My Experience with Jay Cross/DIY Degree

[MartinGuitar]

Hi,

This post is a little long, but if you have heard anything about Jay Cross or DIY Degree, you might want to read it. My goal with this post is to inform others of what I have found out, and let them decide what to do with the information.

I first learned about testing out of college last fall, as I was researching ways to earn college credit while still in high school. As I was researching, I ran across a website called DIY Degree, run by a fellow named Jay Cross. His site had a very nice overview of the test out method, and I ended up buying into his program. Basically, the purpose of his business is to make you a customized degree plan, then be available through email to answer any questions or help solve any issues you run into. If I remember right, I paid somewhere around $150-$200 for this. The reason he listed for doing this is that he is trying to build a software program to help students connect the right tests to credits required for their degrees, so he limited enrollment to 500 students, and guaranteed to be available every step of the way until graduation to help.

I got my "customized" degree plan for a general business degree from Excelsior, then started studying and took a few tests between work and other activities last winter. Over the summer I did not take any more tests as I went on an international trip. When I got back to the States, I decided to jump back into testing out more seriously than before. Before I started, however, I decided to figure out if I could substitute some more History/Actual business subjects rather than the numerous psychology tests listed on my degree plan. I emailed Jay to get his input.

Here is the string of emails from that point on. I was a bit tough on them, but their website was loaded with guarantees that were not being kept.



Donovan K. (Do It Yourself Degree)
Oct 10, 07:21
Hello Isaiah,
Do to the overwhelming response to our program, we've had to raise our prices and ask that our students purchase additional support as needed so that we can ensure everyone is treated fairly.
We want you to succeed, so please support us by purchasing additional support here:
https://secure.doityourselfdegree.com/order-support/
...and we will make sure to answer all of your additional questions regarding accelerating your degree.
I hope this helps!
To your success,
Donovan
Customer Support Team


Isaiah Mahlstedt
Oct 10, 16:22

Hi Donovan,
I just got off work and had a chance to read your email. I have some concerns with what you have said.
First, you say due to overwhelming response you have had to raise your prices. On your website, it says that "I can only offer this personalized assistance to the first 500 students who join. This is a time-intensive service for me to deliver, and I refuse to shortchange anyone who entrusts their college journey to me…"
I was within the first 500, and now I am being shortchanged because of overwhelming response?
In addition, when where all your students informed that your policy in regards to day to day support was changing? Your website still says that one of the benefits is "Regular follow-up emails from me to keep you motivated, help resolve your day-to-day challenges, and ensure you keep moving steadily to graduation" and
"On-demand access to me via email (I personally respond to your questions within 48 hours)"
I NEVER received notification that this was changing. YOUR website still guarantees your students access to you through email. I understand that time is money and it takes time to respond to emails, but Jay's stated goal for having students is to collect information to build his software. So are we supposed to pay for the information and experience you are collecting from us?
I feel that either there is a mistake, or you guys are falsly advertising the amount of help you will actually be. Your website and emails make it sound like you will be right next to us, helping us every step of the way. If we are going to be charged for every communication with you, it takes away the whole advantage of DIY Degree. If we indeed have to pay for emails, I will be sure to let everyone now at the Instantcert forum, and any other place I think is necessary. I don't want anyone to think they are getting more than what they actually are.
I think you guys are doing a great job getting the word out about testing out of a college degree. I have been happy to work with you so far. I hope that this is an exception, and not the new reality.
Thanks!
Isaiah

Donovan K. (Do It Yourself Degree)
Oct 11, 08:15

Hey Isaiah,
Thanks for pointing that content out on the website, I had it removed/updated.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience around this. The truth is, Jay was finding it hard to pay his own personal bills with all of the questions/time he needs to spend helping students.
Realizing this, he and I decided to make these changes to help balance things out (and just stay in business).
I see that it's been about a year since you joined DIY Degree, and if Jay already provided you with your customized blueprint, we would appreciate it if you could help us out by investing in additional coaching so that Jay can afford to help you (and pay his rent). ;-)
Thanks for your understanding and patience.
To your success,
Donovan
Customer Support Team

DIY Degree | Get a Bachelor's Degree in 1 Year (or Less)


