Planning a DL route to a B&M degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Manturo, Jul 29, 2010.

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  1. Manturo

    Manturo Member

    Greetings,

    I did a search on the site and saw parts of this question answered.

    I have been unemployed since 9/2009 and haven't been able to find employment in my fall back job of administrative assistant due to a lack of college degree. The New York City area is rife with credential-ism (never mind that they don't know how to speak or write properly despite having been "educated"-- but I digress) so I am forced to consider getting the sheepskin.

    I only have about 9 credits from AP exams from high school and I took an Executive Secretarial certificate from now-defunct Katharine Gibbs School. I did apply to Baruch College and got in; alas, no financial aid was to be provided for me; not TAP, not one grant. So without a job it didn't make sense to get into further debt. It's a Catch-22.

    So, my plan is to do CLEPs for core requirements to transfer into CUNY B&M program, like Business Administration or Liberal Arts with a minor in TESOL/ESL (if possible). I looked at their CUNY online and you have to have 30 credits prior. They did say that you can have it from disparate sources such as exams and courses, so that's one way. The only reason I'm not considering online-only schools is that in the NYC area, it's a blackmark. It's expected to have gone to a B&M school at my age, 34.

    Any recommendations to make this a smoother and cheaper process?
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Hi Manturo, welcome to DegreeInfo.

    I happened to be online when you posted an have thus been able to approve your post very quickly. It might not happen that quickly if a moderator is not online. Once you have posted here for awhile, the automatic moderation feature shuts off and your posts go directly to the board. That's how we guard against spammers and they are voracious.

    You should look into Excelsior. They are generous with transfer credits and are very CLEP friendly. You could CLEP your way through many classes and save a lot of money. They are regionally accredited, which is the best, so your degree would be valid in every way.

    -Mike
     
  3. perrymk

    perrymk Member

    I don't know much about CUNY but here are some thoughts to consider.

    If what you need is a degree a community college is usually less expensive than a university. Then you will have an Associates degree and also be able to transfer most or all credits to university. In Florida an AA is automatic acceptance to a state university. At least it was when I went university in the late 80s.

    Another option is to get a job, any job, at a university or college. Employees are often allowed to take classes at no charge. You may be limited to two classes per semester, but it's an option. Of course check that this option exists at the college/uni before applying for the job. Keep in mind that this may not apply to subcontractors, like on-campus cafes.
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    AFAIC this is an excellent suggestion.
     
  5. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I work at a university and we are allowed to take 5 credits once hired at on the participating colleges inside the university, after six months we are allowed up to 10 credits per term. If we chose to take courses at another institution, the university will cover up to $5200 tax free. I believe most universities/colleges offer similar benefits, even to part-time employees (the credit hours allowed is typically adjusted based on hours per week worked).
     
  6. Manturo

    Manturo Member

    I have tried this and even for the most mundane positions, a college degree is required. This is NYC unfortunately. Or if it's with CUNY, they restrict many of the jobs to current employees. It's really tough out here. I've applied to Columbia, NYU jobs and haven't heard back. Most of these positions are taken by people who know people.
     
  7. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    You will find this at more elite schools such as Columbia and NYU. Statistically it is more difficult to get a job at Harvard than it is to be admitted to the college (2% of all job applicants are hired, 6% of all applicants are admitted as students). Try some of the other schools in the area (assuming you haven't already). You could look at The New School or consider some of the universities/colleges outside of Manhattan.

    One other tip, I know a lot of people at Harvard, Boston College and Tufts get hired on by starting as temps. BC manages it's own temp pool, Harvard and Tufts use an agency. Check and see if any of the schools use agencies to fill limited term positions. This would be a great way to make some contacts inside the school, then when a full-time position becomes available you will be the person who knows people.
     
  8. perrymk

    perrymk Member

    Just another thought. Please accept this as just a suggestion and I am fully aware there is much about you and your situation I do not know.

    Have you considered leaving NYC, at least long enough to get a degree?

    I recognize it is difficult to leave a life, especially a life you might like. But it may be a viable temporary option. I suspect the cost of living will be less in some other areas and you might land a job at a college as a secretary, kitchen helper, or janitorial staff to get that free tuition.

    I live near Tallahassee where 1 bedroom apartments typically start around $450 per month. The lab at which I am employed had two summer interns who thought that to be outrageous. They came to us from Wisconsin (not sure of the town) where they rent for $250 per month.
     
  9. Manturo

    Manturo Member

    Yes I have or more like I haven't ruled it out. My cousins/friends dispersed in Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Chicago, Utah and California. Culturally it would be difficult as they have confirmed. I have lived in the Mid-West and for a Latino of Caribbean origin, it was difficult psychologically. You're always the odd-man out. It is something that I have as a last resort plan other than going overseas and putting up with my wacky but lovable extended family in the crime-ridden and corrupt country of my parents' birth.

    Yes, I can pass for US-born-white but still deep in my heart, I identify and feel like a Caribbean Latino.

    The other problem is if you move out of state, it complicates the collection of unemployment benefits while you look for a job.
     
  10. Stadium

    Stadium New Member

    Can you enroll at HBS or HLS for free as a Harvard employee?
     
  11. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    Haha...no, there are only a handful of schools that accept TAP (Tuition Assistance Program). You cannot use the benefit at the Business, Law, Medical or Dental schools. I also don't believe it can be used at the School of Public Health, though I have never researched it.

    You can use your TAP to pursue degrees at the Graduate School of Education, Kennedy School of Government or the School of Arts & Science if you are admitted (these schools will sometimes make exceptions for employees and allow you to study part time).
    You can also use TAP at the Divinity School and I believe the School of Design but they won't admit you to a degree program (no part time degree candidates allowed).

    And then of course the Harvard Extension School, which is what most employees do. You pay $40 per course at the Extension School, if you take classes at any of the other Harvard schools you pay 10% of whatever standard tuition is (typically you will pay between $350-$500).

    I'm beginning a program at GSE the end of this month. It's typically a 1 year full-time program but will be stretched out to two because I can only go part-time. Total cost for the degree will be approximately $4000 + books.
     
  12. Manturo

    Manturo Member

    Update: I got a job as an admin at a world renowned cancer research center through a personal acquaintance in October 2010. They have 100% tuition reimbursement. Now, the question is TIME. My commute is almost 2 hours each way with NYC transit cuts. I'm very tempted to get a tablet PC to try distance learning. Anyone here has used a tablet PC for DL?
     

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