What's this GPA thing at TESC?

[kevinmanemane]

So I just got my academic eval back from TESC (finally!) and it shows I only have 9 more credits left to get (3 in the 300/400+ level of Social Science, Humanities, or Natural Science/Math - and then 6 credits left in the general ed requirements of social science, humanities, or natural science/math).

So that's awesome.

So I was thinking about clepping English Lit (6 credits-Humanities-lower level) and World Religions (3 credits-Humanities-upper level @ TESC) and then be DONE!

However - I got some questions I need answering:

With the courses I have transfered over, i have a 3.1 GPA. I know you need at least a 3.0 GPA within your bachelor's to get into graduate school.
Because I wanted to clep the rest of my credits - they would be accepted as "CR" (credit) and wouldn't affect my GPA. So I would end with what I got now. But then I've heard that TESC won't publish a GPA for your transcript unless you take 1 actual class with them.
So do I have to take an actual class with TESC in order for the transcripts to say that I have above a 3.0 for grad school - or will my grad school just look at my transcripts and see that the classes that WERE graded equate to a 3.0.

So basically, I'm asking: For my situation do I need to take an actual class @ TESC or can I just do what I originally planned and test out of the remaining credits and still be good for the MA?
I want to go to grad school at California State University, Sacramento for a Masters in Liberal Studies.
Ive already read their requirements and they say that you need to have a bachelor's from a regionally accredited college with at least a 3.0 to enter the program.

Also - as extra bonus questions: If I did have to take ONE class at TESC, what do you think would be the easiest classes out of what I can take (100 level general ed classes) - just name off a few

Also - why does TESC highly recommend that you take their class LIB-499 as your final upper level class? Does that affect if a grad school will accept you or not?

[iCLEP2]

You are correct...TESC only gives a GPA for their courses only.

I've read that SOS-110 Living in the Information Age is one of TESC's easiest courses and it doesn't require a book.

I would test out of the two classes you mentioned and take SOS-101 with TESC to get a GPA.

LIB-499 is only "recommended," not required...therefore, it's not mandatory...I'm not taking it and I believe the majority of IC members opted not to take it as well...I highly doubt that would affect you being accepted in grad school.

[cookderosa]

So I just got my academic eval back from TESC (finally!) and it shows I only have 9 more credits left to get (3 in the 300/400+ level of Social Science, Humanities, or Natural Science/Math - and then 6 credits left in the general ed requirements of social science, humanities, or natural science/math).

So that's awesome.

So I was thinking about clepping English Lit (6 credits-Humanities-lower level) and World Religions (3 credits-Humanities-upper level @ TESC) and then be DONE!

However - I got some questions I need answering:

With the courses I have transfered over, i have a 3.1 GPA. I know you need at least a 3.0 GPA within your bachelor's to get into graduate school.
Because I wanted to clep the rest of my credits - they would be accepted as "CR" (credit) and wouldn't affect my GPA. So I would end with what I got now. But then I've heard that TESC won't publish a GPA for your transcript unless you take 1 actual class with them.
So do I have to take an actual class with TESC in order for the transcripts to say that I have above a 3.0 for grad school - or will my grad school just look at my transcripts and see that the classes that WERE graded equate to a 3.0.

So basically, I'm asking: For my situation do I need to take an actual class @ TESC or can I just do what I originally planned and test out of the remaining credits and still be good for the MA?
I want to go to grad school at California State University, Sacramento for a Masters in Liberal Studies.
Ive already read their requirements and they say that you need to have a bachelor's from a regionally accredited college with at least a 3.0 to enter the program.

Also - as extra bonus questions: If I did have to take ONE class at TESC, what do you think would be the easiest classes out of what I can take (100 level general ed classes) - just name off a few

Also - why does TESC highly recommend that you take their class LIB-499 as your final upper level class? Does that affect if a grad school will accept you or not?

This is true anywhere you go- transfer credits are never part of a GPA. So, in theory, you could take 1 class and get that GPA....but grad schools didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday. Since you won't be the first applicant to have attended more than 1 college, they'll calculate a GPA based on all of your credit.
I did the calculation, and 9 more credits at an "A" will hardly matter- if you take the 9 credits at TESC you'll have "that" GPA, but your real GPA will be about 3.18
If you want to boost your GPA for grad school admissions (which may or may not be moot- it depends on the school /the field /non-profit v profit/ B&M or online, etc) you'd need greater than 60 credits at a perfect "A" (not A-) to get anywhere near 3.5
It's likely not worth the trouble, as any real movement in your GPA at this point is highly unlikely.

