In my line of work, a lot of people ask me questions about getting their high school diploma or GED. One of the most asked question is “should I get a high school diploma or a GED?” If they’re still in high school, I tell them to stay in school and get their diploma, because unless I’m out of touch, I don’t know of anyone that’s sorry they graduated high school.
That’s the best advice I can give you if you’re still in high school. Just stay and finish! However, if you dropped out of high school and you finally want to get the many benefits of having a diploma or a GED, here are the answers to some questions you may have.
1) Is it still possible for me to get a high school diploma?
The answer is yes, you can still get your high school diploma. However, you will have to enroll at one of the few accredited and government recognized schools. You can do the course work needed to get your diploma on the internet from the comfort of your home. You can also continue to work your full time job while you complete the courses. Unfortunately, this route can be expensive as well as time consuming and could take you several years to complete.
In addition, be very wary of internet high school programs that promise you a high school diploma in a day or a few weeks after taking an online test. These types of programs are obviously scams.
2) Will getting a GED be better for me?
You have another option if the first option is not for you. The GED (General Education Development) is a program that got its start in the year 1942 for people that for whatever reason could not finish high school. Many colleges, universities, and employers see the GED as equal to a high school diploma. Therefore, having a GED is just like or just as good as having a high school diploma.
To get your GED, you will have to complete a 7 to 8 hour test which consists of five parts or sections at a test center. The test is issued by the state, in fact, the American Council on Education writes the GED exam; therefore, no matter what state you live in, you will take the same test as people from other states.
Are you still unsure which one you should go with? Well, if you still want my advice after reading this article, then I would have to say that the GED is the way to go. It is quicker and cheaper.