From: Isaiah Mahlstedt <isaiah@procaremn.com>
Date: October 11, 2015 at 3:35:22 PM CDT
To: Do It Yourself Degree <support@doityourselfdegree.com>
Subject: Re: [Do It Yourself Degree] Re: FW: A couple Questions...
Hi Donovan,

I understand that it takes time to respond to questions. However, Jay made a promise to his first 500 students, to be there to answer questions until the day we graduated, with no additional charges mentioned. With Jay having a business degree, he will understand the importance of having a good reputation. As hard as the fact might be, he made a promise to his customers, and if he wants to maintain his reputation he needs to follow through. Charge more for ever new student, but keep his word with the current.
What is better? A group of successful, happy students telling everyone they know about the test out strategy and the helpfulness of DIY Degree, or a group of students who feel they were ripped off just as much as with the modern "evil" college system?

In my case, I am comfortable researching options and making contact with people to ask questions. However, not being currently enrolled in a college as Jay advised in my roadmap, I cannot contact Excelsior directly.

When I started the process nearly a year ago, I did not know much about the process. However, after taking a Psychology test, I realized how much I dislike the ridiculousness of the whole subject. My original roadmap was not customized, as I did not have the experience necessary to know what I wanted.

At this point, if you decide to not honor your promise to your original students, I will have no choice but to let others know the facts, and decide for themselves whether this service is worthy of their consideration.

Thanks for your time and understanding! I would love to see you guys succeed in running a fair, honest, profitable business!

Isaiah







As of now, I have not received a response back. I will post again if I do.
Again, my reason for posting this is so that others can make an informed decision.

Thanks!

[GoodYellowDogs]

OMG - he can't pay his bills because he's spending too much time on his other business? Not cool, not professional, what a mess.

[Prloko]

I looked at the website and it looks like an old Kevin Trudeau scam. This jack @@@ uses testimonials that make it sound like he invented this "system", which was done yearsssss ago.

It makes me wonder how much of their help is ripped from people here for free. Is Jay Cross or Donovan associated with this site in any way?

I also hate it when people claim that universities want to keep credit-by-exam a "secret" like is claimed on the site. If universities didn't want students to use them, they'd just not allow them as is there prerogative.

People like this guy for some reason make me feel slimy, and like a sucker for giving my time away..

[MartinGuitar]

I don't think they are. Jay used IC for his testing, but recommends iStudy Smart for his students.

[Prloko]

I don't think they are. Jay used IC for his testing, but recommends iStudy Smart for his students.

Of course, sending them to instacert would lead them to the forum and there goes his business.

[cookderosa]

Of course, sending them to instacert would lead them to the forum and there goes his business.

You should probably put a period and close the chapter. I have a STACK of emails where they tried to hire me (excuse me, but if it's your passion, you should enjoy doing it yourself) and I know personally 2 others on this forum who were also recruited. As far as I know, none of us ever took him up on his "offer."
Let's work out your degree plan revisions here on the forum and you can save your money. Seriously, you're not buying expertise. The experts are already here. Lots of them.

[JTP]

Hey Isaiah,
Thanks for pointing that content out on the website, I had it removed/updated. :reddevil:

banghead

**Satan smiley not part of original quote...but definitely in the undertone of the message

[LaterBloomer]

It's a bit frustrating. Some of us were discussing on another thread recently about our eagerness to share information with others about alternative degree options. Folks might indicate interest, but they didn't follow through. There have been other folks like you in this forum who are motivated and ready to go, but you end up on a path that isn't as smooth as it could be.

Chalk up the money paid as the price of experience, and come here and ask questions, etc. As Cookderosa has already responded, I don't need to introduce her to you. I can say that her advice is like having your own personal college guide. Some folks (like me!) are better at offering moral support. Regardless of what you need, we're here for you.

Good luck with your educational efforts!

[ronaldemail1]

This site (Jay Cross Page) plays on people fantasy expectations by providing them with misinformation about how the process works.

This is very dangerous because some people will not blame the site but will blame either the Big Three, ACE, CLEP or DSST by giving the wrong advice to
other people.

[TinHead]

Here is a link to the website that helped me design my plan:

Design Your Plan - HC USA