My degree plan/progress

[irnbru]

Having recently completed most of the general education requirements for EC and TESC, I'd been thinking about where I need to focus next.

The planned next step has hit a wall as EC will no longer be awarding credit for the Subject GRE tests for anyone enrolling after 1st September 2010. The plan was to sit the Psychology GRE in November, then depending on results and potential credits, make the next move. A high score would have made EC attractive with a look in for the Psychology major, a medium score would still have helped with Liberal Arts. A lower score would have at least set me up for testing out with psychology CLEPs. And I wouldn't have needed to commit to enrolling. Now, I'll be speaking to EC on Monday to see what's what.

Updated completed courses below.

[SIZE="1"]ALEKS
Beginning Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra
Trigonometry
College Algebra with Trigonometry
Precalculus
Introduction to Statistics
Business Statistics
Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences
CLEP
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
Introductory Sociology
Information Systems and Computer Applications
Humanities
English Literature
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing
American Literature
Straighterline
English Composition I
English Composition II
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Accounting I
Accounting II
UEXCEL
Calculus
Introduction to Psychology [/SIZE]

[mtngrl]

Can anyone please tell me where to find the IC flashcards? I tried going to instacert.com, but the website didn't work. Any other ways?

Thanks

[creative]

Are you a paying member? There is a $20 monthly fee to access the flashcards.

[irnbru]

Here's how the exams/courses above fit into TESC's BS in Business Administration and BS in Liberal Studies. Green fields are completed requirements, yellow are incomplete/unidentified. If anyone spots any mistakes, please let me know







TESC appear to be a little more generous with ALEKS compared to EC, giving credit for 4 courses below the level of calculus in addition to both Intro and Business stats. The Liberal Studies major also does not currently require a capstone course.

There are quite a few policy changes coming in to these schools in time for the start of the academic year. In light of EC letting go of their end of the GRE rope, it's becoming a little uncomfortable sitting unenrolled while policy changes are being constructed.

The advantages EC were offering previously were:
1. Reported excellent customer service (been waiting 3 weeks and still for my evaluation, however).
2. Slightly lower costs overall which would be spread out between enrollement/courses/graduation/etc.
3. Credit award for Subject GRE.

The advantages TESC have include:
1. Slightly more generous approach to credit, including upper level.
2. No capstone course for their Liberal Arts BS.
3. The 'state college' brand.

Take away one of EC's benefits and a second look is required. Take away more than one and suddenly dropping nearly $4000 for enrollment with TESC doesn't seem at all unreasonable.

[rebeccal]

Can anyone please tell me where to find the IC flashcards? I tried going to instacert.com, but the website didn't work. Any other ways?

Thanks

Perhaps the problem is that you're going to instacert.com instead of instantcert.com .

[rebeccal]

There are quite a few policy changes coming in to these schools in time for the start of the academic year. In light of EC letting go of their end of the GRE rope, it's becoming a little uncomfortable sitting unenrolled while policy changes are being constructed.

Yes, this is very true. This is why I'm thinking of enrolling in EC through the POAG since the enrollment fee is only $130 (+$25 POAG membership fee). This makes enrolling affordable and also helps to lock in a plan/approvals. I also like the idea of having advisers along the way.

I originally planned on waiting until I have about 90 credits to enroll, but considering that schools do change requirements, I think if you can manage it, it is good to enroll sooner rather than later.

If only I had done this in June, I wouldn't have to take the capstone course. . . Of course at the time, I was just starting to think about going back to school and didn't even really know who/what EC, TESC, etc. even were.

[TMW2010]

Here's how the exams/courses above fit into TESC's BS in Business Administration and BS in Liberal Studies. Green fields are completed requirements, yellow are incomplete/unidentified. If anyone spots any mistakes, please let me know

TESC appear to be a little more generous with ALEKS compared to EC, giving credit for 4 courses below the level of calculus in addition to both Intro and Business stats. The Liberal Studies major also does not currently require a capstone course.

There are quite a few policy changes coming in to these schools in time for the start of the academic year. In light of EC letting go of their end of the GRE rope, it's becoming a little uncomfortable sitting unenrolled while policy changes are being constructed.

The advantages EC were offering previously were:
1. Reported excellent customer service (been waiting 3 weeks and still for my evaluation, however).
2. Slightly lower costs overall which would be spread out between enrollement/courses/graduation/etc.
3. Credit award for Subject GRE.

The advantages TESC have include:
1. Slightly more generous approach to credit, including upper level.
2. No capstone course for their Liberal Arts BS.
3. The 'state college' brand.

Take away one of EC's benefits and a second look is required. Take away more than one and suddenly dropping nearly $4000 for enrollment with TESC doesn't seem at all unreasonable.

It took about that long for my initial evaluation at EC. It drove me nuts. Once it got done though, everything fell into place. And I can vouch for EC's customer service... I've got over 10 pages of emails on MyEC account from questions and responses to those questions. THey've always been quick to help and answer my questions and the permutations thereof... Shrug.

Is #3 for TESC really that big of a deal for you? Really?

I feel for you as far as the GRE goes... I think it was crap that they only gave 4 days warning. But I also have to say that I did warn people that this was on the table back in May... Shrug.

Between the capstone, GRE decision, and the Excessive Absenteeism policy change, it looks like they're tightening up their mode of operation. I can only assume that these changes are neccesary to please their accreditors, because (well, except for the capstone) they're not making money from this stuff, they're probably losing out on a bunch of people who were looking at signing up. And as far as the capstone, I believe its more likely an accrediation thing than a money grab, but I'm sure people will disagree and point at the pricetag.

Hopefully, these changes will pay off for them, and provide a measurable improvement in their offerings and increase their reputation.

**edit** fixed a couple spelling errors that I noticed... I posted this after finishing up a midterm essay marathon and was brain fried...

[rebeccal]

Between the capstone, GRE decision, and the Excessive Absenteeism policy change, it looks like they're tighening up their mode of operation. I can only assume that these changes are neccesary to please their accriditors, because (well, except for the capstone) they're not making money from this stuff, they're probably losing out on a bunch of people who were looking at signing up. And as far as the capstone, I believe its more likely an accrediation thing than a money grab, but I'm sure people will disagree and point at the pricetag.

Hopefully, these changes will pay off for them, and provide a measurable improvement in their offerings and increase their reputation.

For the most part, I like the changes. Yes, a part of me complains about things like now having to take the capstone or a test that other schools give UL credit to only counting as LL credit at EC.

At the same time, I think their standards are truer to what is expected at other colleges, and I like knowing that I'm having to work just as hard as I would if I went to a B&M school. I think I'll feel better about my degree and more proud if I'm not given UL credit for really easy tests (e.g. Principles of Management).

[NAP]

Having the opportunity to take the GRE in November and again in April (if needed) could work out very well for you.

Your credits look like a great fit for TESC's BSBA. I wonder how they compare to EC's Business degrees.

Please let us know how things are progressing.

[irnbru]

After several hours of phone calls, I've completed enrollment with EC. Admin over, back to the studying. Thanks Debbie and Mark

I've been promised an email in writing stating that if I were to change my major but remain in the Liberal Arts School, any credits awarded for a subject GRE will carry over. Once that arrives, all is well.

edit: Enrollment completed with a partnership discount for IEEE membership. This also makes sense financially and academically as it spreads financial commitments out, opens up upper level credit opportunities and brings in additional structure. This is in addition to a reduction in enrollment, per credit course and graduation fees. Actually quite looking forward to doing some of the EC courses.