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Since I won't be able to get a degree from the college I am enrolled in without taking lots of unnecessary classes (must take 25% of your classes at SPC to get a degree from them) I have been researching Excelsior as an alternative. They seem to have a really nice program--right now I intend to go for my BA in History. But, I keep seeing posts about TESC and wonder if I should look into them. This really peaked my interest after reading about all of those FEMA free courses!!! Another school that I am somewhat familiar with is Charter Oak State College in Connecticut. It seems to be similar to TESC. Anybody have any comments on Charter Oak as another option? I plan to test out of every possible class that I can (thanks to the fact that I found Instantcert!!).
I would love to see a little debate about the plusses and minuses of each and why.
Thanks!
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rjc311 Wrote:Since I won't be able to get a degree from the college I am enrolled in without taking lots of unnecessary classes (must take 25% of your classes at SPC to get a degree from them) I have been researching Excelsior as an alternative. They seem to have a really nice program--right now I intend to go for my BA in History. But, I keep seeing posts about TESC and wonder if I should look into them. This really peaked my interest after reading about all of those FEMA free courses!!! Another school that I am somewhat familiar with is Charter Oak State College in Connecticut. It seems to be similar to TESC. Anybody have any comments on Charter Oak as another option? I plan to test out of every possible class that I can (thanks to the fact that I found Instantcert!!).
I would love to see a little debate about the plusses and minuses of each and why.
Thanks!
[SIZE="2"][COLOR="Blue"]No debate here, just my 2 cents: Take it from a fellow Tampa Bay resident - Excelsior College accepted ALL of my previously earned credits (some nearly 30 years old) and I am now one class away from graduating at a bare bones cost.
Keep the change - .02 cents.[/COLOR][/SIZE] 
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I'm also a happy Excelsior student. You can test out of everything (for some majors), the support has been great so far, and the costs are pretty good as well.
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The problem with COSC is that it isn't regionally accredited (the "gold standard" of accreditation). That probably won't make a difference in most arenas, most employers won't really care, but it might if you try to go on to an advanced degree. Plus, I like the ability to tell people that my college, TESC, is accredited by the same accreditation body as the university here in town and most other major colleges.
Both Thomas Edison and Excelsior are regionally accredited.
To me, when you've got two colleges with regional accreditation, why would you go for one that isn't? It could make a difference, so why risk it?
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sirjake Wrote:The problem with COSC is that it isn't regionally accredited (the "gold standard" of accreditation). That probably won't make a difference in most arenas, most employers won't really care, but it might if you try to go on to an advanced degree. Plus, I like the ability to tell people that my college, TESC, is accredited by the same accreditation body as the university here in town and most other major colleges.
Both Thomas Edison and Excelsior are regionally accredited.
To me, when you've got two colleges with regional accreditation, why would you go for one that isn't? It could make a difference, so why risk it?
Sirjake,
Oops! You are mistaken!
COSC is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (one of the six regional accrediting organizations).
Check it out at the CHEA web site:
http://www.chea.org/search/actionInst.asp?CheaID=2594
Hope that clarifies it for you,
Snazzlefrag
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snazzlefrag Wrote:Sirjake,
Oops! You are mistaken!
Snazzlefrag
I stand corrected! I've been proven wrong. My bad! I really was wondering why so many people were considering it. I guess the information I had received before was incorrect and I didn't search deeply enough to find out it was true. One of my own pet peeves (posting information without proper knowledge) committed by myself. Alas.
Honestly, thanks for the info! My wife is starting toward her degree as well and we'll certainly consider COSC given that information.
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sirjake Wrote:I stand corrected! I've been proven wrong. My bad! I really was wondering why so many people were considering it. I guess the information I had received before was incorrect and I didn't search deeply enough to find out it was true. One of my own pet peeves (posting information without proper knowledge) committed by myself. Alas.
Honestly, thanks for the info! My wife is starting toward her degree as well and we'll certainly consider COSC given that information.
I'm glad we got you straightened out SirJake! :p
That's what these boards are all about...there is wisdom in the counsel of many!
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rjc311 Wrote:Since I won't be able to get a degree from the college I am enrolled in without taking lots of unnecessary classes (must take 25% of your classes at SPC to get a degree from them) I have been researching Excelsior as an alternative. They seem to have a really nice program--right now I intend to go for my BA in History. But, I keep seeing posts about TESC and wonder if I should look into them. This really peaked my interest after reading about all of those FEMA free courses!!! Another school that I am somewhat familiar with is Charter Oak State College in Connecticut. It seems to be similar to TESC. Anybody have any comments on Charter Oak as another option? I plan to test out of every possible class that I can (thanks to the fact that I found Instantcert!!).
I would love to see a little debate about the plusses and minuses of each and why.
Thanks!
I chose Excelsior because they accepted all my old credits, 20+ years ago, had a standard fee of $995.00 for enrollment, $500.00 per year each year enrolled, and $500 graduation fee. They provide monthly updates and have been very easy to work with in planing my degree and making payment arrangements. My son paid more than that his first year at community college .
Read Brad Voeller's Accelerated Distance Learning where he outlines the pros and cons of the top three: Thomas Ed., Excelsior, Charter Oak. You can probably find it through your local library. That was actually the catalyst that started my quest for a BA.
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04-21-2006, 06:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-21-2006, 06:17 PM by donvago1.)
I also chose Excelsior. After finding out about Clep's and Dsst exams, I did alot of research on The Big Three trying to find the school where I could complete my degree. I searched Excelsior's website for about 5 months reading everything I could about the school, it's prices, degree options, etc. I even started taking cleps well before I enrolled, in fact I just enrolled earlier this month and have already received my initial evaluation ( which is supposed to take 6 to 8 weeks) but I did send for my previous transcripts from my previously attended schools about a week before I enrolled that definitely helped speed up the process. They accepted everything , even courses I had forgot about. I'm on track to complete my AS in Business in July 06. Not bad considering I started taking cleps in February of this year. Excelsior's staff have answered all of my questions very quickly, no problem at all. Everything is laid out for you in black and white no surprises. This whole process has been extremely easy. I am definitely continuing on with Excelsior for my BS as soon as I complete my AS and decide what I am majoring in.
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04-22-2006, 07:36 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-22-2006, 07:46 PM by rjc311.)
Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond! I used to live in Connecticut so that is how I heard of Charter Oak. Since I am now a Florida resident (see ya later snow!) I would have to pay non-resident tuition there. But, I do like their motto "Degrees without boundaries"....nice!
I think I will be choosing Excelsior...I have been leaning towards them for a while and lots of people here really seem to like them. I plan to continue testing until I feel I am ready to apply there. With all the help and info I get here, why pay more and enroll now?! For anyone who is interested, here is where I am at right now as far as credits are concerned:
Rollins College (taken during High School):
Literature of the American Environment--3 credits
Valencia Community College:
Spanish I--3 credits
Florida International University:
Biology with lab--4 credits
Chemistry with lab--4 credits
English Comp I--3 credits
English II--3 credits
Intro to International Relations--3 credits
Spanish II--5 credits (brutal)
CLEP:
Information Systems and Computer Applications--score 63
St. Petersburg College:
Understanding Art--Currently enrolled--3 credits
Cultural Anthropology--Currently enrolled--3 credits
I am so excited to take more exams for credit. You all are great and I hope I will be able to help people out in the future too...Thanks!
Robert
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