Disappointment

[CLEP101]

Don't be disappointed. Let me help you.

First, congrats to your son!!! His investment of $300 was a good one. You just have to know what CLEP is and what it isn't and how to use it properly.

Ok, so CLEP is a brand name of test offered by The College Board. The College Board is a private company, not a college. Now, as you know, MANY colleges will award credit for completing a CLEP test.

So, how do you turn a good score on a CLEP into college credit? The recruiter is right, it needs to be done by a college. The College Board doesn't have the authority to grant credit, remember they just deliver the test. But, don't worry.

The easiest thing to do (which you did) is start close to home. Your local college. You found that while they offer the tests, it appears as if they don't award credit for those exams. Bummer, but no biggie. You can use the internet to start looking at every community college in your city/state and you'll be able to find a college before tomorrow. Alternate idea- people here can give you the name of a dozen or so without even looking

Your son needs to enroll in college. Now, he doesn't need to "do" anything, only enroll. He doesn't need to take classes or work on a degree, or even plan on graduating- he just needs to enroll. I DO NOT recommend Thomas Edison or Excelsior because they charge enrollment fees. No reason to throw away money. Many colleges (most) charge a fee for the application process, that is what he will have to pay. Expect an application fee of about $50. *if you want to invest the time, you can narrow down your list to schools without application fees, various schools waive fees from time to time, so it could happen.

Next, once he applies to college, he needs to send his official transcripts from prior college. Now, this is when you have to send his College Board (CLEP) transcript to them. This will cost $20. They will then "evaluate his credits" toward the completion of the degree he is applying for. Once his credit has been evaluated, he can request a copy of his transcript, and his CLEP credits will be listed as credit. It's like money laundering, but you are laundering credits. Credits on CLEP transcript are not credit until they appear on a college transcript.

My number one suggestion is that he complete this process through American Military University. This is also called APUS because it is a combo American Military University and American Public University in one school. These guys are military rock stars. Working with military is WHAT THEY DO. American Public University System When his service is over, he can use his GI Bill money there too, and they have a history of charging only the cost he is given (which is less than most colleges). Anyway, I believe he can be 100% honest and upfront with APSU admissions and an advisor and explain to them what he has done and what he hopes to do. They, of course, will be happy to have him take classes (online) or log other CLEP credits that he may complete. CLEP credits are good for 20 years, so he can likely earn an associate's degree very quickly if he uses CLEP, DSST, and AMU classes. Certainly in less than 2 years. But, in any event, even if he takes 1-2 exams per year (for free once he is enlisted), he'll be well on his way to earning his associates degree! Plus, they have the coolest majors for military men- THE coolest! No, I don't work for them lol.

:iagree:
Couldn't have said it better myself.