[marianne202]

While Jennifer does point out how hard it is to raise a GPA, I know I got stuck with the same problem, some schools will show both your overall GPA and their school specific GPA. I know Excelsior did this on my transcripts. It shows my overall GPA taking into account all my courses on my transcript and my GPA from courses at Excelsior, so my Grad school could see my total GPA history as well as my higher GPA from my more current studies with Excelsior. I'm sure other schools will do this same thing as I doubt Excelsior is doing anything too out of the mainstream norm.

I also know that when I was looking at grad schools they specifically stated that their 3.0 or above GPA requirement was based on the last 60 credits earned. So don't worry, I think the majority of adult learners have some iffy GPA issues from years ago and I doubt they will factor too heavily into your acceptance into grad school. Just research the school policies, ask questions and be up front and honest with the admissions advisor and I bet you will do just fine! Good luck!

[valsacar]

As Marianne says, Excelsior shows both overall GPA and classes taken just with them.

I actually just asked them if they could drop 3 of my old classes (my only Cs) from my transcript (they were transfers) so I could just retake them either as actual classes or tests. The Grad school I'm trying to get into has a 3.5 minimum (which I should be able to do, at 3.38 overall and 4.0 with Excelsior), but in reality they are really looking for 3.8+ (which I can't do with those 3 Cs on my record).

[cookderosa]

As Marianne says, Excelsior shows both overall GPA and classes taken just with them.

I actually just asked them if they could drop 3 of my old classes (my only Cs) from my transcript (they were transfers) so I could just retake them either as actual classes or tests. The Grad school I'm trying to get into has a 3.5 minimum (which I should be able to do, at 3.38 overall and 4.0 with Excelsior), but in reality they are really looking for 3.8+ (which I can't do with those 3 Cs on my record).

TESC doesn't. Your GPA will be TESC earned GPA only. So, you'll have a collection of transcripts each with their own GPA, and your grad school will either calculate it for you or ask you to do it. You can google a GPA calculator to help you. It's a very easy process, even with about 200 credits, I did it in under a half hour.

[Jason800]

Ive just gone through this same thing recently in application for MBA programs. Basically what they will do is ask for all transcripts and calculate the GPA themselves. If you have over 60 graded credits from your latest school they may not require your other transcripts. The top level schools will want all your transcripts regardless of how many credits you did or did not earn from the school. So you should be fine testing out of those last classes.

[jackzack87]

[quote]...I also know that when I was looking at grad schools they specifically stated that their 3.0 or above GPA requirement was based on the last 60 credits earned. So don't worry, I think the majority of adult learners have some iffy GPA issues from years ago and I doubt they will factor too heavily into your acceptance into grad school. Just research the school policies, ask questions and be up front and honest with the admissions advisor and I bet you will do just fine! Good luck![quote]


While this question doesn't really apply to me - I'll be split exactly 60 credits of GPA calculable/60 test-out credits - I'm curious, would grad schools rule out those who have less than 60 credits with a GPA attached? For those who end up testing out of the majority of their degree, might they face some rejection in applying to grad school?

[marianne202]

Jack, my impression is that if you have less than 60 credits to form a GPA you may have to take a GRE, GMAT or write an essay and do an interview. It might factor into more of an issue for very competitive programs in top-tier schools, but given how many schools are available for most programs of study I think someone would be able to find a decent program in a decent school even with less than 60 GPA calculated credits. I researched about 65 schools when choosing my master's and found most to be reasonable in their expectations and requirements.

[JBjunior]

While this question doesn't really apply to me - I'll be split exactly 60 credits of GPA calculable/60 test-out credits - I'm curious, would grad schools rule out those who have less than 60 credits with a GPA attached? For those who end up testing out of the majority of their degree, might they face some rejection in applying to grad school?

This hasn't been an issue for me and I have been accepted to the different graduate schools that I have applied to. There are too many variables to say for sure but I don't see anyone that is a well rounded candidate having any issues.