when to take dsst charter oak

[dietribr]

i guess i could ask charter oak, but i figured this forum would be a good place to get other views. I applied last week to charter oak. I have about 100 undergrad credits mostly 100-200 level with a couple upper level classes. All i need is the cornerstone, capstone and a aprox. 15 upper level credits and convince them my plan passes for their liberal studies concentration (major).

2 questions.

First, i have studied for the civil war dsst. I am ready to take it and start studying for another one, but am not an enrolled student yet. Could i just schedule my test and write the code for charter oak and not have to pay to have a transcript sent from dsst? Im not too afraid of it being wasted credit as i need upper level credits for my concentration and to meet the general 30 credit upper level requirement.

second ? that is completely unrelated is, has anyone convinced charter oak to let them take the cornerstone and the capstone the same semester. This would save 200 bucks, but more importantly i might have a shot at graduated at the end of this term, instead of at the end of the summer? i asked charter oak as a random call and was told no. Obviously, they will try to persuade against that as it involves cutting a significant portion of their revenue, but maybe there is a way i can beg, plead or even barter my agreement to matriculate for allowance to take these two classes at the same time.

thanks so much!

[rebel100]

You can take the DSST and just give them the COSC code, should go through fine since you have applied. Worst case scenario it doesn't go through and you have to provide a DSST transcript later...should be fine though.

I don't think you will have the time in a single semester to take the cornerstone and the Capstone. They are built upon each other. In the cornerstone your gonna make the case for the CPS or "plan of study". In this you will make the case for completing your BSLS and how you are going to do it. In the Capstone (which counts as 3 UL credits) you will synthesize all the classes you have taken and write a lengthy paper on how you put it all together. The two courses have to be taken one after the other and I don't see how they could be taken concurrently.

I suspect that a school that only requires you to take 2 courses has stopped worrying about a few hundred dollars in revenue. To say that a few hundred bucks of profit is the reason for their refusal to allow you to take the courses together is patently incorrect. You will be saving thousands of dollars and months of time...I think they can illustrate a case for acting in your best interest.

The DSST Civil War was a fun exam, both to study and to take...have fun!

[burbuja0512]

Taking the Cornerstone and Capstone in the same semester is a question that I've had since they came out with the Cornerstone requirement. While I agree with Rebel, I still think that there could be a way to do it, depending on how long each course is.

First of all, I have not taken the Cornerstone (wasn't a requirement when I matriculated) but from what I understand it is helpful and gives you the basics you'll need to ensure success in an online learning environment. COSC doesn't want you to get to the Capstone and feel like you don't know what you're doing because you won't get as much out of it. I am very glad that I had taken an online class back in 2007 or I would have struggled in the Capstone. You should be learning the material, not mucking your way through an online classroom format.

However, the way I see it, there are a couple of options. First of all, if you already have B&M and/or online class credit under your belt, and it sounds like you do, the Cornerstone will be of lessened value. After all, if you didn't know how to manage college classes, you wouldn't have gotten your credits. So, from this perspective, I can see making the argument that you're fully prepared to take both at the same time.

The other option is to carefully schedule. I believe that there are two 8 week sessions per semester. Couldn't you just schedule it so that you take the Cornerstone first and then go straight into the Capstone?

Please let us know what you find out.

[Tampamom3]

Yes, you can take the cornerstone and capstone in the same semester but not concurrently. Because both of those courses are accelerated 8 week classes, you can take one right after the other in a single semester as long as your concentration plan gets approved. I am currently taken the cornerstone class for spring term 1, and will be starting my capstone along with one other final class for spring term 2. Just make sure you have met all the requirements for your concentration including upper level and gen ed requirements.
Good luck!

[dietribr]

Yes, you can take the cornerstone and capstone in the same semester but not concurrently. Because both of those courses are accelerated 8 week classes, you can take one right after the other in a single semester as long as your concentration plan gets approved. I am currently taken the cornerstone class for spring term 1, and will be starting my capstone along with one other final class for spring term 2. Just make sure you have met all the requirements for your concentration including upper level and gen ed requirements.
Good luck!

thats essentially what i asked admission, and was told no. I called them again today, the lady said it depended on where i was at on my concentration. If true or not that gives me some more motivation to get these DSST's out of the way quickly.

Rebel: The cornerstone class makes sure one can write at a college level, can cite a research paper, and comes up with a detailed course study plan. I'm solid at english for lower level intro classes at least, can google any lingering mla questions i have when writing a paper if i end up in grad school, and i've spent tons of time figuring out what classes i want/need to take to get my degree from Charter Oak. Is the class going be a huge time commitment, it might with some writing involved, but if i cant adaquetly pass a general class and capstone in one semester i shouldnt be getting a degree (in my eyes, i have no major time commitments, ie kids).

I do understand an university being afraid of allowing a student taking a capstone class without knowing if that student can even write half way decent, but i'd like to think my transcripts show that is most likely not the case.

You are right about the civil war DSST. it is a fun test to study for, i got a jeopardy question about mccellan right last friday because of it .

Burbuja - I've read tons of your posts here on charter oak, and gave toooooooooooons of advice and answered numerous questions i had about charter oak. thanks a lot for all the time that you have written out clear responses to posters.

[burbuja0512]

Burbuja - I've read tons of your posts here on charter oak, and gave toooooooooooons of advice and answered numerous questions i had about charter oak. thanks a lot for all the time that you have written out clear responses to posters.

Awwwww... thank you *blush*

I think that you're far enough through the concentration that you should be able to do both in the same semester. Keep in mind that even though COSC does see students that accelerate their studies like we do, they're still not always used to handling people that want to get through it as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to check with the registrar. My counselor was the best, but she didn't always get things right and it doesn't hurt to push to get what you want. Especially in this case, it really doesn't make sense to not do both in the same semester. You're definitely not a novice student!

[rebel100]

The Cornerstone/Capstone are not hard for someone who likes to write. Just stay on top of your due dates and you will be fine.

[dietribr]

I never said i liked to write , but to actual get a degree, and being able to see the end of the road i will stay on top of the due dates. It would just help so much to be able to save the $200. Not a lot to most, but it is going be somewhat hard financially as im trying to squeeze everything so close together. The 75 app fee, transcripts fees, 200 semester fee, the 1800 charter oak total classes need, dsst/ece fees, sitting fees, graduation fee. If i can save the 200 bucks it would be helpful.

I will keep trying and ill let the board know when i get closer if how flexible they are on this.