Grad school After TESC

[Paul]

I've searched this site via the search option & have read a lot on here about grad school ect but I'm still comfused. If one starts working on CLEP/DSST exams right after high school (actually a little before graduation) toward a specific goal of say a degree in General Business or Liberal Arts (this is for my son & daughter, not me - I have 59 credits at TAMU from 25 years ago but my priority now is their education ) taking the route of having most of the credits before enrolling in TESC then graduating from TESC, will they be able to go on to a Masters Program if desired since (I guess) one factor in going to grad school is the grade point & the CLEP/DSST is Pass/Fail at TESC? (Forgive my long run-on sentence.) I know all three of the Big Three have their various pluses so I like all three but can anyone set me right on this?
BTW, you guys are great & this is a wonderful site! Thanks for your help!

[peacfulchaos2001]

I hate to "piggy back" this thread but its kinda related to a question that I have asked a couple of weeks back. The situation was...."in theory" somone could graduate from TESC witho talking a class. However TESC only gives PASS/FAIL for exams. Since this is the case then how can they determine your GPA? (A question that still remains) Some people think that you are REQUIRED to take 18 credits worth of classes(for a BA), but that is only for the military.

[cookderosa]

I've searched this site via the search option & have read a lot on here about grad school ect but I'm still comfused. If one starts working on CLEP/DSST exams right after high school (actually a little before graduation) toward a specific goal of say a degree in General Business or Liberal Arts (this is for my son & daughter, not me - I have 59 credits at TAMU from 25 years ago but my priority now is their education ) taking the route of having most of the credits before enrolling in TESC then graduating from TESC, will they be able to go on to a Masters Program if desired since (I guess) one factor in going to grad school is the grade point & the CLEP/DSST is Pass/Fail at TESC? (Forgive my long run-on sentence.) I know all three of the Big Three have their various pluses so I like all three but can anyone set me right on this?
BTW, you guys are great & this is a wonderful site! Thanks for your help!

>>

Since this is for your child and not you, my answer is that your child should take a few college classes when the time comes. I am sure many others here would disagree. I know this wasn't exactly what you asked, so I'll answer your question first. The classes will be used to build his GPA. For example, let's say you have 60 graded credits and 60 CLEP/AP credits. The CLEP/AP credits won't be calculated in, but the graded credits will carry all the weight (be sure to confirm this with the grad school first) If your child is planning to go to an online grad school, this probably won't be an issue. A BM college is probably going to want graded credits. There is a lot to think about, and consequences for any action. Since we are talking about a young person, my advise is to OPEN doors for him, not restrict him at this point. That's my advice despite the "yeah buts."

If your child is bright, use AP testing in high school. Kids who pass AP classes get college credit and are eligible for very nice academic scholarships. I would try as many AP exams as possible- use CLEP when your AP score is under a 3. For a young person, AP is the top of the top. I think that content is very similar and he could probably use IC along with a few good AP guides. If he isn't in AP classes, you are going to have to jump through hoops to get permission- but if you think he can pass them- do it. AP is a GOLDEN feather in the cap of a high school graduate.

[snazzlefrag]

Hi Paul,

The lack of any GPA at TESC is one of the major reasons that I chose to go with Excelsior instead. DANTES exams, for example, can be used to earn a considerable number of GRADED credits at Excelsior and thus, a GPA can be developed.

If GPA is an issue, you might want to look into Excelsior as a viable alternative to TESC.

Just a thought,
Snazzlefrag

[ImustStudy]

Hi Paul,

The lack of any GPA at TESC is one of the major reasons that I chose to go with Excelsior instead. DANTES exams, for example, can be used to earn a considerable number of GRADED credits at Excelsior and thus, a GPA can be developed.

If GPA is an issue, you might want to look into Excelsior as a viable alternative to TESC.

Just a thought,
Snazzlefrag

I agree. I just took the Dantes/DSST Astronomy exam and was given an "A" grade and 3 units from Excelsior. I studied only a few hours before taking this exam and had no background in Astronomy before taking.

If you would like your child to actually learn, I recommend taking an actual class. If he/she already has the knowledge from taking high level classes in high school and you just want them to get a degree, then I say test out of as much as you can.

Just my two cents. The risk of going a traditional route if they are not super motivated is that they lose interest and graduate 13 years later like me. Not the best idea in my book.

Get the degree however you can as soon as you can.

[ShotoJuku]

If GPA is an issue, you might want to look into Excelsior as a viable alternative to TESC.

Just a thought,
Snazzlefrag

[SIZE="2"]You mean EC isn't the ONLY alternative out there? [/SIZE]

[SIZE="3"]Go Globes!! [/SIZE]

[snazzlefrag]

You mean EC isn't the ONLY alternative out there?

Go Globes!!

Dude, tuck your shirt in....your bias is showing!
hilarious

[Paul]

"Thanks" to each of you! Your advice is most helpful!
"In the counsel of many is much wisdom."