Excelsior vs. Thomas Edison vs. Charter oaks

[esingh]

Hi -

I'm currently attending University of Phoenix and thinking about transferring to either Excelsior, Charter Oaks or Thomas Edison. I am currently paying for my eduaction using student loans and; therefore, need to find an alternative that is less expensive and more flexible on how quickly I earn my degree than UOP.

I know there are many students here from these schools and I was hoping that you can weigh in on which may be the better choice for me. Finally, I would like to finish my Associates by Taking Cleps, Dantes or other tests.

BTW: Do you have to be enrolled in a college while taking CLEP exams?

Thanks for your feedback!

Elizabeth

[perrik]

A little more info, please...

1. How many college credits have you already earned at UoP and elsewhere? Have you already taken any CLEP, DSST, or AP exams? Do you have any professional certifications? (you can get credit for certain ones)

2. You say you're pursing the associates right now. Is it for general liberal arts, general business, general technology, or something more specific?

3. Do you plan to continue on for the BA or BS either right away or at some later date? If so, is there a specific major you have in mind?

You can take CLEPs any time you'd like. You are not required to designate a recipient school when you take the exam; your score will be kept on a transcript by CollegeBoard (which administers the CLEPs). When you're ready to actually use the scores, you can order a transcript which will include all CLEP scores you've received in the last 20 years. The same is true for DANTES exams (except that it's Prometric doing the administering).

[esingh]

Thanks for your feedback!

Here are the answers to your questions...

After I finish this class at UOP, I'll have 24 credits. I also submitted a PLA based on all of the certifications that I have, should be hearing back from the committee in about 2-weeks. Not sure how many credits I'll be getting from that (hope for at least a few).

I took my first CLEP in Humanities and received 6 credits (incld in the 24). I am studying for the Biology CLEP right now.
My current Associates Degree is in Liberal Arts. I would like to pursue my Bachelors (probably in Business Admin. or Mgmt) soon after my Associates.

Thanks again!

[mongoose65]

The certifications will be granted credit at TESC or EC based on whether or not they are ACE recommended. You can go to the ACE website and click on National Guide Online and see what certifying agencies are included and then what exams are approved. Each will have a specific credit recommendation from ACE and that is exactly what TESC and EC will transfer (assuming all else meets their requirements since it's still their call).

For example I received 9 credits for my ISM Purchasing Certification. I had to contact ISM and have them send a transcript directly to EC and TESC.

good luck