Free Winter term for Sophia members, Strayer U

[ylmir]

Looks like classes are just about done for everyone. I, for one, am not impressed with the classes I had, particularly their required one, WRK100, and I suspect most other classes are not much better, if my second class is any indication. If I had paid for the classes, I would be insulted that they require WRK100, it was that bad. Otherwise, interested to see how you all transfer things, particularly those challenge exams. Anyone else have any updates to share?

[ss20ts]

Oh, man!  The project management challenge exam - BUS 375 - is a killer.  I have become used to the quick 50 question in and out exams.  So, I figured a midnight exam tonight wouldn't be too bad.  Haha!  It ended up being 207 questions.  I did a double take when the exam loaded.  So, I got my mind back in the game, took the exam and passed.  It was actually probably a good thing in terms of passing to have that many questions because the 50 question exams kind of have a fluky quality to them.  A couple of poorly worded questions can make the difference.  That said, 207 questions is a lot of questions.

207 questions on 1 exam? Wow that is a LONG exam! That's rough. How long do you have to complete the exam?

[jch]

I surpassed 1000 points (100% on Strayer's grading scale) a few weeks ago in CIS110 and 111. CIS110 Computer programming design was okay, thanks to the engaged professor. Otherwise I don't have a particularly high opinion of the quality at Strayer. I haven't had time for any other challenge exams, and there are no updates on transfers.

[rachel83az]

Grades finalized, transcript sent off to TESU. Thank goodness.

[xcloudtset]

A bit torn, do I keep rolling through or transfer out. About 50% complete with my degree due to transfer credits, military JST/ACE credits, and various professional certificates. Open to anyone's 2c and food for thought. Thanks!

[eriehiker]

I think that taking actual classes there would be very expensive. If you are using some sort of military or grant assistance, it might make some sense.

[bjcheung77]

A bit torn, do I keep rolling through or transfer out. About 50% complete with my degree due to transfer credits, military JST/ACE credits, and various professional certificates. Open to anyone's 2c and food for thought. Thanks!

Are you an Active Service Person or a Vet? You should consider the Big 3 and the competency based degree providers such as UMASS Global, UMPI, WGU, etc. Strayer is expensive and a for-profit, with an average to below reputation, if it was a last resort, I would look at them then. For cheaper/easier/faster, transfer all your credits to TESU instead - they'll be the best ROI/value.

I think that taking actual classes there would be very expensive. If you are using some sort of military or grant assistance, it might make some sense.

This is exactly the reason you want to go with the schools I mentioned, if you're still an active service person, then TESU would be your first choice as you can complete the degree by transferring 114 of 120 credits into the degree and just finish with the cornerstone/capstone at a cost of $1500 plus $50 app fee and graduation fee of $298.

[rachel83az]

A bit torn, do I keep rolling through or transfer out. About 50% complete with my degree due to transfer credits, military JST/ACE credits, and various professional certificates. Open to anyone's 2c and food for thought. Thanks!

You can finish faster and cheaper at any of the big 3 or at UMPI! Even WGU would be a better option. 

IMO, both Strayer and Capella are treading dangerously close to a reputation similar to University of Phoenix. I don't mind having a few Strayer credits but I wouldn't want to have a Strayer degree.

[xcloudtset]

I think that taking actual classes there would be very expensive.  If you are using some sort of military or grant assistance, it might make some sense.

I'm going to be utilizing my GI Bill, so it's all covered. Upside is they have a local-ish campus and I'd be able to attend a single course to receive housing allowance each month. It's a HCOL area so the allowance is pretty high.

A bit torn, do I keep rolling through or transfer out. About 50% complete with my degree due to transfer credits, military JST/ACE credits, and various professional certificates. Open to anyone's 2c and food for thought. Thanks!

Are you an Active Service Person or a Vet? You should consider the Big 3 and the competency based degree providers such as UMASS Global, UMPI, WGU, etc.  Strayer is expensive and a for-profit, with an average to below reputation, if it was a last resort, I would look at them then.  For cheaper/easier/faster, transfer all your credits to TESU instead - they'll be the best ROI/value.

I think that taking actual classes there would be very expensive.  If you are using some sort of military or grant assistance, it might make some sense.

This is exactly the reason you want to go with the schools I mentioned, if you're still an active service person, then TESU would be your first choice as you can complete the degree by transferring 114 of 120 credits into the degree and just finish with the cornerstone/capstone at a cost of $1500 plus $50 app fee and graduation fee of $298.

I am a vet and would be utilizing my GI Bill. Tuition would be covered 100% and as stated above the housing allowance aspect of it comes into play. If I were to attend a 100% online program it would be roughly $900/m, if I attend a school that has a campus nearby for a single class, with the rest of the course load online, it jumps to $2500/m. Downside is degree from Strayer. Does the forum have any recs for schools in the DC/VA area?

A bit torn, do I keep rolling through or transfer out. About 50% complete with my degree due to transfer credits, military JST/ACE credits, and various professional certificates. Open to anyone's 2c and food for thought. Thanks!

You can finish faster and cheaper at any of the big 3 or at UMPI! Even WGU would be a better option. 

IMO, both Strayer and Capella are treading dangerously close to a reputation similar to University of Phoenix. I don't mind having a few Strayer credits but I wouldn't want to have a Strayer degree.

I agree, I'd rather avoid a degree from Strayer but I'm able to do a hybrid setup to fully utilize my GI Bill to cover tuition and collect housing allowance in a HCOL area.



TLDR:
Me:
-Vet, utilizing GI Bill
-HCOL area so high housing allowance
-Strayer has a campus in the area
-With transfer credits I'm at 50% completion 
-10 YOE, IT Technical "middle management"
-Want to maximize financials when utilizing GI Bill (Uncle Sam used me, so now I use them)

Feedback on this plan:
1. Complete degree at Strayer and roll to WGU for an MBA
2. Complete degree at Strayer, attend another school for a second Bachelors and then try my luck at getting into Quantic or Lehigh for an MBA
3. Something else entirely

My current company does $8k (more depending on how much they like you) TA, I'd still have some time left on my GI Bill after completion of Strayer degree, and I'd collect that HCOL housing allowance.

[bjcheung77]

@xcloudtset, you're golden with TESU! You can do what most of the users here have done... TESU for undergrad, WGU for undergrad & grad school. Review the signature to several members Merlin, ChiliDawg, JSD, cwendy111, etc... many others are going from a Big 3 undergrad (COSC, Excelsior, TESU) and then a competency based grad (such as WGU, UMPI, UMASS Global). For the cost/ease/speed factors, that is the optimal solution, Big 3 Undergrad/CBE Grad school...