Low GPA question...

[mongoose65]

I am contemplating switching from EC to TESC based on the better evaluation, FEMA and fewer number of UL credits needed. My problem is that either way my GPA is lame (2.41 at EC, 2.0 at TESC). I feel I should just get the degree and if I decide on grad school later, I will mostly rely on my good lucks (ok, just being silly). Rely on resume, GRE, references, good essays, etc. I am not looking for a fancy program, however I want to continue to test out and do not want to take courses. I am honestly not interested and not motivated. I feel my BS is just cleaning up the wreckage of the past. Grad school will be a new beginning and I am a much different person now than I was when my GPA was garnered 25 years ago. If I take the BS, does that "lock" in my GPA for eternity (I think the answer is yes to that but I'm not sure).

Just wondered what the good folks here thought. Is there THAT much difference between a 2.0 and a 2.41? It's just as embarassing explaining either one to an admissions dept.

Also, any recommendations for inexpensive grad programs with lax admission standards (LOL).

Thanks and best to all.

[malcs]

I am contemplating switching from EC to TESC based on the better evaluation, FEMA and fewer number of UL credits needed. My problem is that either way my GPA is lame (2.41 at EC, 2.0 at TESC). I feel I should just get the degree and if I decide on grad school later, I will mostly rely on my good lucks (ok, just being silly). Rely on resume, GRE, references, good essays, etc. I am not looking for a fancy program, however I want to continue to test out and do not want to take courses. I am honestly not interested and not motivated. I feel my BS is just cleaning up the wreckage of the past. Grad school will be a new beginning and I am a much different person now than I was when my GPA was garnered 25 years ago. If I take the BS, does that "lock" in my GPA for eternity (I think the answer is yes to that but I'm not sure).

Just wondered what the good folks here thought. Is there THAT much difference between a 2.0 and a 2.41? It's just as embarassing explaining either one to an admissions dept.

Also, any recommendations for inexpensive grad programs with lax admission standards (LOL).

Thanks and best to all.

Some grad schools will give you the option of using the GPA of your last 60 credits for this very reason.

You can often take a few courses at a school, score well, then apply for matriculation. This gives you a back door into some programs.

There is a huge difference between a 2.0 and a 2.41.

I would stay at EC a little longer, and take a few EC exams that have real grades, or a few of the rare DSST exams that give you a grade. I pulled my old 2.8 GPA up to a 3.2 doing that.

[CLEP101]

Some grad schools will give you the option of using the GPA of your last 60 credits for this very reason.

You can often take a few courses at a school, score well, then apply for matriculation. This gives you a back door into some programs.

There is a huge difference between a 2.0 and a 2.41.

I would stay at EC a little longer, and take a few EC exams that have real grades, or a few of the rare DSST exams that give you a grade. I pulled my old 2.8 GPA up to a 3.2 doing that.

I agree, take a few DSST exams to satisfy some requirements and get letter grades at Excelsior (not the revised exams that require a 400, those are P/F). If you can pull off a few "A"s through DSSTs, that should pull up your GPA.

[Gary]

I concur. Gotta bring it up at least close to 3.0. The last 60 count. I would take easy classes to raise it. Truthfully, those GPA"s are not going to garner much attention. The market is loaded w/3.0's and much higher w/excellent skills to boot.

[cookderosa]

finishing your degree does lock in a GPA- and transferring to TESC means you lose the GRE Psych credit, but gain use of FEMA. Lots to consider.

Pulling up a GPA when you have more than 50 credits is VERY hard- google a GPA calculator and play with the numbers. Based on the level of effort required, number of credits needed, cost of credits you will need, and your expressed motivation- I'd say skip it. Why? Because there are zillions of master's degree programs- legitimate, accredited, and open enrollment. (pay= enrolled) Anyway, if no one takes you , you can always go to Harvard with me

[malcs]

Do the best you can to correct this, then move on. When the time comes use every back door you can to get into a masters program. Lot's of people have bad grades in their past.

EC does not accept D grades any more, so I assume you have lots of Cs. If you got into EC when they still took Ds, then ask them to drop the Ds according to the new policy.

Pick up the pieces, finish your degree, and forget about what you did 25 years ago. Set a new goal of not taking exams until you are ready for an A.

[perrik]

I replied in the duplicate thread, and since it hasn't been merged back into this one yet...

The first time around, I did poorly in college. My own fault, I coasted through the honors program in high school without much effort, and then hit the brick wall of reality. Oops. My GPA is a lousy 2.32, and yet, there's hope.

Of the grad schools I've been looking at, most require a 3.0 GPA for admission. A few set the minimum at 2.7. BUT... some schools state they want that 3.0 for just the last 60 credits. If you work hard on the final credits, you may be able to pull the junior/senior GPA high enough to meet the minimum. Other universities will accept the sub-3.0 GPA upon consent of the department, so you can talk with your target program's director about why you want to attend that program and how focused you are now. You might be admitted on a provisional basis, meaning they'll drop you if you don't maintain a high GPA in your first couple semesters, but you'd get the chance.

