Questions and Advice for Unofficial Credit Evaluation

[DegreeBy2023]

I've created a degree plan to obtain a B.S. in Business at CUNY SPS.  As advised on this forum, I should make sure they will accept the credit equivalents on my plan before I spend my money and earn them so I don't end up wasting time and money. 

When submitting UCE, should I let them know these are the classes I plan on taking or just be vague, not necessarily say, act like I've already earned these credits?  

They offer 1 Unofficial Credit Evaluation per prospective student.  I was going to do the latter but it also says that "transcripts are required within seven days of request"... which I thought transcripts wouldn't be required for Unofficial CE.  https://cunyspsg.askadmissions.net/emtin...spx?ip=tce

All the CLEP, Saylor and Uexcel classes are already pre-approved listed on their website with course equivalent, so I'm not so worried about those that I know they accept.  But I have a combination of selected classes from TEL Learning, Outlier and ETSU that I want to make sure they will accept.  With TEL Learning I will not tell them its through TEL but instead just say it is from MACU or whatever partner school straight up, as that is how it will appear on transcript (as far as I gather).

[rachel83az]

FYI, make sure that you are comfortable with Saylor before you actually embark on this path. Their courses have a reputation for being not-okay. They're a cheap way to get credits but several people here have had issues with the exams not matching the course content at all and the courses/exams not teaching the correct information in the first place (akin to teaching that Australia is in the northern hemisphere and then the exam insisting that Australia is in the northern hemisphere).

Also, Saylor has a habit of not renewing its courses with either ACE or NCCRS. CUNY likely won't accept any courses that have expired and that don't have current ACE approval. The exception would be if, for instance, you took an exam in April, it expired in May, and CUNY doesn't get it for evaluation until June; you took the exam when it was valid, so you should be good.

In addition, I'm pretty sure that Saylor hasn't fully converted over to the new ACE system and they're not exactly forthcoming when people try to contact them. All of that means that it's not really a good idea to count on Saylor for more than 1 or 2 courses, if that.

As far as Outlier goes, treat that the same as TEL. Outlier courses are transcripted at University of Pittsburgh. And have you seen ONU? $50/credit, which is cheaper than TEL: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Ol...University

Might I ask why you chose CUNY? I was under the impression that it's one of the more difficult (in regards to obtaining viable outside credit) and more expensive degrees available. Of course, if you want/need a specific BSBA then I totally understand that!

[DegreeBy2023]

FYI, make sure that you are comfortable with Saylor before you actually embark on this path. Their courses have a reputation for being not-okay. They're a cheap way to get credits but several people here have had issues with the exams not matching the course content at all and the courses/exams not teaching the correct information in the first place (akin to teaching that Australia is in the northern hemisphere and then the exam insisting that Australia is in the northern hemisphere).

Also, Saylor has a habit of not renewing its courses with either ACE or NCCRS. CUNY likely won't accept any courses that have expired and that don't have current ACE approval. The exception would be if, for instance, you took an exam in April, it expired in May, and CUNY doesn't get it for evaluation until June; you took the exam when it was valid, so you should be good.

In addition, I'm pretty sure that Saylor hasn't fully converted over to the new ACE system and they're not exactly forthcoming when people try to contact them. All of that means that it's not really a good idea to count on Saylor for more than 1 or 2 courses, if that.

As far as Outlier goes, treat that the same as TEL. Outlier courses are transcripted at University of Pittsburgh. And have you seen ONU? $50/credit, which is cheaper than TEL: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Ol...University

Might I ask why you chose CUNY? I was under the impression that it's one of the more difficult (in regards to obtaining viable outside credit) and more expensive degrees available. Of course, if you want/need a specific BSBA then I totally understand that!

Thanks for the tips.  I am aware of the Saylor discrepancies of info/exam.  I already passed an Intro to Management which went pretty well, but noticed the others are kind of a mess.  Noted on Outlier as well.  Will check out ONU.  

