For Higher Learning, online courses are a more beneficial option than universities

I thank Lickdafoot for agreeing to debate this topic with me and instigating the challenge. I wish her luck in finishing her degree and will show through this debate why enrolling in a University and physically attending classes is more beneficial than enrolling in online courses.I have three contentions that I will make in addition to refuting Pro's four opening arguments. I apologize to Con for the late response. I only had 20 minutes when I started but I wanted to give her something to respond to.I will follow a similar structure to Con's argument i.e. making brief opening statements in this round, and elaborate and cite sources in the next round.ARGUMENTSC1) The College Experience(A) Attending college helps students make friends in similar fields. It is far easier to make friends while in college due to the shared experience that all students go through. Everyone is new, so there is never a feeling of being the only "new kid" in college.(B) Working together with classmates is very important. It fosters teamwork and leads to further friendships and networking.C2) The classroom Experience(A) Discussion of material in the classroom improves communication skills. This is important to have for most jobs. Sitting at home and clicking various options on the computer with a mouse is a poor substitute for a classroom discussion. Even lessons with audio don't compare with the physical experience.C3) Greater interaction with professors(A) Leads to job referencesOne of the main reasons to go to college is the networking opportunities available. Students can get to know their professors and get references to the best jobs and graduate schools. Nearly all graduate schools require letters of references from the student's professors. (B) Ability to work as a research assistant or teaching assistantGetting to knoe the professors leads to jobs while on campus. A student can conduct research in their field, or if they a grad student, can work as a teaching assistant teaching undergraduate students. Attending a University encourage students to be very involved and engaged. Online courses while possibly replicating the course material cannot replicate the actual college experience.REBUTTALS1) CostIt is interesting to note how Pro's source (Collegeboard) mentions that the average amount of aid for a full-time undergraduate student was about $11,500, including more than $6,000 in grants that don’t have to be repaid [1]. The average cost of an in-state college is $7605 per year. So, pretty much everyone who recieves financial aid will be able to pay for college. The important thing is for my opponent to explore the options for recieving financial aid as opposed to foregoing the benefits of attending a University by taking online courses. Since financial aid is given on a need basis in addition to being given on a merit basis, students who cannot afford college find it easier to get financial aid.2) Time EfficiencyUniversitities don't have to be "a full time job". Many students work full time and take classes part time. Also students can work with their professors to do research in the field that they are studying. They can also do internships in the same field. 3) Option AdvantageMost Universities do allow students to change majors and offer many course plans and guides so that students can graduate in 4 years. Academic advisors usually take care of people who want to change majors. If my opponent proves in the next round that there is a tendency to pile as many courses as possible in one semester, I will continue to argue this point. However, I have never heard of students piling courses in one semester. 4) ExperienceGoing to a University helps a student gets experience, as I mentioned previously, much more than online courses do.I will expand in the next round.These are the arguments that I will be expanding on in the next round and am looking forward to an interesting debate.Sources[1] http://www.collegeboard.com...