Just Starting Out

[sweetcrabhoney]

Hi. Hope you are doing well. Happy Mother's Day to all the fellow moms!

Just joined a moment ago... I've been reading threads since Tuesday however.

So my story:

I enrolled into Capella last month ; classes were to start on the 11th. BUT I found out on Monday my FASFA was not approved and it would take 6 to 10 months to get it approved/fixed. Talk about heart breaking.

My husband and I were talking about taking these self paced courses with their partner program ; sophia.org. The courses are close to $400 a piece. Kind of expensive. And the adviser said they can take about 1 month to 3 months to complete one course. With 15 courses to take it'd be a very high price in the end. But not as high as paying for college out of pocket.

THEN I found this forum.. Talk about awesome. To discover the test I knew there was but didn't know the names of them.

I confirmed with Capella that they do take credits from CLEP and DSST this morning! Super happy dance after being extremely depressed on Monday.

SOOO.. now ... I need to study. With two young children ( 1 year old and a 6 year old ) , I'd like a good resource for study tools. I need paperback books because they are easier to read and write into.

I'm currently a professional ghostwriter for children's books and romance novels. I'm also a kindle author. I'm working on my back up plan to be a doctor. I'm 26 years old so the faster I can finish my degree the better.

Could anyone recommend a good first test to take as well? Seriously advice would be awesome right now.

I look forward to talking with you also soon! Thank you in advance.

Chimica

[sanantone]

Why did you choose Capella? It would be cheaper to not go to Capella at all. There also might be a slight stigma that comes with its name since it's becoming well-known as a for-profit college. CLEP and DSST are options to earn credits at thousands of colleges. There are also dozens of colleges that accept Straighterline (kind of like Sophia but cheaper), TECEP, Uexcel, and ACE/NCCRS-approved courses.

[mednat]

Hi. Hope you are doing well. Happy Mother's Day to all the fellow moms!

Just joined a moment ago... I've been reading threads since Tuesday however.

So my story:

I enrolled into Capella last month ; classes were to start on the 11th. BUT I found out on Monday my FASFA was not approved and it would take 6 to 10 months to get it approved/fixed. Talk about heart breaking.

My husband and I were talking about taking these self paced courses with their partner program ; sophia.org. The courses are close to $400 a piece. Kind of expensive. And the adviser said they can take about 1 month to 3 months to complete one course. With 15 courses to take it'd be a very high price in the end. But not as high as paying for college out of pocket.

THEN I found this forum.. Talk about awesome. To discover the test I knew there was but didn't know the names of them.

I confirmed with Capella that they do take credits from CLEP and DSST this morning! Super happy dance after being extremely depressed on Monday.

SOOO.. now ... I need to study. With two young children ( 1 year old and a 6 year old ) , I'd like a good resource for study tools. I need paperback books because they are easier to read and write into.

I'm currently a professional ghostwriter for children's books and romance novels. I'm also a kindle author. I'm working on my back up plan to be a doctor. I'm 26 years old so the faster I can finish my degree the better.

Could anyone recommend a good first test to take as well? Seriously advice would be awesome right now.

I look forward to talking with you also soon! Thank you in advance.

Chimica

Analyzing and Interpreting Literature is always my go to recommendation. It's an easy 6 credits. What specifically attracted you to capella? What are you hoping to get a degree in?

[sweetcrabhoney]

Thank you for your much needed advice. I will look up that test right away!

I'm aiming for a Bachelor's degree in health management.

I choose Capella because I preferred their system over the others I tested before. They are less than Phoenix which my husband went to. I'm since discovered Charter Oaks has the same degree. After a bit more research I may choose them instead. Thankfully with all the tests I need to take prior.. I do have some time to plan.

Thanks again!

Chimica

[mednat]

Charter Oak has many more testing options than Capella (it's part what you'll see us refer to as the "Big Three"). I am not familiar with their health management degree, but you will likely save a ton of money going there. Not to mention, as sanantone suggested, for profit schools sometimes get a negative reputation in the work place (sometimes earned, sometimes not).

My understanding is medical school admissions are extremely competitive and you may be better served looking at a brick and mortar institution for your science classes (at the least).

[sweetcrabhoney]

I saw TESC talked about around the forum . They currently don't offer a health management degree.

What's the third one? Are they each non profit?

After 6 months or more of taking tests and taking self paced classes I'm sure I'll pick a college that is right for me. I think right now I just want to start doing something towards my education and have a head start on school no matter which school it is.

Thanks

[smf6824]

I saw TESC talked about around the forum . They currently don't offer a health management degree.

What's the third one? Are they each non profit?

After 6 months or more of taking tests and taking self paced classes I'm sure I'll pick a college that is right for me. I think right now I just want to start doing something towards my education and have a head start on school no matter which school it is.

