Enroll now or later?

[Mamasaphire]

I'm one of those that think putting off enrollment is a really bad idea.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the TECEP residency change was not avoidable unless you were an enrolled student prior to 4-1. The change was announced in March. Only those who were enrolled prior to 4-1 could take TECEPs that counted.

Although there are more options today than ever, there are more requirements and roadblocks today than in the past. Not having to meet a new requirement at all is better than having more options to meet the new requirements.

Another problem is when TESU changes the course equivalency in a way that's unfavorable to you. Send that transcript for $5-$15 to lock it in.

And then there are the usual problems with catalog changes that are unfavorable to you once the new catalog comes in.

Speaking of new catalogs, where is the 2017 one? It's September already and they made major changes in March.

I'm also one of those that thinks that putting off enrollment is a bad idea. The last set of changes blindsided a lot of people. Also, even though people here can help you plan your degree, I found it very comforting to see my actual courses I had taken or was planning to take on an official TESU academic evaluation. Also motivating. To answer your practical questions, you have to apply, be accepted, then actually TAKE something at TESU become enrolled. It can be a TECEP, or the required cornerstone. Once you've done so, your enrolled status is good for a year before which time you need to take something else to maintain your enrollment (if you haven't graduated). Not hard since TECEPs are not expensive and there are TECEPs that will fit into just about any degree plan.

When you take a CLEP or DSST, you can send the score to one school for free. If you're a student at TESU, then you can let them send it immediately. That way your don't have to pay to send the score later. As far as paying for extra transcripts from ACE, I agree that sending a new one every time you finish a class might be excessive, but sending one 2 or 3 times a year to keep your academic eval up to date seems reasonable to me. It also keeps you from being surprised if TESU changes transfer equivalencies, which they have done every now and again without any sort of announcement. However, if money's tight, you can wait and send them in all at once.

I am also in the "apply now, lock your program in, take a TECEP, keep an active enrollment & send additional transcripts in as they come in" side of the camp.

Because I didn't do that originally, I missed using my FEMA credits and had the HTYH DSST I took years ago (when it was accepted as UL) reevaluated and bumped to a LL as TESC/TESU rules changed. However, because I am now aware of that possibility, I send transcripts just about every semester -- to make sure they are applied while they are still listed as being eligible for what I planned to use them for.

So for instance, I recently took two study.com courses, and as soon as they were both added to my ACE transcript, I paid the $15 to have a copy sent to TESU -- even though I still plan/need to take two more ACE courses. To me it is well worth $15 for relative peace of mind.