Question about transferring to TESU

[kalyway]

Hello,

I am new here and I have been doing a lot of research into this, CLEP, DSST, etc.

I do have a couple of questions. I also think I have decided on Thomas Edison State University. I am going to try to finish in 6 months time.. fingers crossed! 

1) I am currently paying back my last college due to owing them about $3,000 from my last semester attended. I will have it paid off by about October time. Should I apply to Thomas Edison State University now or wait until my last school will allow me to transfer my transcripts to them after paying? From what I've read it's better to enroll ASAP, but I wanted to make sure.

2) I also performed horrendously at my last school. I was in my Junior year and had a 1.8gpa at about 60 credits attempted. I know I did bad and there were other family situations that led to that, but I'm not going to make any excuses for it. Will Thomas Edison State University accept the credits in which I did get a C or higher? (if the class is an equivalent course that is)

3) What would be the best degree path in order to take the easiest CLEP and DSST (UL) courses? I'm sure this has been asked before so forgive my naivety. Also, if I had to choose I suppose I would choose something IT related as that's where I have the most interest in. 

My goal in obtaining this degree is for completing this in my personal life as well as I would love to move to Japan and teach English one day and a degree is very much a requirement in order to complete this.

Thanks so much for your input guys!!!! Cheers!

Edit: Additional information... I was in a very religious university so I only took a handful of general education courses. Mainly just bible/studying bible. Those I did fairly poorly in except maybe one or two.

[davewill]

They accept grades as low as "D" in most cases (not in required English courses or the AOS), however, part of that policy is that you have to have a 2.0 average among your transferred credits. I believe that means they will reject grades under "C" until the average of the transferred grades is up to 2.0.

[kalyway]

They accept grades as low as "D" in most cases (not in required English courses or the AOS), however, part of that policy is that you have to have a 2.0 average among your transferred credits. I believe that means they will reject grades under "C" until the average of the transferred grades is up to 2.0.

Hm.. I see. Yeah, when I was looking at some of their policies it seemed that they accepted fairly low grades, which would definitely help in my case. So would they at least accept some of my grades? And CLEP doesn't count towards my GPA correct? So I would have to take an actual class online (probably at my community college in town) in order to qualify for them to accept my D grades. Am I correct in assuming this?

Also, could I still enroll and take CLEP courses and then transfer those into TESU along with my other grades? Since I am paying out of pocket.

[Ideas]

The easiest will be the BA in Liberal Studies. It is most flexible and would let you take easier CLEPs/DSSTs.

IT will be more expensive. Do you think you might need an IT degree later in your career?

[kalyway]

The easiest will be the BA in Liberal Studies. It is most flexible and would let you take easier CLEPs/DSSTs.

IT will be more expensive. Do you think you might need an IT degree later in your career?

Okay, I will go for that degree program then. Also, I might want to in the future but it is honestly more of a hobby than anything else. If need be I'll go back to school and actually go into a classroom for an IT degree I think

[davewill]

Hm.. I see. Yeah, when I was looking at some of their policies it seemed that they accepted fairly low grades, which would definitely help in my case. So would they at least accept some of my grades? And CLEP doesn't count towards my GPA correct? So I would have to take an actual class online (probably at my community college in town) in order to qualify for them to accept my D grades. Am I correct in assuming this?

Also, could I still enroll and take CLEP courses and then transfer those into TESU along with my other grades? Since I am paying out of pocket.

I wouldn't take anything at CC just yet. Instead, I would go ahead and apply, then send my transcripts in. Then you'll know for sure what they'll take. It may be a non-factor depending on which courses have Ds. Meanwhile, you can certainly take things you know you'll need regardless of what they accept.

[cookderosa]

They accept grades as low as "D" in most cases (not in required English courses or the AOS), however, part of that policy is that you have to have a 2.0 average among your transferred credits. I believe that means they will reject grades under "C" until the average of the transferred grades is up to 2.0.

Hm.. I see. Yeah, when I was looking at some of their policies it seemed that they accepted fairly low grades, which would definitely help in my case. So would they at least accept some of my grades? And CLEP doesn't count towards my GPA correct? So I would have to take an actual class online (probably at my community college in town) in order to qualify for them to accept my D grades. Am I correct in assuming this?

Also, could I still enroll and take CLEP courses and then transfer those into TESU along with my other grades? Since I am paying out of pocket.

They'll take your credits that have high enough grades. I'm not sure about the nuances of weeding out D's until GPA is 2.0 - Dave's comments make sense, but I don't think that has come up here before. Still, your credits will be there, but not grades. In other words, the grades stay at your old school and if/when you take classes at TESU, you'll get new grades from scratch.

CLEP and other courses that are pass/fail will not raise or lower your GPA. So....

Here's the thing. Even though your GPA will be fresh at TESU, should you decide to apply to grad school, your grad school will do a cumulative GPA and combine all your old and new grades - so the grades aren't totally buried in that case. If, on the other hand, you take a couple classes at TESU and earn good grades, that will be your official GPA on your transcript, and your old grades will never come up. (again, unless you go to grad school)

[dfrecore]

You might want to post your courses on here, with course #, name, grade, and number of credits. Also include whether the school was quarter-based or semester-based.

Then, we can help you determine which school would be your best bet.

EC and COSC are other good options, don't just choose TESU because we talk about it more here.

WGU is also a great option, and I am recommending that more and more, especially for anyone with an interest in IT.

[kalyway]

Thanks for all the help guys!! I well post my courses and grades tonight after work!

[kalyway]

Okay,

Here are all my classes: course #, name, grade, and number of credits. My school was semester based.

1st Semester
----------
113 Old Testament History - 3credits - C
123 Composition 1 - 3 - C
102 Introduction Missions - 2 - C
101 Fitness For Life - 1 - F
102 Foundations for Life - 2 - A-
112 Foundations of Theology - 2 - C

2nd Semester
----------
123 New Testament History - 3credits - B-
112 Strategies for Disciples - 2 - A-
243 Church Reformation - 3 - C
132 Music in Church - 2 - D-
122 Church History and Polity - 2 - B-
113 Personal and Social Adjustment - 3 - B

3rd Semester
---------
102 Public Speaking - 2 - B
103 Western Civilization 1 - 3 - D
203 College Algebra - 3 - F
293 Cultural Anthropology - 3 - D

4th Semester
---------
143 Pentateuch - 3 - D
243 Hermeneutics 1 - 3 - B
203 Composition II - 3 - F
342 Personal Finance in Church - 2 - B-
2053 Biblical Theology - 3 - B-

5th Semester
--------
102 Study Skills - 1 - F
112 Introduction to Psychology - 3 - A-
210 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences - 3 - D+

Welp... that's all of it! Wish I would've done better in the past!!! Again, thanks for your help guys!