The Disadvantages of GED Diploma

While infinitely better than holding no diploma at all, a general educational development (GED) diploma is often viewed as a lesser accomplishment than a high school diploma. Employers, colleges and even the military have special rules for accepting GED holders.

Stigma

Regardless of the truth, GED holders are often seen as dropouts, failures and lazy students who refused to finish their high school career.

High School Experience

Students who leave high school to take a GED test will miss out on many important high school experiences. From Prom to graduation, science fairs to cool teachers, there are a host of experiences that cannot be included on a test.

Employment

Although many entry-level employers view the GED as equivalent to a high school diploma, higher level jobs that pay more than minimum wage are often more discretionary.

College

Community colleges almost always accept GED holders. However, other institutions of higher learning may not accept GED holders unless they meet other academic requirements.

Military

Branches of the military have caps on how many GED-holding recruits they can accept in a given year. Competition is often high for these positions, making military enlistment challenging.

References

• Facts About Getting the GED
• GED or High School Diploma