Biology or other science degree plan needed

[vetvso]

I am currently researching out for my son who will be graduating next month. He is 16 and currently wants to get a PHD in biology based research. I trying to find out if a BS from TESU in Biology is even possible from a test out low cost option.

I see plenty of LL classes for him but need to put a degree plan together that allows him to test out as much as possible. 

He currently has the following:

From University of Maine
Eng101
ENG Lit
College Algebra
Introduction to statistics 

Aleks:
Beginning Algebra 

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Another science BS degree could also work but needs to be able to feed into a Masters in a Bio related field.

[Yenisei]

You might want to check with potential master's programs regarding their lab requirements before you consider TESU's biology program.

[vetvso]

That is a very good point. I also may just have him take some Labs via FSU while we are in Panama.

[davewill]

This is one of those situations where I'd wonder whether the Big3 are a good choice. Academic PhD programs are very competitive, and I'd wonder if sticking to a more traditional route wouldn't be a better idea. I would definitely plan on doing the core science courses in person.

[cookderosa]

This is one of those situations where I'd wonder whether the Big3 are a good choice. Academic PhD programs are very competitive, and I'd wonder if sticking to a more traditional route wouldn't be a better idea. I would definitely plan on doing the core science courses in person.

+1 same. TESU at 16 via assessment credit is not the best door into a Bio phd program.

[vetvso]

We have access to FSU in 2018-2019 overseas so bio labs are not an issue.

[dfrecore]

TESU won't let him into the school until he's 21, so that's not even going to be an option for a long time.

[vetvso]

Do the other two have the same age requirements?

[cookderosa]

I hope this doesn't sound pushy. PhD programs, especially in lab sciences, will require a competitive application process - a degree that consists of non-graded credit, credit by exams, and transfer credit will not be competitive. TESU degrees check a lot of boxes, but if he were my son I might do this differently to improve his chances. In my opinion, you can use his high school year (current) to start with AP Biology. He can take this DIY style at home- it doesn't have to be through an official AP course provider, but he's going to need a VERY HIGH score. This, packaged with an equally high score in Chemistry and potentially Statistics would certainly improve his chances considerably. Those will also award college credit through any of the big 3, so nothing lost- but a better tool to get the job done. The thing about traditional PhD programs, is there is no coursework after the BS (or BA) making the contents of his BS and GRE score very heavily weighted. His GPA will be weak as well if you use assessment credits.
Additionally, since he is very young, you may want to consider a program like the Masters at Harvard University Extension in Biology. The cost is low 30's, but with a degree from the big 3 added in, you're still all in for under $40k before financial aid. He'll be eligible for admission with his BA from one of the big 3 (no problem at all) but he'll have an opportunity to mature while he receives an exceptional education. Some, not all, can be done via distance learning too. I do believe that strong grades in the Master's would make him an excellent candidate at many colleges- and he'll still be very young, so he won't be behind his age-mates in that regard. They have 3 masters in the biological sciences:

https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academ...ogy-degree

https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academ...ogy-degree

https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academ...ogy-degree

(PS they also have an undergrad option, but he won't be able to get more than 12 credits via assessment /AP/CLEP so it is neither fast nor cheap)

[vetvso]

Thanks Jennifer - I'm thinking FSU may be a good start for him but they limit his CLEP to 45 credits and have a few weird policies about transfer credits. Keep in mind he will not reside with the USA during this process and with the TESU age requirement him testing out of his first degree ASAP may be difficult. FSU has an overseas campus but does not have any testing capabilities.

The Harvard Extension is a good idea once he get's to that point.

Also TESU said he can possibly get a waver for under 21 since he has already taken classes a a University.

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*Individuals not meeting this criteria, but who feel they warrant special consideration for other reasons, may petition the director of Admissions and present appropriate documentation to support their being accepted to the University. We require a written request for the age waiver, along with supporting documents indicating your success with prior college coursework (i.e., exams, unofficial transcripts that indicate courses from other regionally accredited institutions). This information can be emailed to the Director of Admissions at admissions@tesu.edu.

Greg Biele: [10:12:15 AM] Yes you can, but being under the age of 21 you would need to send an email to the director of admissions explaining how you would be able to handle college level courses. You would need to send that email right after you apply.

So with this information he could use a combination of FSU labs, TECEP, CLEP and others to complete his first BS Degree, and needs to show additional works that would allow geting into a Masters program such as a certificate from FSU or another school. Once done he could apply to Harvard Extension or another possibility for his Masters.