Age waiver denied from TESU. Policy changed Jan. 1, 2018

[fork]

I understand that. I've got a lot of credits myself, over 100. I've left this and come back a few times. The requirements have changed a number of times each time I look at it, but overall they aren't that much different. I still have approximately the same number of courses to take to finish the degree. I didn't read the entire thread but looks like she'll have to take different/extra classes anyway if she goes to a different school. Plus there's always the chance that things will change to be more in your favor. That's happened at least once with mine. I guess I look at it as the younger you are, the less you really need to stress about that. In the grand scheme of a 15 year old's life, a few extra classes later isn't going to be that big a deal. Go learn what your passion is for the next couple years and/or get a job for some work experience and money in the bank. Well that's my advice anyway.

[Clodyneseidel]

I understand that. I've got a lot of credits myself, over 100. I've left this and come back a few times. The requirements have changed a number of times each time I look at it, but overall they aren't that much different. I still have approximately the same number of courses to take to finish the degree. I didn't read the entire thread but looks like she'll have to take different/extra classes anyway if she goes to a different school. Plus there's always the chance that things will change to be more in your favor. That's happened at least once with mine. I guess I look at it as the younger you are, the less you really need to stress about that. In the grand scheme of a 15 year old's life, a few extra classes later isn't going to be that big a deal. Go learn what your passion is for the next couple years and/or get a job for some work experience and money in the bank. Well that's my advice anyway.

This is a fair analysis and I agree to some extent, however, for a bright student, a lot of the General Requirenments are a total repeat of High School courses maybe a little deeper. So replacing high School with college is a smart idea for some. Two birds with one stone. Homeschoolers have a lot of freedom in their schooling and that’s a huge advantage. A High School Transcript full of college level classes looks really good.

[burbuja0512]

Something that many schools miss is teaching people how to get a job and how to present themselves professionally. Credentials just don't cut it in most cases anymore. A degree is an expectation, not something special... even when it is a degree at age 16.

A child awaiting a degree could really benefit from learning some of the following:

Strategic volunteering - choosing something that you'll be passionate about, but will help your future career.
Is an internship possible at 15 or 16?
Networking, especially establishing a strong LinkedIn presence now. This can include just joining LinkedIn groups, but should definitely include publishing articles on LinkedIn
Interview basics
What to wear/body language
Public speaking - is there a toastmasters nearby? MANY jobs require at least some presentation skills, so do it while you wait for the diploma!


Anyhow... I'm sure there are a whole lot more, and I hope that these brilliant kids have grad school in mind first. But, getting a job is such a game these days. Take the time and teach your kids to play the game so that once they finish their education, they can actually make good use of what they've learned. Almost everyone has to work these days, make sure that they're prepped to max out what they can earn in their field. It'll be helpful and give you something to do before the diploma arrives.

[topdog98]

I enrolled at age 16 at COSC, and I completed the BSBA. I can highly recommend it if it suits your needs.

I saw a few errors on your spreadsheet.

Intro to World Religions DSST is lower level.

Principles of Finance DSST is lower level.

Check out this master exam list:
https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/current/sources_credit/master-exam-list.pdf

I don’t think you would have to retake biology entirely (unless it was failed originally), but you could take the 1 credit stand alone lab from Straighterline.

Advanced Operations Management and Advanced Technical Writing from Study.com are good upper level options at COSC. Substance Abuse DSST is also a good option.

DAVAR has several options for upper level. Scroll down for COSC equivalencies:
http://www.davaracademy.com/business.html

[stampbuyme]

I enrolled at age 16 at COSC, and I completed the BSBA. I can highly recommend it if it suits your needs.

I saw a few errors on your spreadsheet.

Intro to World Religions DSST is lower level.

Principles of Finance DSST is lower level.

Check out this master exam list:
https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/current/sources_credit/master-exam-list.pdf

I don’t think you would have to retake biology entirely (unless it was failed originally), but you could take the 1 credit stand alone lab from Straighterline.

Advanced Operations Management and Advanced Technical Writing from Study.com are good upper level options at COSC. Substance Abuse DSST is also a good option.

