I'm planning on transferring my Associates Degree (CCAF) to one of the big 3. I'd like to pursue a Bachelors in Computer Information or pursue a BA, whichever of the two degrees appears to offer the least path of resistance (joke). I'm looking for a school that will work with my present Associates degree and DANTES credits, and eventually help me towards completing my Bachelors. This forum has been extremely helpful in getting me started! I've narrowed my choices down to the "Big 3" and need advice on which of the 3 would better suit my present needs and present qualifications. Can anyone relate their experiences (good and bad) about COSC, TESC and Excelsior and make recommendations? Thanks Everyone! m-golf
I had only good experiences with Excelsior. Everything was just as I read it would be in the literature and the degree has served my needs in the ways I hoped it would. Here's the way I separate the 3 schools: Exceslior: best if you want to test out of most of your credits, because Excelsior offers no classes but gives the most credit for the GRE subject exams (up to 30sh's). Also, Excelsior does not participate in Title IV programs (Federal Financial Aid) Thomas Edison: best if you plan to take many DL courses to complete your degree. The school offers an annual flat fee of about $4700 that covers 36 sh's of DL courses, as well as unlimited thomas edison exams and can be paid for with student loans and other federal financial aid. TESC does not award credit for GRE exams. Charter Oak: also good if you want to take courses to meet degree requirements and take advantage of the GRE (18 sh's) as well as other exams and use financial aid. The drawbacks are that the school requires the extra step of submitting a degree plan essay and only offers a major in General Studies with concentrations instead of majors.
Charter Oak will accept most credits regardless of age. I believe in areas such as MIS there is a time limit. Tom
Interesting breakdowns anthonym Excelsior: I didn't realize that Excelsior didn't offer any classes. Seems this would be difficult if I actually needed a DL class. If needed, I guess I would take a DL class elsewhere that would meet their requirements for my degree? Thomas Edison: Might be a good option since they do offer classes. I wonder if I can transfer my AS into their program? Charter Oak: Another good option, but the "degree plan essay" is kind of weird and unclear to me at this point. And another strange thing is the "concentrations" versus Majors. I guess at this point, the latter two will have to be my options since I most probably need and will have to take some classes. Thanks for breakdowns anthonym, they really clarify matters! m-golf
tlamora Good info - thought most credits had an "expiration" date of some sort after "X" number of years. I guess all of this narrows it down to 2 schools, TESC and COSC. Still shaking my head over an Excelsior approach. m-golf
Re: Interesting breakdowns anthonym Excelsior does have one online course now, and I believe they are adding a few more soon. However, they have a large Distance Learning database that you can use to search for other schools to take online courses at, and if you call you counselor, they should be pretty willing to help you find the best place for you to take a class at to meet the requirements. As for the other schools, I've only heard good things about COSC. Really the only drawback is that you don't have majors, you have "concentrations", and as someone mentioned you do have to apply for and defend your concentration. In the long run, it really doesn't sound like much extra effort though. TESC, well, I'd say about 75% of the things I've read about them on the boards is negative. If you search the boards for "Thomas Edisson" you should be able to find some experiences people have had with the school.
Cosc, Excelsior Limited experience I've had much experience with COSC and limited but always good and always helpful experience with Excelsior. My few interactions with TESC have been both difficult and the last, very rude. Just my opinion. You probably won't go wrong with Excelsior or COSC, both seen to be in the business of really helping folks.
Since comparison of the "Big 3" is a frequently recurring theme on Degreeinfo, it sounds like a perfect topic for an in-depth analysis to be included in the articles on the Home Page of Degreeinfo. Perhaps it could be co-authored by a graduate of EC, TESC and COSC. I for one, would love to see it and we could direct new Degreeinfo users to the article. Tony Pina Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino
I rarely start new posts, but I have just started one on this topic because I think that there is a need. Suggested Article for Degreeinfo (Big 3) http://www.degreeinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12203 Tony
Re: Re: Interesting breakdowns anthonym Randy, Correct me if I am wrong, my interpretation of this is Excelsior outlines what classes I would need for my degree, and recommends the school I can take it at (or exam equivalent). Upon completion of the class/classes, I would send the grades back to Excelsior to be recorded as credits towards my degree? Is this a correct assessment Randy? Thanks much, m-golf
m-golf, That's my experience (I'm enrolled at Excelsior). To be honest, as I'm taking everything via examination I haven't looked too much at the Distance Learning database, but it's essentially a resource to match up a course requirement with a DL provider. Note that this won't cover the class offered at your local community college, nor will it specify that you can fulfill this via a TECEP exam. However, it's a good first step, especially as you know that it's approved by Excelsior. Cheers, Mark
Thanks kindly Mark, This gives me a better perspective where I want to start and what my brain can handle (getting rusty upstairs..sigh!). I highly appreciate your insight on Excelsior - very promising! m-golf
I looked at the three schools and went with COSC because they were the most helpful and professional. Excelsior was OK but had a time limit on the credits they would except. TESC customer service just sucked. They acted like they were doing you a favor by speaking to you.
I'll discount this since it's from a Cal Coast grad D), but it's an opinion that has been voiced many times here on degreeinfo.com. The impression I get, however, is that all of the complaints we've seen about TESC's lack of attention deals with their admissions department . . . I have rarely seen any negative comments from people who have gotten their foot in the door. (For what it's worth, I have nothing negative to say of my experience at TESC. I went in with only six credits, and graduated with a B.A. exactly 22 months later. And I found the attention I received from my advisors outstanding. Even at the recruiting end, I attended one of their information sessions in Trenton and found the admisssions folks pretty accommodating, but this ws back in 1985, so I can't comment on them today.) Bottom line for m-golf: Look at all three institutions closely and go with the program whose model you feel the most comfortable with. Most people who have graduated one of the Big 3 will favor their alma mater (as I do) . . . They are all excellent programs, so the question is which one will ultimately work best for you. By the way, in case you haevn't done so and if you are already employed in the field, consider how many credits you might be able to earn through portfolio/prior learning assessment. That may speed up the process even more. (In addition to my six original credits carried in, I did 98 credits by portfolio and 16 credits by testing out.) Truth? Any of these programs are likely to work for you, although I would still avoid Excelsior because it has a funny name.
Thank You All For your wonderful advice, opinions and experiences. I understand where one would favor their respective Alma Mater, but again wouldn't everyone (geez, I would)? I guess I have my work cut out for me, it's time for me to start my endeavor by making phone calls and talking to counselors. Just to let everyone know, it's been awesome reading all your messages - helpful and very informative! I couldn't have learned all this information unless I went thru the gauntlet myself. If I have any future questions or problems, I know where to go. Thanks again everyone, m-golf "It's folks like you that help & motivate others to make the right decision - It's folks like you that make this message board so great!"
