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+--- Thread: Getting into competitive graduate programs (/Thread-Getting-into-competitive-graduate-programs)
Getting into competitive graduate programs - chrisv - 07-22-2026
I'm attending SNHU for a BS Geoscience, about half or slightly less will be Sophia/Study credits to make my graded coursework at least 60 credits.
I would love to get into the University of Utah's Masters/PhD in Geography afterwards, and was wondering if anyone knows if a degree hacked degree can actually get into competitive grad school.
Thoughts?
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - MoonDeRay - 07-22-2026
You shouldn't run into issues with SNHU's degree itself since it's regionally accredited. There are plenty of students who graduated with a lot of transfer credits—even up to 90—and still got accepted into prestigious universities. I think what you should focus on instead are things like field/lab experience, research experience, and letters of recommendation.
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - LevelUP - 07-22-2026
People here from colleges such as TESU, WGU, and UMPI have gotten into competitive graduate programs. Generally, graduate admissions are less competitive than undergraduate admissions, though you'll still need to meet the basic requirements, such as at least a 3.0 GPA.
Some popular examples include:
- Georgia Tech OMSCS
- University of Illinois iMBA
- University of Texas at Austin (various graduate programs)
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - Sagan - 07-22-2026
The more diverse and mature your background, the less you'll need to rely on the prestige of your undergraduate school.
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - Mint Berry Crunch - 07-28-2026
(07-22-2026, 04:35 PM)LevelUP Wrote: People here from colleges such as TESU, WGU, and UMPI have gotten into competitive graduate programs. Generally, graduate admissions are less competitive than undergraduate admissions, though you'll still need to meet the basic requirements, such as at least a 3.0 GPA.
Some popular examples include:
- Georgia Tech OMSCS
- University of Illinois iMBA
- University of Texas at Austin (various graduate programs)
From personal experience, and having attended all 3 (TESU, WGU, and UMPI), I have never had an issue with applying to grad school. University of Illinois U-C's iMSM program has been pretty straightforward for me. I just needed all transcripts (which was a bit expensive), a current resume, and 2 letters of recommendation (which I got from my other grad programs at UMPI and WPUNJ), followed-up by a 1-1 interview (very similar to my admission into TESU's doctorate program, though I had to write a paper discussing about my research interests). I chose UIUC's iMSM program for a few reasons: (1) I was bored and wanted to another grad program, (2) public-ivy with a solid business school, (3) AACSB-Accredited which is often looked at for teaching business at the collegiate level and makes it easier to transfer credits to other grad programs that I'm interested in at Rutgers, (4) Big Ten Conference, (5) the program costs about $13k which is pretty affordable, (6) massive alumni system (I was able to meet one of/work on group projects with a CEO of a well-known robotics company).
In my experience, it is/was well worth it.
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - soba - 07-29-2026
(07-22-2026, 04:35 PM)LevelUP Wrote: People here from colleges such as TESU, WGU, and UMPI have gotten into competitive graduate programs. Generally, graduate admissions are less competitive than undergraduate admissions, though you'll still need to meet the basic requirements, such as at least a 3.0 GPA.
Some popular examples include:
- Georgia Tech OMSCS
- University of Illinois iMBA
- University of Texas at Austin (various graduate programs)
I disagree with your list of examples. These programs are not very competitive at all. These programs were created by the schools to widen participation and bring down costs via MOOCs. It depends on how you define "competitive", I guess.
To get into a fully-funded, competitive PhD program is an entirely different ballgame.
chrisv should go into this with eyes wide open and not with unrealistic expectations. Research back-up options and alternative plans.
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - Mint Berry Crunch - 07-30-2026
(07-22-2026, 12:10 AM)chrisv Wrote: I'm attending SNHU for a BS Geoscience, about half or slightly less will be Sophia/Study credits to make my graded coursework at least 60 credits.
I would love to get into the University of Utah's Masters/PhD in Geography afterwards, and was wondering if anyone knows if a degree hacked degree can actually get into competitive grad school.
Thoughts?
When I hear Utah, first thing that comes to mind (besides Mormons) is WGU, but the second thing that comes to mind is the "Great Salt Lake Whale Hoax"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Salt_Lake_whale_hoax
But in all seriousness, I don't see why any of the schools talked about here on the forum can't propel you towards that grad program. I would see about doing TESU's BA - Environmental Studies. For grad school, UIUC has a Masters in Environmental Geology which would be a great way to get into that PhD program
TESU BA Environmental Studies: https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/bachelors/ba-environmental-studies.php
UIUC Masters in Environmental Geology: https://online.illinois.edu/online-programs/graduate-programs/ms-environmental-geology/
Quick edit: just noticed you're already doing a bachelors at SNHU
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - soba - 07-30-2026
ACE credits a SNHU degree will likely satisfy the formal requirements for admission.
My point is that most of the grad programs discussed on this forum is not very selective. Most are open to anybody who satisfies the formal requirements and has money to spend. There have been cases of people getting into fully-funded traditional PhD programs with a background from non-traditional schools. However, the academic system is heavily-biased against non-traditional education and operates on prestige more than anything else. Both ACE credits and the SNHU brand are working against you. You might still get accepted if you can produce enough research, experience etc, however, you should not delude yourself because the competition is fierce.
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - Mint Berry Crunch - 07-30-2026
(07-30-2026, 04:12 AM)soba Wrote: ACE credits a SNHU degree will likely satisfy the formal requirements for admission.
My point is that most of the grad programs discussed on this forum is not very selective. Most are open to anybody who satisfies the formal requirements and has money to spend. There have been cases of people getting into fully-funded traditional PhD programs with a background from non-traditional schools. However, the academic system is heavily-biased against non-traditional education and operates on prestige more than anything else. Both ACE credits and the SNHU brand are working against you. You might still get accepted if you can produce enough research, experience etc, however, you should not delude yourself because the competition is fierce.
If it works, it works. As long as their programs have the same accreditation and they meet the requirements, I'm sure they'll get in. Dr. Bear talks about in his book that some of the more competitive schools have GMAT/GRE or other requirements to get in to weed out the competition. Schools that are not necessarily competitive remove these requirement to get more students in, The University of Utah's Geoscience program doesn't require it. I don't see how ACE credits and SNHU are going to work against this individual. I don't know how competitive the University of Utah's program is (rankings are all over the place and subjective), but I don't see any issue. The requirements look like many others I've seen:
- Academic Transcripts
- 3 Professional Letters of Reference
- CV/Resume
- 2 Page Personal Statement
- Faculty Choice
- (Optional) Writing Sample
RE: Getting into competitive graduate programs - soba - 07-30-2026
There is a big difference between satisfying the formal requirements and being a competitive applicant. Again, it might work fine for chrisv, but the odds are not that great in my opinion.
chrisv should probably ask professors at both SNHU and Utah for advice instead of posting here.