Just received my Excelsior preliminary review (Happy and Sad)

[bldclot2]

Quick introduction about me:

-Found this site in late September 2011
-Became an IC member (free account) mid October 2011, Paying member earlier this month.
-Had 31 B&M credits
-Did my research on this site and didn't even need to asks questions
-I learned a lot of good information from senior members from just reading their post, people like: cookderosa, clep101, lindagerr, storyteller, alleycat, burbuja0612, bricabrac, shotojuku, NAP, ryoder, marlanne202 and the ever so wise Tasman (Use the search feature), just to name a few..... wow... what a great all-star team..... Thank you all for all the great info.
-Because of all the great info I started my work on ALEKS, CLEP, DSST, SL and Penn Foster and completed about 30 credits in lighting speed.

but now that I'm so close, I have to slowdown for a Capstone to get my AS, makes me sad.

I was looking forward to being done, until this AS Liberal Arts capstone popped-up. Has anyone taken this AS Capstone? Any advice? When I applied last month I saw nothing about a Capstone.

Associate in Science Degree

1. Degree Template.
Arts and Sciences Credits (30) + Additional Credits (30) = Total Degree Credits Required (60)
Credits Needed
TOTAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (30 SEMESTER HOURS) TO INCLUDE:
Written English     0.00
General Education Requirement
Distribution Areas (24 semester hours minimum)
Humanities Core*     0.00
Humanities Distribution     0.00
Social Sciences/History Distribution     0.00
College Level Math     0.00
Natural Science requirement     0.00
Natural Sciences/Math Distribution     0.00
Capstone requirement     3.00
Arts and Sciences Electives     0.00

Total Arts and Sciences     3.00

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (30 SEMESTER HOURS) TO INCLUDE:
Additional Professional Credits or Arts and Sciences     0.00
Information Literacy     0.00
Total Additional Requirements     0.00

[NAP]

Welcome to the forum!

You have made great progress already!

......
but now that I'm so close, I have to slowdown for a Capstone to get my AS, makes me sad.

I was looking forward to being done, until this AS Liberal Arts capstone popped-up. Has anyone taken this AS Capstone? Any advice? When I applied last month I saw nothing about a Capstone.

.........

This is big news! I had seen it was added for other associate degrees recently but not this one, yet. I can understand your concern. It would have meant that I would not have an AS degree now. I hope you will be able to regroup and finish this or decide to go straight for a BS degree instead. If you decide to take the capstone, please let us know how it goes. It is good to see that it is an 8-week course and not 15 weeks.

[Storyteller]

WooHoo, bldclot2!
Your progress is truly amazing, however, don't let the capstone requirement slow you down. Take a deep breath, sign up and complete the course. Before you know it, you'll be done.
You've done great so far; we're all here rooting for you. Now go out and snag those capstone credits and complete that degree.

[bricabrac]

bldclot2, (cool screen name btw)

:iagree: with Storyteller's comments. I'm sure the capstone will prepare you with skills needed to do well in the bachelor's program. My opinion, which many 100pct testers probably would not agree with, is that learning how to research and write papers/reports/projects is one of the most important skills learned in college. (Along with group/team skills and relationships acquired.) It is unfortunate when one makes it to their senior year without basic writing skills. So please do not shy away from the opportunity, enjoy and learn all you can from the experience!!! Take advantage and maybe knock out some of your bachelors (tests or alternate coursework) while completing your capstone.

Congratulations on the progress you've made in such a short time!! We are all here for you!!

[bldclot2]

Thank you, all. I'll be talking to a counselor tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

[marianne202]

Congrats on your great progress to date! I saw an earlier thread that indicated the LA capstone was very simple, so I wouldn't let it deter you. I also have to agree with Bric that it provides great skills that you will need if you plan to go any further in your education. As a community college instructor I get papers all the time that are horrible at best. I had a student turn in a paper last week that she just cut and pasted off of a website and then added her name at the top!! My current master's program is so focused on correct APA formatting and doing scholarly research that we sometimes feel like that is all we are learning! Honestly, if it scares you that much then I would recommend that you plug away and just complete your bachelor's degree and do one capstone at the end of that, but I wouldn't let it scare you off finishing your AS degree. My BSHS capstone was 3 projects, each utilizing skills learned in 2-3 different courses of the program. It also utilized the same texts from the program. I would expect the LA capstone to be fairly easy, as posted in the other thread, since the content of each students degree will vary so much. Talk with your advisor and I'm sure you will feel better. I had great advisors while in the EC liberal arts school so I know you get your answers from them. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

[bldclot2]

ALL,

I need to change this to HAPPY and HAPPY!!!!! I just got of the phone with a counselor at Excelsior that told me that the AS capstone is not required until January 1, 2012. So, if I apply today I will not need it and will be done with my AS Liberal Arts.

Thank you all for the help, Love ya IC.

I'll be enrolling at TESC for my BA History or Psychology. I'm about 90 Units in. Can't wait.

[NAP]

ALL,

I need to change this to HAPPY and HAPPY!!!!! I just got of the phone with a counselor at Excelsior that told me that the AS capstone is not required until January 1, 2012. So, if I apply today I will not need it and will be done with my AS Liberal Arts.

Thank you all for the help, Love ya IC.

I'll be enrolling at TESC for my BA History or Psychology. I'm about 90 Units in. Can't wait.

That's awesome news! I am so happy for you, too! Congratulations on completing your college degree!!

[bldclot2]

It's because of people like you that are willing to post and help others that I've accomplished my goal. Thank you, NAP. Also, I paid the enrollment fee today, do I also have to pay the Student Service Annual Fee? When do I pay the graduation fee?

[bricabrac]

Congratulations!! I could feel the "Happy" through the screen!! Very nice Christmas gift to know you've completed your degree!!
Happy Holidays!!!