<p>Hi guys, I just got into High Point today, my worry is that it isn't actually as good of school as it makes itself out to be/as other people make it out to be. I read somewhere that their business school isn't accredited, which is worrisome considering that is my major. I want someone to be brutally honest with me about whether or not it is worth spending the money to go there. Obviously, I can't make any decisions until I hear back from all my schools and see what financial aid I get, but I want to at least get an idea of whether or not it would be worth attending here.</p>
<p>On a side note, I'm a little turned off by how luxurious the campus seems, although that itself wouldn't be a deal breaker, but coupled with poor academics would be. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, as of the last time the AACSB updated their website, The Earl N. Phillips school of business was not AACSB accredited.</p>
<p>The AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) is very well respected in the world of business and collegiate accreditation, and it you should take it into consideration that your degree will not be backed by this organization if you choose to attend highpoint.</p>
<p>If I end up attending, would a degree not backed by them end up hurting me when I apply for jobs, or is it more of a technical thing. I’m just wondering because I looked at other schools I applied to for business, like Saint Michael’s in vt, and they are not accredited either, and I know many graduates from there who are doing very well for themselves.
Basically my question is should lack of accreditation be something big enough to be a deal breaker?</p>
<p>People get too caught up in the accrediting mess. An employer will be more interested in what internships and experience you bring to the table. What can you do for me now?</p>
<p>There was a debate in another thread about this earlier. Just get a degree and work hard in the jobs and internships you get.</p>
<p>Accrediting matters more in science majors, and even then more if you’re applying to graduates programs than jobs. I work in the corporate headquarters of a major company and I’ve never heard anyone discuss whether their business degree was accredited.</p>
<p>I don’t know the level of academics you’re looking for, but realize High Point is still a school that is striving. They’ve been working very hard for several years now - and spending millions of dollars - to improve their reputation. I don’t know how much the academics have strengthened through this process.</p>
<p>scity you are correct about the accreditation. As for myself, this was something that was important when my daughter was searching for a college… (she was accepted and given a scholarship from High Point so we went very far into the process there) As quickly as I write this someone will be on here saying “its all silly” about the accrediting" To me there are a few things you have to consider… being from MA will you be able to get good internships near your home? This is something to bring up with the HPU admissions office and also seek out and speak to student currently there from your area as well as recent graduates. Apples to apples as to your specific situation is truly the best information you can get. If not alot of opportunities close to your home for internships will you be willing to stay in the NC area? It’s hard to predict this far down the road but if you want to go to a grad school closer to home, ( so many well respected schools near you!) will they perceive the lacking accreditation an issue for admission? If the schools that your are being accepted into like HP and the school you mentioned in VT are only the non accredited ones then you need to compare those two schools… price, location, internships, etc…and see which is a better fit for you. I agree about the luxury of the campus… my daughter felt the same way but it was not what made her ultimately say no to the school. You have to have a gut feel about what is best for you. Sorry for my ramble but it’s such an important decision to make as well as an expensive one! My son is currently trying to make a decision about schools himself. good luck to you! :)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone who responded, one of my main reasons for applying was to hopefully get some merit aid as it is somewhat of a safety. One thing I just put together (despite how obvious it should’ve been) is that the school in VT only has business majors, not a separate business school, which likely would mean it could not be accredited just based on this. I am also worried about the reputation up north when compared to somewhere like Elon or Wake Forest that may have more name recognition, and will definitely bring all of these up with someone from admissions if HP ends up being financially feasible.</p>
<p>I know someone from the power player world of New York finance. High point univ is NOT respected among firms recruiting from undergraduate business schools. Word on street is high point won’t exist in 10 years. Choose another university for a career in business!</p>
