Biology or other science degree plan needed

[dfrecore]

Thanks Jennifer - I'm thinking FSU may be a good start for him but they limit his CLEP to 45 credits and have a few weird policies about transfer credits. Keep in mind he will not reside with the USA during this process and with the TESU age requirement him testing out of his first degree ASAP may be difficult. FSU has an overseas campus but does not have any testing capabilities.

The Harvard Extension is a good idea once he get's to that point.

Also TESU said he can possibly get a waver for under 21 since he has already taken classes a a University.

Several people here have said that they were not at all helpful in this respect, and would not do a waiver.

But I think if he did all of his sciences at a B&M, then you should maybe consider COSC.

But I agree with Jennifer that testing out might not be the best option in these circumstances.  My best friend's daughter wants to be a research scientist, and has gotten all kinds of great opportunities while at college to do things that wouldn't have been possible if she hadn't been there to find out about them, and get the STRONG letters of recommendation that she needed.  She also had good grades - something your son won't have if he tests out.

If this was my kid, I would be having him go the normal route, with CLEP testing when you get back to the US.  45cr of CLEP is nothing to sneeze at - our local schools (CC & CSU) only take 30cr of CLEP.  The main thing you need to do is plan out the testing so that the school will let you do this - because many aren't going to let him take some of the UL or later classes he needs without the basics already in place (so you can't take all your junior and senior level courses when you haven't finished your Gen Ed yet).

[sanantone]

I highly recommend University of Florida. I haven't found a better online deal when factoring in college ranking, flexibility, and cost. University of Florida is ranked #6 among undergraduate, biology programs at doctoral-level institutions. I was also looking at the award recipients of this highly-coveted, science scholarship, and a disproportionate number of the recipients are from University of Florida. UF is also #4 in biological engineering.

As a side note, while not a PhD program, I was accepted to two master's programs at UF with my non-traditional background. At the undergraduate level, they offer online degree completion programs in biology and microbiology. You get the same degree as on-campus students. They also have competitive admission, which will be seen as a positive when applying to PhD programs.

[vetvso]

Thank you sanantone and I think so too, and flew to the overseas campus recently and we will combine the use of TESU and FU together.

[eriehiker]

Hehe.  He said "we plan to use TESU and FU together."

[vetvso]

Looks like I will have the BALS done in Jan with a march graduation. I have credits left over for another degree from TESU if they fit into something. I am taking BAS UL classes in Anthropology along with research diving and 1 grad course.

[mysonx3]

Just want to chime in real quick regarding the TESU age requirement:

I am 19 and currently enrolled. All they required was enough transfer credits (I think it was 27), and since my credits were CLEP I had to score above a minimum threshold on the Accuplacer, and I had to fill out a special form alongside my application.

My understanding is that they DO have a hard minimum of 18, however.

[vetvso]

Just want to chime in real quick regarding the TESU age requirement:

I am 19 and currently enrolled. All they required was enough transfer credits (I think it was 27), and since my credits were CLEP I had to score above a minimum threshold on the Accuplacer, and I had to fill out a special form alongside my application.

My understanding is that they DO have a hard minimum of 18, however.

I found this so yes there seems to be a policy for an age waiver.