Western Governors University

The curriculum is almost tailor-made for "gifted" students with ADHD who have struggled (or are likely to struggle) with traditional college programs. There is no homework, no classes to attend, no minimum number of hours spent in a course. Rather, they allow you to complete a course as fast as you are able to and only require you to prove your knowledge by scoring 80% or higher on an exam or a project/paper.

If you came to the school from a previous program, or you have an extensive amount of professional experience from which you have gained knowledge, then you're likely to breeze through the classes. Some classes include a study guide and a course planning assessment that allows you to focus your time studying on content you don't already know rather than reading things you already know well.

While I absolutely love the competency based curriculum that is offered, there are a few areas that I find are significantly lacking compared to a traditional university.

First, I am highly motivated by learning additional information aside from what is provided by the textbook. When I reach out to the faculty for additional resources or more specific types of information, I have been invariably directed to resources like Coursera or Google. A book recommendation or specific point of contact or resource would have been appreciated. A discussion with the professor over the questions not covered by the materials would have been ideal. Instead, you're likely to receive some equivalent of "meh."

Second, if you're hoping to double-major, there are significant barriers. The competency based-curriculum allows you to go through coursework as fast or as slow as you are capable of or determined to. If you finish your coursework and have 4 months remaining, you have to wait the entire 4 months before you can start a new course of study. If the second degree has a large amount of overlap with a prior degree that you've received, then you will be barred from enrolling in that degree program. If there is a class that has information you're interested in, but is not part of your program, then you're out of luck.Third, some of the value that you get from college is in the people you make friends with or meet as part of your coursework or extracurriculars. Later in life, these connections become part of a network you can leverage in countless ways. As this is 100% online, making friends incidentally is unlikely. Extracurricular programs essentially amount to professional organizations. While I love the program, if you haven't gone to a traditional college, it is definitely worth doing so at least for a year or two in order to build friendships and a network.

1st Year Male -- Class 1923

Useful Schoolwork: A+, Social Life: F

If you have good communication, organization and self motivation - its a good school.
Its much cheaper than traditional school
It has a somewhat flexible schedule.
CONS:
If you dont understand something - most mentors (teachers) refer you back to your course of study.
There is no Wiggle room. If you miss a deadline - no talking to someone. Dont like the outcome of a grade... you have no recourse.

Teachers beware. The observation and DT IS CRAZY. hey dont guantee you placement either. So after paying them for 2 years, they couldnt find a school willing to let me come student teach. They became very unhelpful and offered a generic BA of educational studies (general degree) which is USELESS and you can go back ever to get your license from them.

The school interface is confusing and takes some time to get used to.
The "task" courses that ask you to do projects as your assessment is way beyond (harder/more busy work) than a brick and morter school.

For most things - its the students responsibility to know deadlines, rules, etc. While a mentor will *sometimes* help - they are general in their help as they feel YOU need to do the leg work, you need to figure out the assignment, you need to find the resources.

Each course mentor has a few hundred to a thousand + students.... do the math - not a lot of attention for you.Remember this - you GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2014

Scholastic Success: A, Useful Schoolwork: F