morningsong said:

My opinion is this............ a HSD is someone who finished school.

A GED is for folks who did not, for whatever reason, were unable to complete HS. The GED allows them to get the credits necessary. It also shows any employer that the person went to school to finish their education so they can go to college or get into a job.

My cousin got her GED, went to college and got a decent job

Talk to counsellors at colleges or universities for their input as they know what employers and the industry out in the work world want or are looking for. This will help you with which way to go.

I got my diploma 7 years after I was supposed to graduate. I didn't know there was a difference but I'm glad it was the diploma rather than a GED because it sounds much nicer.

Oh, and I only needed 1 or 2 credits. Might have been the wiser choice to get the diploma in this instance? I guess.

morningsong said:

Its not for me all that was handled back when I was a teenager. I know my best friend at the time left school at 16 went ahead and got her GED and went to work, she was just sick of school. Eventually she got married started a family but we lost contact after that but I believe she's fine was in a very close knit family so no decision she made alone. Anyway, I was just mind wandering on the idea why would someone who's 30 want to go to school for a diploma in this day and age that seems weird to me there's even a market for it, maybe I'm missing something.

I know

SuperFurryAnimal said:

wildgoldenhoney said:

morningsong said:

wildgoldenhoney said:

Oh, and I only needed 1 or 2 credits. Might have been the wiser choice to get the diploma in this instance? I guess.

Yeah I can see that if you're a couple of credits shy might as well complete it. How'd you survive though for 7 years and no diploma? That boggles me beyond being self employed, it would be tough.

I was working throughout those 7 years. Even received promotions. Just because I didn't graduate earlier, doesn't mean I was stupid. In fact I realized that I learned better from doing things rather than just listening to lectures - that's probably the reason why I excelled in my work.

[Edited 8/10/14 19:50pm]

wildgoldenhoney said:

There is still a stigma against GED graduates.

That's basically the benefit of having a high school diploma.

Blixical said:

I don't think there is any sort of stigma against a GED anymore. It really depends on what you are trying to do. If you just want to start working in more of a blue-collar field, a GED will do most of the time.

My oldest son is 21. He knew he didn't want to go to college, so when he realized he was still a few credits short for graduation, he dropped out and went straight to taking his GED. He passed and got hired at a major grocery store's warehouse. He's now in their union, makes very good money, works 10 minutes from home and he drives a hilo all day. This is what worked for him.

My other son graduated and got his diploma and still works in fast food. He's applied for other jobs in retail with no call backs.

My daughter struggled in school and I got her in a program that will tutor her and pay for her to get her GED, job coach her, offers community college courses in fields of interest and basically directs her into a career that she wants, which is in art.

So you see, education is changing. When I graduated in 1990, if you dropped out and got your GED, you were a loser. There are just so many alternatives now. Most school districts are offering virtual classes now too.

If you're planning to go to a private university or the U.S. Armed Forces, you will definitely need a high school diploma because GEDs are not accepted. At least this was the case the last time I've checked during the 1990's.

That's what I've been reading, that a HSD is best over a GED when you're young because it shows you can complete your schooling, but if you go straight into even just completing a few colleage courses after getting your GED, then its favorable because it shows initiative or a drive to move forward. I guess it's just a personal preference.

TonyVanDam said:

If you're planning to go to a private university or the U.S. Armed Forces, you will definitely need a high school diploma because GEDs are not accepted. At least this was the case the last time I've checked during the 1990's.

Always check with the college, university or where ever to find out what is acceptable to get in.

Technical Colleges in South Carolina have always accepted GED's...The State has always had a shortage of Nurses and I remember several of my female Friends from High school saying they were going to Tech to become a Nurse(they started their senior year)...I'm not sure about Universities but times have changed and there's so much Financial aid out there for anybody that wants to go to College. We're not living in the 70's & 80's...No one can stop you from doing anything you wanna do...I Love me some America baby!!!!

morningsong said:

Blixical said:

There is still a stigma against GED graduates.

That's basically the benefit of having a high school diploma.

Really even decades past HS, with college courses and work experience it matters these days? Curious.

Well, if a person has a college degree (4 year at least), he's not likely to be asked about his high school experience.

I'm speaking specifically about people who have obtained a GED only as apoosed to a high school diploma only. I've known many business 'VP' level officers who had only high school diplomas. I've never known any that had GEDs only.

I think it stems from the mentality that if you dropped out of high school and got your GED later, that you were lazy, had some kind of drama, or a bit wayward. It's an unfair stigma, but it exists.

Chancellor said:

Technical Colleges in South Carolina have always accepted GED's...The State has always had a shortage of Nurses and I remember several of my female Friends from High school saying they were going to Tech to become a Nurse(they started their senior year)...I'm not sure about Universities but times have changed and there's so much Financial aid out there for anybody that wants to go to College. We're not living in the 70's & 80's...No one can stop you from doing anything you wanna do...I Love me some America baby!!!!

I think this is the important thing. If you opt for a GED, you should find a college that will accept you and get a 4 year degree. Once that happens, nobody is going to care about your high school.

All I know is the two are not equivalent.

I didn't mean GED work at McD's as a put down to GED.

I mean't you even need a diploma (or working at getting) to gain jobs as simple as working fast food.

And GOD DAMMIT I MAY HAVE BEEN A BURGER FLIPPER! I WAS THE BEST BURGER FLIPPER EVER!

Blixical said:

morningsong said:

Blixical said: Really even decades past HS, with college courses and work experience it matters these days? Curious.

Well, if a person has a college degree (4 year at least), he's not likely to be asked about his high school experience.

I'm speaking specifically about people who have obtained a GED only as apoosed to a high school diploma only. I've known many business 'VP' level officers who had only high school diplomas. I've never known any that had GEDs only.

I think it stems from the mentality that if you dropped out of high school and got your GED later, that you were lazy, had some kind of drama, or a bit wayward. It's an unfair stigma, but it exists.

I get what you're saying. Still there are high school drop outs with neither that have been financially successful, so I don't see why getting your GED is such a stigma, unless all you do is lay up on mom's couch watching court and talk shows all day, there a ton of kids with their diplomas who do that too. I guess it just boils down to a personal thing, not quite one that I fully understand, maybe because I'm a rather impatient person at times, and would rather put the time in elsewhere.