INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Especially with the explosion in online universities, your options in choosing a bachelor’s program can seem endless. Don’t assume, however, that all bachelor’s degrees—whether earned on campus, online, or in hybrid form—are created equal.  Check well-known college rankings publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, for evaluations on institution’s that you’re considering. Talk to your employer, guidance counselor, or teachers about the general reputations of college programs in your area. In the case of online degrees offered by campus-based universities, look for online degrees that are conferred with equal status to on-campus ones. In the U.S., this is the case with Penn State University’s highly-ranked “World Campus,” for example. Under ideal circumstances, a bachelor’s degree is intended to take 4 years of full-time study to earn. However, in the real world, the average bachelor’s degree in the U.S. takes more than 5 years to complete. If you work, have kids, or have other commitments, prioritize flexibility in your program choice.  Online institutions can obviously provide a lot of flexibility, but many community colleges and larger colleges and universities offer part-time and hybrid online/on campus programs. Note that certain areas of study offer less flexibility and are available only at traditional campuses. The cost of earning a college degree, especially in the U.S., continues to increase rapidly—the median cost is now roughly $11,000 USD per year. These costs can be several times higher at elite universities, or substantially lower at community colleges or online institutions.  The quality of your education and the reputation of your institution are important factors, but putting yourself into heavy debt to earn a degree from a “name-brand” school may not necessarily be worth the investment. Leave no stone unturned when looking for financial aid options. You can get scholarships and grants from both federal and private agencies. Your school may also offer both need- and merit-based aid. There is money out there, but you have to put in the effort to get it! If you’ve attended college previously but didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree, ask about the credit transfer policies at any institutions you’re considering. The more credits you can transfer over, the further ahead you’ll be in completing your bachelor’s degree.  Also, if you know you’ll be moving on to a master’s or similar advanced degree program, see if it’s possible for you to take coursework that can transfer into the program. If you’re still in high school, find out if you can take classes that will earn you college credits. It never hurts to get a head start!

SUMMARY: Look for schools with quality reputations. Factor in the amount of flexibility you need. Compare costs of attendance. Look for programs that let your transfer credits in or out.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Many studies have found that a blind person's biggest obstacle in finding work lies in his self-esteem. Many visually-impaired individuals automatically assume there is no place for them in the workplace due to their affliction. Fortunately, this is absolutely not the case. Before you even start sending out resumes, it's a good idea to nurture a positive attitude. Stamp out negative thoughts, and replace them with something positive. For example, if you find yourself thinking something like "I'll never find a job. No one will ever hire me because I'm blind," replace the thought with something constructive: "I may be blind, sure, but it doesn't stop me from being a worthwhile and valuable human being." In many ways, living in today's society comes with the expectation that you have full use of your eyes. If this isn't the case with you, it can be easy to feel hopeless about one's situation. However, the vast majority of modern professions are available for the visually-impaired to pursue. You should never let yourself get down. Being visually impaired may be tough in many situations, but if you take a moment to look, you'll find hundreds of success stories of people who have gone on to do great things in spite of their disability. Many of these success stories end up using their disability as a motivator to excel in other ways. Never let a disability keep you from doing what you are capable of. People with visual impairment are sometimes stigmatized in the workplace. However, anti-discrimination laws have made it so that it's never been easier to find work as a blind person. Mid-size and larger corporations are often offered incentives to hire the legally blind and visually impaired. Although you'll still need to have the other skills in order to be hired, you should never see your disability as an obstacle with the vast majority of jobs. In the United States, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was enacted to help ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Depending on the country you're currently residing in, there should be similar laws passed to make it easier for you to find work.

SUMMARY:
Work on your self-esteem. Understand that the limits are never as bad as they look. Look up success stories for the blind. Learn about anti-discrimination legislation.