I finally picked a school for my BA

[staceydiane]

I graduated from Pierpont (AoE: Information Systems) in December and I walked across the stage last month.  I've been going back and forth about what I wanted to do next, and I had considered a behavioral health counseling certificate.  I think I was selling myself short because I am definitely capable of a bachelor's degree.  Anyway, I'm going for the bachelor's.  

I decided on TESU because I like what I've read about the BA in Liberal Studies degree.  I'm still disappointing my mother (who passed away 8 years ago) but at least it's not underwater basket-weaving.  I have a big interest in the social sciences but I can't narrow it down to Psychology or Sociology alone.  Even though I got the Pierpont AAS in Info Systems, I do not want to get a bachelor's in that at all.  I have been thinking about graduate school also.  I know it's putting the cart before the horse, but I saw the TESU MA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in gerontology.  

I looked at the degree plan and was overjoyed that I most likely will not have to take any more math classes.  It's a miracle I passed statistics at Sophia.  I've hated math classes since 1982.

I also looked at Excelsior and UMPI but I feel that TESU would be a good choice for me.  I thought about Texas A&M-Commerce for a second, too (my family attended the main campus in College Station, but I was the rebel who did not.)  Liberty wouldn't be good for me because I'm Jewish and I don't want to have to write papers about concepts in which I don't believe.

I'm still getting all my transcripts together to send to TESU.  I already sent my Credly one but I'm probably sending the ones from Pierpont and Houston Community College tomorrow.  My Pierpont transcript says I have 84 credits (almost all Sophia and TEEX.)  Yay for all that credit Nancy gave me for the TEEX classes.

I'm doing this TESU thing on financial aid.  I don't have the $ to spend on Study.com or E-Packs.  I might be able to do Coopersmith or TECEPS from time to time.  Getting the BA may take me longer, but whatever.  I want to remain focused on the goal.

[Stonybeach]

I am so happy for you. Congratulations and Shalom!

"I don't want to have to write papers about concepts in which I don't believe.".... welcome to college; it's all about jumping through hoops.
Hopefully, we learn something along the way that will be useful.

[ltw900rr]

Congratulations on continuing your education and working towards your Bachelors degree!

You will make your mother proud when you graduate with your Bachelors degree, no matter what that degree is in.

My aunt and I talked about this when I graduated, my Great-grandmother who raised me until she passed away wanted me to go to college, and by graduating I knew I was making her happy. My aunt was also raised by my Great-grandmother, so we always joke about who she loved the most.

[staceydiane]

Congratulations on continuing your education and working towards your Bachelors degree!

You will make your mother proud when you graduate with your Bachelors degree, no matter what that degree is in.

My aunt and I talked about this when I graduated, my Great-grandmother who raised me until she passed away wanted me to go to college, and by graduating I knew I was making her happy. My aunt was also raised by my Great-grandmother, so we always joke about who she loved the most.

My birth mother (who is still alive) is so proud of me...she only has an eighth-grade education.  My bio paternal great-uncle has a MS in Public Health so he says I got my interest in health and social sciences from him.  

I noticed in your signature that you went to San Jac.  My mother's sisters went there (one at Central and the other one South.)  One of them ended up transferring to Rice.

---

I am so happy for you. Congratulations and Shalom!

"I don't want to have to write papers about concepts in which I don't believe.".... welcome to college; it's all about jumping through hoops.
Hopefully, we learn something along the way that will be useful.

I expect to jump through some hoops, ha ha!  I jumped through many to get here!

[bjcheung77]

@staceydiane, Congrats on deciding on a degree and institution! TESU is a great option for those who want to get the max transfer of alternative credits (up to 90) and also have some RA (college credits). You need to decide on either completing the 15 residency credits, or paying the residency waiver fee. I would also keep in mind that UMPI may also be an option if you have the energy, time to get things done in set time frame of say 2 sessions or 3. If you have to get more than 3 sessions, the cost would be expensive and TESU would look more favorable...

[staceydiane]

@staceydiane, Congrats on deciding on a degree and institution!  TESU is a great option for those who want to get the max transfer of alternative credits (up to 90) and also have some RA (college credits).  You need to decide on either completing the 15 residency credits, or paying the residency waiver fee.  I would also keep in mind that UMPI may also be an option if you have the energy, time to get things done in set time frame of say 2 sessions or 3.  If you have to get more than 3 sessions, the cost would be expensive and TESU would look more favorable...

I think I'm just going to take the 15 residency credits, since I'm going to be receiving financial aid.  I'm not going to stress over how long it takes me to get it done.  I'm happy that I made it to this point already!

I got all my transcripts in, so now I guess I wait to hear back?

[davewill]

You can log into the student portal. In there, you will find your academic evaluation, which shows what has been completed and what still needs completion. It should fill in with the transferred courses as they work through your transcripts over the next 2-4 weeks.

[mr_peanutbutter]

@staceydiane, Congrats on deciding on a degree and institution!  TESU is a great option for those who want to get the max transfer of alternative credits (up to 90) and also have some RA (college credits).  You need to decide on either completing the 15 residency credits, or paying the residency waiver fee.  I would also keep in mind that UMPI may also be an option if you have the energy, time to get things done in set time frame of say 2 sessions or 3.  If you have to get more than 3 sessions, the cost would be expensive and TESU would look more favorable...

I think I'm just going to take the 15 residency credits, since I'm going to be receiving financial aid.  I'm not going to stress over how long it takes me to get it done.  I'm happy that I made it to this point already!

I got all my transcripts in, so now I guess I wait to hear back?

You got this!!!

[staceydiane]

@staceydiane, Congrats on deciding on a degree and institution!  TESU is a great option for those who want to get the max transfer of alternative credits (up to 90) and also have some RA (college credits).  You need to decide on either completing the 15 residency credits, or paying the residency waiver fee.  I would also keep in mind that UMPI may also be an option if you have the energy, time to get things done in set time frame of say 2 sessions or 3.  If you have to get more than 3 sessions, the cost would be expensive and TESU would look more favorable...

I think I'm just going to take the 15 residency credits, since I'm going to be receiving financial aid.  I'm not going to stress over how long it takes me to get it done.  I'm happy that I made it to this point already!

I got all my transcripts in, so now I guess I wait to hear back?

You got this!!!

I got the evaluation and most of my gen eds are already knocked out.  I'm going to take the rest of them in the July and October terms.  

I am so excited, y'all!

[staceydiane]

I wanted to give y'all an update one month into the term.

I really like my classes and professors. I was nervous the first week because I hadn't written a paper in DECADES, but after that, I chilled. I really feel like I've got this. I know I made the best decision regarding my educational progress, especially with my chronic illness. I spend a lot of time studying in bed or on the sofa, but it's all good.

I'm taking five classes (well, four and then a TECEP.)