Minor annoyances with UMPI application process

[xianbd]

I have ~90+ college credits through a combination of RA credits, CLEP and ACE but they are hassling me about submitting my HS transcript from 35 year ago.  Seriously?  I have ~ 40 RA credits from a major RA university and an RA community college.  I applied to WGU, Excelsior, COSC, TESU and UMPI and UMPI has been the most frustrating (and the only one to request HS transcript BTW).  

I sent the application 3 weeks ago and in addition to holding up my academic evaluation for the HS transcript (they have all my others), they inexplicably closed my application file.  I spoke with the admissions sales person a little earlier and she was very nice but she kept asking me questions that I had already answered, kept reminding me to submit my application (even though she confirmed multiple times that they received it 3 weeks ago), and continued to remind me to send all of my college transcripts, after we had already established that they had received all of my college transcripts.  She even asked me if I had prior college-level course work after discussing all of this.  It was kind of bizarre.  It was clear she was just going through a pre-determined list of questions but had no recollection of any of the answers I gave.  It makes me worry about about possibly enrolling, although I will likely go with TESU or Excelsior.  I am getting one last academic evaluation from each of them before I enroll.

I know many of you have had a great experience with UMPI from an academic standpoint.  Hopefully my case is unique in the frustrations with applying.

Thanks for letting me vent.

You are not the only one. The enrollment specialists act quite unprofessionally in terms of communication. 

They didn’t answer any questions that I raised in the email but kept asking to arrange a phone call. Finally, I accepted the arrangement after a dozen of emails with questions not answered. I waited for the talk but they failed to call me at the time! All I got was another email like ‘I cannot call you but is there anything I can help with?’ Alright then, let’s talk through email. After another round of ineffective emails, I received another request to arrange a call...

[rachel83az]

The so-called "enrollment specialists" are not really affiliated with UMPI. They're a third-party company contracted by UMPI and are barely aware of basic UMPI procedures, let alone more complicated situations.

If you have a "difficult" situation, it's best to get in touch with UMPI directly and to IGNORE the "enrollment specialists". They literally cannot help you. We know more than they do, though we can't help in every situation. You may need to talk to Shea, Jessica, Cody, or someone else.

[DolceDolce]

You can only bypass the high school diploma option if you have an associates degree.  Since you have 52 credits, you are missing a few... I would again follow my reply to you earlier to complete the Pierpont BOG AAS as it requires just 60 credits to do!  Once your Pierpont BOG AAS is complete, then go for the UMPI degree.  While waiting, complete required transfer credits using Sophia.org...

Hi BJCheung!

I am now checking into Pierpoint, I didn't realize there was a BOG AAS Degree.  So they are a partner program with Western Governers University (saw that in the footer!) 
So I looked at the list of degrees, and you recommend the BOG over the Business Administration ... is that so I have more flexibility on classes that fullfil this?

Also, I didn't see if this is self-paced, and if Sophia classes can transfer in.

You are the first person to menthion Pierpoint, so I'm quite foggy on basic details.

[bjcheung77]

@DolceDolce, Pierpont BOG AAS just requires 1 RA/Graded credit (I recommend the ASU 1 Credit for $25), the rest can come from Sophia.org (everything).  It's FREE as well, of course the costs of transcripts from the 1 RA Graded credit and the month of Sophia.org, otherwise, Pierpont doesn't charge you anything.  All other degrees require residency credits of 15, so... take your pick (smile).  Here's the WIKI, you should also see the Pierpont BOG AAS to UMPI Bachelors path link within the wiki: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Pierpont_C%26TC

[DolceDolce]

@DolceDolce, Pierpont BOG AAS just requires 1 RA/Graded credit (I recommend the ASU 1 Credit for $25), the rest can come from Sophia.org (everything).  It's FREE as well, of course the costs of transcripts from the 1 RA Graded credit and the month of Sophia.org, otherwise, Pierpont doesn't charge you anything.  All other degrees require residency credits of 15, so... take your pick (smile).  Here's the WIKI, you should also see the Pierpont BOG AAS to UMPI Bachelors path link within the wiki: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Pierpont_C%26TC

Hi there ... thank you! 

This is what I am going to be working on today then. 

My Community College transcripts showed I had 5 classes left for the AS Degree Business Adm.


Gen Ed, Section B:  Natural Sciences (3) credits remaining:  Biological

Units in Major Needed (14) credits with these courses:

Need Business 121
CSIS 110
Eco 121
Math 178 (this will do me in)

So for me, it's safe to say that if also Pierpoint requires the same courses, that I can work on these 5 asap through Sophia, with the 1 ASU credit for $25.
I don't know what that is ... intrigued!  LOL

Anything else you can think of that I should know?  I will fill out the application today (how much is that, it shows $300 on their site?), and proceed with things.