DAVAR has several options for upper level. Scroll down for COSC equivalencies:
http://www.davaracademy.com/business.html

Thank you!  I had caught the WReligions & Finance errors through the master list.  Thanks for the tips for good UL courses.  I will check them out. 

[NHarr01]

My daughter turns 16 in December. Thomas Edison had it mapped out so nicely ☹️ Her plan was in Liberal Studies.

Let me know if you learn anything new.  I am looking at revamping some of our plan to include more UL.  I think we can still pull off a spring '19 grad.  My girl just wants to check school off the list so she can pursue whatever learning strikes her fancy.  She loves to learn, and she is driven to move past the "hafta" with freedom to pursue the "wanna." 

If this is the case why be in a hurry? Maybe it's better for her to learn that in life you have to mix the "hafta" and "wanna" all the time. Maybe she could use the time waiting to get into TESU (or whatever) to pursue some of her wannas.

fork, I'm not answering for the op, but I will add that when you are DIYing your degree, it is important to lock in a catalog so the requirements don't change. As an example, if you're planning your courses and exams - but TESU changes their gen eds this summer, that's a big deal. Not a big deal when you have a few credits, but a VERY big deal when you have 90+ credits. So, there is a sense of urgency to get credits counted and applied as soon as possible. (that doesn't mean as soon as possible at a certain age, rather at a stage of credit-earning) In the case of this post, they've already been pushed back multiple times. It's fair to be nervous in this case.

This brings up a question for me that maybe you can advise on cookderosa-what would you do with a 15yo (almost 16) with 62 credits? It's more than a few credits, but certainly not 90+. On one hand, they are half way there, but on the other, they cannot apply for two more years. In reality they could finish before the 2 years are up. You are right that any changes in gen eds could be difficult, but probably not insurmountable. We have been pondering this since hearing about the age requirement change and are not sure if we should change course (ie. switch schools), continue on with TESU and hope that they don't change the age requirement again or ????

[dfrecore]

This brings up a question for me that maybe you can advise on cookderosa-what would you do with a 15yo (almost 16) with 62 credits?  It's more than a few credits, but certainly not 90+. On one hand, they are half way there, but on the other, they cannot apply for two more years.  In reality they could finish before the 2 years are up.  You are right that any changes in gen eds could be difficult, but probably not insurmountable.  We have been pondering this since hearing about the age requirement change and are not sure if we should change course (ie. switch schools), continue on with TESU and hope that they don't change the age requirement again or ????

I personally would switch schools, to COSC.

[homeschoolmom1]

That's what we are doing. Buh bye TESU. It was nice knowing you. I liked the idea of a school with the name of Thomas Edison, given that he was largely homeschooled himself. But with the recent shmoop and age waiver changes, we are taking our money elsewhere. I wonder if TESU cares if a lot of us do that? Oh well. If only there was a Nikola Tesla State University, I would seriously look at that.

[cookderosa]

My daughter turns 16 in December. Thomas Edison had it mapped out so nicely ☹️ Her plan was in Liberal Studies.

Let me know if you learn anything new.  I am looking at revamping some of our plan to include more UL.  I think we can still pull off a spring '19 grad.  My girl just wants to check school off the list so she can pursue whatever learning strikes her fancy.  She loves to learn, and she is driven to move past the "hafta" with freedom to pursue the "wanna." 

If this is the case why be in a hurry? Maybe it's better for her to learn that in life you have to mix the "hafta" and "wanna" all the time. Maybe she could use the time waiting to get into TESU (or whatever) to pursue some of her wannas.

fork, I'm not answering for the op, but I will add that when you are DIYing your degree, it is important to lock in a catalog so the requirements don't change. As an example, if you're planning your courses and exams - but TESU changes their gen eds this summer, that's a big deal. Not a big deal when you have a few credits, but a VERY big deal when you have 90+ credits. So, there is a sense of urgency to get credits counted and applied as soon as possible. (that doesn't mean as soon as possible at a certain age, rather at a stage of credit-earning) In the case of this post, they've already been pushed back multiple times. It's fair to be nervous in this case.

