Help me !!!!

[Rousseau]

I'm 22, currently going to CC in Seattle, WA. I only have 25 credits (quarter credits which would be 16-point-something semester credits) and I'm getting very sick of community college and want to fast track my education. Something I'm sure a lot of you could relate too.

I've always tested exceptionally well, and my entire senior year of high school I completed in about a month through BYU Independent Study (distance learning). When I heard about CLEP testing I checked to see if my CC offered credit for it, which they don't. Then I began researching and came across the "big three".

SO now I'm considering transferring to one of the "big three", to test out of a lot of my credits and fast track through my BA (probably doing poly sci, but maybe even history or psych).

Heres my dilemma, it seems they all offer basically the same thing? I would choose TESC because the name to me sounds better than Excelsior, sounds more legit. TESC also seems pretty flexible with classes whereas COSC is scheduled... BUT I am wary of this recently proposed Rutgers merger with TESC, anybody know what the deal is with the proposed merger and what this would mean for a new student? Maybe this is the wrong time to transfer to TESC?

Advice? Experiences? Thank You

I'm glad I found this forum of people who are actually students, can't wait to start utilizing this and contributing here if I enroll in one of the "big three" eeya:

.

[Rousseau]

Also, this might sound stupid but I'm hesitant to complete my education through a distance learning program. Not looking forward to people asking where I went to school... then asking where the hell TESC/COSC/Excelsior is... then I have to explain it's on the east coast but I did it all online.

This anxiety probably stems from the fact that I'm surrounded by people who attend top-notch brick-and-mortar universities. :nopity:

But I know I just perform better on my own and through testing rather than in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom setting :willynilly:

.

[cookderosa]

Also, this might sound stupid but I'm hesitant to complete my education through a distance learning program. Not looking forward to people asking where I went to school... then asking where the hell TESC/COSC/Excelsior is... then I have to explain it's on the east coast but I did it all online. This anxiety probably stems from the fact that I'm surrounded by people who attend top-notch brick-and-mortar universities.

But I know I just perform better on my own and through testing rather than in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom setting :willynilly: :nopity:

>>

Well, you have 2 questions. The first is about testing. The second is about distance learning. They are NOT the same thing. Even if your CC doesn't take CLEP, other colleges do- in fact, most take some amount. Additionally, 98% of public colleges offer distance learning options- sometimes courses, sometimes degrees. I'd bet you a dollar that your CC does. Also, it is highly unusual for a CC or State school to actually say anything about distance learning on the transcript. So, you should sort out the technicalities before you do anything drastic like transferring.

Also, even if you end up at one of the big 3, it's too soon. You need to rack up major amounts of credit first, because they all charge yearly fees, and you'll want to be sure you can complete the degree inside of 1 year- or else you're going to be paying wayyyyy too much for your degree.

Why not see what's local first? The trick is always to know the rules so you can exploit them to your advantage. Until you know the CLEP and distance learning options of every local and/or state public/private school in your state, I don't think it's a good idea to do anything. In my opinion, if you are planning on staying local, I think it's a better idea to earn your degree locally, but that's just me.

**Of course many will disagree with me and tell you to transfer today. It's always your decision.

[cookderosa]

Here is a list of colleges near you that accept CLEP.
http://www.collegeboard.com

Seattle
7069
Antioch University - Seattle
Seattle, WA


4801
Cornish College of the Arts
Seattle, WA


3846
Everest College - Seattle
Seattle, WA


4741
Seattle Central Community College
Seattle, WA


4694
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA


4695
Seattle University
Seattle, WA


4759
South Seattle Community College
Seattle, WA

[Rousseau]

Well, you have 2 questions. The first is about testing. The second is about distance learning. They are NOT the same thing.

I'm very aware, I would be taking CLEPs as well as courses.

Even if your CC doesn't take CLEP, other colleges do- in fact, most take some amount.

