Hi everyone,

Well, you can add me to the list of recent college graduates…finally! As a word of encouragement to the rest of the “old folks” out there like me, I thought I’d share my story…

I had previously earned an AA degree in 1979 and then started on my Bachelors degree journey in 1982, taking two night classes each semester while working full-time. I did that for two years, got married and never went back! I had always wanted to finish earning my Bachelors degree, but it seemed like an impossible goal to reach, due to time and money constraints.

So when my boss offered in February 2006 to pay for half of the costs to complete my degree, I jumped at the chance. I promptly enrolled in the online program at Regis University, which a good friend had recommended. I started my first online class in March 2006, and then I learned that I could earn college credits for several required classes through “testing out”. I had never heard of such a thing! I mean….who knew?!!!

I took my very first CLEP (Principles of Marketing) in April 2006 and couldn’t believe how GREAT it felt to walk away afterwards with 3 college credits! It was right about that time that I discovered InstantCert and started reading all these posts about Excelsior College and how you could earn a Business degree entirely through “testing out”. After taking a few more tests, I decided to enroll with Excelsior College, and I have never looked back!

I started this second phase of my journey with 52 “traditional” credits. Over the last year, I took 8 CLEP exams, 9 DSST exams, 2 ECE exams, 2 TECEP exams and a College Algebra class to complete my Bachelor of Science—General Business. I am now 48 years old and am the only person in my family who has earned a degree. It may have taken me 25 years to get here, but I finally made it!

Lastly, I have to say that I would not have been as successful in reaching this goal if it were not for InstantCert and the information, encouragement, and camaraderie I found here in the forums. I would especially like to recognize those IC members who have contributed to my journey in some way…Basket Weaver, ChristaKB, LibreVore, ShotoJuku, SimonTam, Snazzlefrag, and Yutzyj.

Good luck to all of the IC members, and remember…NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM!!

JoAnne

Congratulations. It feels G-O-O-D dosn't it? But like the rest of us, you are not D-O-N-E. You will take a short break and then start graduate school. Why, because your hooked on this like the rest of us. G-O-O-D L-U-C-K !!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go!!!!!

Congrats on a well deserved & earned graduation. Any plans on the next step? I'm STILL waiting on my test result, should be in tomorrow according to Excelsior. What are your celebration plans? Remember, you're not 18 anymore so moderation is the key! Lee

__________________
Associates Degree, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
Bachelors of Science, Liberal Studies Degree, Excelsior
MBA Human Resource Management, California Coast University

Congratulations JoAnne!

__________________
LuBee
I finshed all of my credits for a BA in Art from TESC
CLEP Credits:
6 Biology (67)
3 US Hist 1 (67)
6 SS & Hist (68)
3 US Hist 2 (66)
3 Amer Gov (67)
6 Amer Lit (73)
6 Hum (73)
3 Ed Psy (71)
3 H G & D (70)
3 Intro Psy (74)
3 Intro to Soc (75)
6 College Math (68)
6 A & I Lit (72)
DSST:
3 Intro Computing (65)
3 Here's to Your Health (64)
Other Credits:
3 PLA Painting 1
3 TECEP Psy of Women (78/100)
3 TECEP Art Hist 2 (81/100)
3 Dept Exam English 1
45 Traditional

Congrats!!

Welcome To The Club - We're All Proud Of You!!

__________________
Brian R. Fey Sr.
M.S. - Psychology
B.S. - Criminal Justice
A.S. - Administrative Management

Shoto-Advice:
"EC"
"CCU"
"Prayer"
"A Pass is a Pass"
"Slow and Steady - Wins the Race"
“Sometimes The Easy Way Is Not Always The Best Way”
"Passing a Petersons = Conquering a CLEP -or- Defeating a DSST"
"The 5 R's of Study: Repetition - Re-Enforces - Recognition - Recall - Retention"

"Always be Ready to Release Your Mind & Incorporate the Advice of Others into Your Plans."

"Studying is much like Boiling Water, if it is not Heated Constantly it will Once Again Become Cold Water."

Other Sources of CLEP & DSST Study Material

REA Books, Comex Books, Pass Your Class Guides, Standard Deviants DVD's, Petersons Practice Exams, Dummies Books, Idiot's Guides .

You are SO right Lee! That's why there is a rocking chair with my name on it on the front porch...so I can gloat about my degree as I sit there rocking and knitting and trying to keep my dentures in....

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I admire your determination! Thanks for being an encouraging example!!!

It's a tremendous accomplishment by any standard. In some ways, pursuing degrees later in life becomes a test of how many balls you can keep in the air--and for how long. Sometimes this seems pretty easy. I blinked and I went from 24 to 60+ credits in about four months. On the other hand, I'm also trying to complete a community college Accounting course and it's just about killing me! I should be doing homework right now, but instead I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge your accomplishment. It gives me the boost I need to get back to it. That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger. Persistence alone is omnipotent. Congratulations!!!!!! (and thanks for the great story)

__________________
Michael

CLEP - ISCA 68, Sociology 72, Psych 73, A&I Lit 61, HG&D 65, Ed Psych 70, Marketing 72, Management 69, Macroeconomics 63, Microeconomics 67
DSST - Intro to Comp 66, MIS 61, Supervision 67, Counseling 58 - no study!, Personal Finance 67, Statistics 60, Criminal Justice 57, Ethics 58, Finance 63 (All A's at EC)
COC - 2007 (Community College) - Acctg I&II 10c, Work/Study 4c, Intro to Research (Info Lit req) 1c, Society and Rock & Roll 3c, Fund of Music 3c, Guitar I & II - 4c, Bass Guitar I - 2c
ECE - Ethics (A), HRM (B), Organizational Behavior (B) | CSU - Operations Mgmt. (A) | TECEP - Business Policy 80 (CR)

My Excelsior Degree Journey

Bachelor of Science in General Business, cum laude
Excelsior College

Congrats, Congrats and Congrats! I just turned 45 and hope to graduate in December this year. When I hear success stories like yours it gives me the strength to complete my own journey. You are an inspiration and best of luck to you. I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Take Care,
Journey