Needing help

[ELMAVALA]

Hey guys, I've been perusing IC for a while but finally upgraded to a paid membership today. :coolgleam:

I'm looking to get a BS in General Business (or some businessy equivalent) through almost wholly CLEP and DSST that would help me learn some basics to being an entrepreneur/business professional while studying. I'm finishing up a 10 mo. term of service in Americorps and because I really don't want debt and would like to finish a degree as soon as possible these are my college plans! Because of an Ed Award from Americorps and the cost of exams seeming to be (and correct me if I'm wrong) $125 a piece, I don't think the general cost itself will be an issue. What I could really use help on is making a roadmap for the tests to come and deciding on whether I should attend Excelsior or TESU.

Since I'm 19 and haven't been to college yet, I have no official college transcripts but I have some credit I've earned in other ways:

AP US History score: 3
Dale CarnegieÂ: Skills for Success ACE Credit Recommendations: 2 Semester Hours
Strictly Business: The Dale Carnegie Immersion Seminar ACE Credit Recommendations: 2 Semester Hours
Service Learning Credits (Through Americorps, I'm told will count as general ed): 3 credits
Diversity in Service (Through Americorps again, same deal): 3 credits

To add another fun twist to things, Americorps covers most of the requirements for a CNP (Certified Non Profit) certification except for one or two online courses that can be taken through LSU. Since CNP can legally be put behind your name, I think it would be cool to finish this course, use it for credit, and graduate with my name followed by CNP when I graduate. Unfortunately, I will be getting the name of what that course (or 2) is in just a few weeks from Americorps campus staff, but it can also be planned for that counting as at least 3 gen ed credits that I'd like to use too.

Thanks so much to the people who help newbies like me get started, you make it all seem so much more possible. I really cannot wait to start this journey!

[ajs1976]

Take a look at the Degree Forum Wiki. Although parts are a little outdated, there is still a lot of good info there.

If you are planning to use mostly CLEP and DSST, have you researched what test centers are available in your area?

Is there a reason your are limiting yourself to just CLEP and DSST?

[bjcheung77]

+1 I recommend the degreeforum wikia guide as well, as there are updated pages such as the Basic Approach - Online Education Guide
I've got my beginners guide/how to get started info entered into those pages, furthermore, that wikia has the Big 3 degree plans!

[superzim]

If you plan on going to one of the Big Three I would recommend taking a look at what each of the three requires and sees which will best fit your interests.

[High_Order1]

through almost wholly CLEP and DSST that would help me learn some basics to being an entrepreneur/business professional while studying.

mmmmm

This kind of path isn't really for a person that doesn't already have some life experiences and skill sets.

What I am trying to say, is that it's admirable you recognize the value of an education, and of a degree in particular. But you will find this to be a difficult route, because you won't know any of the stuff that is the cornerstone of a DSST/DANTES/CLEP kind of exam.

Then, imagine you are good at storing and regurgitating information *just* long enough to get that degree.

You get hired somewhere, over people who know the biz, because you've got a bunch of letters after your name. Do you see where I'm going with this?

I am by no means trying to discourage you from your dreams, but I feel I need to point out you are cheating yourself of the intrinsic education you really need by taking the short cut route to the degree. I realize how expensive education is, and am impressed you stuck with Americorps. Move to a state that has a lot of lottery or marijuana tax based free education, and get a good, solid foundation in business that way. Or, get in on the ground floor of an established company that has an excellent training and junior mentor program, and learn from the inside out.

But, I could be wrong, I don't know you. I just want you to be successful.

EDIT - I forgot. Look at SCORE and micromentor for help, as well!

[bjcheung77]

mmmmm

This kind of path isn't really for a person that doesn't already have some life experiences and skill sets.

What I am trying to say, is that it's admirable you recognize the value of an education, and of a degree in particular. But you will find this to be a difficult route, because you won't know any of the stuff that is the cornerstone of a DSST/DANTES/CLEP kind of exam.

Then, imagine you are good at storing and regurgitating information *just* long enough to get that degree.

You get hired somewhere, over people who know the biz, because you've got a bunch of letters after your name. Do you see where I'm going with this?

I am by no means trying to discourage you from your dreams, but I feel I need to point out you are cheating yourself of the intrinsic education you really need by taking the short cut route to the degree. I realize how expensive education is, and am impressed you stuck with Americorps. Move to a state that has a lot of lottery or marijuana tax based free education, and get a good, solid foundation in business that way. Or, get in on the ground floor of an established company that has an excellent training and junior mentor program, and learn from the inside out.

But, I could be wrong, I don't know you. I just want you to be successful.

EDIT - I forgot. Look at SCORE and micromentor for help, as well!

+1, That's good advice and one option of doing things. Another option is, do your degree/things you want while you finish that degree.
When you have a degree in hand, go entry level in which ever profession you would like to get into... and start from learning the ropes.
You can then excel in that field, or move into another position, change careers or whatever, the doors are open further with a degree.
The main thing is, get the experience, if you're just less than half my age, that experience is hardly there... build it up by volunteering/working.

[KayV]

This thread gives some good ideas about how to start:
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...llege.html

And this thread tells about a success story using Straighterline to get a Business degree:
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...iness.html

Good luck, OP.

[ELMAVALA]

Take a look at the Degree Forum Wiki. Although parts are a little outdated, there is still a lot of good info there.

If you are planning to use mostly CLEP and DSST, have you researched what test centers are available in your area?

Is there a reason your are limiting yourself to just CLEP and DSST?

Thanks for thinking of the testing centers, I checked and there are several of them very close to me.

Degree Forum Wiki is magical to say the least. It could have saved me hours of bumbling around between other sites. Thank you and bjcheung77 for pointing me in the right direction!

Frankly I was scared of the other methods because it seemed like they would take forever to research (after taking a very round about way into this alternative credit path) and I’m just so ready to get started (although I’ve read time and time again don’t rush into it… so I won’t). I'm now following the step by step instructions from the wiki and the degrees for me look like an ASBA followed by a BSBA in Entrepreneurship through TESU. I don't know about the credit transfer is all, but the only abnormal ones seem to be Small Business Management, Small Business Finance, and Small Business Marketing. The good news is working and growing with small businesses is what I'd like to do, so I'm excited about those requirements for the major!

[ELMAVALA]

+1 I recommend the degreeforum wikia guide as well, as there are updated pages such as the Basic Approach - Online Education Guide
I've got my beginners guide/how to get started info entered into those pages, furthermore, that wikia has the Big 3 degree plans!

Thanks, it is a huge resource!!

[ELMAVALA]

If you plan on going to one of the Big Three I would recommend taking a look at what each of the three requires and sees which will best fit your interests.

Thanks superzim, I checked out EC, COSC, and TESU and I don't see any reason not to go TESU. The only thing I liked about EC more (so far) is that said they'd wave a fee or two because I'm federally employed. Mainly I'm loving the BSBA in Entrepreneurship option which isn't offered at the other two.