College Plus

[cookderosa]

Well, to get off the razor thin ice, let's look at it this way. It's a service. You can get a manual, find the parts and fix your car yourself--or you can pay for a mechanic. You can change your own oil or you can pay more and someone will change it for you. You can offer your house for sale "by owner" and save thousands in commissions and do all the work yourself, or you can hire a real estate agent. You can go to the grocery store and buy a bunch of ingredients and take them home to prepare a meal, or you can pay more and eat at a restaurant.

Sometimes it's easy to forget how befuddling this all can be when one first learns about the alternatives available to obtaining a college degree. If you're already on this board, chances are very good that YOU are a driven, self-directing person who can figure things out for yourself. Others need some help. It appears that CollegePlus exploits the $$ gap between the expensive traditional route and the relatively inexpensive "big 3" route. In other words, you can spend a little and do it yourself, or spend a little more--but still much less than most traditional degrees--and have an "adviser."

I don't know anything beyond what I've read on the CollegePlus site and this forum--but that's what I get from it. Additionally, it appears to be an outgrowth of the Christian home-schooling movement and to the extent that you remain part of that community in a formalized program I would think that has some value to people. Finally, if I understand the CollegePlus plan, they are also providing a connection for job experience and maybe missionary work--the theory being that their program is superior to a traditional program because you come out of it with your degree (in less time) AND work experience.

Michael, I like your answer. You are right, it is a service. I don't know much about CollegePlus either, but I have read what is available to joe public. You hit on something when you brought in home schoolers as clients of the business.

Home schoolers don't have guidance counselors- in fact, this is an area ripe for entrepreneurs. If I had a desire to launch a new business, it would be in this area. There is a rolling group of 2 million people who need college counseling and have ZERO. Statistically, most homeschool parents DID NOT go to a 4 year college- and really DON'T KNOW how to get there.

You should know that I fit this category (until last year when I started gettin' educated ) and had STRONGLY considered sending my son to private high school TOTALLY for the benefit of college counseling. I am not alone. This is a common concern.

You have to understand environment in a homeschool family. Homeschool parents give up a lot- at a minimum they give up half or whole of one income and at least one parent's career to do this. They have invested in out of pocket curriculum costs ($500-$2000 per child per year, most have large families) and must seek out ($) extracurricular and athletic activities for each of their children. All of this on one income. The same resources are provided free to public school children whose parents are both working. For them, it is worth it. Now- why does that matter? It's their state of mind. After ALL OF THE SACRIFICE, they are not going to drop the ball in the final seconds of the game. If someone can help them at that moment-get their child into college- it's worth a couple thousand dollars.

Homeschool parents probably have other children they are schooling- and time is a premium. While it is true that we adults are motivated to figure this process out- what tests are what- what to study- where to find answers- what about at age 17? It's a service. The parents are buying a service- delegating THIS out to someone else so they can keep focused on educating their other children.

PS The fact that it is a Christian business will allow them to advertise in the major homeschool publications. And ALL major homeschool publications/organizations are Christian. (at this time)

PSS I took a CLEP to see how it works- to see how I could use them in my homeschool program. I hadn't intended on earning a degree in the process... but once I understood the process, I couldn't pass it up. I help (for free) our homeschool co-op parents who have high school children. I talk to them about CLEP and AP exams, availability of distance learning options and duel enrollment options locally. Of course, my son will not be needing the high school guidance counselor, but CollegePlus meets a need.

[princykit]

I am also a collegeplus student. I think another benefit of having a personal coach is that they set up the degree template according to your personal tastes. It is a bachelors degree program. The average cost of a bachelors degree is 10,000 dollars.( I believe they figure in books as well) you test out of as many couses as you can. I will have finished my degree by the time I graduate highschool. ( I am 16 and have close to fifty credits and have never taken a single class) Also, your coach will give you tips on studying for each exam. etc. Plus, my coach encourages me spiritualy. I am a christian and I think that it is really refreshing to have that perspective in my education. For 10,000 dollars you have an acredited degree through Thomas Edison. All you have to do is study. (no worrying about transferring credits or what courses you need,) Well, my brother and I have been very blessed to have found out about collegeplus. It has really fit in to our life well.

[ImustStudy]

I am also a collegeplus student. I think another benefit of having a personal coach is that they set up the degree template according to your personal tastes. It is a bachelors degree program. The average cost of a bachelors degree is 10,000 dollars.( I believe they figure in books as well) you test out of as many couses as you can. I will have finished my degree by the time I graduate highschool. ( I am 16 and have close to fifty credits and have never taken a single class) Also, your coach will give you tips on studying for each exam. etc. Plus, my coach encourages me spiritualy. I am a christian and I think that it is really refreshing to have that perspective in my education. For 10,000 dollars you have an acredited degree through Thomas Edison. All you have to do is study. (no worrying about transferring credits or what courses you need,) Well, my brother and I have been very blessed to have found out about collegeplus. It has really fit in to our life well.

Wow, princykit, to hear that you ar 16 and will get your college degree by the time you graduate high school.

This is truly an indication of your level of commitment and resolve. Keep up the good work and please keep us posted. It sounds like we can all learn something from you.

[bonyleonie2]

I searched College Plus on this site as I was curious what folks had to say about it and wanted to put in my 5 cents worth.

As a homeschool mom, I owe much thanks to College Plus. Without them I would not have found this site or figured out how to get our highschool age children through the college process so inexpensively. I also plan to get my own Bachelor's degree by the time our youngest graduates which I would never have imagined doing before!

Our eldest, who is 14, has already got 12 college credits under her belt thanks to the CLEP program. (Intro Psych. Intro Sociology, Intro Ed. Psych and Human Growth...) By the end of the summer she should have 30 credits (which incidentally validates a highschool diploma). Our 13 year old son plans to take his first two CLEPs this summer also (U.S History I and II), as do I!

