Pierpont BOG AAS Update (Re: Transcripts)

[TINASAM]

yes, nearly everything that is posted about this states it is for those without a degree.

[jsd]

Even if it wasn't well-known that this was for first time degree holders only, I can't imagine what the point/utility of a BOG AAS would be if you already have a degree elsewhere.

[NoStudentNoCry]

Seems you cannot have a prior degree.

From Nancy Parks at Pierpont.
“
We've received transcripts to apply to a Board of Governors degree; however, the BOG degree is reserved for students who have no previous degree.

Your records indicate you received a degree from Thomas Edison.”

Well, that was an expected outcome. 

Also, there are at least a couple of forum members who "forgot" to send their transcripts for conferred degrees (the OP included) and they got BOG degree.

[dfrecore]

Even if it wasn't well-known that this was for first time degree holders only, I can't imagine what the point/utility of a BOG AAS would be if you already have a degree elsewhere.

Agreed.  Can't figure out the point of it at all.  I can't even really figure out the point of an AA for most people in the first place, let alone a 2nd generic one.

[ctcarl]

I can't quite tell whether all the "what is the point of having this" posts are meant to be rhetorical or not.

I don't want to argue about it, but in the event that the questions are sincere, I'll respond.

I helped a relative with a BOG AAS plan.  This is an individual with an an IEP since the age of three, whose disabilities are immediately apparent to any prospective employer.  I'll give you all a scenario that sums up the reason for her pursuit of the BOG AAS:

HR Manager:  "What about that last applicant?"

Department Manager:  "Eh, I don't know.  Do you think she can really [insert basic task or tasks here]?"

HR Manager:  "Well, she graduated high school."

Department Manager:  [snorts]  "We both know that doesn't mean anything.  Everybody gets a high school diploma.  With special needs kids, they hand them out like consolation prizes."

HR Manager: [flips page]: "Oh, wait a minute...she's been to community college.  She's got an Associates."

Department Manager:  "Really?"

HR Manager:  "Looks like it, yeah."

Department Manager: "Huh.  She must have something on the ball.  College is a different story, they don't just hand out degrees.  Let's look at her again."

After helping her through that process, I applied as well, for very different reasons.  Prior to my current field, I had years of employment in IT, and as a result, I'm the go-to "computer guy" every place I've worked since.  I'd never earned a degree in that field, and I don't have anything to show for it.  Because of some kind of glitch at EC, I never got credit towards my BSLA for any of my TEEX courses, and I took a lot of them...enough for a BOG AAS with an AOE in IT.  So I thought it would be nice to have something to show for my years in IT.   Thanks to my EC BSLA, I'm up for promotion, and although it hasn't happened yet, I've been bracing myself for an interviewer to say something like, "Well, I doubt your IT experience would be an asset in this job.  Isn't it all over a decade old?"  This way, I can say, "Yes it is.  But over the COVID-19 shutdown, I wanted to refresh my IT knowledge, so I earned an Associates in that field."

Again, I'm not looking to start an argument.  I'm satisfied that the BOG AAS represents a remarkable opportunity for some people.  Nobody else is being forced into it.

[rachel83az]

For people who don't already have a degree and who are otherwise neurotypical, an Associate degree represents the halfway point between starting and actually receiving a Bachelor's degree. It's a huge milestone and some people just want to be able to commemorate it in some way. Plus, if life takes an abrupt left turn and you're not able to continue the Bachelor's degree for some reason, at least you've got the AAS. Considering the last year and a half, life going "wrong" isn't exactly uncommon.

[dfrecore]

jsd and I were both talking about getting the BOG AAS after already having an associates degree.

And I said "for most people" because in reality, it's the truth - it's not going to help for most jobs. But if you want a 1st associates, I'm not trying to stop you. I just don't see it being especially helpful for ALL people.

[StoicJ]

I was a manager at a distribution center for a major grocery chain. I was a supervisor first, then at the meeting where the center manager and HR rep presented me with the offer letter for the managerial position, they went through my file and noticed I had an AABA. HR rep said she'd missed that, so they modified the offer real quick. Associate degree was +$1000 in annual salary. I think a bachelor degree was +$1500. 

Not a ton of money, but still.

[rachel83az]

An extra grand a year isn't a vast amount, but it was probably proportionally large compared to the entire salary. $24k + $1k feels a bit different than $40k + $1k.

[ctcarl]

An extra grand a year isn't a vast amount, but it was probably proportionally large compared to the entire salary. $24k + $1k feels a bit different than $40k + $1k.

That's also a remarkable ROI.  A degree that pays for itself in one year is impressive, in my book.