Time of Degree

[janedoe]

For those of you that have gotten your bachelors, from one of the Big 3, how long has it taken you form start to finish, only from the big 3, with testing outs, but no credits from before: i.e. not transferring previous credits from a local CC then starting.

[soliloquy]

For those of you that have gotten your bachelors, from one of the Big 3, how long has it taken you form start to finish, only from the big 3, i.e. not transferring previous credits from a CC then starting.

Most people test out of a large part of their degree or have transfer credits. Are you talking about people who just got a straight Big 3 degree, no testing and no transfers? I think the reason the Big 3 are so economical is because of the cost savings with testing out of the majority of the degree and the liberal transfer of credits. Absent those things, the Big 3 aren't a big savings over other schools that are in-state.

[laughter]

For those of you that have gotten your bachelors, from one of the Big 3, how long has it taken you form start to finish, only from the big 3, with testing outs, but no credits from before: i.e. not transferring previous credits from a local CC then starting.

I think you are referring to students who only take credit-by-exams or other courses (e.g. CLEP/DSST/UExcel/ALEKS/Straighterline/PennFoster) but not courses from a local CC, is that correct?

[mrs.b]

Like soliloquy said, most use one of the Big 3 to take advantage of the transfer policies, and either transfer already-completed credits in, or take courses elsewhere and transfer in to consolidate them from different accredited sources into one degree.

I transferred in 69 credits and a GPA in the mid-2s, then in 15 months, I took 33 credits in courses directly from TESC and completed another 30 credits from other sources (CLEP, DSST, Penn Foster, FEMA) to earn my Bachelors as well as a complimentary Associates. I completed the equivalent of two years of college-level work in roughly one year while working full-time (and in that time, my workload on the job increased), taking care of a husband, son, and household, and other household things, and graduated with academic honors and admission to the TESC chapter of a business honor society. With more focus on speed over grades, I could've been done faster. With more testing and less courses, I definitely could've finished faster.

It's quite doable - most other members have similar family and life commitments. The flexibility of the transfer program is what makes it possible, though. Taking courses exclusively through TESC or either of the other two impacts the cost benefit of them over so many other options. There is another member - not sure if he still comes around these parts - that started and finished all 120 credits of a TESC degree in only a few months.

[KayV]

Be aware that even if you start completely over, you still have to send transcripts from all schools you have attended to any grad schools to which you apply. Grad/ law schools check this through the Clearinghouse.

[janedoe]

Be aware that even if you start completely over, you still have to send transcripts from all schools you have attended to any grad schools to which you apply. Grad/ law schools check this through the Clearinghouse.

I have been reading in to this, and its quite frustrating. Im currently debating to have my current CC grades transferred to TESC to complete my degree, but i have 1 F in college algebra, and 1 D in introduction to psychology, which hurts my GPA so bad regardless if i retake, beings that grad schools and law schools have their own calculation algorithm which includes ALL grades of courses taken (thank god remedial grades are not included). Im honestly frustrated at this point.

[KayV]

I just posted what you would need to finish an AA for each of the Big 3 on the other thread. The AA is basically the first half of a BA/BS degree for all 3 schools, so even if you decide not to get an AA and just go straight for the BA, you won't have to take a bunch of extra classes. Probably the cheapest for a BA will be TESC if you take TECEPs to use the Pay Per Credit plan.

[mrs.b]

Different grad schools have different entrance requirements. They will see them, but if you select a school that calculates the last 60 credits - some do that - and you focus hard on the last credits you need, you can overcome that. In fact, you can make that part of a selling point about personal growth.

Don't be defeated. Use it as motivation.

[Westerner]

It took me 2 years and 7 months from starting testing, to finishing my last online course at TESC to get my BA.

[soliloquy]

I have been reading in to this, and its quite frustrating. Im currently debating to have my current CC grades transferred to TESC to complete my degree, but i have 1 F in college algebra, and 1 D in introduction to psychology, which hurts my GPA so bad regardless if i retake, beings that grad schools and law schools have their own calculation algorithm which includes ALL grades of courses taken (thank god remedial grades are not included). Im honestly frustrated at this point.

Maybe just transfer to one of the Big 3 after you test out of what you can as far as general education requirements and after you test out of some of the requirements for your major or concentration requirements. You could still take classes at the community college, if it is cheaper...test out of what you can as far as general education requirements and then transfer everything from the CC/DSST/CLEP to COSC or TESC. Again, remember that COSC has the academic forgiveness.

I found this website so you can play around with how many credits you would need to bring up your GPA and it's not as dire as it may seem.

Learn how to improve GPA

In order to raise my GPA points (3.15), if I maintain a average GPA, it will take 10.4 additional credits. - See more at: Learn how to improve GPA

In order to raise my GPA points (3.25), if I maintain a average GPA, it will take 17.6 additional credits. - See more at: Learn how to improve GPA

In order to raise my GPA points (3.50), if I maintain a average GPA, it will take 48.4 additional credits. - See more at: Learn how to improve GPA

Letter grade chart: GPA Conversion Chart