Help making a degree plan!!

[madiknune]

I've merged your two threads because the new one was unnecessary.

I know that PSU allows a lot of transfer credits, you just have to take the last 36 credits (just over a year) through them. Here’s a link to their page that explains more about that. What is the fastest way for me to earn 66 credits? I like the idea of study.com/straighterline ACE course credits rather than CLEP exams.

For that particular university, it appears that you may be out of luck. The page you're looking for is this one: https://admissions.psu.edu/academics/credit/cbv/ They do not have a blanket policy of accepting ACE credits from things like SDC/Sophia. Your only guaranteed transfers would be through CLEPs or taking AP exams.

How much will ACE credits cost me?

This varies a lot. It can be anything from NOTHING (for CLEP exams) to a couple thousand (for Study.com). Most students are able to get 60-90 credits from Sophia in 2-4 months, which would be about $300. Compared to the standard cost of university courses, most ACE credits can feel like they cost nothing.

Last question, if I end up deciding not to transfer to PSU will I waste credits?

It depends on where you go and what their credit acceptance policy is. A lot of schools don't accept ACE credits at all or have a very, VERY limited view of what is acceptable (such as at PSU). CLEP exams will almost always transfer, as will AP exams. Others sources of alternate credit: not so much.

Also, if anyone has any other school recommendations please let me know!!

I would suggest looking into colleges/universities in Maine. Why Maine? Because Maine seems to have very broad acceptance of ACE credits. UMPI, in particular, accepts almost anything, so long as it is ACE. There is some difference in policies between the online and on-campus programs, so you would want to contact them to find out exactly how many ACE credits you could transfer in.

Including room & board & meals, it looks like UMPI out-of-state tuition would be cheaper than your in-state tuition: https://www.umpi.edu/offices/student-fin...on-a-fees/ Unfortunately, I don't see a finance degree: https://www.umpi.edu/academics/ but another school in Maine may have one and still be cheaper than your local school.

It would be so much faster and cheaper to complete, but at the same time I want to experience living on a college campus yk?

Personally, I don't see the point of spending so much money for such a thing, but everyone has different priorities. If you really want to live on-campus, I would reject schools that are super close to you. I mean, why bother? It won't be that much difference than staying at home in the first place. Should you decide to go, go somewhere that you can actually experience new things and not just the next town over. If you currently live in a big city, try to find a more rural campus. If you live in the boonies, try to find a school smack-dab in the middle of a busy city.

Thanks for merging the treads! I am on my phone and things look super wonky for mobile. So, pretty much it seems like PSU is out. I just looked at schools in Maine and didn't really find any schools that look like a good fit. Are there any other states that have a broad expectance of ACE credits? Honestly, I would check out anywhere on the east coast, hopefully near a city.

I kind of have a feeling I might be out of luck finding an in person school that accepts ACE and is a good fit. I'm trying to widen my search and have broad expectations. But, maybe getting my degree through UMPI or another online school is the way to go. I just need to make up my mind lolll. I don't understand why no one talks about ACE credit. No one from my High school even knows what it is. All of my friends are going straight to PSU, Pitt, Bucknell, and Villanova next year. Which puts them each back around 150-250k (depending on school). THAT IS CRAZY. I can't justify doing that when my parents aren't helping me. 

Ok im rambling now, but I need to get things figured out and make a plan asap. Thanks for answering my questions!

[origamishuttle]

For that particular university, it appears that you may be out of luck. The page you're looking for is this one: https://admissions.psu.edu/academics/credit/cbv/ They do not have a blanket policy of accepting ACE credits from things like SDC/Sophia. Your only guaranteed transfers would be through CLEPs or taking AP exams.

I'm not sure if there's some special qualification for "adult" students, but this page talks about ACE:
https://admissions.psu.edu/info/future/adult/credit/

[Flelm]

Maybe Peirce is an option for you as an in-between totally online and B&M? https://www.peirce.edu/ It's on our wiki as an option for accepting large amounts of alt-credit. However, I have no experience with it, and I don't know if anyone on this forum does.

[Vle045]

I am speaking only as a mom of a High School Student. I’d love for my son to have that in person college experience too. I am also kind of frugal. If you want that experience, then go for it.

First - TALK to someone at PSU… the campus closest to you. You may find out better information from them than anything you can find online. (I grew up near Penn State Behrend. Go Nittany Lions!).

If you need financial assistance, try looking in to jobs that offer it. There’s a ton of them out there. Maybe one has an affiliation with an online school that will be free or super cheap. You *might* be able to take THOSE credits and transfer them more easily to PSU later and get the degree and experience that you wanted from PSU. Of course, that could depend on the details of the tuition assistance program.

