Applying to grad schools with multiple transcripts

[perrik]

Okay, so I have a checkered educational past, having attended two B&M universities before dropping out. Twenty-odd years later, I'm finally finishing that bachelor's at Excelsior. The next step is grad school, which is essential for my career goals.

Every one of my target grad schools requires transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you've attended, and that includes schools from which you've taken classes as a non-degree-seeking student.

At this point, this means I'll have to submit transcripts from the two B&Ms, Excelsior, and Penn Foster. By the time I finish, Fort Hays will definitely be on the list and I may take a CCE or two through Ohio University.

For those of you who went from EC/TESC/COSC to grad school, did you encounter admissions committees that were concerned about your unconventional pursuit of the BA and the plethora of transcripts you've had to submit? The programs I'm looking at are all state universities and likely aren't as accustomed to non-traditional students as places like WGU, Walden, and the like are.

[malcs]

Okay, so I have a checkered educational past, having attended two B&M universities before dropping out. Twenty-odd years later, I'm finally finishing that bachelor's at Excelsior. The next step is grad school, which is essential for my career goals.

Try to find a school that has a human being in the admissions department that can work with you. I have been bouncing things back and forth with a specific high level person, and not just some clerk that sends out form letters.

Every one of my target grad schools requires transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you've attended, and that includes schools from which you've taken classes as a non-degree-seeking student.

At this point, this means I'll have to submit transcripts from the two B&Ms, Excelsior, and Penn Foster. By the time I finish, Fort Hays will definitely be on the list and I may take a CCE or two through Ohio University.

For those of you who went from EC/TESC/COSC to grad school, did you encounter admissions committees that were concerned about your unconventional pursuit of the BA and the plethora of transcripts you've had to submit? The programs I'm looking at are all state universities and likely aren't as accustomed to non-traditional students as places like WGU, Walden, and the like are.

I am working on this with Jacksonville State as we speak. They are highly accredited, check them out. They have several different ways of evalutating you, including looking at your last 60 credits. As long as you meet the requirements in one of the three different ways, you are OK.

Since ec is a rollup of past credits, I am going to just submit that and wait to be asked for more.

They have a tough time discriminating against EC and other distance learning, regionally accredited schools, since these schools are heavily used by the military.


There are many online masters programs these days. If someone wants to punish you for what you did 20 years ago then find someone who won't. Most schools realize that adult learners in their 40's and 50's are not going back to school to hang out in the ratskiller drinking Buds on their own dime.

[perrik]

Some of the schools I'm looking at require a certain overall GPA, and others will only look at the last 60 credits, but all want the whole slew of transcripts. The masters degree I want is not widely offered (M.Ed in instructional systems design); the number of programs with all-online classes, reasonable tuition, and a solid reputation is even smaller.

I may do an end-run around the issue by pursuing a graduate certificate first, and then applying for the full masters program. It's easier to get in if they already have proof you can do the work! (luckily Stafford loans can be used for graduate certificates as well as degrees)

One of the programs just emailed a response that boils down to "hey, not a problem". They're my third choice, but since I'd be thrilled with any of my top five that's good news!

Now I just have to survive College Algebra...

[cookderosa]

like you, I had multiple transcripts. You'll have to add The College Board to the list if you have CLEPS. I had/have 9 undergrad transcripts lol. All my applications granted me admission.

[perrik]

like you, I had multiple transcripts. You'll have to add The College Board to the list if you have CLEPS. I had/have 9 undergrad transcripts lol. All my applications granted me admission.

Yikes! I haven't taken any CLEPs yet and don't have any on my to-do list, but I've got a boatload of DSSTs coming up. Add that to the transcript list.

Now, I did take two APs back in high school, which Excelsior accepted (thank goodness, because one was English Language & Composition for the WER credit). That was not post-secondary, so I darn well better not have to pay yet another set of transcript fees...

I had intended to apply for seven or eight grad programs, but the multiple transcript fees are going to add significantly to the application costs. Perhaps I'll narrow down the list of possibilities just a wee bit. :p

[skyfall123]

Yikes! I haven't taken any CLEPs yet and don't have any on my to-do list, but I've got a boatload of DSSTs coming up. Add that to the transcript list.

Your Excelsior transcript will list every course and includes where it came from...so it will list the CLEP's, DSST's, etc...When I applied for grad school at a state school, I only sent in the Excelsior, the community college and WIU transcripts, which were enough. Make sure you secure a couple of excellent recommendations/references.

Below are a couple of more programs to look at

Instructional Technology Program

Instructional Systems Technology Home

[perrik]

Your Excelsior transcript will list every course and includes where it came from...so it will list the CLEP's, DSST's, etc...When I applied for grad school at a state school, I only sent in the Excelsior, the community college and WIU transcripts, which were enough. Make sure you secure a couple of excellent recommendations/references.

Well, that's a relief. Not having to send a separate DSST transcript might save enough cash to fund another application!

The Indiana program is on my list (along with Illinois, San Diego State, Boise State, and UMBC). USF has an excellent program, but since I'm not a FL resident it's significantly more expensive than the others! (UMBC would be, too, if I weren't an MD resident)

Groveling for the references already.

[skyfall123]

The Indiana program is on my list

I took the IU certificate course (link below) for two reasons:
1) at the time I was converting a written certification course to an online format
2) I wanted an overview of IT so I could learn the language and decide if I wanted to pursue a Masters
3) I thought it couldn't hurt a resume

Indiana University Online and Distance Education School of Continuing Studies Certificate in Distance Education Program

The certificate course went pretty heavily into educational theory...I get the impression that if you go with the IU program (tier 1 school/education dept), you will become an expert on educational theory....which could end up serving you well. I know that it wouldn't be nearly as easy as the other programs that allow you to take 12-15 credits worth of multimedia/web/flash courses...but I bet you would end up being able to hold your own with anyone. You also have to consider the job leads that come from being associated with the IU program.

BTW I was the only person who paid his way in the certificate course, the others in that course were from academia, from the US Army War College, GM, a few IT consulting companies etc...

Just food for thought...IU is considered tier 1 for a reason
Indiana University--Bloomington - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report

[cookderosa]

Yikes! I haven't taken any CLEPs yet and don't have any on my to-do list, but I've got a boatload of DSSTs coming up. Add that to the transcript list.

Now, I did take two APs back in high school, which Excelsior accepted (thank goodness, because one was English Language & Composition for the WER credit). That was not post-secondary, so I darn well better not have to pay yet another set of transcript fees...

I had intended to apply for seven or eight grad programs, but the multiple transcript fees are going to add significantly to the application costs. Perhaps I'll narrow down the list of possibilities just a wee bit. :p

>>


You can usually get a price break if you call and ask. Tell them you need to buy 10, can they do a discount? If they say no, ask how many you would need to get a discount. The Online adjunct forum talks about using this technique with great success.

PS You might need your AP transcript too.