My 1st Successful Year - Thank You!

[Ideas]

At the end of March 2017, I registered here, began the free ACE credits, and raced through a few ALEKS courses since we didn't know if it would be renewed in April. Passing ALEKS Statistics was my first real success. 

At the start of April I decided to commit to the BSBA at TESU because I enjoy business, and I wanted the fastest and cheapest degree. I had some college credits, but I only used 6 prior credits in my Bachelor's. 

I picked up the ASNSM as well, which used a few more very old credits. I really wanted a science degree, and although this is only an Assoc, I'm really happy to have it.

I graduated in March 2018.  This was not my first attempt at returning to school, and this has been a journey of over 20 years. It didn't feel real until after the diplomas arrived. Actually, it still doesn't feel real, but it's starting to, because the next journey is starting.


It was immensely helpful to have such a knowledgeable group here (since TESU lacks consistency in their advising answers), so thank you to anyone involved in running this forum and InstantCert.

Thank you so much to all the regulars here, any other member who posted anything that I "liked" or replied to, or anyone who replied to any of my posts. I'm not sure I want to name anyone, because I'll forget people, but you know who you are!

Thank you for those who posted about your exam experience too, because I read many older posts before each exam/course. And even for exams I didn't take, seeing others here passing exams/courses was inspirational. As well as the members sharing about how their life changed because of their degree (whether online or not).

I feel like I'm being one of those people who goes on and on, but this is only text, so why not!

I'm also thankful for the companies and especially the organizations that are helping students have less debt and graduate faster. In particular, Modern States, Guardian (the company who offers the Study.com scholarship), Study.com, Davar Academy, ALEKS (McGraw Hill), CLEP and AP (The College Board), and Shmoop. (I didn't use Straighterline in these degrees, but I think they are great too.) I am also very thankful for the low tuition for online students for New Mexico schools. 

And TESU will always be the absolute top school to me in some ways, despite its shortcomings.

Over this year, I've also enjoyed helping others who started after me, and I look forward to seeing a bunch of you graduate in the coming year!

Perhaps the best part of this year has been realizing that I want to continue onto grad school and coming up with future plans. I think I've finally decided on the next steps, which will take the whole next year. Going through this process has already been life-changing for me.

So thanks, and good luck with whatever you're working toward now!

[ChilliDawg]

Congratulations on your achievements. Not to steal your thunder, but I feel that I owe a similar thank you to this community. I have been chasing credits at my local colleges for years. Last year, I was wondering how I could take my 70 or 80 mixed credits from various brick and mortar colleges, and put them together to make something. I stumbled across this forum, and started reading the advice of the many knowledgeable people, here. Many people had stories that really inspired me. I decided to transfer my credits to the Big 3(Ultimately deciding upon TESU), and start working towards a degree. I stumbled across the West Virginia BOG threads. I applied at Pierpont, and within a few months had an AAS degree in my hands. Like you said, it was "ONLY" a two year, but it may be the most important accomplishment yet. Because, it is my first degree, and it is long overdue. I proceeded on with my BACS from TESU, picking up my ASNSM along the way. I will be applying for graduation with my BACS, very shortly. I have this forum and the helpful members for my inspiration and for showing me the ropes. My wife, who has a Bachelor of Arts from a traditional Brick and Mortar, was inspired by my tenacity, and it motivated her to go back for her Masters, which she is presently working on. Now, I am thinking about finding a Masters program, myself.

[Ideas]

I applied at Pierpont, and within a few months had an AAS degree in my hands.  Like you said, it was "ONLY" a two year, but it may be the most important accomplishment yet.  Because, it is my first degree, and it is long overdue.  I proceeded on with my BACS from TESU, picking up my ASNSM along the way.   I will be applying for graduation with my BACS, very shortly.  I have this forum and the helpful members for my inspiration and for showing me the ropes.  My wife, who has a Bachelor of Arts from a traditional Brick and Mortar, was inspired by my tenacity, and it motivated her to go back for her Masters, which she is presently working on.  Now, I am thinking about finding a Masters program, myself.

The initial "small" accomplishments can be so significant! Congrats! That is amazing that your wife was inspired by you  You should go for the Masters too! I feel like some of them are so cheap, they are irresistable

[Ideas]

Edit to my original post: Not happy with Straighterline now. I assume they must be ok, because of some other students here, but I wish I could edit that post.

[ChilliDawg]

Edit to my original post: Not happy with Straighterline now. I assume they must be ok, because of some other students here, but I wish I could edit that post.

Straighterline, in my opinion, was a bittersweet experience.

They helped me get a few classes that I really needed, and did it cheap and fast.

However, I find their site extremely slow, and difficult to navigate.