My plan is to have 99-105 credits to transfer in as they allow up to 105 credits (45 max ACE, so rest will be RA).  I chose because of name recognition and amount of possible credits accepted.  The combination of the these two aspects lead me to believe I will get the most out of a CUNY degree. 

The reason why I chose CUNY is because I live in NYC and the name is recognizable/known as decent school, also will be competing for jobs in NYC which is very competitive and am banking on the the CUNY name for helping in that aspect as opposed to a "no-name" school.  CUNY is #8 online bachelor's program in the country, so I can lean on this accolade as well in interview process.  

I am not as worried about the extra cost compared to cheaper options as my entire plan still comes out to less than $15,000 for a Bachelors, from a top school.  I can afford that.

[natshar]

FYI, make sure that you are comfortable with Saylor before you actually embark on this path. Their courses have a reputation for being not-okay. They're a cheap way to get credits but several people here have had issues with the exams not matching the course content at all and the courses/exams not teaching the correct information in the first place (akin to teaching that Australia is in the northern hemisphere and then the exam insisting that Australia is in the northern hemisphere).

Also, Saylor has a habit of not renewing its courses with either ACE or NCCRS. CUNY likely won't accept any courses that have expired and that don't have current ACE approval. The exception would be if, for instance, you took an exam in April, it expired in May, and CUNY doesn't get it for evaluation until June; you took the exam when it was valid, so you should be good.

In addition, I'm pretty sure that Saylor hasn't fully converted over to the new ACE system and they're not exactly forthcoming when people try to contact them. All of that means that it's not really a good idea to count on Saylor for more than 1 or 2 courses, if that.

As far as Outlier goes, treat that the same as TEL. Outlier courses are transcripted at University of Pittsburgh. And have you seen ONU? $50/credit, which is cheaper than TEL: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Ol...University

Might I ask why you chose CUNY? I was under the impression that it's one of the more difficult (in regards to obtaining viable outside credit) and more expensive degrees available. Of course, if you want/need a specific BSBA then I totally understand that!

Thanks for the tips.  I am aware of the Saylor discrepancies of info/exam.  I already passed an Intro to Management which went pretty well, but noticed the others are kind of a mess.  Noted on Outlier as well.  Will check out ONU.  

My plan is to have 99-105 credits to transfer in as they allow up to 105 credits (45 max ACE, so rest will be RA).  I chose because of name recognition and amount of possible credits accepted.  The combination of the these two aspects lead me to believe I will get the most out of a CUNY degree. 

The reason why I chose CUNY is because I live in NYC and the name is recognizable/known as decent school, also will be competing for jobs in NYC which is very competitive and am banking on the the CUNY name for helping in that aspect as opposed to a "no-name" school.  CUNY is #8 online bachelor's program in the country, so I can lean on this accolade as well in interview process.  

I am not as worried about the extra cost compared to cheaper options as my entire plan still comes out to less than $15,000 for a Bachelors, from a top school.  I can afford that.

The good thing about Saylor is the courses are free and only the exams cost money. So you can look at the courses and take practice exams just to try it.

Another idea is to take TECEPs. They have a lot upper-level business TECEP exams. You could take some of those to transfer. Teceps are RA.

transferology.com to check how courses transfer. Idk if CUNY is in their database though it only works for certain schools.

[rachel83az]

Totally makes sense! $15k isn't a bad price for a degree from a school that should, hopefully, pay back in local name recognition.

[ss20ts]

I've created a degree plan to obtain a B.S. in Business at CUNY SPS.  As advised on this forum, I should make sure they will accept the credit equivalents on my plan before I spend my money and earn them so I don't end up wasting time and money. 

When submitting UCE, should I let them know these are the classes I plan on taking or just be vague, not necessarily say, act like I've already earned these credits?  

