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Hi all,
I'm brand new here and trying to figure out what to do. I ended up here because I was thinking of taking tests for some of my college credits at a local community college. Now I'm wondering if going with something like Excelsior all the way is the best option. (I haven't actually started at the community college, and have 15 credits from 20+ years ago.)
Like many, I'm trying to save both time and money. I'm 49, so I'm not getting any younger. My husband lost his job a few months back and prospects for a new job don't look promising, so I'm also pinching pennies since we had a 65% reduction in household income.
I would like to get an associate's degree before I get my bachelor's degree mainly to give me a solid accomplishment at the half-way point. I think it will do me wonders to FINISH something.
Is it possible to get an AA degree from Excelsior and then take a break before starting the bachelor's program? Of course, during the break I would continue taking tests. I'm just trying to avoid paying annual fees with Excelsior since I need to do this as inexpensively as possible.
I'd appreciate any input and advice. This forum alone is worth the instantcert subscription price. 
Thanks so much,
Rebecca
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Set yourself goals, not limitations
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Welcome to the forum! I was in a similar circumstance when I started out and had a similar plan--but once I got started I blew right past the associates and went straight to the bachelors. That saved me the graduation fee for the associates and a little time as well.
I know that might be hard to imagine now as you're in the early stages of discovering all of this, but that's how it went down for me. Here's an idea:
If you're fortunate enough to have all 15 existing credits transfer towards a degree, you can take the IAAP exams if you have some secretarial or admin experience and add 29 credits in one fell swoop. That'll put you at 44 credits before you even take your first CLEP. See what I mean?
Good luck and have fun!
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Quote:I'm brand new here and trying to figure out what to do. I ended up here because I was thinking of taking tests for some of my college credits at a local community college. Now I'm wondering if going with something like Excelsior all the way is the best option. (I haven't actually started at the community college, and have 15 credits from 20+ years ago.)
Welcome to the forum. I found this site after a "counselor" at my local CC told me that I would have to take a remedial math course (worth no credit toward a degree) since I had been out of school for 20+ years. Seven months and 72 credits later I completed my BS Business from Excelsior.
With the help of this forum, you can do it. On a positive note, there are some CLEP exams that you can probably nail with minimal study because of life experience and the educational system that we grew up with.
Good luck!
Excelsior - BS Business 2008
Son #1 TESC BSBA Computer Information Systems completed June 2010
Son #2 TESC BA Computer Science completed November 2010 Currently in Florida State (FSU) Masters CS program and loving it
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rebeccal Wrote:Hi all,
I'm brand new here and trying to figure out what to do. I ended up here because I was thinking of taking tests for some of my college credits at a local community college. Now I'm wondering if going with something like Excelsior all the way is the best option. (I haven't actually started at the community college, and have 15 credits from 20+ years ago.)
Like many, I'm trying to save both time and money. I'm 49, so I'm not getting any younger. My husband lost his job a few months back and prospects for a new job don't look promising, so I'm also pinching pennies since we had a 65% reduction in household income.
I would like to get an associate's degree before I get my bachelor's degree mainly to give me a solid accomplishment at the half-way point. I think it will do me wonders to FINISH something.
Is it possible to get an AA degree from Excelsior and then take a break before starting the bachelor's program? Of course, during the break I would continue taking tests. I'm just trying to avoid paying annual fees with Excelsior since I need to do this as inexpensively as possible.
I'd appreciate any input and advice. This forum alone is worth the instantcert subscription price.
Thanks so much,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
A lot of Forum members have posted their degree plans/path. These can be used as a guide, and will save you a lot of time.......you did not say which degree field.......
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Based on my experience and similar age I'll give you my two cents!
Get you AS/AA first. When I had mine it opened doors for me as some jobs do require a college degree. Also, some employers see education degrees as proof that you can set a goal and accomplish it.
