blog post..
you forgot to mention that eben pagan thinks highly of the owner of uni of phoenix who is a billionaire (surprise surprise)
i think he made that guy as an example on WHY people should start their online business
******
Anybody have a source for this? I'd be interested to see what Eben said.
Two reader tips led me to this Eben Pagan video:
http://gurublueprintblog.com/2010/06/01/an-info…
(Watch from 4:50 until about 5:33 to see the specific clip where uses University of Phoenix as an example of a highly profitable online education business.)
Didn't David Garfinkel do some sort of teaching course with the University of Phoenix?
In one of his blog posts in April 2007 he refers to one of his class mates from The University of Phoenix.
I wonder what is experience was.
I don't know… if he said “classmate” does that mean he was a student? Or was he teaching a course there? Either way, it would be interesting to know his experience.
Like any school, I'm sure University of Phoenix has good teachers and bad teachers. The bigger problem is simply how the school aggressively solicits students (many unqualified) and gets them to rack up huge debts.
Hey Ryan,
This is so strange!!!
Just one post ago I wrote a post on the topic of “Higher” education titled “Is Traditional Education Responsible for mediocrity?”
It was based on a valedictorian named Erica Goldson who said this in her speech that she gave to her class at her graduation ceremony…
“Some of you may be thinking, “Well, if you pass a test, or become valedictorian, didn't you learn something? Well, yes, you learned something, but not all that you could have. Perhaps, you only learned how to memorize names, places, and dates to later on forget in order to clear your mind for the next test. School is not all that it can be. Right now, it is a place for most people to determine that their goal is to get out as soon as possible.”
This is just a taste of her intellectual argument for why she feels betrayed by the American education system. I highly recommend that anyone charged with educating themselves or their children read this girl's speech here… http://www.icyte.com/saved/blog.swiftkickonline…
My post spoke nothing of the crushing debt that can only add to stress of “Figuring out what you want to do with your life,” and I'm glad that you've brought it up and I'm gonna be linking to this post… right… about… now!!!
Ryan,
Good to see you expanded on your thoughts after the comments on the SD blog. Two things:
Ryan
In my humble opinion, the only difference between expensive Internet marketing courses and college education is… college costs more.
Again, I disagree. A college degree has value in the real world. An internet marketing course doesn't. Yes, you may learn some “tricks” from an internet marketing course, but a degree opens doors that an Internet marketing course doesn't. Also, I must disagree with one more thing. Compared to those $2,000 courses, many universities are cheaper. You've got community colleges, which are a lot cheaper. You could take full courses at a community college for two years for the cost of one of those “courses”.
However, it is important to go to a real university (one you actually have to qualify for). And you should have some direction when going to school. Just “going to school” because you have nothing better to do is not a plan.
For full disclosure: I don't consider those for-profit schools to be “school”. To me, they are the same as an internet marketing course, only more expensive and possibly just as useless as a lot of the courses. And they use typical BS tactics: targeting people not qualified for a major university, promise of a job after graduation, etc.
Second,
Ryan says:
In fact, learning and the acquiring of knowledge should be a lifelong pursuit so long as it’s balanced with an equal share of work and implementation
100% agreed. In fact, I am reviewing a book called Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar that makes that very point. I have mixed feelings about the book, but I think it made some good points. I should have the review up tomorrow.
Carlon – Good stuff. Thanks for commenting here. A few minor clarifications because I think we basically agree with each other…
I said: “In my humble opinion, the only difference between expensive Internet marketing courses and college education is… college costs more. Of course, this isn’t true for all colleges (there are a few good ones), but it’s true of many colleges.”
The point I was trying to make (which I may not have done effectively) is that both Internet marketers and the marketers of college are out to make money. And the product — the education they're providing — is sometimes not as good as advertised.
A college degree CAN have value in the real world, but not always. It depends on your degree and what type of job you're applying for.
All things being equal, what is worth more? An Internet marketing education or a college degree? Naturally, it depends on the person. But since most people are conditioned to be employees, I'd have to say the college degree would be more valuable to your average person because he/she can then use it to help get a job.
You said: “Just 'going to school' because you have nothing better to do is not a plan.” Unfortunately, many (most?) students fall into this category. Hence why so many students switch majors two, three, four times before graduation.
To wrap this up:
College education and Internet marketing education can both be really good things. But the person seeking education needs to understand the pitfalls inherent to both.
That Erica Goldson speech is really something. I read it a few days ago from a Google Buzz link. I think she credited John Taylor Gatto with a quote she used in her speech. Gatto, who was the New York State “Teacher of the Year” more than once, has some great books about the massive cracks in the public education system.
Chad – Great observations. You said:
“If you're not focused and would rather be partying, it isn't the college's fault that you wasted four years. That type of person would have wasted four years anyways.”
I mostly agree with this. Although I think colleges are partly to blame for creating a culture where partying is accepted and even encouraged.
Look out for this book too Ryan.
If I remember right, you've got young ones that you home school and these two renegades of education might help you in your mission to endear your children with intellect and reason that will guide them to the highest height.
The first guy I wanted to tell you about is a man by the name of Rafe Esquith and his book “TEACH LIKE YOUR HAIR IS ON FIRE – The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56″ He's a renegade elementary teacher in Los Angeles.
Here's the Amazon link so you can go check it out for yourself… http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Like-Your-Hairs-Fir…
There's 3 books of his on Amazon. I've only read one of them so far. It's been forever since I have but will be diving back soon as I've had the privilege of spending more and more time with my 4 year old niece and want to make sure I can be one of best first teachers.
Here's two other outstanding teachers to peep…
http://www.amazon.com/Marva-Collins-Way-Updated…
And this classic…
http://www.amazon.com/Predictive-Parenting-What…
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