UMPI Entrance 'Interview'

[mohelena02]

Hello everyone,

My brother applied to UMPI - he has an AAS from Pierpont. Previously he has two failed stints at community college which hit his GPA hard.

He just got an email from UMPI with interview questions, Jessica stated that because his GPA was low that was a requirement that they have.

Anyone ever run into this? He replied to the questions best he could and emailed her back same day.

Thanks!

[bjcheung77]

@mohelena02, I've read a few people had to go through the same thing due to GPA and other reasons. Those who went through it just needed to inform UMPI why and explain their situation. UMPI is there to help and understand the situation, thus giving them more info would allow them to assist the student better. They have policies in place to better help the student when they see a need for that. So far, I don't recall anyone 'not' getting in due to previous studies X years ago... If your brother can show he can do the Pierpont BOG AAS and complete the previous 90 or so ACE credits combined, he should be ready to take on UMPI classes and going at 'his pace'.

[mohelena02]

@mohelena02, I've read a few people had to go through the same thing due to GPA and other reasons.  Those who went through it just needed to inform UMPI why and explain their situation.  UMPI is there to help and understand the situation, thus giving them more info would allow them to assist the student better.  They have policies in place to better help the student when they see a need for that.  So far, I don't recall anyone 'not' getting in due to previous studies X years ago... If your brother can show he can do the Pierpont BOG AAS and complete the previous 90 or so ACE credits combined, he should be ready to take on UMPI classes and going at 'his pace'.

Thanks @bjcheung77!

I was a bit worried because I had never seen that in the forum from my experience. He has the AAS and also way more than 90 credits (I know they will only accept 90 but he went overboard on purpose). He took advantage of TADA and took nearly every course on there as well as a ton of Sophia and Study courses. It made me worry that he did all of that and could have potentially not gotten accepted.

[davewill]

I would think that telling them he grew to love learning enough to "go overboard" would likely make the right impression.

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, since he completed these extra credits before he applied to UMPI, he may want to ladder that to a BAS instead of the BLS, I guess he went for the BLS in the application as there is no BAS option... Just to note, the BAS requires 40+ technical credits, I would advise those who have Pierpont BOG AAS in Info Systems to go for the BAS as the Coursera/Sophia/TEEX should be enough for the 40+ tech credits. Otherwise, he can do the BLS with a minor or two of his choice...

[mohelena02]

Hmm, since he completed these extra credits before he applied to UMPI, he may want to ladder that to a BAS instead of the BLS, I guess he went for the BLS in the application as there is no BAS option... Just to note, the BAS requires 40+ technical credits, I would advise those who have Pierpont BOG AAS in Info Systems to go for the BAS as the Coursera/Sophia/TEEX should be enough for the 40+ tech credits.  Otherwise, he can do the BLS with a minor or two of his choice...

He is doing exactly as you suggested. He applied for the BLS but will ask for the BAS. He has around 60 technical credits from TADA Coursera and Sophia (we cross referenced everything on the Wiki).

What would you say the major benefit of having the BAS over the BLS is?

Also-- post update, he called Jessica a few days after sending his interview notes in and she said he will be approved, he is waiting on the official acceptance email.

[bjcheung77]

Major difference is that the BAS can be done cheaper, easier, faster than the BLS and it's an Applied Science vs Liberal Studies, the BAS isn't a YourPace program either. There are other differences between the BAS and BLS, here's a post of mine: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid399488

[ss20ts]

How can BAS be done cheaper, faster, and easier than the BLS? Most people complete the BLS with Sophia courses and I'm seeing most people be done in 1 term at UMPI.

[bjcheung77]

Generally and technically, for the most part, the BAS/BLS will be pretty much the same in all aspects including the cost, ease, speed to finish if all the classes and requirements are the same, an example is the BAS/BLS triple minor MIS, Management, PM as the student would take the same classes and transfer same credits. I usually recommend shooting for two sessions for the Bachelors at UMPI, if a student can get it done in one, that's awesome, but the student should go at their comfy pace, it really depends on the student and the various variables in place...

Here's an example where a BAS may work better than the BLS and what I am doing, BAS MIS or Management minor, then adding the 4 courses that can transfer into the MAOL (even though they only take 3 of the 4). In total, 6 of the courses are upper level credit, this is to max the the credits. I will only need to take 4 more classes with them, it can be lower level... This only required 18 UL credits, 12 LL credits to hit the 30 residency requirements. If it was the BLS, it would have required 24 UL and 6 LL, it's not much of a difference if you can complete the UL/LL combo fast.

---

Oh, for your bro, you might want to max the trifecta of certs, degree, experience, I am doing just that... here are some links/threads...
Coursera/TADA & Other Freebies Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Fr..._of_Credit
UMPI BA, BABA, BAS/BLS Degree Plans Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI
UMPI Triple Minor BAS/BLS Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid365771
Differences between BAS/BLS Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid399488
Reference #1: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid404460
Reference #2: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid396870

[ss20ts]

Both BAS and BLS are 120 credits. Most students transfer in 90 credits. That leaves 30 credits which most people complete in 2 terms regardless of which degree they're in. I don't see any difference in speed among any of the degrees in YourPace with the exception of the English one which a lot of people change out of because it's long and slow.