20 Credits to 120 Credits Big 3 vs WGU

[diabolic]

Hi All... I just discovered the whole idea of credit by examination, the BIG 3, and WGU. A lot of this discovery came from these forums, so thanks so much for that!:hurray: I am actually wondering why I didn't find this sooner, and I'm anxious to work through my degree!

I currently have about 20 credits from a CC, and I'm looking to pursue a BS in Business Administration. I have many years of experience in Business, and a B&M school just isn't viable to me because I need to work daily. I am also looking to push on to an MBA once I am finished.

My question is for those who are more experienced, what are your thoughts on me perusing the BSBA part of my degree at WGU vs the Big 3? I was leaning towards WGU, but it seems like it might be easier to just take CLEP/DSST exams at TESC or COSC for the BSBA portion of my education.

For anyone who has experience, how would you rate the CLEP/DSST exams for almost all of your degree versus testing out of exams at WGU? I am leary of enrolling to WGU because it seems like once you join you can't really look back unless you want to be out $3500 for the semester since it is difficult to transfer credits somewhere else, however I could theoretically transfer CLEP/DSST exams to WGU if I decide that I don't want to keep "clepping."

My main concern is speed. I would like to finish all 120 of my credits within 9 months - or 12 months at the max. I see people are finishing their Masters in as little as one semester at WGU, but haven't read too much about people finishing a BS from very little credits in the same amount of time.

Anyone have any thoughts and recommendations? Thanks again for all the awesome knowledge everyone has packed into these forums. For the first time finishing school actually seems like a possibility for me! :coolgleam:

[LaterBloomer]

Check this out. http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...-days.html If you're disciplined enough, you can do it. (As someone who's on the 37-year plan [for college], this makes me want to weep.)

Welcome, and good luck.

[publius2k4]

I had no problems transferring my WGU credits to the Big 3. They all three accepted most of the credits, but Charter Oak accepted the most credits. It all depends on what you want to do. You could finish all your credits at one school, or enroll at only one. Or you could even enroll in WGU, test out of as many courses as you can, and then transfer to one of the big 3 (which is basically what I did). Right now, I have to take 2 more exams, the cornerstone, and the capstone at Charter Oak, and I'll finally be finished.

[diabolic]

publius2k4,

How would you compare the tests at WGU versus the standard CLEP/DSST exams? Also, out of curiosity what made you transfer from WGU to Charter Oak? Out of all the threads I've read, you're the first I've seen who transferred away from WGU (and had no problems).

Thanks for the feedback! And holy cow to the the person who did 22 exams in 4 days. Are you guys all geniuses on here? I'm a pretty smart guy, but I don't want to get my hopes up and find out that I'm in way over my head.

[sanantone]

I have no experience with WGU, but it seems more feasible to finish a business degree at one of the Big 3 in 6 months through testing than it is to finish the equivalent of 100 or so credits through coursework at WGU. WGU can be tedious and that's why most people leave when they do leave from what I've heard.

Is it true that once you lock in your degree plan at WGU, you can't modify? That means you can't decide to test out of a module or transfer in a course after you've started.

[publius2k4]

I honestly can't comment on the content of the exams, because I haven't taken any duplicate courses (no 2 tests with the same content). The WGU exams are much more convenient than taking CLEP or DSST because they let you use a webcam proctor.

I transferred because I took all of the exams at WGU that I could, and had too many courses left that involved me writing....I test really well, but I hate homework lol.

The best way to see if taking the degree by exam path is right for you is to just go take a test. There are 5 CLEP exams that are worth 6 credits each. One of those might be a good place to start, because it will give you momentum, and it will tell you how well you might do. I wouldn't recommend taking anything in a subject you're not comfortable with...yet.....baby steps... If you go take a test and decide it's not right for you, you're only out $100.

[publius2k4]

Is it true that once you lock in your degree plan at WGU, you can't modify? That means you can't decide to test out of a module or transfer in a course after you've started.

Yes, it's true....and that's my biggest complaint with WGU. I took the College Composition CLEP after starting WGU and I was uber-angry when they wouldn't let me transfer it in. It's a great school, but them not allowing you to transfer in courses after you start your degree is a source of major headache.

[defscarlett]

Is it true that once you lock in your degree plan at WGU, you can't modify? That means you can't decide to test out of a module or transfer in a course after you've started.

I've done searches and can't seem to find the answer, but remember this being talked about. Can someone clarify this statement?

[dfrecore]

A little old, but thought I'd pipe in. Doing some research on WGU for my husband, found this on Straighterline's website:

"The tuition credit is $50 per course for the first four (4) StraighterLine courses transferred upon admission to WGU ($200 maximum). To qualify, courses must be (1) completed before his or her first term of enrollment at WGU and (2) eligible for transfer to WGU. WGU applies the tuition credit to the student's first-term tuition bill at WGU.

Once a student establishes AAV (academic activity verification) or confirms which courses they will complete at WGU, WGU is unable to transfer in additional coursework."

So you have to decide on all of your transfer activity AFTER admission but BEFORE enrollment.

[dmjacobsen]

So you have to decide on all of your transfer activity AFTER admission but BEFORE enrollment.

This is correct. WGU will not accept any transfer credit after admission to the program. So, if you plan on using CLEP/DSST, definitely knock those out before admission.