How do you decide ?

[mednat]

Great point. I can start the process, I suppose that it seems like a cost that can be avoided though.

If the application fee is not possible, we can certainly guess, but I would view the initial application fee as an investment.

I did not follow this advise (despite it appearing in many posts). I guessed, and started at Excelsior. I paid for a full year with the multi-source option....only to find even with that sunk cost it was cheaper for me to switch to TESC due to the UL options I needed for my major. I'm still very happy with what I've paid for my degree, but this has definitely been one of the lessons I've learned the hard way in this process.

Are you active military? If so, this may provide additional cost savings.