Where to start?

[Likiro]

Hi everyone,

I am in my late 30's and have 3 kids. I didn't go to college, and always wished I had. I just recently discovered all of the information on this site and others about taking clep tests and the like to get a degree. I am excited about this and eager to get started! I have a few questions and hope a few of the more seasoned folks here can help me out.

I have about 30 college credits, most from almost 20 years ago. Do I need to start an application process to find out if the colleges will accept my credits? Does anyone know if there are time limits on certain subjects?

My current thought is just to try a clep (I'm thinking sociology) and see how it goes. And sort of go from there with clep exams. I'm thinking once I get a good amount of cleps under my belt, I will decide which of the big 3 I will go with. Is this a good strategy? I'm sort of confused about when the best time is to apply to a college.

What are the best study resources for clep exams? How much time should I plan on for each test? I know this varies from person to person, but just curious.

Do all of the bachelor programs require a capstone now?

With this being a part time venture (I have 3 kids hilarious), what is a reasonable amount of time I can expect it to take to get a bachelors degree?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to answer my questions!

[Leebo]

Regarding the old credits, it's going to vary from school to school, but when I applied to Excelsior, I was conscious of getting some credits in just inside of their 10 year limit. They won't accept anything older. Other schools might have different time limits, but I'm guessing all schools have some kind of limit.

[EI2HCB]

Excelsior has a policy of not transcribing business credits older than ten years old. Taking CLEPs without a plan is going to consume your most precious asset, time. You should consider having an evaluation done at one of the big three to see were your credits will go. It costs about 85 dollars and is valid for six months should you choose to enroll. Once you know were your credits are going to transfer then you can fill in the gaps with CLEP and DSST tests. There is a vast amount of resources depending on your learning style and what you can combine with raising three children. Many start with the Instantcert flashcards along with the exam specific feedback that test takers who are subscribers to this site have access to and add resources to flesh out what they believe best suits them. An example of this can be seen in my US History I test prep were I used Instantcert and the exam feedback along with the REA book on U.S history plus the first batch of videos available from learner.org in biography of America. I also used flashcards from AP history aswell. I recently moved to America so US history was a new experience for me. Realistically you should be able to Prep for a test in about four weeks putting in about two to three hours a day. Many do a test every two weeks, I've only managed to do that once and it took so much energy that I plan to take tests every four weeks from now on, I've three jobs currently.

[NAP]

The time limits on credits policy at EC varies, so it depends on the type of credits and the type of degree.

Excelsior College | Admissions at Excelsior College: Time Limit on Transfer Credits

Based on this, I would assume that Liberal Arts credits (except science for the Natural Science major) used for a Liberal Arts degree would not have a time limit at EC.

All degrees at EC have a capstone now.

I think getting started successfully with one test is a great idea!

Welcome to the forum!

[JTP]

I plan to take tests every four weeks from now on, I've three jobs currently.

One of you have 3 kids the other has 3 jobs. I love to see how hard some of the people in this forum work for their degrees.

[alleycat]

I always tell people Clep or DSST what you know. Meaning if you already understand Tech Writing than look at that exam. Same with Intro to Computers, if you understand it without much study than take it. I suggest looking at all the exams and see what you know. My first exam was Humanities. I had order the Clep book and inside the book it said if you pass the mock exams at 50 percent or higher take the exam. At home I aced it so I scheduled the exam and passed with 6 college credits. I also recommend that people design their testing plan with overlapping exams. Meaning subject matters that are in the same area.

[Leebo]

The time limits on credits policy at EC varies, so it depends on the type of credits and the type of degree.

Excelsior College | Admissions at Excelsior College: Time Limit on Transfer Credits

Based on this, I would assume that Liberal Arts credits (except science for the Natural Science major) used for a Liberal Arts degree would not have a time limit at EC.

Thanks for the link. I wonder where it was that I got the impression I had.

[Likiro]

The time limits on credits policy at EC varies, so it depends on the type of credits and the type of degree.

Excelsior College | Admissions at Excelsior College: Time Limit on Transfer Credits

Based on this, I would assume that Liberal Arts credits (except science for the Natural Science major) used for a Liberal Arts degree would not have a time limit at EC.

All degrees at EC have a capstone now.

I think getting started successfully with one test is a great idea!

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks everyone for the replies! And thanks for the link. So it looks like they take everything unless they have an exception noted. I am excited about that. I took college algebra a million years ago and it looks like that would likely transfer. Our local community college had a 5 year limit on math I think.

[LaterBloomer]

Alleycat's suggestion about testing for what you know is a good one. Also, get your credits evaluated. Which school gives you more bang for the buck (puts you closer to a degree)? If you're testing, you might want to check Free Clep Prep.com Justin does a good job of listing how hard the CLEPs and DSSTs are, and which tests build on knowledge that you needed to have for a prior exam. "Easiness" is subjective. There is a vast, gaping maw in my brain that should be filled with math intelligence. Those subjects might be easy for you. As to easiness, some folks like to see the military stats on passage rates for different CLEPs and DSSTs. At one point, service members could take the exams as many times as they wanted to without paying fees. The logic of using their passage rates was that it was assumed that, since they didn't have to pay, they might not have studied as long or as paying testers. That data might help you guage the difficuly of exams, too.

Regardless of how you go about it, just GO ABOUT IT! Even if you take a few missteps, at least you're moving. Good luck, and welcome to the forum. (Oh, and just know if you beat me to a degree [I only have 6 credits left], I will hate you forever.)