Excelsior vs. COSC for a Psychology program

[jkfuss]

Has anyone made their decision regarding Excelsior vs. COSC specifically for a Psychology program?

First caveat: I have a number of upper-level business credits (about 18) that I accumulated during what seems like a previous life. They have nothing to do with my goals now. Still, I would like to use as many as possible as open electives in my program if possible. Would either school be more or less likely to accommodate that?

Second caveat: Matriculation and annual fees for both schools are higher than my budget really allows, but I'll have to figure out some way to afford it. Since I will have to pay the matriculation cost up front, I want to to make sure I pick the right school for me the first time.

Below I have tried to lay out the advantages of each institution along with some disadvantages for me as I see them now. I culled all this info from their official publications and from trolling these forums. If I am wrong in any way, please correct me.

For testing purposes, I have easy access to a community college for CLEPs on demand and a local Pearson testing center for ECEs. There is no close-by access to DSSTs, TECEPs, or distance learning proctoring.

COSC, advantages: Cost per credit for actual classes is about $50/cr less. Most psych classes are taught by PhDs. Alumni rave about their student service. Also, I live about 45-60 minutes away from the campus (though not in CT, so I can't get in-state rates). On campus I can take DSSTs, TECEPs, and proctored DL exams. I could take DSSTs there if I was enrolled at Excelsior, but not TECEPs or DL proctoring.

COSC, disadvantages: They offer a concentration but not a major. No GPA is calculated, even on their own coursework. They accept only up to 18 credits on the GRE/Psych. Letter grades are recorded only for courses and ECEs.

Excelsior, advantages: Lower up-front cost for matriculation. Lower annual service fee. They offer a full major. They calculate a letter grade for almost all standardized tests, including CLEPs. They keep an overall GPA as well as an Excelsior GPA. They accept up to 30 credits for the GRE/Psych.

Excelsior, disadvantages: No open testing center for me for TECEPs or DL proctoring within an hour's drive. Cost per credit for courses is almost $50 more. A number of people are not thrilled with their student service.

Some questions now specifically about the GRE/Psych. Has anyone taken it at either school? If so, can you please tell me how credits were awarded, broken down and integrated into the degree plan (upper vs. lower and which psych categories did it satisfy)? Also, at Excelsior, were letter grades given for this test?

One last question I can't seem to find an answer to. I know COSC is a state school. I know Excelsior was when it was Regents College. Is Excelsior still technically part of the Univ of the State of NY, or is it completely private now?

I realize no one has official answers, but if anyone went through this kind of decision process I'd love to hear about it. And any general advice about my situation is, of course, quite welcome.

Thanks,
Jon

[bat21]

COSC is not too bad, but EC is quicker and less hassle. COSC you need speech and autobiography paper, EC you do not.

[Blitzstudie]

As for the GRE at EC they give 30 credits 18 lower and 12 upper for a score in the 80th percentile for each drop of 5 points you lose 1 credit (example 75% gets you 27 credits,70% gets you 24 etc). With this and your business credits you would already have the UL credits for a BS. Most if not all lower can be done by CLEP.

COTC you get max of 18 credits I dont know for sure the score but I think 40% is what people have said on here. In Psych you need 36 total, I think EC exams cover the specific ones you need,I dont know what exams COTC offers/takes if any. They also offer a HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATION degreewhich uses 18 from the GRE and some business credits which might make use of your existing stuff the best.

Just a couple of notes...as for cost you cant beat using what you have already paid for and as the GRE which is 130 bucks..less than 5 bucks a credit if you max at EC about 7 per at COSC.

Unless you have a special situation you cant do anymore with a degree in psychology than you can with one in advanced spearfishing. You cant practice without an advanced degree and you dont have any better shot at getting in grad school because of it and you might as well do the GRE and score high on it cause you will need to for grad school(tho this isnt true for all).

If you do have a need for that degree and not whatever makes highest and best use of existing/cheap credits then make charts on what you need for both degrees,start hacking those out,take the GRE when ready and once you know how you have done you can pick the route that best serves what you need.

[bat21]

If you love to write paper go with COSC, I think they even require 6 units of English Comp also , compared to ECs 3 unit WER.

Than Again TESC is also 6 units of English Comp.

It truly is up to you , they all have their Pros and Cons, it just comes down to Personal Preference, Money, and how Fast you want a Degree!

[jkfuss]

These have been really helpful posts, thank you very much. I may end up finishing my degree in business admin (I only need 39 credits that way), then taking the GRE in Psych before applying to grad school. Now that I look around I can see you're right, Blitzstudie. A psych degree doesn't necessarily help you get into a psych program in grad school. And if I didn't get into grad school then the psych undergrad degree would be pretty useless. Good advice! Thanks again.

[bat21]

For me I am using the Library (down the Street) from me to proctor, my LSU final they also will proctor TECEP if I want ot that way also.

You may check with your local library since mine will proctor tests for free.