Am I ready to start the TESC eval/enroll process?

[Lyanne]

I think I may be ready to start the process of evaluation/enrollment at TESC. I'm at 79 credits now, and should be at 91 by Jan 24th. If I stay on schedule, I should be done testing by June, and ready to take the 6 credit, 12 week TESC course by July. I am just a little unsure, and want to check with you all before I possibly jump the gun.

Can I request the $75 academic evaluation now, even though I most likely will not be ready to enroll until July? (1 year clock doesn't start with eval, does it?)
Will getting an evaluation now benefit me by "locking in" my accepted transfer credits in case of policy changes later?

I am disappointed that I only earned 45 credits in 6 months, as I took a lot of breaks because I didn't have a deadline. I am hoping that this will help me stay on track, but I also don't want to be in a position where I have to fork out another year's tuition. Thanks!

Here's my schedule (parentheses are unscheduled tests):
Jan 18 English Literature
Jan 24 Humanities
(Feb) Sociology
(Mar) Social Sci & History
(Mar-May) B&M Math class
(April) Rise and Fall of Soviet Union
(May) Middle East
(June) World Conflicts ECE
(squeezed in somewhere) Environment & Humanity
(July) TESC War and American Society

Also, with no real knowledge of the Middle East or Soviet Union, is a one month study period too ambitious?

[Storyteller]

The tuition clock starts when you pay for tuition (good for 1 year), not for when you get the evaluation.
The evaluation is good for six months, so plan accordingly. Get your eval now so you'll know exactly where your B&M credits are going to be applied.
Also, I don't know where you have been sending the results of your Clep/DSST, however, once you have been accepted at TESC and are awaiting evaluation, you can send your scores to TESC. (That's what I did. I didn't know anything about credit-banking. Still don't.)
Also, last year the tuition fee was raised $200 after June, so you may want to enroll before the rate goes up. I didn't enroll until August and rue wasting $200.
I don't know anything about "locking in" credits, however, I believe changes in course requirements kick in after June. Right now there is no requirement for a capstone course in BA in History (the degree I got), but it might be on the horizon.
Take Enviro&Humanity any time; it's a fabulously interesting course and if you have an interest in the subject doesn't require intense study. IC is perfect for it.
A month is plenty enough time to study for the Middle East & Soviet Union tests - IC, Specific Feedback and recommended Study books will see you through - I knew I was ready for the test when I got bored with the subject.
Remember, in the pass/fail system, a 50 is the same as an 80, you get the same credit hours for a low score or a high score; the point is: Don't overstudy. However, based on your previous scores, you are a high achiever, which can be to your detriment if you get bogged down.
When I first started, I planned on 1 clep per month; as I gained courage, I cut my study time and began testing 3-4 per month.
I started in Nov. 2010 with 14 credits, I graduated at TESC in Dec. 2011 with 120.
You can too.
Good luck.

[IrishJohn]

Remember, in the pass/fail system, a 50 is the same as an 80, you get the same credit hours for a low score or a high score; the point is: Don't overstudy. However, based on your previous scores, you are a high achiever, which can be to your detriment if you get bogged down.

That's what is so hard for me to keep in mind when I study for these exams! I'm not shooting for an "A" but just a "PASS". It goes against everything I remember from HS and college!

[Lyanne]

Thanks Storyteller! I am so excited by your response that I started the process immediately, lol. Tomorrow I will fax my transcript requests and then I'll submit my $75 to TESC. I guess I wasn't consciously thinking of it when I posed the question, but the example of TESC no longer accepting ALEKS Beginning Algebra was probably in the back of my mind when I asked about "locking in" credits. I have never had my credits sent anywhere, knowing I could request 1 transcript later, but tomorrow I will start sending my test results to TESC.
Thanks for the advice on enrolling in June, I will do that.
Yes, I am a high achiever, I have one B on my college transcripts and it still pisses me off whenever I see it. I'll try not to get bogged down, but I really hate scoring lower than 65.
Thanks for the advice and encouragement!

[Storyteller]

Lyanne,
I totally understand the score thing - I always wanted to get a high score - However, I have to admit it was more about economics than personal satisfaction - I overstudied because I hated the idea of wasting $100 on a failed Clep or Dantes test.
The lowest score I got was 53 on College Composition - I didn't study and didn't practice essay writing, because I'm a professional writer. You can only imagine my mortification at that lousy score. However, TESC gave me 6 credits and that's all I cared about. What's even greater, is none of the test scores go for or against your final GPA. YAY!!!!! They're just pure credits!!!!!!!!!
That low score did knock the wind out of my sails for a while, but now I just laugh about it when I look at my TESC displomas.
You will feel the same way once you are holding your own diplomas.

[Lyanne]

Lyanne,

That low score did knock the wind out of my sails for a while, but now I just laugh about it when I look at my TESC displomas.
You will feel the same way once you are holding your own diplomas.

I can't wait to come back diploma in hand and tell you you're right!