Thanks

The Big Three consists of Thomas Edison State College, Charter Oak State College, and Excelsior State College. Though these schools are fantastic and decently priced don't limit yourself to just them, do a bit of research. It sounds to me that you really are not sure of what you want to do for a career. You state health care management, are you currently in health care? You can get into management in healthcare with a business degree too, so why specifically healthcare? If you are uncertain of your direction start out with CLEP and DSST exams that would fulfill your general study requirements at most schools. If you desire to go to the "Big 3" then start racking up ACE or NCCRS approved courses through programs such as ALEKS or Saylor. Take your time and realize this is an investment that takes dedication, focus, time, and finances. This is NOT an easy path, and will require a lot of effort. So until you figure out what you want focus on general studies. If you will never figure out what you want go for something broad such as business because it can open up several doors. Either way Good Luck.

[sweetcrabhoney]

The Big Three consists of Thomas Edison State College, Charter Oak State College, and Excelsior State College. Though these schools are fantastic and decently priced don't limit yourself to just them, do a bit of research. It sounds to me that you really are not sure of what you want to do for a career. You state health care management, are you currently in health care? You can get into management in healthcare with a business degree too, so why specifically healthcare? If you are uncertain of your direction start out with CLEP and DSST exams that would fulfill your general study requirements at most schools. If you desire to go to the "Big 3" then start racking up ACE or NCCRS approved courses through programs such as ALEKS or Saylor. Take your time and realize this is an investment that takes dedication, focus, time, and finances. This is NOT an easy path, and will require a lot of effort. So until you figure out what you want focus on general studies. If you will never figure out what you want go for something broad such as business because it can open up several doors. Either way Good Luck.

Thank you tons for your advice and opinion. I will look up Excelsior later today.

So I intend to be a doctor of Chiropractor as well as get a masters in traditional Chinese medicine which will allow me to get a licence to be an acupuncturist in California. Then after I open my business I can get a doctorate in traditional Chinese medicine.

While I don't know which college to get my bachelor's from I do know the two medical school I'll be attending once completed. They both require a certain number of health classes before they will allow me to be admitted into their school. Those courses are the same ones included in a healthcare management degree... so it all blends together into one. A business degree wouldn't fill those requirements.

I'm a writer by profession at this time and simply trying to work on a new career because I'd rather also have a much more respected career .

I do understand that this will take some time. Medical school will take 12 years combined! But I do want to start and finish my bachelor's as soon as possible.

With two young children and a business ; I don't expect easy at all. What I want is simply a way to advance my education in my mommy world while I wait for FASFA to clear.

I hope this clears up things for you.

Thanks again.

[mednat]

Charter Oak is known for making agreements with other schools to utilize financial aid funds. It would be worth calling them, people here have had nothing but good things to say about their pre-enrollment support. I would explain to them your goals and the requirements for your future plans and see what they have to offer.

[smf6824]

Thank you tons for your advice and opinion. I will look up Excelsior later today.

So I intend to be a doctor of Chiropractor as well as get a masters in traditional Chinese medicine which will allow me to get a licence to be an acupuncturist in California. Then after I open my business I can get a doctorate in traditional Chinese medicine.

While I don't know which college to get my bachelor's from I do know the two medical school I'll be attending once completed. They both require a certain number of health classes before they will allow me to be admitted into their school. Those courses are the same ones included in a healthcare management degree... so it all blends together into one. A business degree wouldn't fill those requirements.

I'm a writer by profession at this time and simply trying to work on a new career because I'd rather also have a much more respected career .

I do understand that this will take some time. Medical school will take 12 years combined! But I do want to start and finish my bachelor's as soon as possible.

With two young children and a business ; I don't expect easy at all. What I want is simply a way to advance my education in my mommy world while I wait for FASFA to clear.

I hope this clears up things for you.

Thanks again.

Well.... I do know you are going to have to have several science based courses with labs to apply to these schools. If you do not then I would check to see if they are accredited. You will most likely need 8 hours of general biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, 6 in english, and perhaps even a microbiology course. Sure you can find some of those online; however, your best bet would be to go to a state college or local community college. You can go to medical school with any degree as long as you meet the prerequisites and accreditation standards. You need to verify the prerequisites first and find a degree suitable for it. Most pre-med majors are usually Biology or Chemistry; however, like I said med school accepts many degrees. Also you need to inquire with your prospective medical school to find out if you can work while enrolled. Several programs have stipulations that don't allow you to work while enrolled, so it is wise to verify that first. So since you already apparently have a plan, just focus on the prerequisites and place them into any degree you desire; however, it may help you to make it a broadened degree since you are going for a specific graduate degree later. Either way Good Luck with the process.


Oh and on a side note:

I realize every area is different, trust me I do; however, if you settle for a healthcare management degree for your bachelors you may have limited options for employment if you plan on working in that field while seeking higher education. Most healthcare managers in my area have a healthcare background and are usually nurses, therapist, etc. I am not saying you couldn't find a job because it is possible. Since you are considering higher education in the medical field perhaps you should consider nursing; however, just realize that since the recession a lot of people have gone into healthcare and this surge has hurt job prospects for many people including nurses. Don't forget obamacare has hurt the healthcare industry too, but there are still plenty of jobs in some regions of the U.S.A. The recession and obamacare hurt places in a somewhat regional sense. Either way this is now a rambling session. Just beware that most healthcare managers usually have a healthcare background.

Good Luck