Starting from scratch, where to begin?

[SweetsugarNL]

Also, i have read that communications is difficult to test out. What are my options if i not get enough credits?

[lacussucceed]

The General Ed section (60/120 credits) will remain the same for all degrees at TESU. You can start working (see guide, free and cheap sources) on those as your existing credits are being evaluated, which should be your first step. Your existing credits might be (partly) usable for the courses specific to Communications (33/120 credits). Otherwise they may end up usable as Electives (27/120 credits).

[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

Part of my regular counseling duties with Chinese students is to help train them for TOEFL Speaking and Writing. The TOEFL format will be changing after August 1, so be careful with your own preparation. I recommend downloading a TPO (TOEFL Practice Online) program to use on your computer, or at least use a TPO website that tracks your progress. You should take a mock exam if you can; I know that ETS, the company that makes TOEFL, also offers scored Speaking assessments at ~$23 online if you wanted. Since you'll mostly be reading, writing, and listening for an online degree, though, it might make more sense for you to focus more on these sections.

Aside from TOEFL/IELTS, some universities accept the Duolingo English exam, including Yale, Tufts, and Arizona State University, which is another relatively common online target school. The "Big 3" schools do not, however. It is only $49, done entirely online, and is easier if you are strong in grammar. You can see more info here: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants

[SweetsugarNL]

Thank you so much. I didnt know about the changes. I take a look at Arizona State University. Are there a lot of courses where you write a paper for?

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Arizona is not a option because i need higher grades.

[SweetsugarNL]

So im thinking. What if my credits are not enough to tackle the COMM credits for a communication degree(and i need to take expensive tesu courses). Is it possible to aply then for a bals (arts) with the same information? Or do i need to review my credits again thru a company? I almost forget that i also have 60 ect from a social bachelor(only the first year not the whole bachelor). Courses like sociology, politics, psycology etc. So i send these also in. Im now searching for a COMM and bals program to take a look on the courses. If these can be the same. So that i can start with common courses. I think my toefl preparation and the collecting, reviewing and translation from al my documents are at least 3-4 months. In the mean time i will start with some courses. Any recommended courses or good comm/bals schedules? Make it scense to start with some free courses or do i better wait till everything is reviewed? And do i need a transcript or do i wait till my dutch credits are reviewed?

[dfrecore]

So im thinking. What if my credits are not enough to tackle the COMM credits for a communication degree(and i need to take expensive tesu courses).  Is it possible to aply then for a bals (arts) with the same information? Or do i need to review my credits again thru a company? I almost forget that i also have 60 ect from a social bachelor(only the first year not the whole bachelor). Courses like sociology, politics, psycology etc. So i send these also in. Im now searching for a COMM and bals program to take a look on the courses. If these can be the same. So that i can start with common courses. I think my toefl preparation and the collecting, reviewing and translation from al my documents are at least 3-4 months. In the mean time i will start with some courses. Any recommended courses or good comm/bals schedules? Make it scense to start with some free courses or do i better wait till everything is reviewed? And do i need a transcript or do i wait till my dutch credits are reviewed?

Once you apply to TESU, and have all of your credits evaluated, you can use them in any degree plan, so it's easy to change.  I would definitely suggest going the COMM route now, and then if it turns out to be expensive, switch to a BALS.

If you know for a fact that you haven't taken some courses that are required, like English Comp I & II, American Govt/Comparative Politics, math, things like that - then you should take those.  I'd go the free/cheap route if possible, then switch to the more expensive options once you get those done.

Since you can't do CLEP (I don't think you can), then I'd go with The Institutes, TEEX, Sophia (free), ALEKS (math), Saylor, OnlineDegree, and then wait for your eval.

[allvia]

Since you can't do CLEP (I don't think you can), then I'd go with The Institutes, TEEX, Sophia (free), ALEKS (math), Saylor, OnlineDegree, and then wait for your eval.

OnlineDegree.com is only available to US citizens.  I don't know about the others you listed dfrecore.


Also SweetsugarNL, you created this thread stating you were starting from scratch but in truth you actually have many credits already (100+ possible based on your posts here) - you just don't know where or how they'll work in a degree yet. Although I think doing a few free/cheap course won't hurt - I'd think you may be better off waiting for the transfer evaluation (from TESU, or other Big3 schools you may apply to). lacussucceed posted the options for credit evaluation companies here, I recommend you start with by choosing one of those and getting the process started  - https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid292374

[SweetsugarNL]

Thank you so much. Yes when i started this treat. I didnt know that im maybe realy able to transfer international credits. I thought maybe i must do everything. Im a little confused anyway. In my country Bachelors are 3 or 4 years with 180 or 240 ect. I have read that in America bachelors also are 3 or 4 years. Im wondering why online bachelors only are 120 credits. Are these less valuable? Or is our credit system different?

[lacussucceed]

Different credits. US Bachelor 120 credit hours = 4 year. There are also some institutions using semester hours. You'll see what your courses are worth in terms of courses and credit hours when you get your evaluation back.

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You can read about the value of the degrees in the wiki, look for accreditation. What that's worth in your opinion or in your country you'll have to figure out yourself.

[SweetsugarNL]

I just find out that the big 3 are different in the toefl score i need. So if i have a lower score i can look at the others. TESU needs the highest (79). I just start with the English pre college course from Saylor.(not for credits just to prepare) Are there (free) credit courses which are not for all the big 3 valid?