I'm Done, Finito, Fini - 4.5 Years Comes To an End!!!!!!

[Publius]

You accomplished all that in the time it takes most people to just finish a Bachelors. That's awesome!!!

Congrats and a hearty well done!

[IrishJohn]

Congrats, Marianne! You're truly an inspiration to the rest of us!

[ryoder]

Congrats marianne! I don't show up as much as I should and help out either but I do owe a lot to this forum.
For those of you lurkers who are new, you will come to understand how positive and empowering this forum is if you give it a chance. It has changed lives.

[GoodYellowDogs]

You've been an amazing inspiration!

[jmichelle79]

Congrats!!!! :hurray: :hurray:
I also was planning on finishing my AA, but changed my mind due to all of the support on this site. funny how that works
Congrats!!!!!

[HorseManiac]

Wow, I'm impressed by the amount of things you have accomplished!! Congrats on a job well done! :hurray:

[marianne202]

Thanks everyone! I truly wouldn't and couldn't have done it without the support and guidance from the great people here! I've never really thought about it in the sense that I did all this in the time if takes someone to get a traditional bachelor's degree. I guess my mind doesn't think down that traditional path and I've been so caught up in this whirlwind for so long now that I couldn't see the forest for all the trees! I do feel like I have accomplished a great deal in a short period of time, although it doesn't seem like a short period of time when you are in the midst of it.

The other point I would like to point out for those concerned about GPA doing this process or about a low GPA starting out is this process can help improve your GPA. When I came here I had some assorted credits from my floundering in college right after high school and basically my GPA was right around 2.5. When I graduated from grad school my GPA was 3.97. That is a huge difference in my opinion. I did take actual classes at EC to earn my BSHS and did exams that offered graded credit, so when I got to grad school application time, my GPA was up to around 3.10, much better for grad school applications than a 2.5. So not only does this method of faster than normal and non-traditional credit earning help, it also can improve a less than stellar GPA and help you show that you are a better student now than when you were fresh out of high school. That helps confirm any fears a school or program may have about a student who hasn't been in a classroom for a long time.

I know this format isn't for everyone, but for those of us that embark on it, it can be an amazingly rewarding journey! I wish everyone the best of luck in your journey!

[mrs.b]

:hurray:
Marianne, you're such an inspiration! And while you were cranking out the degrees, you were lending help to many of us who ran into roadblocks and degree hiccups to get us back on track, so quite a few of us - I'm one! - owe part of our degrees to your helpful advice as well. Thank you for being a great leader, guide, and motivator.

Congratulations, lady! You deserve it and so much more.

cheersmate

[marianne202]

Mrs. B you are very flattering! I'm so glad to know that I have helped others along the way by sharing my experiences. That is the kind of pay it forward that makes this forum work. I also enjoy reading about the successes of those that are new to the forum. Keep up the great work everyone!

[Harpda]

That's awesome! Congrats!