This brings up a question for me that maybe you can advise on cookderosa-what would you do with a 15yo (almost 16) with 62 credits? It's more than a few credits, but certainly not 90+. On one hand, they are half way there, but on the other, they cannot apply for two more years. In reality they could finish before the 2 years are up. You are right that any changes in gen eds could be difficult, but probably not insurmountable. We have been pondering this since hearing about the age requirement change and are not sure if we should change course (ie. switch schools), continue on with TESU and hope that they don't change the age requirement again or ????

Since you asked my opinion, I am of the opinion that shortening k-12 isn't a good idea, but rather bringing the goalpost of a college degree closer is a great idea. So, if this were my son (and I have 4 sons, each has been/is/will be in the same situation as yours) I would construct a plan B. TESU, if they become hard-core on this issue, is not an option for your son. Without special exception, he's 5 years away from enrolling. When parents have a plan to finish so far ahead of a traditional age, I'm probably not the best person to give targeted advice since I haven't spent time in that pursuit with my boys. If, however, one of my sons told me they wanted to finish high school (stop homeschooling) at age 16 AND finish their degree at that time, I would be quite sad- because in our house that means its time to launch - and I like having influence over them for at least a year or two into their 20's.

[NHarr01]

Let me know if you learn anything new.  I am looking at revamping some of our plan to include more UL.  I think we can still pull off a spring '19 grad.  My girl just wants to check school off the list so she can pursue whatever learning strikes her fancy.  She loves to learn, and she is driven to move past the "hafta" with freedom to pursue the "wanna." 

If this is the case why be in a hurry? Maybe it's better for her to learn that in life you have to mix the "hafta" and "wanna" all the time. Maybe she could use the time waiting to get into TESU (or whatever) to pursue some of her wannas.

fork, I'm not answering for the op, but I will add that when you are DIYing your degree, it is important to lock in a catalog so the requirements don't change. As an example, if you're planning your courses and exams - but TESU changes their gen eds this summer, that's a big deal. Not a big deal when you have a few credits, but a VERY big deal when you have 90+ credits. So, there is a sense of urgency to get credits counted and applied as soon as possible. (that doesn't mean as soon as possible at a certain age, rather at a stage of credit-earning) In the case of this post, they've already been pushed back multiple times. It's fair to be nervous in this case.

This brings up a question for me that maybe you can advise on cookderosa-what would you do with a 15yo (almost 16) with 62 credits? It's more than a few credits, but certainly not 90+. On one hand, they are half way there, but on the other, they cannot apply for two more years. In reality they could finish before the 2 years are up. You are right that any changes in gen eds could be difficult, but probably not insurmountable. We have been pondering this since hearing about the age requirement change and are not sure if we should change course (ie. switch schools), continue on with TESU and hope that they don't change the age requirement again or ????

Since you asked my opinion, I am of the opinion that shortening k-12 isn't a good idea, but rather bringing the goalpost of a college degree closer is a great idea. So, if this were my son (and I have 4 sons, each has been/is/will be in the same situation as yours) I would construct a plan B. TESU, if they become hard-core on this issue, is not an option for your son. Without special exception, he's 5 years away from enrolling. When parents have a plan to finish so far ahead of a traditional age, I'm probably not the best person to give targeted advice since I haven't spent time in that pursuit with my boys. If, however, one of my sons told me they wanted to finish high school (stop homeschooling) at age 16 AND finish their degree at that time, I would be quite sad- because in our house that means its time to launch - and I like having influence over them for at least a year or two into their 20's.

Thank you for your opinions. We certainly have a lot to think about. We are worldschoolers so we travel extensively. The flexibility of the TESU program really worked for us. I would always tell fellow worldschoolers that there kids could still travel the world and go to college because we were doing it. Now, I'm not so sure. Shortening K-12 is also not my goal. However, I also see a a lot of value in not repeating coursework and moving the college goalpost closer. We are just finishing up gen ed's with my two (almost 16 and 17) and this change has thrown us for a loop. We decided to slow down our travels in order to utilize the dual enrollment program in our state for the next two years (maximum), but now our future is not as clear. I think I really need to explore COSC and EC and try and map out a new path, but it seems like a daunting task.