TESU BACS course selection for OMSCS

[warre]

Since time seems to be the major concern for you, I'd stick with TESU and go ahead and take most courses through alt credit. If you started now, I would think you could graduate in September, which could have you starting at GT next winter.

If you do get turned down by OMSCS, which I don't find likely, then you can ask admissions where you fell short and go back and take some courses for credit, or wait for another year of experience, or whatever will put you over the top.

Meanwhile, you'll have the bachelor's in hand, which will presumably help your career. You might even find an employer who will pay your tuition for the master's.

Yes, I'm actually awaiting confirmation from HR how much they are able to reimburse. TESU feels like the best option to me, especially if I can have a significant part of the cost being borne by my current employer.

[bjcheung77]

Basically, If you get get the $2K (per year, I would guess) reimbursement as you pointed out earlier, TESU would be the way to go. You can do a flat term this year, and another flat term next year, and get this done in two terms! It doesn't matter if it's a flat term or not, you want to make sure to hit 15 credits, using e-packs or online classes. I would suggest a flat term for the first year, and just the capstone/cornerstone for the second term... You also want to make sure you've got enough RA or RA equivalent credits, you need at least 30.

[warre]

Basically, If you get get the $2K (per year, I would guess) reimbursement as you pointed out earlier, TESU would be the way to go. You can do a flat term this year, and another flat term next year, and get this done in two terms! It doesn't matter if it's a flat term or not, you want to make sure to hit 15 credits, using e-packs or online classes. I would suggest a flat term for the first year, and just the capstone/cornerstone for the second term... You also want to make sure you've got enough RA or RA equivalent credits, you need at least 30.

Is it not possible for me to do the flat term, including the capstone? As I originally posted, I really want to get this out of the way as fast as possible. As to the RA equivalent credits, I'll only know as soon as my degree evaluation is complete. But it is a 180 ECTS "professional" bachelor's degree, I hope this will translate to at least 30 RA credits.

[jg_nuy]

With 180 ECTS, you like have around 75-90 RA credits, so that should not be an issue.

[davewill]

Is it not possible for me to do the flat term, including the capstone? As I originally posted, I really want to get this out of the way as fast as possible. As to the RA equivalent credits, I'll only know as soon as my degree evaluation is complete. But it is a 180 ECTS "professional" bachelor's degree, I hope this will translate to at least 30 RA credits.

Sure, it just means you'll have to do more of your courses through alt credit. The link below shows the timing needed to graduate at TESU by specific dates. If you want to graduate in September, for example, you'll have to start the capstone no later than the May term. So, you'd need to have all your transfer courses, except the 15cr in the FTFP term, in before then. That should let you start at OMSCS in the spring term.

If that's too tight, then you can target Dec graduation, which means the capstone must start no later then August term. I think that even that graduation date should work for OMSCS spring term.

In either case, you would apply to GT before mid-August to make the spring term, sending in all the transcripts you have at that point. You'll want to send the TESU transcript because even if it doesn't show you finishing any courses there, it will show the transfer courses, and that you are registered for and taking the rest of the needed courses. BTW, it takes a little time to get the OMSCS application together. You'll have some writing to do, plus rounding up references and getting them to submit to GT, so start well before the deadline. You'll send in a final transcript as soon as your degree confers.

https://www.tesu.edu/current-students/gr...nformation

[warre]

Is it not possible for me to do the flat term, including the capstone? As I originally posted, I really want to get this out of the way as fast as possible. As to the RA equivalent credits, I'll only know as soon as my degree evaluation is complete. But it is a 180 ECTS "professional" bachelor's degree, I hope this will translate to at least 30 RA credits.

Sure, it just means you'll have to do more of your courses through alt credit. The link below shows the timing needed to graduate at TESU by specific dates. If you want to graduate in September, for example, you'll have to start the capstone no later than the May term. So, you'd need to have all your transfer courses, except the 15cr in the FTFP term, in before then. That should let you start at OMSCS in the spring term.

If that's too tight, then you can target Dec graduation, which means the capstone must start no later then August term. I think that even that graduation date should work for OMSCS spring term.

