How many classes per term

[rhallmmi]

Hi all...I was wondering how many classes are you allowed to take per term at the big 3? Is there a limit or are you allowed to determine what you can handle yourself?

[burbuja0512]

What did you have in mind? I think most of us are here because we're trying to CLEP out of many of our requirements. I'm not sure that I can think of anyone here that's enrolled in a bunch of classes at once. I could be wrong, but if they were, they probably wouldn't have time to study to do well on their CLEP/DSST tests.

Also, many of us here use a combination of classes and testing to get the cheapest college credits. Penn Foster and Straighterline along with a couple of other distance learning programs are classes that I've seen. Personally, I am working on Straighterline accounting at the same time I'm studying for other tests.

Would love to hear what you were thinking of doing..

[TMW2010]

Hi all...I was wondering how many classes are you allowed to take per term at the big 3? Is there a limit or are you allowed to determine what you can handle yourself?

They let me take 4 fifteen-week classes (12 credits) at once at EC (3 Online & one 'CD-Rom' class) without any issues, but I think I recall reading somewhere that they'll allow students to max out at 18 credits (6 classes).

I wouldn't recommend that course load to anyone working full time. I think the best thing to do would be to (if they offer the ones you need in that format and can keep up with the workload) take two eight week courses at a time, and take a total of four per semester (two and two).

[TMW2010]

What did you have in mind? I think most of us are here because we're trying to CLEP out of many of our requirements. I'm not sure that I can think of anyone here that's enrolled in a bunch of classes at once. I could be wrong, but if they were, they probably wouldn't have time to study to do well on their CLEP/DSST tests.

I found it easier/more fulfilling to take actual classes for several of the things that I could actually test out of (mainly through ECEs) especially since I'm continuing on for a masters in the field (and hopefully, perhaps a doctorate). Then there were also a bunch of classes that I could test out of but it was too much of a hassle (having to go through the UofOhio paper tests) like Biopsychology. I also had some master's program specific prerequesite classes that were covered by my GRE that I needed to take to have actual grades for as well.

I honestly think that for those that utilize the big 3, the number who solely test out of everything are a rather small percentage. Especially if the number of people that I had in my online classes were any indication.

[cookderosa]

Hi all...I was wondering how many classes are you allowed to take per term at the big 3? Is there a limit or are you allowed to determine what you can handle yourself?

I took 4 TESC classes per quarter (12 credits) plus my CLEP study. I started with 0 credits, and I completed my BA degree at TESC in 18 months. (6 months of only testing, 12 months of blended methods) I didn't take any of the indy classes that are popular now (Straighterline, ALEKS, etc).

I would have taken 5 but they denied me from trying, so one semester I enrolled at my local college - that gave me a 15 credit load that term, but I wasn't crazy about the format of that school, so I just stuck to TESC classes only after that.

[cookderosa]

What did you have in mind? I think most of us are here because we're trying to CLEP out of many of our requirements. I'm not sure that I can think of anyone here that's enrolled in a bunch of classes at once. I could be wrong, but if they were, they probably wouldn't have time to study to do well on their CLEP/DSST tests..

I used CLEP for my gen eds, but I VERY MUCH enjoyed taking classes inside my major. I also felt very confident providing my transcript to grad schools. I rec'd admission to every grad school I applied to (so far, which I think is 7 universities, lol- I could eat my words later).

I have always suggested a mix of tests and classes for 2 main reasons, both revolve around grad school.
1) Testing doesn't teach you how to write, and writing is necessary for grad school. Form writing, like APA or Chicago style, are typically taught in undergrad, so this might be a struggle for some people coming in blind.

2) Testing doesn't provide a GPA, which is necessary for many grad school paths. Can you get into a for-profit without a GPA? Most certainly, and on the first try. Can you get into an online grad program from a public university without a GPA? Most certainly, if not your first choice, then a second choice. Can you get into an B&M master's or Phd grad program that will pay you a stipend without a GPA? Ehhhhhh....I wouldn't count on it. In other words, it's highly situational.


Another thing to consider, is if in the future you plan to enter a profession that has prerequisite courses. In some cases, those prereqs must be met with LETTER GRADES, which obviously testing doesn't provide. In addition, some professions (like a CPA) don't accept CLEP toward the undergrad requirement. Some programs require lab sciences, etc. If you are trying to maximize the return on your investment, you should always be looking down the pipe, seeing what's next and what decisions/situations you will have to navigate in the future. Doing so puts you in an excellent position to use both CLEP and classes to their fullest.

[burbuja0512]

I found it easier/more fulfilling to take actual classes for several of the things that I could actually test out of (mainly through ECEs) especially since I'm continuing on for a masters in the field (and hopefully, perhaps a doctorate). Then there were also a bunch of classes that I could test out of but it was too much of a hassle (having to go through the UofOhio paper tests) like Biopsychology. I also had some master's program specific prerequesite classes that were covered by my GRE that I needed to take to have actual grades for as well.

I honestly think that for those that utilize the big 3, the number who solely test out of everything are a rather small percentage. Especially if the number of people that I had in my online classes were any indiciation.

Very interesting. I am very curious about the percentage of mostly testing students, though I doubt that any of the big 3 would be willing to share.

I initially had planned for testing out of everything other than the capstone requirement. I am now learning that for some of the more difficult concepts (lol for me this means accounting I) it is actually better to take a class than to kill myself studying for a CLEP.

I am very grateful to the board however for learning about all of the different options. I never knew about self-paced online courses before I came here.

[cookderosa]

I honestly think that for those that utilize the big 3, the number who solely test out of everything are a rather small percentage. Especially if the number of people that I had in my online classes were any indiciation.

Apologies for replying 3 times in this thread hilarious I'm done, I swear.

I found this to be the case as well. In my TESC online classes, I often told people about CLEP because none of them had any idea what it was. Linda tells a story about TESC graduation and a little snotty bias re: CLEP, so it's not a "test out" college like you think. HERE is a test out forum, lol. The colleges, as far as I can tell, don't even know they are considered "the big 3"