Getting my last few credits straightened out

[ryoder]

One more reason to do TESC versus EC. The TESC business capstone is a TECEP proctored exam and there is no info literacy required course.

Of course I am biased since I am graduating from TESC.

[durandtheman]

Since I'm already applied and enrolled at Excelsior, I I kinda have to stick to it.

I'm curious about anyone who has taken Straightliner courses. I'm looking for a good way to increase my GPA and have read in here that there are those who transfer their Straightliner credit to Fort Hays State U and then to excelsior or TESC and get grades instead of just a Pass/Fail credit.

Does anyone know what that takes? Do I need to apply and enroll into FHSU? or just enroll?

I'm curious about the process of doing that since I am already an Excelsior student, but would much rather get my GPA to increase through SL instead of paying thousands for a class from Excelsior.

Thanks!!

[burbuja0512]

Since I'm already applied and enrolled at Excelsior, I I kinda have to stick to it.

I'm curious about anyone who has taken Straightliner courses. I'm looking for a good way to increase my GPA and have read in here that there are those who transfer their Straightliner credit to Fort Hays State U and then to excelsior or TESC and get grades instead of just a Pass/Fail credit.

Does anyone know what that takes? Do I need to apply and enroll into FHSU? or just enroll?

I'm curious about the process of doing that since I am already an Excelsior student, but would much rather get my GPA to increase through SL instead of paying thousands for a class from Excelsior.

Thanks!!

The SL staff can walk you through it. It costs 30 bucks and the FHSU people are also very comfortable with SL.

Other ways you might look at to increase GPA: Does EC give grades for any Dantes? At COSC, they'll give you a grade for any non-refreshed Dantes. So, any DSST that is scored out of 80 rather than 400, you get graded. That is a great way to bump up GPA if you have the option. For example, I just took Intro to Law enforcement for my last bit of elective credit. It was an easy, fun test and not refreshed.

HTH

[durandtheman]

Thanks for your help burbuja0512.

I haven't started my Straightliner courses yet, I'm still in the process of receiving my books (in the mail).

Unfortunately I read that Excelsior only gives CLEP/DSST credit as Pass/Fail. Which is ok if I'm able to transfer the SL courses to FHSU to EC (as long as I get A's). I'm still in the process of receiving all my credits, but once I take the plunge I'm definitely going to be in contact with EC more about trying to up my GPA.

Thanks for the tips. I'm 3/4 of the way done with IN 102 - Information Literacy from Excelsior (no book and very little studying) so I'm getting there. My goal for an AAS - Business is almost complete!

[ryoder]

Just a thought but why even get an AS degree? Lots of people have a bs but no as. The as to some, seems like you started off at community college instead of being admitted directly into a four year college.

[MA2]

Just a thought but why even get an AS degree? Lots of people have a bs but no as. The as to some, seems like you started off at community college instead of being admitted directly into a four year college.

What's the difference if you started at a CC? Your degree with say "Bachelor of Arts/science such-and-such University" whether you started at a CC or not ... it's not like anyone would know where your first 2 years were from unless you told them.

[ryoder]

Yeah it doesnt affect the BS at all but I wouldnt list an AS on my resume if I had a BS.

For example:
AS Business, Hillsborough Community College
BS Business, University of Tampa

This student probably had too low a GPA or SAT scores to be accepted to the university. I hate to say it but when I was in high school we all looked down on community college.

[NAP]

......
Unfortunately I read that Excelsior only gives CLEP/DSST credit as Pass/Fail. ......

I have good news for you; this statement is not true. What Burbuja0512 said is correct at EC, too. Check out the Student Guide to Credit by Exam. There are several DSST exams (non-refreshed) that are still awarded grades at EC.

Also, there are 4-6 SL courses for which FHSU awards grades. There is a list on this forum and probably on the SL website, too.

Welcome to the forum!

[burbuja0512]

Yeah it doesnt affect the BS at all but I wouldnt list an AS on my resume if I had a BS.

For example:
AS Business, Hillsborough Community College
BS Business, University of Tampa

This student probably had too low a GPA or SAT scores to be accepted to the university. I hate to say it but when I was in high school we all looked down on community college.

There are arguments for and arguments against the AS. A friend of mine spent 20k and over two years of her life on an AS. She wanted to get the piece of paper so that at least she would have something to show for her efforts. An associates is better than nothing, right? She also wanted to take a substantial break before she picked up the books again. Of course, now that I've told her about testing, she will be on the fast track to finishing up.

The argument against has a couple of points in my opinion. First of all, an associates costs money to get. If you find that you can test at a decent pace, why bother to pay for it? It's just giving extra money to the school.

Secondly and I hate to admit it, but Ryoder is right. A lot of people understand the effort and time that goes into an associates, but there is a certain type of person out there that doesn't appreciate it. An old VP I used to work with comes to mind. He was the sports star in high school that went straight to the most popular state college and graduated in four years. He still wears his college sweatshirt on casual Fridays and calls in sick when there is a big college game weekend coming up. This is the type of guy that thought that community college was for second-rate students and would look down on people that went to one. We all know that this isn't true, but there's no way to convince this die-hard.

So, what I would do if I didn't have time to get my BS in a year or so is to get the associates. However, I would not list it on my resume once I got my bachelors. I don't think it would substantially hurt you, but it does call attention to the fact that you may not have been able to go to a four-year college right after high school.

The good news is that I think the current high school generation may be slightly changing the trend. My high school guidance counselor made it seem like community college was a step above the state penitentiary, but I have been reading that this advice is changing. I think more and more people are getting wise to the fact that you don't have to pay ridiculous fees for the general ed, lecture-style classes that you get in a four year college for the 100 and 200 level classes. However, even if more people are using community colleges to save money, it will take a while before this generation is in a position to be reviewing your resume.

[durandtheman]

I have good news for you; this statement is not true. What Burbuja0512 said is correct at EC, too. Check out the Student Guide to Credit by Exam. There are several DSST exams (non-refreshed) that are still awarded grades at EC.

Also, there are 4-6 SL courses for which FHSU awards grades. There is a list on this forum and probably on the SL website, too.

Welcome to the forum!

Wow!! Thanks for telling me about the DSSTs!! I didn't even notice that in that guide it lists the scores you need for an A, B, C/pass. Thats really helpful!! My brother had an issue where all the classes he took only have him P/F credit, so I just assumed I would get the same treatment... (pays to do reasearch!)

The reason I want my AAS is because I've been out of college for about 4 years, and am willing to pay the extra $500 to at least ease my own peace of mind that I have completed a portion of college and have proof of it. So far on my resume is "years attended college" but no degree fulfillment.

I'm still going for my BS and am currently working, but it will be nice to be able to complete this and finalize my career possibilities with a degree.

I don't look down at AAS, I could imagine there are those who would, but I'm looking past that and just want this for myself at the moment.