In either case, you would apply to GT before mid-August to make the spring term, sending in all the transcripts you have at that point. You'll want to send the TESU transcript because even if it doesn't show you finishing any courses there, it will show the transfer courses, and that you are registered for and taking the rest of the needed courses. BTW, it takes a little time to get the OMSCS application together. You'll have some writing to do, plus rounding up references and getting them to submit to GT, so start well before the deadline. You'll send in a final transcript as soon as your degree confers.

https://www.tesu.edu/current-students/gr...nformation

Thank you for clarifying. Yes I believe that targetting dec graduation is probably the most convenient option for me. This should give me enough time to sort out employer reimbursement and get all the required alt credit. I've remained in contact with some of my AI and Data Science professors from my previous degree, both classes I got very high grades, so hopefully they'll be able to provide reccomendations.

[bjcheung77]

Is it not possible for me to do the flat term, including the capstone? As I originally posted, I really want to get this out of the way as fast as possible. As to the RA equivalent credits, I'll only know as soon as my degree evaluation is complete. But it is a 180 ECTS "professional" bachelor's degree, I hope this will translate to at least 30 RA credits.

It is very possible, it's just that I wouldn't try to rush things and have a backup plan just in case... I've pointed out that a few people who are full time employees were able to complete 5 TESU classes for the flat rate and was able to graduate. You want to make sure the capstone has priority over the other e-packs or classes, plus if you need, you can always extend the capstone class as long as you have 50%+ completed and have professor approval. Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid409836

[warre]

Is it not possible for me to do the flat term, including the capstone? As I originally posted, I really want to get this out of the way as fast as possible. As to the RA equivalent credits, I'll only know as soon as my degree evaluation is complete. But it is a 180 ECTS "professional" bachelor's degree, I hope this will translate to at least 30 RA credits.

It is very possible, it's just that I wouldn't try to rush things and have a backup plan just in case... I've pointed out that a few people who are full time employees were able to complete 5 TESU classes for the flat rate and was able to graduate. You want to make sure the capstone has priority over the other e-packs or classes, plus if you need, you can always extend the capstone class as long as you have 50%+ completed and have professor approval. Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid409836

Okay cool, that's good to know! I think for now I'll wait until spantran has finally completed the evaluation and until HR tells me how much they can reimburse... I'll then make a decision on how to proceed, it's very tough to gauge how difficult any of the courses will be as there's no way to find reviews lol. Judging by the syllabus of both discrete math and datastructures I feel decently prepared to tackle them, but will need to think about whether that will be possible while working and completing the capstone. Your info has been very valuable throughout this thread and I will take it into account when deciding what to do!

[davewill]

@warre, whatever courses you decide to take together, I would plan on starting the full time term early, in July, so that you can extend the capstone if need be without sweating missing the Dec graduation date. I had to extend my capstone a couple of weeks because I started a new job part way through and was tossed into a bunch of overseas business travel. I fell a couple of weeks behind and never caught up. Doing the extension was the best decision for me. It took all the pressure off, allowing me to finish the paper as I saw fit (and get a solid A), instead of cramming a bunch of editing and rewriting in at the last minute.

Also, getting started promptly is the best way to avoid stress. What would you do if they said, "No?", give up, or would you push ahead? Unless the finances are just impossible, I'd get started and commit to the plan, regardless of what your employer decides on reimbursement.

[warre]

@warre, whatever courses you decide to take together, I would plan on starting the full time term early, in July, so that you can extend the capstone if need be without sweating missing the Dec graduation date. I had to extend my capstone a couple of weeks because I started a new job part way through and was tossed into a bunch of overseas business travel. I fell a couple of weeks behind and never caught up. Doing the extension was the best decision for me. It took all the pressure off, allowing me to finish the paper as I saw fit (and get a solid A), instead of cramming a bunch of editing and rewriting in at the last minute.

Also, getting started promptly is the best way to avoid stress. What would you do if they said, "No?", give up, or would you push ahead? Unless the finances are just impossible, I'd get started and commit to the plan, regardless of what your employer decides on reimbursement.

Thank you for your advice! I will definitely be able to start the full-time term by July. So that's good to know that starting then would leave me some room to extend the capstone if needed.

Yes I know getting started ASAP is best. I already know they will say yes, but would go through with the plan anyway if it's a no. The problem is that this time is a very busy time for most of the company, except IT department (which I'm part of), so I'm still waiting for them to clear things. They said they will reimburse sophia and study.com memberships so I'd rather wait until they get me sorted out with my licenses to save those costs as well. I'm very well eager to commit to the plan and get things rolling, but need to make sure I've got some certainty first.