Dang You Excelsior!

[eyrobinson]

Excelsior messed up my plans to do a depth in Art. I was enrolled at another college and took 3 art courses that were classified as upper division. EC says they are not upper division because the word Beginning is in all of them and in the catalog there are courses after them that are more advanced. Now because of this I will have to take 3 extra classes. Does anyone have any advice? Been in this situation?

Also, I read on here that someone got the ALEKS Beginning Algebra accepted for the math requirement at EC. I spent $20 for nothing because EC says it is not acceptable. Can I at least get credit towards my degree for the course? I will enroll in ALEKS Intermediate or College Algebra as soon as I get my refund check.

Thank you so much!

[marianne202]

I'm sorry to hear about your problems with EC. I have been with them for awhile and for the most part have been very satisfied. EC did accept my ALEKS beginning algebra for my quantitative reasoning requirement for my BSLS. It won't waive my quantitative reasoning course for my BSHS with EC, as it requires stats. I think how they apply it depends on the program of study. As for the art courses, I must say that it isn't uncommon for schools to deny UL designation for courses from other schools if it doesn't meet their requirement for an UL course within that dept. I would expect that if all the courses have beginning in the title, most schools would designate them as LL. If you want to try to appeal it, you would need copies of the catalog outlining the course content, then compare it to similar EC courses or other colleges that also assign it UL credit. I know the community college I teach at has a horrible course numbering structure and 210 is higher than 211, but lower than 201 - go figure. It drives me crazy! So if your school is the same way, then you should try to fight it. You will only lose a little time and effort if the art focus is that important to you and you don't want to take replacement classes. Good Luck!

[eyrobinson]

Thanks for your response. I will definitely try and fight it. I didn't understand why they were upper division courses and had the word Beginning in it either. That's one of the reasons why I got away from the school, it was totally disorganized.

That's what I thought about Beginning Algebra. Did you just send them your transcript, get course approval first, etc.? I tried to get course approval after I took the course and they said no...math is not high enough.

[marianne202]

I didn't get course approval. I just did the course then requested the transcript through ACE. Then I had ACE send the transcript to EC. It took about 3-4 days for ACE to get the info from ALEKS posted, then about 7-10 days for it to show up on my EC transcript. It shows in the incoming transcript as ACE then it shows on my transcript as ALEKS beginning Algebra it is applied as a math credit, but shows a Q in the box as satisfying the quantitative reasoning requirement. Keep in mind if you are not pursuing a BSLS without a major it may not apply for you. I'm just doing a BSLS with two areas of focus, no major. I'm not sure if that matters, but I just wanted to make sure you knew in case it is different.

I do know some people have had success in appealing with good catalog documentation and/or course syllabus. I think they just need to show the content level is the same as their comparable class.

Good Luck!

[eyrobinson]

Yeah, I showed them my catalog and everything but no go. Just because of the word Beginning...

I'll try sending in my transcript as is just as soon as I take the Penn Foster literacy course and see if they accept it.

Thank you.