Need 30 Credits

[Machelle]

Hi Everyone,

I am a newbie and wanted to introduce myself. I am 43 years old, divorced about 2 years ago, 2 kids. I am currently going to UOP so I can finally get my BS/BA. I am in the core of my program (which I can't CLEP out of unfortunately) that will be done February 2008. I was told by my advisor that I can CLEP out of my electives of which I still need 30 credits. I have never taken a CLEP exam before and was scared to because the study materials seemed so overwhelming that it just seemed easier to take the classes...until I discovered IC! Now I am studying for Human Growth and Development and hope to take it in January.

Anyway, I wanted to get everyone's opinion on what I plan to accomplish over the next year. I am taking 5 week long classes at UOP back-to-back, so it will be pretty intense, but I am hoping I can swing getting those extra 30 credits in before February 2008. Here is my list:

HG&D (3 credits)
Humanities (6)
American Government (3)
Biology (6)
Western Civilization I (3)
Western Civilization II (3)
U.S. History I (3)
U.S. History II (3)

I have taken Sociology, Intro to Psych, and Psychology of Personality, so I am not sure if Educational Psychology would be too much of an overlap and if they would let me take that one. I may have to ask them, and replace one of the other CLEP's. At any rate, I hope to complete one exam per month starting in January. The six credit tests scare me a bit, but I want so badly to get my Bachelor's in the next year.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Machelle

[tcc]

I have just completed my BS in psychology through Excelsior, and obtained all but eight credits through testing via CLEP, DSST AND ECE. Your list looks as though it would pose no problems, especially since InstantCert provides study material for all of the subjects. Have you considered getting your degree through Excelsior, so that you have the opportunity to get your credits through testing, which would save money and allow you to finish sooner? Please forgive me if I'm being presumptuous, but it seems like it would be so much easier for you.......

[Old Rusty Pipe]

Does your college accept DANTES? If so you may want to look into taking Here's to Your Health. Its more common sense than anything else.

[MagicATC]

I agree. I have done all but two classes through testing through Excelsior. I hate writing papers and sitting in a class. Excelsior is the way to go. I just need the 4 year paper so my degree major doesn't matter. UOP might have what you need if the type of degree counts for you. If it doesn't, you can be done way faster with Excelsior.

[Bongsau]

Not to mention that UOP is extremely expensive! I was looking into it, and they said that, at the very cheapest, it would cost me about $24,000 to finish my degree! When I take my last to tests this week, I will be done with my degree, and will have only spent an additional $2,800! Instant Cert saved me over $21,000 by convincing me to go to Charter Oak instead of UOP.

UOP is a great school, and you can get a quality education there, but it is very expensive, and my credits didn't transfer well. I would definitely recommend transfering to Excelsior, Charter Oak, or Thomas Edison.

my $.02

Matt

[Machelle]

Thanks everyone. I will look into Excelsior. Some of my previous credits obtained from community colleges did not transfer in to UOP, because they said they weren't upper level (such as Accounting I). I am thinking that with what I hear you all saying, quite possibly all of my previous credits would transfer in at Excelsior. Meanwhile, my advisor did not mention DANTES, so I am relatively certain that they don't accept it. I plan on going for my MBA after my Bachelor's, so I will see what Excelsior has to offer.

Thanks again! This board has helped me so much.

[Jaesladi]

Hi Machelle,

Your not alone~I am also a newbie to this board, who attends UOP, and is currently in need of 27 credits for my General Ed & Electives to graduate by June 9, 2007!! This is my goal, and I am working so hard to obtain this.

I just started my last class, Gen 480...so once this is over I can concentrate fully on getting these exams out the way.

I know it will require a TON of studying and discipline, but I am saving soooo much money taking this route, plus I'm a pretty good test taker.

I am currently study on the Drugs & Alcohol Abuse, that Im planning on taking in January.


BTW, I'm Cindy.... Look forward to talking to you again.

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays

[ShotoJuku]

Hi Everyone,


Anyway, I wanted to get everyone's opinion on what I plan to accomplish over the next year. I am taking 5 week long classes at UOP back-to-back, so it will be pretty intense, but I am hoping I can swing getting those extra 30 credits in before February 2008. Here is my list:

HG&D (3 credits)
Humanities (6)
American Government (3)
Biology (6)
Western Civilization I (3)
Western Civilization II (3)
U.S. History I (3)
U.S. History II (3)

I have taken Sociology, Intro to Psych, and Psychology of Personality, so I am not sure if Educational Psychology would be too much of an overlap and if they would let me take that one. I may have to ask them, and replace one of the other CLEP's. At any rate, I hope to complete one exam per month starting in January. The six credit tests scare me a bit, but I want so badly to get my Bachelor's in the next year.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Machelle

[SIZE="2"][COLOR="Navy"]First both HG&D plus the Ed Psych overlap with both Soc and Psych so you should do well so that would eliminate 6 credits from your needed 30.

Here is what I would suggest to complete the balance of 24....

Humanities 6
A&I Literature 6
Biology 6
Natural Science 6

As for exploring the Excelsior option - yes, as an EC grad I agree. Know also that EC accepts 100% of your previously earned credits; certainly something to think about - GOOD LUCK!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Machelle]

Hi Cindy. Nice to meet a fellow UOP soon-to-be grad! Is it ok if I email you? I have a couple of questions on your program and plans for test taking.

Shoto--I noticed that A&I Literature and Natural Sciences are not offered on IC. What other study material would you recommend for these? I know there is a lot of overlap with Biology and Natural Sciences, so I am interested in this. If this question has been answered somewhere else, I apologize.

The only thing with Excelsior is that I cannot use financial aid to help pay for it. Do you know if my student loans would still be in deferrment if I were to transfer to Excelsior because I would still be in school, or would I no longer be considered an actual student because of the testing procedure as opposed to being in class? I looked into Thomas Edison and Charter Oak, and it looks like both of them are eligible for government funding. I'm just confused on what I should do, or if I should just stay the course with UOP. As a single mom, I need to move ahead as fast as possible, but be able to afford to do it at the same time. My hope is that once I graduate that I can get a better paying job to pay back the student loans and provide a better living for myself and my kids, but that's another subject for another time I suppose. Sorry for so many questions...

[ShotoJuku]

Shoto--I noticed that A&I Literature and Natural Sciences are not offered on IC. What other study material would you recommend for these? I know there is a lot of overlap with Biology and Natural Sciences, so I am interested in this. If this question has been answered somewhere else, I apologize. [SIZE="3"]First, there is NEVER A NEED TO APOLOGIZE, as we're all here to help one-another. The REA book on A&I Lit was good and there is a guide of the NS exam called Clep study guides; you can get them here: eBay Store - CLEP Test Preparation Study Guides: Other Books, Biology, Human Growth and Development [/SIZE]

The only thing with Excelsior is that I cannot use financial aid to help pay for it. [SIZE="3"]As of now, EC is not a Title IV school and as such does not qualify for student loans. HOWEVER they do offer a very flexible "pay your way" program and the yearly tuition is only $1000.00. Of course exams and related materials cost money too, however on average I would say that the cost (per exam) would be around $100 - $150 that includes the exam and the cost of any other study materials. All in all, pretty affordable.[/SIZE]

Sorry for so many questions......[SIZE="3"]There you go again - haha!! There's no sorry's allowed here!

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