Would you drive 1,000+ miles to earn free college credit?

[bjcheung77]

When 22-year-old Adam Klawitter graduates from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on May 20, he will complete a most improbable journey.

The dual-major senior started this journey by using Modern States’ online courses, which prepared him to earn free college credit.

“People who are curious and driven can go to Modern States and get college credits for free,” he said. “I tell everyone about it.”

While most students complete one course at a time, Adam completed five Modern States courses before taking any exams.

The reason: the closest place he could test was over 1,000 miles away in Montana.

In full support of Adam’s success, his family purchased a van, packed up and embarked on a trip towards free college credit. Adam passed every CLEP exam he took over the course of two days.

“It’s incredible how easy and accessible it is to get your credits,” Adam said. “It still amazes me.”

Adam did! Link: https://modernstates.org/news/meet-adam-klawitter

[MNomadic]

That's very inspiring, but I don't know if buying a van, paying for 1000+ miles(each way?) Worth of gas, taking off work, paying for lodging is really saving money at that point?

[rachel83az]

Didn't they write about this guy a couple of years ago? Surely, there are other inspiring students they can write about.

[rachel83az]

Yup, here we go: https://modernstates.org/news/what-lengt...ge-credit/

[ss20ts]

This isn't exactly free. You have to pay for gas, wear & tear on the vehicle, meals, hotel, etc. Your time has value as well. It would be cheaper to complete as many classes as you can in a month on Sophia.

ETA: After reading the link rachel provided, this is the opposite of free. His family bought a vehicle! Now unless they paid with Monopoly money, that cost a minimum of a few hundred bucks. More likely a few thousand. All that for 5 courses? Totally not worth the expense.

[rachel83az]

Unfortunately, I remember that this school doesn't accept ACE credit. Only CLEP exams. Maybe DSST? But it's still ridiculously expensive for CLEP exams!

[ss20ts]

Unfortunately, I remember that this school doesn't accept ACE credit. Only CLEP exams. Maybe DSST? But it's still ridiculously expensive for CLEP exams!

He would have been better off transferring to somewhere that accepts ACE. He could have graduated by the time he went back to campus.

[LevelUP]

I like the story.

Gas at the time was around $2 a gallon, so 1000 miles X 2 is 100 gallons or $200 @ 20mpg

Used vans are cheap, going for $4k or less for something reliable enough to make a long trip. It's not like you lose the entire 4k. They probably could have sold it for $5k when the used car market increased in 2021.

If they didn't need a van, they could have rented a van/car for probably $300 and done it that way instead.

Bill Summary
$200 Gas
$300 Car Rental
$200 Airbnb or Motel
$700 Total vs. $7500 for 5 college courses

Also, the time savings of doing CLEPs make it so this person can graduate faster. 

So they saved time, money and had a nice adventure to boot.

[ss20ts]

I like the story.

Gas at the time was around $2 a gallon, so 1000 miles X 2 is 100 gallons or $200 @ 20mpg

Used vans are cheap, going for $4k or less for something reliable enough to make a long trip. It's not like you lose the entire 4k. They probably could have sold it for $5k when the used car market increased in 2021.

If they didn't need a van, they could have rented a van/car for probably $300 and done it that way instead.

Bill Summary
$200 Gas
$300 Car Rental
$200 Airbnb or Motel
$700 Total vs. $7500 for 5 college courses

Also, the time savings of doing CLEPs make it so this person can graduate faster. 

So they saved time, money and had a nice adventure to boot.

Tuition isn't anywhere near $7500. 

This is the tuition today. He transferred 15 credits which is 1 semester. 

[color=rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85)]Full Time Status - Per Credit Pricing is Assessed for Specialized Programs - See Program Rates Below. 
12- 18 Credits
Tuition Rate **
Degree Seeking - Bachelor *
$3,349.08[/color]

[LevelUP]

I like the story.

Gas at the time was around $2 a gallon, so 1000 miles X 2 is 100 gallons or $200 @ 20mpg

Used vans are cheap, going for $4k or less for something reliable enough to make a long trip. It's not like you lose the entire 4k. They probably could have sold it for $5k when the used car market increased in 2021.

If they didn't need a van, they could have rented a van/car for probably $300 and done it that way instead.

Bill Summary
$200 Gas
$300 Car Rental
$200 Airbnb or Motel
$700 Total vs. $7500 for 5 college courses

Also, the time savings of doing CLEPs make it so this person can graduate faster. 

So they saved time, money and had a nice adventure to boot.

Tuition isn't anywhere near $7500. 

This is the tuition today. He transferred 15 credits which is 1 semester. 

[color=rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85)]Full Time Status - Per Credit Pricing is Assessed for Specialized Programs - See Program Rates Below. 
12- 18 Credits
Tuition Rate **
Degree Seeking - Bachelor *
$3,349.08[/color]

You got me there. haha. 

But it still equals savings doing the drive.