Another option is the graduate certificate. Some programs require you to meet the same standards as a degree seeker, but others only require that you possess a bachelor's. Getting a graduate certificate may be enough for your career goals, or you can use it to get into the full degree program ("my undergrad GPA was lousy, but look, I have a 3.75 in this grad certificate program!"). Most graduate certificate programs are eligible for federal student loan programs.

A third option is to take grad classes as a non-enrolled student. Take one or two just to show that hey, my undergrad GPA was lousy, but I got A's on these grad classes. The disadvantage here is cost, as you can't get federal aid and thus must pay out of pocket.

EC allows you to replace your old grades, provided you're replacing the old class with an equivalent one. I got C's in macroeconomics and microeconomics, way back when. I plan to take both through Straighterline, launder the letter-grade credits through Fort Hays State University, and transfer them to Excelsior. The original classes will stay on my academic record, but not as part of the degree credits and therefore not as part of my GPA. If you can replace any of those bad older grades with shiny new ones, or at least use CLEP to replace a C or D with a "Pass", do it! Exam options resulting in letter grades include ECEs, many of the DSSTs, and Ohio University's independent studies program.

FYI, if you enrolled at EC back when they accepted D grades, they won't strike them off now even with the policy change. You can take an equivalent class to get rid of the D, but otherwise it's not going away. I had one D, and haven't been able to find an equivalent course yet.

[mongoose65]

Thanks for all the great advice. Although I don't agree with it all, it is still greatly appreciated. I do not believe it is all so cut and dried. Some grad programs seem to take GPA as a portion (e.g. admission requirement is GPA x 450 + GRE score MUST be over 2250...with a 2.0 that would mean 1350 GRE which is tough but doable and much cheaper than retaking a number of classes). I am already close to 100 credits (over that with FEMAs). I have contemplated retaking CLEPS to replace C-'s at EC, or some graded DSST's.

I am leaning towards TESC because I have a dozen unused FEMA's, I got zilch on the Psych GRE (so no loss there) and I don't have to deal with the LL/UL credit issue.

I mostly want my BS as quickly as possible. I think going with a grad certificate program, open enrollment (Hey Jennifer, Harvard here I come, LOL), or negotiating my way into a program as a provisional student is very doable with any GPA. I will have a BS, 2 grad level certifications, referrals and whatever I can muster on a GRE or other entrance exam. Oh and cash in hand, which schools seem to like.

Does any one know if TESC will drop D's off a transcript if replacing with an equivalent course or exam? I know EC will do it but I do not have any D's at EC.

Does TESC offer grades for DSST's (the older ones, not the newer ones)?

Happy Memorial Day to all.

[malcs]

I replied in the duplicate thread, and since it hasn't been merged back into this one yet...
FYI, if you enrolled at EC back when they accepted D grades, they won't strike them off now even with the policy change. You can take an equivalent class to get rid of the D, but otherwise it's not going away. I had one D, and haven't been able to find an equivalent course yet.

I guess I should be glad that my EC enrollment lapsed so badly that they reevaluated my prior work. Originally I had two Ds, and after a, cough, cough,..., 20 year break , they told me that the Ds no longer transferred. I just wish they hadn't dropped my 36 credits from a GRE in computer science as well, due to new grading thresholds.

[cookderosa]

Thanks for all the great advice. Although I don't agree with it all, it is still greatly appreciated. I do not believe it is all so cut and dried. Some grad programs seem to take GPA as a portion (e.g. admission requirement is GPA x 450 + GRE score MUST be over 2250...with a 2.0 that would mean 1350 GRE which is tough but doable and much cheaper than retaking a number of classes). I am already close to 100 credits (over that with FEMAs). I have contemplated retaking CLEPS to replace C-'s at EC, or some graded DSST's.

I am leaning towards TESC because I have a dozen unused FEMA's, I got zilch on the Psych GRE (so no loss there) and I don't have to deal with the LL/UL credit issue.

I mostly want my BS as quickly as possible. I think going with a grad certificate program, open enrollment (Hey Jennifer, Harvard here I come, LOL), or negotiating my way into a program as a provisional student is very doable with any GPA. I will have a BS, 2 grad level certifications, referrals and whatever I can muster on a GRE or other entrance exam. Oh and cash in hand, which schools seem to like.

Does any one know if TESC will drop D's off a transcript if replacing with an equivalent course or exam? I know EC will do it but I do not have any D's at EC.

Does TESC offer grades for DSST's (the older ones, not the newer ones)?

Happy Memorial Day to all.

>>

We should start a new thread asking who got denied admission to grad programs- i have yet to read a post since I came on about anyone not getting into a grad program. College is such a buyer's market for adults, I just don't have any doubts that you'll get into any number of colleges.

I was serious about Harvard as an option. My experience has been outstanding, I can't say enough good things about it. The Extension dept. requires you pass 3 grad courses in your concentration, then you can apply for degree-seeking status. Their position is that anyone who can do the work should have the opportunity to attend. There are other details, but that's the nutshell version. (it's not easy- but it rocks)