Believe me, I've looked into this and the colleges around here don't. University of Washington, Seattle University, SPU and the CCs don't. From what I understand they used to but not anymore and the nearest schools that do offer some CLEP options are down in Portland, Oregon. Majority of West Coast schools no longer offer credit for CLEP tests - just not good enough for them I guess

Additionally, 98% of public colleges offer distance learning options- sometimes courses, sometimes degrees. I'd bet you a dollar that your CC does. Also, it is highly unusual for a CC or State school to actually say anything about distance learning on the transcript. So, you should sort out the technicalities before you do anything drastic like transferring.

Trust me I've checked on this as well, yes almost all colleges today offer distance learning but the online courses my CC offers aren't very well organized. And they aren't as flexible. Distance learning isn't the sole reason I would choose one of big three. If I wanted to continue here at my local CC I would just go to regular classes. I wanted to transfer so I could take loads of CLEPs and then finish the rest through courses.

Also, even if you end up at one of the big 3, it's too soon. You need to rack up major amounts of credit first, because they all charge yearly fees, and you'll want to be sure you can complete the degree inside of 1 year- or else you're going to be paying wayyyyy too much for your degree.

I was just thinking the CLEPs would be a way to rack up major amounts of credit? But I don't know what exactly is realistic with how many credits I have (only about 16). That's good to know though

Why not see what's local first? The trick is always to know the rules so you can exploit them to your advantage. Until you know the CLEP and distance learning options of every local and/or state public/private school in your state, I don't think it's a good idea to do anything. In my opinion, if you are planning on staying local, I think it's a better idea to earn your degree locally, but that's just me.

Well I've already checked into what's available, and ultimately my choice of one of the big three would be based on CLEPs, getting my degree faster, and not having to deal with CCs and traditional brick-and-mortar classes. But from what it sounds like it's not worth it unless I already have a lot more credits to transfer over first?

Thanks for the input!!

[JBjunior]

I'm very aware, I would be taking CLEPs as well as courses.


Believe me, I've looked into this and the colleges around here don't. University of Washington, Seattle University, SPU and the CCs don't. From what I understand they used to but not anymore and the nearest schools that do offer some CLEP options are down in Portland, Oregon. Majority of West Coast schools no longer offer credit for CLEP tests - just not good enough for them I guess


Trust me I've checked on this as well, yes almost all colleges today offer distance learning but the online courses my CC offers aren't very well organized. And they aren't as flexible. Distance learning isn't the sole reason I would choose one of big three. If I wanted to continue here at my local CC I would just go to regular classes. I wanted to transfer so I could take loads of CLEPs and then finish the rest through courses.


I was just thinking the CLEPs would be a way to rack up major amounts of credit? But I don't know what exactly is realistic with how many credits I have (only about 16). That's good to know though



Well I've already checked into what's available, and ultimately my choice of one of the big three would be based on CLEPs, getting my degree faster, and not having to deal with CCs and traditional brick-and-mortar classes. But from what it sounds like it's not worth it unless I already have a lot more credits to transfer over first?

Thanks for the input!!

Did you not see Jennifer's second post? Half of the colleges you listed as "not accepting CLEP" do in fact accept them. It doesn't matter.


You are around 1/8th done with your college education at this point and have a long journey ahead. If you want to CLEP find a testing center and start studying. Take all of the CLEPs you think you can, rack up about 80 to 90 credits and then enroll wherever you want, send in your transcripts, and finish what you need to for a degree of your choosing.

[Rousseau]

Here is a list of colleges near you that accept CLEP.
http://www.collegeboard.com

Nope that list is wrong, technically a couple of these schools like Seattle Central CC (My CC) specifically accept one or two gen ed CLEPs but they require a score of AT LEAST 99 to even receive credit! Actually on Seattle Central's website they just state that they do not even accept CLEPs but I know this info because, believe me, I have dug deep.