<p>scity glad to offer advice… have you submitted your essays for merit aid scholarships yet? I’m sure by now you realize it must be submitted and you must attend a weekend at HPU to interview and from there you will be offered merit. Great to speak directly with admissions but like I said, please other than admissions… ( they will have their own spin on things as EVERY school out there will!) seek out those who have graduated or are currently enrolled students from YOUR area. Also if finances are a factor consider your costs of travel in and out of Greensboro area. It very well may cancel out what money you gain in scholarship.</p>
<p>there are definite programs that offer good options for people in NC, I have heard good things about education and design, interior design etc… I think the school will be around in ten years. There are many students happy with the university. I have a friend’s son there now in education, only problem is most kids graduating find fast employment in the NC area so they have resigned themselves to that being likely. Another friend’s son graduated 3 years ago and is employed by a school in the area as well as getting back into the NJ school system was not easy. He is happy where he is so that’s what matters to him. A neighbor’s daughter graduated the design program and found a job in NY… small company but she is employeed. As with all schools they have their strong and weak areas.</p>
<p>I don’t see High Point disappearing in 10 years. They’ve got a pretty strong endowment and are showing substantial growth. Basically Elon is striving to be Wake Forest, and High Point is striving to be Elon.</p>
<p>Thanks! I just got my letter in the mail and got a small but definitely welcomed amount of merit money. I feel like it’s been hard to get a good view on the school as everything I hear is either doom and gloom on here, or great things from admissions. The kids I know who have gone have all told me they like/love it, so that’s something to consider. Hopefully, HPU gets to a more Elon-y level soon, but either way I won’t rule it out or anything until I here back from other places. Thanks everyone, especially lefty and inigo</p>
<p>Just something for everyone saying that “accreditation isn’t as important as internships, experience, etc etc”, while that is entirely true, you must remember that in this job market you are competing against highly qualified candidates for jobs. Everyone is going to have similar internship and work experience. Coming from an unaccredited school could end up costing you a job over a candidate that went to an elite institution. Like cookie said, you want to be sure that your degree will be respected in the area you are looking to enter.</p>
<p>Just food for thought, HPU received a C+, as well as a ranking of 559/650 from Forbes. For those of you who will respond saying rankings are bias and unrepresentative , keep in mind that Forbes ranks almost solely based on ROI, which is a good indicator of post-grad job success.</p>
<p>As a parent, I keep going back and forth. My first impression (and over the years I’ve learned to trust that) was one of “seriously?” I actually turned to my child and said, “OMG I think we’re in the Capitol” (from The Hunger Games books). But I listened and observed and asked a lot of questions and I had to say I thought their approach was very interesting. However, the lack of accreditation does bother me, and I have heard from other sources that a business degree from there is not highly regarded. I also don’t like that we have to go down there for the scholarship weekend thing and there’s no guarantee the scholarship will increase. And, it would have to, by a lot based on what my child has been offered from other schools. I just don’t know… it’s certainly beautiful (but almost in a creepy, surreal way) and I do like parts of the approach, but this week, anyway, my opinion seems to be leaning toward the “all style, no substance” camp. We shall see.</p>
<p>Do some research, ask questions about faculty and the number with terminal degrees in their field and number of adjunct and visiting profs. Also check out the schools financials and their debt load. It’s helpful also to see the typical aid package. It is all loans, grant aid, etc? Campus security data is helpful too as are stats about 6 year grad rates and default rates on student debt. That kind of info should weigh more in the process than the ice cream truck and steak house.</p>
<p>stcoprmater, where can I find the info about the school’s debt load and financials? I’ve been told HPU is in a great deal of debt, but I don’t know where to research it myself. Thanks!</p>
<p>ctreelmom, there was an article a few years ago in Newsweek that talked about HPU debt and called it “Bubble U”. Also someone said in a previous post that HPU has a strong endowment. That is not true, I don’t have the number to hand but it is shockingly low, that is why they don’t offer much financial aid.</p>
have you submitted your essays for merit aid scholarships yet? I’m sure by now you realize it must be submitted and you must attend a weekend at HPU to interview and from there you will be offered merit. Great to speak directly with admissions but like I said, please other than admissions… ( they will have their own spin on things as EVERY school out there will!) seek out those who have graduated or are currently enrolled students from YOUR area. Also if finances are a factor consider your costs of travel in and out of Greensboro area. It very well may cancel out what money you gain in scholarship.</p>