When Should I Apply To TESU?

[dfrecore]

Ok... Just so I understand.... Let's say I apply today. Can I wait until *one year later* to take my first TECEP - which then carries me over to the next year when I'll take my second TECP? It sounds like one TECEP could basically cover a two-year period if I play my cards right. Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks for the clarification!

Not sure on the 1st TECEP (6 or 12 months out) but after that, you need to take 1 TECEP within a year. So, for example, you apply on 6/1, you need to take a TECEP before 12/1 (assuming it's 6 months). Then, you'll need to take another TECEP before 12/1 of the following year. If you were to take your first on 6/1, and then take another on 11/1, you would have until 11/1 to take another one. The "clock" starts again as soon as you take a TECEP/course.

One thing to keep in mind; you have to register for a TECEP just as you would for a course. So, in the first example, if you waited until 11/25 and then decided to take a TECEP, you wouldn't be able to, because you would have missed the deadline for enrolling in the December term. So my advice there is to make reminders for yourself on your calendar of when dates are coming, and register early for the TECEP, so that you take it in time.

FYI, the Cornerstone, while overpriced, is a breeze. I just took it last night and got 100%. It took me maybe 2 hours from start to finish.

[Ideas]

FYI, the Capstone, while overpriced, is a breeze. I just took it last night and got 100%. It took me maybe 2 hours from start to finish.

Wow! Incredible.

Congrats on finishing it.

If the OP applies but doesn't enroll before July 1, 2017, they would not be locked in to 2016-2017, right?

[Aurelius]

When I first started this journey in early 2016 I waited to apply following the prevailing advice. At the time, catalog changes were pretty predictable and happened once a year. Well, unfortunately, due to waiting I lost the ability to use TECEPs for residency and it cost me thousands. There was a change in policy outside of the normal time frame and I got caught with my pants down. My advice is to enroll now to avoid surprises later.

[Flying-Ace]

Hey, guys! I'm confused about *when* I should apply to TESU. As of today, I have 0 credit hours. But, I have a ton of motivation - and a solid plan to get my BA in biology from TESU as quickly as humanly possible. (I'm actually studying for the History I CLEP as I type this.)

As a military dependent, I will have my application fee waived. But, what other factors should I be aware of? I don't intend to take any actual courses from TESU (other than the capstone), and I assume it will take me around 2-3 years to acquire all the science courses I'll need to complete the degree requirements.

Obviously, I don't want to spend my time and effort working on ACE credits, ALEKS, etc, without the assurance that they'll transfer into my degree plan. So... Is it better to make the jump now (and have the assurance of transferability) or wait 'till I've accrued a significant number of credits (and risk the possibility that they won't transfer)?

Thanks for any advice you guys can offer!

Enroll now! Take a TECEP to activate and lock-in your chosen degree plan. The piece of the puzzle that most of the posts on this thread have overlooked is that you are a military dependent. You will be under the Military Degree Completion Program (MDCP). You only need to "attempt" 3 credits each year to remain active. That's $114 TECEP pass or fail. This is different from the regular Per Credit plan where you actually have to pass 3 credits per year. IF you go inactive, you have up to 5 years to reactivate without losing your degree plan. The $75 fee plus enroll in a class is for Non-military contractual programs. As long as you are still a military dependent you are golden. Just keep in mind that you can only attempt each TECEP 2 times, so pick your courses accordingly.

[Ideas]

Some of the easiest TECEPs are:
Computer Concepts and Applications (CIS-107-TE)
Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics (MAT-105-TE)
Technical Writing (ENG-201-TE)

There are a bunch of other easier ones, depending on what subjects you are good at or interested in.

[Silly_Me]

Enroll now! Take a TECEP to activate and lock-in your chosen degree plan. The piece of the puzzle that most of the posts on this thread have overlooked is that you are a military dependent. You will be under the Military Degree Completion Program (MDCP). You only need to "attempt" 3 credits each year to remain active. That's $114 TECEP pass or fail. This is different from the regular Per Credit plan where you actually have to pass 3 credits per year. IF you go inactive, you have up to 5 years to reactivate without losing your degree plan. The $75 fee plus enroll in a class is for Non-military contractual programs. As long as you are still a military dependent you are golden. Just keep in mind that you can only attempt each TECEP 2 times, so pick your courses accordingly.

Ok... Well, now I'm sold. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

[davewill]

Here's the link to the enrollment details: Enrollment FAQs

I learned something new, I had thought that the 1 credit options would work, but you need 3 credits.

[ndelco]

The Cornerstone counted for me for enrollment. Maybe that's the only 1 credit option that works.

[dfrecore]

Wow! Incredible.

Congrats on finishing it.

If the OP applies but doesn't enroll before July 1, 2017, they would not be locked in to 2016-2017, right?

Just edited my post - cornerstone! whoopsies!

[Silly_Me]

Here's the link to the enrollment details: Enrollment FAQs

I learned something new, I had thought that the 1 credit options would work, but you need 3 credits.

Eeeeew. Well, so much for Medical Terminology (1 credit).