After using this forum for well over a decade to help with my CCAF and later Bachelor's, I figured I could possibly inspire other hopeful officers who are considering big-3/alternative credit degrees with my story.
I'm a recent graduate of USAF OTS and used my TESU BSBA to qualify with very minimal time/cost. I used this forum when I first enlisted to study for CLEPs/DSSTs and always considered the possibility of commissioning. I was still put off though by the time commitment of taking a multitude of traditional/online classes. Degree plans at the time were not as well mapped out and Straighterline had just started with only a few course offerings. I put it off, but always kept it in the back of my mind as a goal.
I periodically checked the OTS application requirements and some time in 2015 they began to accept only the GPA on the conferred degree transcript. This was key and exactly what I needed! Previously I would have to retake courses from my old CC to bring my GPA up. Knowing this, I quickly mapped out a degree and found that the TESU BSBA was still a 100% test out degree. This was soon to change though as they were discontinuing the Strategic Management TECEP, so I enrolled right then to lock in the current years degree requirements/catalog.
From there I was on a war path knocking out CLEPs and DSSTs at the education center nearly every week for months straight. I jumped on ALEKS and straighterline to satisfy anything else that could not be satisfied via test. During that process I realized a flaw, I was going to graduate with no GPA on the transcript! I had to take a course so I settled on what I figured to be the easiest A, the 1 credit PLA-100. Turns out I was correct and received an A for the course and a 4.00 GPA on my transcript. I was hot to finish my degree so I opted to forgo the TESU residency requirement and pay the residency waiver fee. A small price to pay for not having to worry about any more TECEPs.
To hopefuls out there, this path is still viable! Only now instead of taking a 1 credit PLA course, you'll have to take the capstone. A small price to pay though compared to finishing a normal or even online degree. I finished all of the degree requirements in under a year for only a few thousand dollars, only because I chose not complete the residency. This degree can still be completed in much less time, for nearly free if you use TA, and qualify you for a commission via USAF OTS with a high GPA.
Anyways, I'm happy to answer any questions on commissioning, OTS, etc. I've yet to encounter another big-3 grad that has commissioned, most are traditional colleges or the standard military online colleges: AMU, Ashford, etc. I still pinch myself that I actually knocked out my degree and am a LT now. Hopefully this inspires some you to go this route!
I'm a recent graduate of USAF OTS and used my TESU BSBA to qualify with very minimal time/cost. I used this forum when I first enlisted to study for CLEPs/DSSTs and always considered the possibility of commissioning. I was still put off though by the time commitment of taking a multitude of traditional/online classes. Degree plans at the time were not as well mapped out and Straighterline had just started with only a few course offerings. I put it off, but always kept it in the back of my mind as a goal.
I periodically checked the OTS application requirements and some time in 2015 they began to accept only the GPA on the conferred degree transcript. This was key and exactly what I needed! Previously I would have to retake courses from my old CC to bring my GPA up. Knowing this, I quickly mapped out a degree and found that the TESU BSBA was still a 100% test out degree. This was soon to change though as they were discontinuing the Strategic Management TECEP, so I enrolled right then to lock in the current years degree requirements/catalog.
From there I was on a war path knocking out CLEPs and DSSTs at the education center nearly every week for months straight. I jumped on ALEKS and straighterline to satisfy anything else that could not be satisfied via test. During that process I realized a flaw, I was going to graduate with no GPA on the transcript! I had to take a course so I settled on what I figured to be the easiest A, the 1 credit PLA-100. Turns out I was correct and received an A for the course and a 4.00 GPA on my transcript. I was hot to finish my degree so I opted to forgo the TESU residency requirement and pay the residency waiver fee. A small price to pay for not having to worry about any more TECEPs.
To hopefuls out there, this path is still viable! Only now instead of taking a 1 credit PLA course, you'll have to take the capstone. A small price to pay though compared to finishing a normal or even online degree. I finished all of the degree requirements in under a year for only a few thousand dollars, only because I chose not complete the residency. This degree can still be completed in much less time, for nearly free if you use TA, and qualify you for a commission via USAF OTS with a high GPA.
Anyways, I'm happy to answer any questions on commissioning, OTS, etc. I've yet to encounter another big-3 grad that has commissioned, most are traditional colleges or the standard military online colleges: AMU, Ashford, etc. I still pinch myself that I actually knocked out my degree and am a LT now. Hopefully this inspires some you to go this route!
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