Calling all "Big 3" graduates...what Grad programs were you able to transfer to?

[bawhitsett]

I went on to attend and graduate from the University of Illinois - Springfield with an MS in MIS. No issues in enrolling, however I did have over 100 semester credit hours from RA schools plus around 20 testout credits. I know of at least one fellow who received some of his credits from professional (IT) certifications as part of his EC degree, and when he went to enroll at the same school he was denied because he didn't have 120 RA credits. He had no chance to make them up either, as part of another certificate, etc. Apparently some others have run into this as well with other schools.

So, in summary, some grad schools just want a 4-year RA degree, whereas others want 120 RA credits, which CLEP and DANTES will satisfy, in most cases. You're best off checking with the grad school you want to attend to confirm they will take your degree (with it's credit makeup) before veering off on a non-RA path (FEMA, Penn Foster, etc.)

[CollegeStudent7]

Wow, that's great you guys! I personally like the sound of COSC way better than the other two HANDS down. This is because I live in NYC & our major (HUGE) utility company over here is called ConEdison, which is named after Thomas Edison haha. So it's just a personal thing. Although I think TESC sounds great everywhere else. I still haven't ruled TESC out over COSC. Still trying to understand the diploma thing. If both award diplomas in the same fashion (with no major or concentration actually stated on it) then I may lean toward TESC just because tuition seems more affordable and I have heard many good things about them. Seems to be almost neck in neck with COSC.

That's AWESOME that graduates from all big 3 have SO many options. It all almost boils down to each specific grad program you're looking at. What applies to the big 3 would also apply to "traditional" undergraduate programs. You have to ask grad programs what is accepted or not. I look at it like this. I'm in the tri-state area and may end up moving (or just staying) and I am positive that there are at LEAST a dozen traditional brick and mortar schools out there that will accept me. It's not like there are only 2 choices for me or anything, so I think I will worry more about that when the time comes. I would love to go to NYU...would love. I have contacted Columbia University about a different situation, but what they and other grad schools have voiced to me is that acceptance into grad programs work a little differently, they practically told me that GPA requirements aren't even as strict and that SATs are not required. Not sure, but maybe they figure that grad school is something an adult pays for out of their own pocket and that weeds out a LOT of applicants, so they are a little more lenient than one would think?

I just have a feeling it's not going to be too bad of a process. I asked merely out of curiosity . Going to catch up on all your posts and awesome information. I'm wondering if, when it comes down to my decision TESC vs. COSC on how I would go about making a firm choice to go with either one....guessing I should apply to both and weigh out the amount of classes/requirements I need as well as cost? Happy Sunday all.:patriot:

[CollegeStudent7]

Oh! Last question. I live in tri-state area, so all of the Big 3 would look decent on my resume because it's semi-believable that I actually went to class. I think employers are becoming more savvy and realize that online/distance education is actually MORE difficult and they don't seem to judge as much. They look at your work history, references, etc. What will you do when your employers ask how you finished a school so far away? Would you just say that you did it online? I know SOME employers are still a little dark age with that stuff hilarious

[Epiphany]

For those who graduated from Excelsior, Charter Oak State College and/or Thomas Edison State College and went on to earn your Masters, what schools were you able to gain acceptance into and for what major, if you don't mind me asking? Did you run into any bumps in the road when you went on to apply to grad programs with more traditional schools, per se?

I haven't posted in here in a long time, but I remember asking myself this question a couple of years ago before I started this trip....

Here is my 2 cents----

I finished my undergrad in business at Excelsior in August 2009.

I applied for MBA programs (The "Executive" versions) in the spring of 2010. was accepted at Purdue, and University of Florida. I'm now halfway through the UF MBA.

There were some questions about my ability to "keep up" academically with the other students. My GMAT score helped put most of those questions to rest (was good). I never attempted to hide or disguise how I earned my undergraduate degree, in fact my admission essay highlighted it. I'm proud of what I accomplished, and how fast I did it. My response to the questions on rigor or appropriateness was always the same. "I'm motivated and work harder than the majority of students you'll ever see walk in that door. How I earned my undergrad and my GMAT score just illustrates that".

FYI- doing fine in the program. Excelsior did not prepare me for this, it was just the tool I used (means to an end). I prepared myself for this.

[skyfall123]

I'm now halfway through the UF MBA.

Excellent!!!

[MA2]

I still haven't ruled TESC out over COSC. Still trying to understand the diploma thing. If both award diplomas in the same fashion (with no major or concentration actually stated on it) then I may lean toward TESC just because tuition seems more affordable and I have heard many good things about them.

I'm not sure if "what exactly the diploma says" should be a deciding factor in picking out a school, but that's just me. I was originally a little skeptical too, until I did some research and saw that's fairly common.