Also, to confirm, do you know if Pierpoint also transfers to UMPI, not just WGU? 

I've applied to both places, and both seem to be having delays, and with UMPI now at the 11th hour needing my HS transcript, I don't think I'll be approved by June 15th for the next 8-week period.  The Parchment site showed my HS, but the box to order was not there, and I sent support ticket to Parchment, and they have no idea.  So I had to e-mail my HS and request it be mailed to UMPI, and I requested an e-mail doc transfer, but not sure if they are doing that, or if UMPI accepts that if it's marked non-official, which I think it is going to be for the e-mail one.

Thank you!

[bjcheung77]

@DolceDolce, if you read the link for Pierpont, there is an area for Pierpont to UMPI pathway mentioned... Usually, it's Pierpont to UMPI, it really doesn't matter if you even go for the Pierpont degree as your credits all go towards UMPI anyways, some people just want that extra associates or use it as a stepping stone, whatever reason it may be...

[rachel83az]

If you have prior CC credits, and they have a letter grade, you DO NOT need the $25 ASU class. The $25 class is only required at Pierpont for students with no prior graded college credits.

[DolceDolce]

@DolceDolce, if you read the link for Pierpont, there is an area for Pierpont to UMPI pathway mentioned... Usually, it's Pierpont to UMPI, it really doesn't matter if you even go for the Pierpont degree as your credits all go towards UMPI anyways, some people just want that extra associates or use it as a stepping stone, whatever reason it may be...

Do I need letter grades to transfer to WGU or UMPI?  I see another post on Degree Forum that has this information:

"If you want a transcript, you will have to take a class at the college. If you don't want a transcript, it will not cost you anything. It will also take months of your time to have everything figured out." by Life_One Member

Now I'm in the Pierpoint website, and find that these are the only online programs:

Q: I prefer online classes. Are there any degree programs that are strictly online?

A: Yes! Pierpont offers a few degree programs that are 100% attainable online. Those programs are Paralegal Studies, American Sign Language/Interpreter Education, Health Information Technology, and Business: Accounting, Medical Billing & Coding Certificate.

[rachel83az]

You don't need an Associate degree to transfer in "at the upper level". You simply need 60-90 relevant credits, which we advise anyway. Transferring in fewer credits means it'll take you longer to finish and this will drive up costs.

Neither UMPI nor WGU care about prior graded credits. WGU gives ZERO graded credits (everything is pass/fail) and UMPI allows all transferred credits to be from pass/fail ACE sources. Credits earned at UMPI would be graded.

Pierpont's BOG AAS is kind of hidden on their site. They don't necessarily want to advertise that it's a possibility because it's FREE and earns them no money. Their normal FAQ and transfer limits DO NOT APPLY to the BOG AAS. The BOG AAS is 100% online because they accept 100% transfer for this degree.

If you have questions about the degree, check out the links on the wiki or talk to Nancy Parks after you have been admitted for the BOG AAS. Do not apply for other degrees. Those cost money.

[DolceDolce]

You don't need an Associate degree to transfer in "at the upper level". You simply need 60-90 relevant credits, which we advise anyway. Transferring in fewer credits means it'll take you longer to finish and this will drive up costs.

Neither UMPI nor WGU care about prior graded credits. WGU gives ZERO graded credits (everything is pass/fail) and UMPI allows all transferred credits to be from pass/fail ACE sources. Credits earned at UMPI would be graded.

Pierpont's BOG AAS is kind of hidden on their site. They don't necessarily want to advertise that it's a possibility because it's FREE and earns them no money. Their normal FAQ and transfer limits DO NOT APPLY to the BOG AAS. The BOG AAS is 100% online because they accept 100% transfer for this degree.

If you have questions about the degree, check out the links on the wiki or talk to Nancy Parks after you have been admitted for the BOG AAS. Do not apply for other degrees. Those cost money.

Thank you!  I e-mailed Nancy last night for clarification. 
Also, when I graduated from UMPI, and then want to do the WGU MBA program, do they require a 3.0?  If so, then would prior college and prior Sophia classes have to be factored in, or would they take the UMPI GPA only?  I have a pretty low community college GPA, which I'd have to get nearly a 4.0 from here on out to get that B average.  I have a 1.91.  

And in responds to the credits, I didn't realize I didn't need an AS degree, but just 60-90 relevant credits, which is what I want to do.  However some people in the forums have said with the AS Degree, it effectively satisfies the gen ed classes, and the goal here was to be guaranteed those qualifications were fulfilled, whereas as of now, they might not transfer all my prior CC credits 44, due to age or similarness of course concept.  So therefore, if I quickly wrapped up the remaining classes, and got the AS at Pierpoint, that would satisfy all the gen ed there, and potentially be a much shorter process, than having to backtrack and pick up courses they deem not transferrable.