They offer 1 Unofficial Credit Evaluation per prospective student.  I was going to do the latter but it also says that "transcripts are required within seven days of request"... which I thought transcripts wouldn't be required for Unofficial CE.  https://cunyspsg.askadmissions.net/emtin...spx?ip=tce

All the CLEP, Saylor and Uexcel classes are already pre-approved listed on their website with course equivalent, so I'm not so worried about those that I know they accept.  But I have a combination of selected classes from TEL Learning, Outlier and ETSU that I want to make sure they will accept.  With TEL Learning I will not tell them its through TEL but instead just say it is from MACU or whatever partner school straight up, as that is how it will appear on transcript (as far as I gather).

Their evaluation is for those who have completed a bunch of courses and want to know where you stand before you apply. Yes, they need transcripts. That's how they will evaluate your courses. They aren't evaluating a degree plan. 

When you apply to CUNY, don't forget your FAFSA and the NYS TAP application.

[DegreeBy2023]

I've created a degree plan to obtain a B.S. in Business at CUNY SPS.  As advised on this forum, I should make sure they will accept the credit equivalents on my plan before I spend my money and earn them so I don't end up wasting time and money. 

When submitting UCE, should I let them know these are the classes I plan on taking or just be vague, not necessarily say, act like I've already earned these credits?  

They offer 1 Unofficial Credit Evaluation per prospective student.  I was going to do the latter but it also says that "transcripts are required within seven days of request"... which I thought transcripts wouldn't be required for Unofficial CE.  https://cunyspsg.askadmissions.net/emtin...spx?ip=tce

All the CLEP, Saylor and Uexcel classes are already pre-approved listed on their website with course equivalent, so I'm not so worried about those that I know they accept.  But I have a combination of selected classes from TEL Learning, Outlier and ETSU that I want to make sure they will accept.  With TEL Learning I will not tell them its through TEL but instead just say it is from MACU or whatever partner school straight up, as that is how it will appear on transcript (as far as I gather).

Their evaluation is for those who have completed a bunch of courses and want to know where you stand before you apply. Yes, they need transcripts. That's how they will evaluate your courses. They aren't evaluating a degree plan. 

When you apply to CUNY, don't forget your FAFSA and the NYS TAP application.

I figured this is the case, I know they are generally evaluating already completed courses, but also just trying to follow the common advice to get pre-approval of acceptance from the university. 

So when everybody keeps saying make the school will accept courses before you take them, is this only applying to The Big 3?  I'm guessing it is frowned upon/not liked by the school to come straight out and say... My plan is to earn as many credits cheaper elsewhere and transfer in, would you accept these courses?  

Just trying to do anything I can to make sure I'm not taking courses that won't be accepted, wasting time and money.  

I checked out the transferology site and has pretty much every CUNY school except not SPS.  Also obviously would rather have it confirmed by the school itself, but might be a useful tool, I'll keep in my back pocket. 

Noted and already planning on FAFSA and NYS Tap. 

Thanks again for everyone replying with input.

[rachel83az]

The big 3 + UMPI are the main ones who are actually open to so many transfers. Most colleges & universities would really prefer that you take classes with them instead of taking a CLEP - even if they accept that CLEP. It makes it harder to plan for other schools. Also, "confirm with an advisor" is something that does not work at any of the big 3 until you are an enrolled student.

[bjcheung77]

OP, even though a majority of schools only allow selective amount of transfer credit (many under 50%) there are several schools that allow students to transfer 75% or more credits into their degree programs. I would recommend the public/state ones first before you go the private non-profit route. You should check out the Wiki and this thread: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...n-transfer you can also take a look at competency based programs too: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Co...d_Programs

[dfrecore]

Another idea is to take TECEPs. They have a lot upper-level business TECEP exams. You could take some of those to transfer. Teceps are RA.

Just a quick note to say that not all schools will accept TECEP's, so you'd want to check those first.  Just because TESU considers them RA does NOT mean that all schools will take them.