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I Just wanted to post an update. There is always a question about using nontraditional means of obtaining an undergrad degree and then applying to grad school. I received notice today that I was accepted into the MS Tourism at University of Illinois. This was the most competitive of my applications (so far). I applied several months back, and then had a delay when I was asked to provide additional transcripts. In all, about 6 months have passed since I applied.
Possible issues I might have encountered:
1. My degree is from TESC, one of the "big 3" assessment colleges. Courses are either all earned online or brought in through transfer- only 1 course (2 credits) was taken butt-in-seat, and that was in 1992.
2. I tested out of 60 undergrad credits using CLEP, DSST, and TECEP exams.
3. I had only earned 30 graded credits, while their admissions checklist "required" a GPA of 3.0 based on my last 60 credits.
4. In order to calculate my GPA based on my last 60 credits, they had to dig deep into my NA credits from The Culinary Inst. of America- or ignore their own "rule." I don't know which method they used.
5. 27 of my credits were "credit for prior teaching" which is very much like a prior learning assessment/portfolio (except without the cost)
6. UI application wants you to list "dates of attendance" from your bachelor's degree on your grad school application application. I could only list 1 year! I thought that might come back to bite me.
What I did have going for me:
1. A lot of industry experience.
2. 3 very good letters of reference. (3 supervisors- two current, one previous. Two of the three hold a PhD)
3. My TESC GPA is 3.85, and my previous GPA was 3.5- so I met the criteria.
4. I thought my essay was clever (LOL maybe it was, maybe it wasn't)!
**********
So, chalk one up for distance learners. I probably will not enroll in this program, but it's nice to have the option!
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Thats GREAT! What other schools and programs have you applied to? I would really like to know. Is it University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is the MS online?
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MBA Business Analytics, Eastern University - Done!
BS Liberal Arts: Administrative & Management Studies, Excelsior College
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Congrats on acceptance, and great post.
[SIZE="2"][COLOR="DarkBlue"]B.S., Biology, Excelsior College
[/COLOR][/SIZE]
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eyrobinson Wrote:Thats GREAT! What other schools and programs have you applied to? I would really like to know. Is it University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is the MS online?
Thanks!
For grad schools, I have so far applied to 2 colleges at University of Illinois, University of Adelaide, and Western New Mexico University (my first choice- it's the best price, awesome customer service, and a perfect fit academically for me). Everyone has accepted me for Spring 09, but I am still waiting to hear on my other UI application. I am all set to start at WNMU, pending the outcome of my class this fall. I'm dipping my big toe in a class through Harvard University's Extension, so it's a bit of a personal test
If I flop hard, I'll happily be licking my wounds at WNMU....if not.....well, it's Harvard then!
As to your other questions- yes and yes. All of the Illinois programs have just been streamlined into a "global campus" portal. So, you can now go to one website and see all of the online options for bachelors, masters, and certificate programs at any University of Illinois campus.
University of Illinois Global Campus You can also apply online. Admission requirements vary, and you have to apply to each program- one application can not be used for more than one program. (I am still waiting to hear on my other application)
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Congratulations, Jennifer. This is yet another great post to reinforce that a degree from one of "The Big 3" will get you somewhere!
[SIZE="2"]TECEP's passed:[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]English Composition 102[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Technical Writing[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Psychology of Women[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Word Processing Fundamentals[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Introduction to Computer Information Systems[/SIZE]
[SIZE="2"]CLEP's passed:[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Analyzing and Interpreting Literature - 60[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Principles of Management - 71[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Principles of Marketing - 67[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Principles of Macroeconomics - 54 [/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Principles of Microeconomics - 57 [/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Introduction to Business Law- 65 [/SIZE]
[SIZE="2"]DSST's passed:[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Principles of Supervision - 59[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Introduction to Business - 63[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Principles of Financial Accounting- 54[/SIZE]
[SIZE="2"]FEMA Credits earned: 15[/SIZE]
[SIZE="2"]ALEKS Intro to Stats completed 3/10/09 [/SIZE]
[SIZE="2"]ASBA - TESC - 3/6/09
BSBA - general management in progress[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Working on: PF Business and Technical Writing[/SIZE]
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Did you have to take the GMAT or GRE?
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MBA Business Analytics, Eastern University - Done!
BS Liberal Arts: Administrative & Management Studies, Excelsior College
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eyrobinson Wrote:Did you have to take the GMAT or GRE?
>>
None of the schools on my list (including Harvard University's Extension) require either.
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Move over Harvard....Jennifer's comin' to town!hilarious !!!
I am so proud of you!!! One thing's for sure...when you set your sights on something...you aim high!!!!!!! You just want to leave us mere proletariats here huh?!!!
I wish you well in all of your future endeavors. Welcome to the Big Time!!!....(make sure to send me a postcard)!!!!!!
By the way...I have a question--I glanced at the link you provided above and I was checking out the Online Bachelor of Business Administration program. It says that the program is only 60 credit hours. Am I missing something here?
Chat with ya later. Congratulations again!
Peace be with you always.
From a loyal degree seeker,
Marshall
Thomas Edison State University (TESU)
Enrolled in BA in Liberal Studies - 105/120 Completed
Associate in Science, Excelsior College
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mlwilliamsiv Wrote:Move over Harvard....Jennifer's comin' to town!hilarious !!!
I am so proud of you!!! One thing's for sure...when you set your sights on something...you aim high!!!!!!! You just want to leave us mere proletariats here huh?!!!
I wish you well in all of your future endeavors. Welcome to the Big Time!!!....(make sure to send me a postcard)!!!!!!
By the way...I have a question--I glanced at the link you provided above and I was checking out the Online Bachelor of Business Administration program. It says that the program is only 60 credit hours. Am I missing something here?
Chat with ya later. Congratulations again!
Peace be with you always.
From a loyal degree seeker,
Marshall
Marshall,
I'm only guessing, but some schools have a standard gen ed requirement (60) that everyone meets, so the "major" is then 60. The tourism program isn't set up like that, so I am only guessing, but I think the other 60 are gen ed.
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QUESTION! - you guys seem to be so on top of this! - I'm studying for the sociology CLEP having NEVER taken any classes in the subject and I'm wondering how similar the practice questions are to the questions on the real test - what did you guys think? will I see some of those same questions or is studying using practice tests a total waste?
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