Need help for UMPI YourPace Admission

[AnnaVu]

Hello everyone,
I've been a lurker for about 5 months, and found a lot of valuable information in this community—thank you all for that! I've hit a new hurdle today and could really use some advice.

I graduated high school in Vietnam in 2001 and moved to Oregon in 2005. I wasn't eligible for financial aid and took some college courses without earning official credits, focusing instead on building a new life here. I now run a small business and haven't considered going back to school.

2 years ago, life pushed me to a new world where I had to study to become ABA therapist for my own son. My passion for this field has continued to grown since then. I've received positive feedback from my supervisors and full support from my family, which has encouraged me to pursue a bachelor's degree and eventually a master's, at 41. I've been working hard this year and have earned 83 Sophia credits so far. I also applied for BOG to close the gap. 

I applied to the Liberal Studies Psychology program at UMPI 2 weeks ago and have been in touch with an admissions specialist, Nikki Enlow. I finally requested for a phone call. This morning, she informed me that my application is being transferred to a different department that handles students with prior international education. She mentioned that I need to have my high school transcripts evaluated by a third party, such as NACES or AICE, and have them sent directly to UMPI. Also, I need to provide English language proficiency exam scores and an official transcript from a local community college, even though I haven’t taken any for-credit courses there. She stated that my 83 Sophia credits would still be considered, but not good enough.

I'm feeling sad and discouraged because the process seems more complicated than I anticipated. I had hoped to start in September, but now that seems impossible.
I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights on how to navigate this situation and move fast forward. Thanks so much for your help!
___________________________________________________
Location: Oregon, US
Age: 41- F
Desired Degree: Bachelor’s in Psychology, followed by a Master’s
Current Regional Accredited credits: 0
Current ACE / CLEP credits: 83 Sophia credits
Any certifications or military experience: No
Budget: Preferably $5-$15k, speed is more important than cost
Commitments: Full time job + 3 kids
Timeline: ASAP
___________________________________________________

[jackstrike]

FWIW, Nikki explicitly told me they didn't need my HS transcript because I had the Pierpont BoG.

[ss20ts]

Have you looked into completing the associate degree from Pierpont? If you complete this degree and wait for it to be conferred than you would be waived from some of those admissions requirements at UMPI. Having some credits doesn't equal a degree. If you have a degree then they won't requirement the high school transcript. They will still require the college transcripts. They may require the English exam which is a common requirement from colleges for non-native English speakers. The entire program at UMPI is in English and is all written work. They want students to be successful. ESL help isn't really a thing for YourPace as you only have 8 weeks to complete courses not a full semester. YourPace is a significant amount of reading in English and a lot of writing. I have seen several non-native English speakers struggle with the courses. I'm not saying you would, but there's a reason they requirement the exam. It's also not just an UMPI requirement. It's a University of Maine system wide requirement. Many colleges have the same requirement.


ETA: What does this mean?

"took some college courses without earning official credits"

If you took college courses, there is a transcript. Even if it's Ws or Fs, there's a transcript.

[Pikachu]

I don't know why they're asking you for an English proficiency exam if you're located in the States. Maybe they only looked at your high school info and thought you were an international student applying from Vietnam. If they keep pushing you to take an English proficiency exam - just give the Duolingo test. It's fast, easy, and you can take it at home.

Instead of bothering with getting an equivalency report of your Vietnamese high school transcript I'd suggest completing the Pierpont BOG or just do a quick GED. GED is easy - you'll pass with minimal prep.

[delvin]

I don't know why they're asking you for an English proficiency exam if you're located in the States. Maybe they only looked at your high school info and thought you were an international student applying from Vietnam. If they keep pushing you to take an English proficiency exam - just give the Duolingo test. It's fast, easy, and you can take it at home.

Instead of bothering with getting an equivalency report of your Vietnamese high school transcript I'd suggest completing the Pierpont BOG or just do a quick GED. GED is easy - you'll pass with minimal prep.

I am confused now, do you mean to say, on top of the BOG from Pierpont you also have to send your HS diploma. Isn't the AAS degree itself enough?

[Pikachu]

I don't know why they're asking you for an English proficiency exam if you're located in the States. Maybe they only looked at your high school info and thought you were an international student applying from Vietnam. If they keep pushing you to take an English proficiency exam - just give the Duolingo test. It's fast, easy, and you can take it at home.

Instead of bothering with getting an equivalency report of your Vietnamese high school transcript I'd suggest completing the Pierpont BOG or just do a quick GED. GED is easy - you'll pass with minimal prep.

I am confused now, do you mean to say, on top of the BOG from Pierpont you also have to send your HS diploma. Isn't the AAS degree itself enough?

I meant either/or. Passing marks on GED is 145 in each subject which I've done with zero prep. That's why I was suggesting it to OP given their desire to start UMPI this September.

[bjcheung77]

FWIW, Nikki explicitly told me they didn't need my HS transcript because I had the Pierpont BoG.

Have you looked into completing the associate degree from Pierpont?

Basically, I would recommend the Pierpont BOG AAS, just complete the ASU 1 credit class and apply for graduation, it's still $350 until October 4th... You'll skip the HS/GED requirement, you can also continue working towards getting the max 90 credits transfer to the UMPI BA Psychology. Which Masters are you looking at? Walden MS Psych is a good candidate...