I agree that long-term goals should be considered - for example, if you want Stanford Law School it might not be the best option (and you better have a planB no matter where you go). But with a great GRE most good state university grad programs have no problem with TESC and COSC. A few additional things to consider:
1. These are state schools - TESC was almost merged with Rutgers in 2010.
2. Plenty of grads go on to good grad schools - even grad schools like MIT.
3. If one is inclined to want to attend a Stanford graduate school, it is also unlikely that the undergrad school you will need to do so will only require 30 residency credits. Most state schools require 56-60, and top flight undergraduate schools like Princeton will require a lot more. A few - like Indiana University (I think) - will go down to 30 required.
4. You can call the grad schools you are considering and ask them as to this issue.
I am not advocating TESC for everyone or even advocating it at all - just noting that it is a viable option and one to explore, especially if $$$ is a major issue and there is a repayment sum pending.
Tough situation for all involved.
1. These are state schools - TESC was almost merged with Rutgers in 2010.
2. Plenty of grads go on to good grad schools - even grad schools like MIT.
3. If one is inclined to want to attend a Stanford graduate school, it is also unlikely that the undergrad school you will need to do so will only require 30 residency credits. Most state schools require 56-60, and top flight undergraduate schools like Princeton will require a lot more. A few - like Indiana University (I think) - will go down to 30 required.
4. You can call the grad schools you are considering and ask them as to this issue.
I am not advocating TESC for everyone or even advocating it at all - just noting that it is a viable option and one to explore, especially if $$$ is a major issue and there is a repayment sum pending.
Tough situation for all involved.
Personally, I would think long and hard about doing one of those programs if going to strong grad program is an option they are pursuing.
As a parent with a rising sr. at VT applying for grad school, they look at everything, including where the undergrad degree. I am from NJ, and never heard of Thomas Edison, granted it is for adults only, it is an online version of college, but still their reputation as a college may be a player. Accreditation is not everything to take into consideration.
Many kids now because of the low employment opportunities are taking one more yr to get a grad degree. That fact alone ramps up the competition of admission applicants.
It might be better to also just do the last 30 credits at another college just for the sake of the diploma regarding their future opportunities, be it straight into the workforce, or onto a grad degree.
The financial savings by writing a check and getting a degree quicker may come back and bite them later on when it comes to starting salaries and quality of employment opportunities. Think about it, if they went back home to their IS flagship school, tuition would be about 20K for 2 yrs., 10K if they can do it in a yr. They can than get into a better grad school program, and that can give them a stronger chance of a higher starting salary, which would quickly make up the 10/20K additional debt.
Grad degrees today are like undergrad degrees in the late 80's for this generation. It is no longer a rarity. My DD, my nieces all intend to get their grad degrees. It is not an if for them. My DD and one of my nieces are both majoring in education. That should show how common it is now across the workforce. Most colleges offer a combined undergrad/grad program too. Our DS roommate freshman yr at his college was enrolled in such a program. These 3 examples, all attend flagship colleges in their states (NJ, VA and MD).
Again reinforcing why going to one of those 2 colleges may not assist if their state colleges are competitive for undergrad admissions. The school already filled some of those slots when they entered as freshman.