I am 20 years old and I don't have a diploma. I dropped out of high school when I was 17, didn't graduate. Last year I decided to earn my High School Diploma online, with Stratford Career Institute, and just received my diploma last month. Today I read a few posts saying that you could not attend college after receiving a diploma from this school because the "school" or institute is NOT accredited and colleges do not recognize unaccredited schools. So I'm wondering if this is true.. If so, I would like to know if I can still go back to school and earn my diploma or at least my GED?. by the way what's the difference between HSD/GED?. I earned 17 credits in High School. What Should I do? I would really like to go to college. Oh and is Adult high school diploma and high school diploma the same thing?

Thanks!

Stratford Career Institute is not regionally or nationally accredited. This probably does mean that its acceptance will be minimal.

You have a couple choices:

1. Earn the GED. If you have the knowledge to pass it, there are colleges that will accept that in lieu of a high school diploma. There are GED preparation programs both online and off-line. I would encourage you to check with your college of choice first, though.

2. Earn an online high school diploma. You might even find one that is willing to accept some of your work from Stratford (but no guarantees; I really do not know).

As to adult high school diploma vs. high school diploma: they can be the same thing or they can be different based on which state you live in. Either way, you only want a program that is accredited.

If you are not sure of the accredition, feel free to come back here and post. I am happy to help you in making the right decision.


Tom Nixon