So technically they accept CLEPs but not really, it's a couple of specific CLEPs and you have to score at least 99... it's ridiculous I know, but trust me I have checked on this. (And Cornish is actually just a really expensive art school here, I'm trying to get a BA in poly sci)

BTW if I'm going to take CLEPs I can't actually transfer that credit to any of the 4-year universities around here, another reason I would have to complete my degree through whatever program I choose like one of the "big three".

Did you not see Jennifer's second post? Half of the colleges you listed as "not accepting CLEP" do in fact accept them. It doesn't matter.


You are around 1/8th done with your college education at this point and have a long journey ahead. If you want to CLEP find a testing center and start studying. Take all of the CLEPs you think you can, rack up about 80 to 90 credits and then enroll wherever you want, send in your transcripts, and finish what you need to for a degree of your choosing.

Well that would be great if I actually could take the CLEPs here, but like I said above.

Thanks for the input! Moving on... anyone else have advice?

[cookderosa]

I'm very aware, I would be taking CLEPs as well as courses.


Believe me, I've looked into this and the colleges around here don't. University of Washington, Seattle University, SPU and the CCs don't. From what I understand they used to but not anymore and the nearest schools that do offer some CLEP options are down in Portland, Oregon. Majority of West Coast schools no longer offer credit for CLEP tests - just not good enough for them I guess


Trust me I've checked on this as well, yes almost all colleges today offer distance learning but the online courses my CC offers aren't very well organized. And they aren't as flexible. Distance learning isn't the sole reason I would choose one of big three. If I wanted to continue here at my local CC I would just go to regular classes. I wanted to transfer so I could take loads of CLEPs and then finish the rest through courses.


I was just thinking the CLEPs would be a way to rack up major amounts of credit? But I don't know what exactly is realistic with how many credits I have (only about 16). That's good to know though



Well I've already checked into what's available, and ultimately my choice of one of the big three would be based on CLEPs, getting my degree faster, and not having to deal with CCs and traditional brick-and-mortar classes. But from what it sounds like it's not worth it unless I already have a lot more credits to transfer over first?

Thanks for the input!!

>>


Huh. Well, good luck then.

[skyfall123]

Choose a degree from either Excelsior or TESC. Test out of most of it using Instacert and the advice from this forum (if you are fully employed and work 40-50 hours a week, then it will take approx 1 year and 6K total to get your BA/BS)

Then you can enroll in a Harvard Masters program here Degree Programs: Harvard Extension School (will take a couple of years and cost $20K

So for the amount of money and time that you would normally spend trying to get a bachelors degree in Washington (approx 25K and that's if you stick with it), you could get a Bachelors degree then a Masters from Harvard.

or you could just spin your wheels for another few years...

[JBjunior]

Nope that list is wrong, technically a couple of these schools like Seattle Central CC (My CC) specifically accept one or two gen ed CLEPs but they require a score of AT LEAST 99 to even receive credit! Actually on Seattle Central's website they just state that they do not even accept CLEPs but I know this info because, believe me, I have dug deep.

So technically they accept CLEPs but not really, it's a couple of specific CLEPs and you have to score at least 99... it's ridiculous I know, but trust me I have checked on this. (And Cornish is actually just a really expensive art school here, I'm trying to get a BA in poly sci)

BTW if I'm going to take CLEPs I can't actually transfer that credit to any of the 4-year universities around here, another reason I would have to complete my degree through whatever program I choose like one of the "big three".



Well that would be great if I actually could take the CLEPs here, but like I said above.

Thanks for the input! Moving on... anyone else have advice?

No one is going to help you because you have no idea what you are talking about but think you do. Move on or help yourself. You are speaking gibberish and CLEP scores don't even go to 99......

Last bit of information, there are testing centers in Kirkland and Tacoma where you can take every test your heart desires. Everyone has to drive to get to testing centers you aren't special.

Also, I don't want to hear your excuses. I live in the North West as well, Alaska which is even more isolated and has less resources, and I was able to complete my degree.......