Try not to take a break. It's too easy to keep putting it on the back burner. Also, they are tightening up the requirements at Excelsior every year or so... get in under the guideline/requirements now and then you'll know what you need to complete for your degree.
That's my two cents!
Denise
MS - Management and Leadership, WGU 2022
BS - Liberal Arts - Depths in Healthcare and Psychology, Excelsior College 2014
Certificate - Workers Comp Admin, UC Davis Extension, 1995
AA - Licensed Vocational Nursing and Selected Studies, Mesa College 1989
Certificate - Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN), Mesa College 1977
Also, someday maybe a MS in Forensic Psychology, just for fun. Oh, and a BS in Animal Behavior. And, maybe when I'm 85 a PhD in something fun.
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Hi all,
Thanks for your input.
Michael, that's great news about the IAAP exams. I am indeed an administrative professional and when I mentioned the possibility of getting that certificate to my boss today, he really thought it would be a good idea. So in addition to potentially helping me toward a degree, it would also be a good thing to have for my current job.
In terms of what degree I'm pursuing -- I haven't completely nailed it down, but I'm considering the BS with a concentration in Global Business. I've lived in Asia (India), and currently work for a Sr. VP of an international Christian nonprofit. (We have personnel in 64 countries.) Though I won't go into the reasons why, my husband and I ended up in a Chinese church and I'm teaching myself Chinese. So I kind of have the global thing going as part of my normal life.
Denise, can you elaborate on Excelsior tightening the requirements? I'd kind of like to get at least 60 credits under my belt before enrolling in order to avoid the annual fee. I don't anticipate going super speedy like some of you guys! In addition to my full-time job and family, I also write and edit on the side in part to make the income I need to pay for my education, so my time to study is pretty limited. However, particularly since I'm looking at the BS in Global Business, I may take many international focused classes at my local community college that will fulfill some of the requirements for that degree. Sure beats the price of the Excelsior credits! If I do this, I will get an AS before enrolling in Excelsior.
Thanks again, everyone.
Rebecca
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For me, the idea of having to immediately start work on a 4 year degree is so overwhelming I think it would interfere with the acquisition of a 2 year credential.
There's nothing wrong with taking a break, and in your case, taking tests during your "break" makes it not a break at all, you are just avoiding unnecessary fees. I am all for saving money. Anyway, if I recall, EC will require you to pay to re-enroll for your 4 year degree after your two year no matter what. Put another way, you don't get to just start your four year after your two year is done without paying another fee; therefore, I don't see any serious financial consequence to letting your enrollment lapse, doing tests at your leisure and re-enrolling when you are almost done with your 4 year. Sounds like a money-saving plan.
That said, if you go with the community college my whole post is moot . Thought I should mention it anyway just in case.
Good luck!
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Yes, Excelsior has changed at least one thing a year for the last few years. If you sign up now, then you know what your requirements will be and can start checking off the list.
Examples are:
Added Information Literacy a few years back
Added a Capstone recently
Are either not accepting Subject GRE or limited them - I didn't look closely - this year
I can't remember all of them, but there are definitely changes that have come out.
Denise
MS - Management and Leadership, WGU 2022
BS - Liberal Arts - Depths in Healthcare and Psychology, Excelsior College 2014
Certificate - Workers Comp Admin, UC Davis Extension, 1995
AA - Licensed Vocational Nursing and Selected Studies, Mesa College 1989
Certificate - Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN), Mesa College 1977
Also, someday maybe a MS in Forensic Psychology, just for fun. Oh, and a BS in Animal Behavior. And, maybe when I'm 85 a PhD in something fun.
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Adding to Rickyjo's thought - Excelsior does offer an enrollment fee discount if you re-enroll for a bachelor's degree within one year of finishing your associate degree. It is half price ($440) to re-enroll.
Adding to GoodYellowDogs thought - The capstone course is now required for bachelor's degrees but not associate degrees at Excelsior.
As of last week, the GRE issue has not been settled. It is an opportunity which may still be available at EC.
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