timing? ideas? help! sorry for the long post

[ladylearner]

How long were you enrolled at the Big 3 before you graduated?

I think I may have completely screwed up my timing. I initially wanted to attend COSC, then applied to Ashford because I am interested in their Applied Linguistics program. Then I learned that I could only take 1 class at a time at Ashford, so I thought it would be faster to finish up at one of the big 3. But it is taking longer than I thought.

COSC requires a cornerstone and a capstone, which I don't mind but I missed the deadline for spring 2014 admissions. I tried to register as a non-degree student in the cornerstone class so that when I officially start in May I would just have the capstone to take. But registration for that class is limited to enrolled students. I could take the cornerstone in the first 8-week summer session but the capstone is not offered in the summer so I would not be able to graduate until December 31 (does that sound right) and I don't think I could participate in commencement until 2015. That is acceptable but not preferable. I was looking to complete an individualized studies degree with affordable self-paced grad classes.

I was accepted at TESC but everything takes so doggone long. I don't know if I will get my evaluation back in time to start classes in April. I went to fill out TESC's financial aid form and I learned that it needs to be completed way before your start date. I planned to take classes at TESC and get a small loan to help with the cost. This was a better route for me than paying a hefty enrollment fee and then still paying out of pocket for actual classes/credits.

Excelsior is still a possibility at this point. Are they as slow as TESC?

Testing out is not an option I'm looking to consider. I think it makes sense to look for online programs with monthly start dates. Any ideas for a liberal arts or individualized studies degree that accepts Straighterline credits?

[Getiton1]

I went to both Excelsior (for my RN) and am about to finish my BSN at TESC. I liked them both. Excelsior is slow too. Apply to the school and program that works best for your 1. Desire for major 2. Timing of classes 3. Cost 4. Amount of credits able to transfer in 5. The one that "feels right.

How long were you enrolled at the Big 3 before you graduated?

I think I may have completely screwed up my timing. I initially wanted to attend COSC, then applied to Ashford because I am interested in their Applied Linguistics program. Then I learned that I could only take 1 class at a time at Ashford, so I thought it would be faster to finish up at one of the big 3. But it is taking longer than I thought.

COSC requires a cornerstone and a capstone, which I don't mind but I missed the deadline for spring 2014 admissions. I tried to register as a non-degree student in the cornerstone class so that when I officially start in May I would just have the capstone to take. But registration for that class is limited to enrolled students. I could take the cornerstone in the first 8-week summer session but the capstone is not offered in the summer so I would not be able to graduate until December 31 (does that sound right) and I don't think I could participate in commencement until 2015. That is acceptable but not preferable. I was looking to complete an individualized studies degree with affordable self-paced grad classes.

I was accepted at TESC but everything takes so doggone long. I don't know if I will get my evaluation back in time to start classes in April. I went to fill out TESC's financial aid form and I learned that it needs to be completed way before your start date. I planned to take classes at TESC and get a small loan to help with the cost. This was a better route for me than paying a hefty enrollment fee and then still paying out of pocket for actual classes/credits.

Excelsior is still a possibility at this point. Are they as slow as TESC?

Testing out is not an option I'm looking to consider. I think it makes sense to look for online programs with monthly start dates. Any ideas for a liberal arts or individualized studies degree that accepts Straighterline credits?

[ladylearner]

Tara, thanks for the feedback. I didn't realize how many students Excelsior had. I don't think there's any way for me to graduate this summer .

TESC might be a better option since their graduation is in late September.

[EI2HCB]

ladylearner,

The class schedule at Excelsior is available online at Excelsior College | Online courses at Excelsior College which details what courses are due to come up in the next semester and beyond. Excelsior is slow, It took a month to get enrolled and transcripts sorted out. My advisor team in the business school have been very helpful. Some are better than others and I always try and get their advice in writing that way they can't go back on their word. The nursing school is their biggest earner, while business and Technology aren't as busy what was you major going to be?

[soliloquy]

I'm at COSC right now. I just wanted you to know that they have Capstones available on demand. I am taking mine this summer.

From my academic advisor: "You can take it either in Term 1 or Term 2, whichever fits your schedule. Capstone is “on demand” so it is not listed. Let me know and I will put it on the form."

They assign you a mentor whenever you need a Capstone. I requested a mentor and it took about 48 hours for one of the faculty to volunteer to mentor me. It was a very easy process. Of course, if you determine another school is a better option, that is fine but I just wanted you to have all of the information.

[dewisant]

Just pick a school, dig in, learn something, and enjoy the ride. Simple.

[ladylearner]

Just pick a school, dig in, learn something, and enjoy the ride. Simple.

lol...sounds simple if I just leave out the part about having goals and interests into consideration

[ladylearner]

COSC was my first choice. Their information made the most sense to me and it's a smaller school, which has apparently translated to really good customer service .

[ladylearner]

ladylearner,

The class schedule at Excelsior is available online at Excelsior College | Online courses at Excelsior College which details what courses are due to come up in the next semester and beyond. Excelsior is slow, It took a month to get enrolled and transcripts sorted out. My advisor team in the business school have been very helpful. Some are better than others and I always try and get their advice in writing that way they can't go back on their word. The nursing school is their biggest earner, while business and Technology aren't as busy what was you major going to be?

Would be Humanities, possibly with a concentration. I took advantage of the free application and now I'm waiting for an evaluation. They are polite but don't seem that knowledgeable. I wasn't sure if that would change once I was fully enrolled. In your opinion, if I'm already waiting for my transcripts and can enroll in whatever classes are needed to complete my degree, would it be possible to graduate (with an Associate's or Bachelor's) by the end of June and participate in the July commencement ceremony?

[Exfactor]

In my experience the slowest part about excelsior was the evaluation process in which the college does two, the preliminary, and the final evaluation. I got the preliminary in about 2 weeks, and the final in a month. However, I was allowed to go ahead and enroll in classes after the preliminary since I pretty much knew what classes I would need to complete my degree. After the enrollment process, and the final evaluation was complete everything has been pretty fast from excelsior. However, it depends on which school you are enrolled in at the college, as some departments are slower than others.