Our strategy is to take as many CLEPS as possible, as they complete highschool subjects, and then enroll with TESC for the last year - with or without College Plus. I do believe that it could be worth the $$ to have someone else (a Christian), mentor them and move them through the final stretch more efficiently. I guess if we cannot afford it at that time I will figure it out, but it is a real option for us. Both kids should have at least one, if not two Bachelor's (one BA and one BS) before they are 19 or 20. Possibly even sooner than that.

College Plus had a College in a Bag set with some amazing study tools, which have helped tremendously.

Thanks for listening,

LB

currently with 2 FEMA credits - Wahoo!!

[Ruddigore]

Our eldest, who is 14, has already got 12 college credits under her belt thanks to the CLEP program. (Intro Psych. Intro Sociology, Intro Ed. Psych and Human Growth...) By the end of the summer she should have 30 credits (which incidentally validates a highschool diploma). Our 13 year old son plans to take his first two CLEPs this summer also (U.S History I and II), as do I!

Wow, very impressive! Tell them to keep up the great work! If I (or at least my mom) had known about CLEP at that age, I may have started sooner. Still, I'm glad I started before graduating from highschool. Being able to pass exams in that fashion is truly an asset.

[malcs]

Hmm,

First of all. For all of the homeschooled kids that are getting early degrees, you are amazing!

Now, on to CollegePlus...

This sounds a lot like what my EC advisor did for me as part of the cost of my enrollment fee.

I'm sure I will get flamed on this, but wow!

Is it really $3000? Using the price of an ivy league college as a comparision is no way to justify this price.

quote:
"Entire Degree for Under $15k.* (Save $25,000 to $90,000 on tuition)"

This really bugs me. CLEPS + DANTES + EC costs around $5k or so. CollegePlus is not saving you the money, you are saving the money by testing-out and studying yourself. It is know as Sweat Equity.

quote:
"CollegePlus! has changed how we do higher education in America. This is bad news for radical professors and warped social engineers, but good news for families."

Wow - People will be exposed to "radical professors" at different times in their lives, and they need to know how to filter radical information from not. So, testing-out of college is what you have to do to avoid radical professors? What about when you meet these people following graduation?

Like anything else, if you are happy with it then it is a good deal.

It seems like you get most of this from IC and its members for $20/month.

[barcotta]

quote:
"CollegePlus! has changed how we do higher education in America. This is bad news for radical professors and warped social engineers, but good news for families."

Wow - People will be exposed to "radical professors" at different times in their lives, and they need to know how to filter radical information from not. So, testing-out of college is what you have to do to avoid radical professors? What about when you meet these people following graduation?

I've always found it more radical to shelter people from even the suggestion that there are other theories on evolution, sexuality etc. I don't think that, for example, introduction to an alternate theory of evolution is truly a threat to anyone's faith or belief. However, to answer your question, I believe that the goal is to shelter students from the secular world as long as possible so that by the time they meet the radicals after graduation, their beliefs and opinions are sufficiently solidified such that they are less likely to be swayed by the Godless views of radical liberals.

Also, after graduation they are less likely to encounter a circumstance where they are forced to study under radical professors for months on end where that professor either gets the answer they want or you don't get the grade you want.

[Ruddigore]

I've always found it more radical to shelter people from even the suggestion that there are other theories on evolution, sexuality etc. I don't think that, for example, introduction to an alternate theory of evolution is truly a threat to anyone's faith or belief.

Indeed. It is like building up an immunity to a disease. You do not want to "overdose" on the vaccine, which would cause the disease, nor do you want to forgo the vaccine, which leaves the patient vulnerable.

I believe that the goal is to shelter students from the secular world as long as possible so that by the time they meet the radicals after graduation, their beliefs and opinions are sufficiently solidified such that they are less likely to be swayed by the Godless views of radical liberals.

Also, after graduation they are less likely to encounter a circumstance where they are forced to study under radical professors for months on end where that professor either gets the answer they want or you don't get the grade you want.

I agree entirely. Statistics show (can't remember the title of the book right now) that 50% of students move away from their faith following college (or something close to that). Professors can exert great pressure on a student, particularly in a secular college with many students around him to back up his opinion.

[malcs]

...
Also, after graduation they are less likely to encounter a circumstance where they are forced to study under radical professors for months on end where that professor either gets the answer they want or you don't get the grade you want.

I respect your opinion, but the actual percent of professors that are radical is relatively small. You might find quite a few liberals, but the number of those whack jobs that we all see on the news with some bizzare theory is exaggerrated by the news itself.

You do have a lot of professors that can't speak english well enough to be understood, and often foget to tuck in their shirts. I do know one who has forgotten to put his car in park at the top of the hill more than once, and was only worried that his briefcase was in the car as it rolled down the hill.

[barcotta]

I respect your opinion, but the actual percent of professors that are radical is relatively small. You might find quite a few liberals, but the number of those whack jobs that we all see on the news with some bizzare theory is exaggerrated by the news itself.

You do have a lot of professors that can't speak english well enough to be understood, and often foget to tuck in their shirts. I do know one who has forgotten to put his car in park at the top of the hill more than once, and was only worried that his briefcase was in the car as it rolled down the hill.

I suppose it depends on the perspective of the student, or, more precisely, the parent of the student. If they come from a fundamentalist Christian perspective, just the notion that someone with authority would even introduce the suggestion that, for example, same-sex marriage is acceptable, would be enough to steer them in the direction of looking for alternatives. I guess you have to measure radicalism in terms of the theological distance between the two parties. "Quite a few liberals?" Many would say that is exactly quite a few more than I want my kid around! (at least until it's completely unavoidable...)