[MJ75]

Congratulations on your achievements.  Not to steal your thunder, but I feel that I owe a similar thank you to this community.  I have been chasing credits at my local colleges for years.  Last year, I was wondering how I could take my 70 or 80 mixed credits from various brick and mortar colleges, and put them together to make something.  I stumbled across this forum, and started reading the advice of the many knowledgeable people, here.  Many people had stories that really inspired me.  I decided to transfer my credits to the Big 3(Ultimately deciding upon TESU), and start working towards a degree.  I stumbled across the West Virginia BOG threads.  I applied at Pierpont, and within a few months had an AAS degree in my hands.  Like you said, it was "ONLY" a two year, but it may be the most important accomplishment yet.  Because, it is my first degree, and it is long overdue.  I proceeded on with my BACS from TESU, picking up my ASNSM along the way.   I will be applying for graduation with my BACS, very shortly.  I have this forum and the helpful members for my inspiration and for showing me the ropes.  My wife, who has a Bachelor of Arts from a traditional Brick and Mortar, was inspired by my tenacity, and it motivated her to go back for her Masters, which she is presently working on.  Now, I am thinking about finding a Masters program, myself.

Congratulations to you both!!!

My husband is in the same boat that you were in, ChiliDawg. He just applied TODAY at Pierpoint for the BOG degree. I think he already has the required credits for graduation. We are hoping that it won't take them too long to evaluate his credits.

Can you tell me how much it cost (bottom line) to get your AAS from Pierpoint? The application was free and he just spent a few dollars to have his official transcripts sent in. I see there is probably an evaluation fee of $300. Anything else? Graduation fees? Diploma, etc.?

Thank you, and again... CONGRATUlATIONS!

[ChilliDawg]

Congratulations on your achievements.  Not to steal your thunder, but I feel that I owe a similar thank you to this community.  I have been chasing credits at my local colleges for years.  Last year, I was wondering how I could take my 70 or 80 mixed credits from various brick and mortar colleges, and put them together to make something.  I stumbled across this forum, and started reading the advice of the many knowledgeable people, here.  Many people had stories that really inspired me.  I decided to transfer my credits to the Big 3(Ultimately deciding upon TESU), and start working towards a degree.  I stumbled across the West Virginia BOG threads.  I applied at Pierpont, and within a few months had an AAS degree in my hands.  Like you said, it was "ONLY" a two year, but it may be the most important accomplishment yet.  Because, it is my first degree, and it is long overdue.  I proceeded on with my BACS from TESU, picking up my ASNSM along the way.   I will be applying for graduation with my BACS, very shortly.  I have this forum and the helpful members for my inspiration and for showing me the ropes.  My wife, who has a Bachelor of Arts from a traditional Brick and Mortar, was inspired by my tenacity, and it motivated her to go back for her Masters, which she is presently working on.  Now, I am thinking about finding a Masters program, myself.

Congratulations to you both!!!

My husband is in the same boat that you were in, ChiliDawg. He just applied TODAY at Pierpoint for the BOG degree. I think he already has the required credits for graduation. We are hoping that it won't take them too long to evaluate his credits.

Can you tell me how much it cost (bottom line) to get your AAS from Pierpoint? The application was free and he just spent a few dollars to have his official transcripts sent in. I see there is probably an evaluation fee of $300. Anything else? Graduation fees? Diploma, etc.?

Thank you, and again... CONGRATUlATIONS!

Thank you so much for the kind words.

Well, you may not believe this but I spent EXACTLY $35.00 to procure my A.A.S. from Pierpont.  That was the $15.00 A.C.E. Transcript Fee, and a transcript fee(Parchment) from my Brick and Mortar College that I attended.

When I went through the evaluation process last year, there was no Eval Fee.  I have not heard of that.  No graduation fee, either. I wouldn't be surprised if they did start charging, however. I am not sure how they can confer these degrees and make little money. I think the State of West Virginia must subsidize the program.

I basically had all of my requirements done when I applied.  I spent more time waiting for conferral than I actually spent putting everything together.  Everyone has a different situation.  Depends on if you have all of the reqiurements fulfilled.

Ms. Nancy Parks at Pierpont was always an awesome help.  She guided me through the process, and helped me apply for graduation.  I could not be happier with Pierpont and the BOG program.

Good luck!

[MJ75]

Wow, that is fantastic!!

Thank you for your quick reply. I am SO excited for my husband to get his 1st degree. And once we get his in the books, I will work on finishing up my AAS at Pierpont as well. He will then move on to TESU for his Bachelor's in Business Administration-General Management. I love having a realistic plan to complete our goals!

[burbuja0512]

Congratulations!!!!! It's so exciting to see this much awesomeness in one place. That's part of what keeps me coming back after graduating in 2011!! Only the best people hang out here!