It's not the silly certificate that you should value from these courses, it the learning itself. I think you overestimate the utility of formal qualifications

It's not the silly certificate that you should value from these courses, it the learning itself. I think you overestimate the utility of formal qualifications for getting a programming job (assuming that that's what you're talking about here). In fact I would say that if tell a potential employer that you've worked through SICP, you show them some projects that you've done and they reject you on the basis of not having a degree, you've dodged a bullet! I'm completely self taught. I haven't got a degree, nor have I worked though SICP. I'm in my mid 30s and I've been professionally programming for about 5-6 years. I work at a hedge fund in London; it's doable!