Which is better, a GED or a diploma from an online high school?

Question

My daughter will be 13, but we are trying to plan ahead. The community college in our county will accept someone with a GED. We were thinking of try for it when she is 16. I figured she could attened one class per semester, util she feels comfortable. My question pertains maily to universities. Will they take her as a transfer if all she has is a GED and possible an associates degree?

Answer 1

To take community college classes as a high schooler, she shouldn't need a GED.  If she "graduates" high school, then they may want it.  But if you're just going to enroll her while she's in high school, then all she'll most likely need are placement tests and/or SAT/ACT/PSAT scores.

Then, once she has credits, she'll be a transfer student to a university, at which time they won't care about her high school status.  They'll look at her SAT/ACT scores, CC credits, and *possibly* a high school portfolio (if she doesn't have enough cc credits).

As a HS'ing parent, you can issue a diploma for her.  There's no need to go through an online school.  In the majority of states, homeschools are considered private schools.

Answer 2

a diploma is better, just because alot of jobs you can get require one over a GED, and it looks better on your applications.

Answer 3

get a diploma...a GED is not as good as getting a diploma

Answer 4

Our community college took my son's homeschool transcript as a diploma without any problems. In fact, he got a full tuition scholarship. All we had to have was a transcript that showed he took rigerous courses and his ACT test scores. He is in his second year at the college now and is on the Chancellor's Honor Roll. O.K. proud Mama here. hehehehe.

His career area only needs a two year degree (computer networking and maintenance is his first love), but he is considering transfering into a 4-year college and getting a full bachelor's degree as well to open up even more options to his career path. From what we have been told, 4 year colleges in our state are required by law to accept the associate degree core but hey may not always take technical course credit toward elective credits at the 4-year institution. The admissions counsellor says that their focus is the community college grade point average and having taken required courses for transfer student.

My 17 year old daughter is taking an online college composition course this year during her senior year of high school. All they required for her was taking the Compass test since she hasn't taken the ACT or SAT yet.

Answer 5

It sounds like you are planning for her to drop out of school. She should get her diploma (early if she is smart enough) and go from there. To many, a GED says lazy drop out.

Answer 6

BE SURE the school you choose is accredited, otherwise you will be wasting time and money.  The school won't matter, online or brick and morter, as long as future employers will acknowledge the degree.  

A GED is a type of diploma.  It shows basic mastering of the skills of math, science and communication, as well as a level of dedication to completing tasks.

Decide if online fits your life best or if you would thrive in the classroom.  Then go for it!

Answer 7

It is better to obtain a high school diploma than a GED.

Answer 8

My understanding is that after the first year of college, it doesn't make a difference what kind of diploma they have.

You just need to know what the high school requirements are and make sure she is meeting them so she wont have to play "catch-up" in college.

For some of the other answerers: GED= General Education Diploma. A GED is equivalent to a general diploma earned in high school.