---

Have you looked at IUP (Indiana University of PA)? I think they are one of the more affordable schools in PA. I went there for a while but then transferred to a school closer to home. Beautiful campus. I don’t know their transfer policies. https://www.iup.edu/

You can find more of the state schools here: https://www.passhe.edu/university/Pages/...ities.aspx

[dfrecore]

I'm a bad person to ask, since I don't care even an ounce if my kids get an in-person college experience - I think that is WAY overblown, as if this is some awesome way for kids to do something, when for zero cost, you can get great experience being out in the world, working, volunteering, etc. I feel like being on campus really encourages a party lifestyle and an entitled outlook. Just my thoughts, obviously there are some good things being in-person brings (internships being the top one in certain fields, as well as teacher recommendations brought on by teachers actually getting to know you), but in general, I'm just not impressed by the "college experience" and I'm not willing to pay for that for either of my kids. Education yes, that I'm all for and will fund.

My youngest is not going to go to college I don't think, I've encouraged him to go visit his friends that ARE going to go, and get a "college experience" that way. Cheaper.

[LevelUP]

I currently have a 3.9 GPA in high school and am extremely self motivated.

With that high of a GPA, you should score well on the ACT/SAT. Then you would have out-of-state options as well.

Anyone can hack the ACT/SAT by practicing with old ACT/SAT tests.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/guaranteed-...act-scores

[origamishuttle]

With that high of a GPA, you should score well on the ACT/SAT. Then you would have out-of-state options as well.

Anyone can hack the ACT/SAT by practicing with old ACT/SAT tests.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/guaranteed-...act-scores

There are some specific strategies and knowledge that will improve your score on either the ACT or SAT. They are different tests, covering different subjects, so it's important not to equate them. Generally it's best to pick one or the other and go with it. My experience with the SAT was that the strategies from the latest Princeton Review book were very effective, so I would guess that's a good place to start for either SAT or ACT.

[bjcheung77]

@OP, you might want to provide more details as to what your budget is for completing the degree and how much time do you have each day to dedicate towards the degree? I would continue with dual enrollment until you max out the credits you can, these will fit your first/second year and will be transferable later. BTW, are you going for an Associates at that community center or directly going for a public/state university?

Depending on your budget, commitments, time constraints, you have two main options: Big 3 or CBE, I suggest TESU for Big 3 and UMPI for CBE. I wouldn't want to waste too much energy, money, time on a local college/university unless it's a very inexpensive community college where you can finish your Associates and ladder up to a Bachelors using either of the Big 3/CBE choices. 150K for a Bachelors is too expensive, you can get a well known Bachelors/Masters combo for much cheaper!

[madiknune]

I'm a bad person to ask, since I don't care even an ounce if my kids get an in-person college experience - I think that is WAY overblown, as if this is some awesome way for kids to do something, when for zero cost, you can get great experience being out in the world, working, volunteering, etc.  I feel like being on campus really encourages a party lifestyle and an entitled outlook.  Just my thoughts, obviously there are some good things being in-person brings (internships being the top one in certain fields, as well as teacher recommendations brought on by teachers actually getting to know you), but in general, I'm just not impressed by the "college experience" and I'm not willing to pay for that for either of my kids.  Education yes, that I'm all for and will fund.

My youngest is not going to go to college I don't think, I've encouraged him to go visit his friends that ARE going to go, and get a "college experience" that way.  Cheaper.

I never thought about all the free ways I can get the same college experience and social life. After much thought I am checking out the big 3 schools because it will ultimately save money and time. I'm sure I can make up for the missed college experience in so many other ways. If I deticate 100% of my time to getting my degree how long do you think it will take me? Also, which school do you recommend out of the big 3?

[madiknune]

hey guys! I’m new here and have recently found out about ACE credit through study.com/straighterline. i’m a senior in high school and have been doing enrolling at my local community college. I currently have 21 credits and I am trying to figure out the fastest and cheapest way possible to get my degree. I’ve always wanted to go away and have the college experience, but I finally realized that going 150K in debt isn’t worth it at all. does anyone know where I should start? I want to major in business administration/finance. I also would really like to transfer to an actual brick and mortar university for my last year. Does anyone know what schools except the most transfer credits? I live in Pennsylvania and I know Penn State requires at least 36 credits to be taken with them. Are there any other schools near Pennsylvania that accept more than 84 credits?? I know I just asked a ton of questions lol. I would really appreciate any advice or help you could give me. Thanks!

After lots of research I have decided to go with TESU for a BSBA in Finance. Here is the link to the degree requirements
https://www.tesu.edu/business/undergradu...ba/finance

Where do you suggest I start? And with what platform for earning ACE credits, Sophia or Study.com? Thanks again to everyone who has offered advice so far! I really appreciate it. 

Does anyone know if there are any degree plans for business admin with a concentration in finance from TESU already posted in the forum? I looked but didn't have much luck as I still don't understand this very well.