BA Communications Home Stretch! Mutual help :)

[MelB8tz]

I've decided to upload how my degree process has been going so far. I've been so inspired by the rest of you instantcert "students," especially the success stories, and can't wait to be writing my own. I'm so thankful for the information in this forum; it has directed everything I've done up to now and the mutual encouragement and sharing of information is an incredible blessing. I love it!

So, here's some information I hope others find useful, and if you are enrolled with TESC or ahead of me, I also have questions Please help me



My Story
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-19 years old, started when I was 18, mixed with traveling and working for non-profits for 7 months. Have reached 81 credits in 8 months time via testing. I have primarily used InstantCert (flashcards and especially the forum), second the internet, third libraries, fourth REA books/petersons on occasion. Haven't failed yet, but have come close (53 on U.S. History I anyone? Don't ask...)

-Going for a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Thomas Edison State

-Tested out of all "general education" credits and plan to test out of (or use FEMA's) for "general electives."

-Found that searching for best test centers by "trying them out" was the best thing to do while testing. Some charged $50 proctor fee (crazy), others $20, until I landed on one that is currently "free" (thank the Lord). Also the environments and personnel are different in each--find the most helpful, flexible, and quiet locations.

-After contacting admissions, I had to ask for a waiver to their age policy (I am 19, under their age 21 limit). They wanted a letter detailing why I would be a good candidate for TESC (it ended up being one page for me) with attached, scanned copies of all my unofficial transcripts.

-Reply email allowing me to apply came shortly thereafter

-Applied with TESC, got acceptance letter via Email, and am now waiting on evaluation




Things I wish I would have done
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-Started earlier. 75% of this stuff is a review of highschool--I found myself reusing Jay Wile's Biology textbook (great resource for Natural Sciences, by the way). Could have graduated by now had I started earlier!

-Taken exams more logically. I tried to do this, but could have done better. This really helps you to cook through your exams faster! For example, do Sociology first, Psychology second, and Educational Psychology third. You will find tons of overlap in each, making them easier to study faster back-to-back. Another example is to do Personal Finance, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, then maybe Accounting or Money and Banking. Any way you can stack things will help you move faster (an exam every week or every two weeks is not at all impossible using this forum as a study guide).

-Applied earlier. An application lasts 6 months before you have to apply again. The evaluation takes time (4-8 weeks), as does financial aid, as does simply figuring out all of TESC's policies and how their programs work online (once you're accepted, you get a college ID and login which you can gain more information on how courses work and stuff).

-Figured out financial aid earlier. If you need a subsidized (interest-free) or unsubsidized student loan, you need to fill submit a FAFSA anytime (preferably now, just have it). You probably also need to go ahead and submit a Master Promissory Note (MPN) to the U.S. Department of Education.
Finally, once you apply, you must send in a basic application for aid to TESC itself. All their aid policies (and the TESC Aid App form on pg. 3) can be found here:

http://www.tesc.edu/files/FinAid_Handbook_2010-2011.pdf
FAFSA: FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
MPN: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/createEmpn.action

-Tons of information (basically ALL of it) is on TESC's website. You have everything you need to figure things out, it's just a muddled mess you have to decipher. I'm pretty convinced that besides a desire for education, the college education system is profiting off some confusion and intimidation too


Where I'm at now!
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-Attached is a complete copy of my degree roadmap for communications, built off TESC's policies, the generous knowledge of people in this forum, and close friends with previous experience. Please feel free to check it out and possibly use it yourself! Disclaimer: I'm still the author, so it is not a guaranteed roadmap, but definitely solid.


-I need help! Questions for enrolled or "senior" students:


1. Is it possible to get 30-36 credits in ONE year and still graduate WITHIN that year? What does that look like (how many credits a "semester" or "term" or whatever?!). Can you "stack" them or is there anything you would have done differently? I'm dying to jump in head-long, but really nervous about scheduling with TESC and ending before all the graduation deadlines without having to pay again.

2. Are there cheaper, more flexible, better ways to gain credit outside of TESC courses, and PLA's? I hear people going to community colleges for credit and stuff. How do you find out if upper-level courses from a CC will be accepted to fulfill TESC's area of concentration credits?

3. Tying in with #2, is comprehensive tuition better or the selective tuition plan? Basically, if I want to get AS MUCH CREDIT as possible outside of TESC courses, where can I go?




Conclusion
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I'm would absolutely love to graduate by the December 2011 date (which means my last course is in May 2011). I'd REALLY love to graduate by the the September 2011 date, but that means my last course would have to be February which I'm pretty sure is impossible? Funny how you get used to thinking 36 credits in 3 months is completely logical huh?

(Graduation dates for TESC: Undergraduate Registration Guidelines - Thomas Edison State College )

BE ENCOURAGED! If you are new to this, half the battle is confidence. I started out taking a month to prepare for an exam (completely unnecessary) and ended up taking two in one week. Plan exams strategically, study smart with instantcert feedback and flashcards, get pumped about beating the "Education System," and study your brains out! You can do this! 75 credits in 6 months is completely possible. Take a deep breath, draw up a rough road map (bound to change a million times), and Go. For. It.

Godspeed and many thanks to all,

Caleb