My Mom is enrolled in COSC(for a BA). She's been ok with her decision for the most part, until now.......they have sent her concentration proposal back to her 4 times now, each time telling her to write it a whole new way. She's completely frustrated, doesn't know what they want half the time, and is thinking of switching to TESC, which is what I'll be doing within the year(BA). Our question is...is there a concentration proposal requirement for TESC, like COSC? And if so, is it just as rigid? We've heard that TESC is extrememly slow and not too keen on helping students in a thorough and timely manner. Is it still the same, o\r have they improved? My Mom majored in english, writing and lit. when she was in college years ago, and just doesn't know what to do now if they reject her proposal for a 5th time. ESPecially considering her one year is coming up in 2 months...she thinks there may be something fishy with it, like getting a 2nd year tuition out of her. Boy I rambled, sorry! Hope something makes sense here, and thx so much for any feedback!! ;-) PS---any comments good or bad re:TESC will be great!!! thx.
Has your mother tried calling COSC? It sounds to me like she and COSC aren't communicating effectively. They apparently want something specific, and she doesn't know what it is. It would be a shame for her to change schools because of something that might be cleared up in minutes. So have her talk to them first.
oh she has. her coordinator writes back fairly quickly and seems like she's trying to help, but it's what the people want that are reading "moms" proposal, and rejecting it, 4x now. At one point the coordinator was even a little confused, on why they rejected it. thx for responding, and yes, it sure would be a shame if she couldn't finish at the school she started with.
Ellen, TESC not a bad school, but much of the same as COSC. Their student services was fair, but I don't think much better than COSC. Just my opinion - Good luck. Peace
Hi, Ellen. This is probably the first negative thing I've ever heard about Charter Oak. They have typically been very student-centered, responsive, and willing to help. I would suggest that your mother contact Shirley Adams, Dean of Academic Affairs, [email protected] or 860-832-3836 and explain the situation and the frustration. My experience has been that senior staff at Charter Oak are generally pretty accessible and responsive, so I'm sure that Dr. Adams will either be able to intercede or point your mom to someone who can intercede to clear up the confusion. Also, our community would appreciate it if you could follow up and let us know what comes of the situation... these sort of firsthand experiences are invaluable to our current and future members in learning about or deciding on a particular school or program.
My proposel was rejected the first time also. I was told that my first proposel was more of a job description than a essay on how my credits will fit together. Do not give up. If you need more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].
Excelsior has no similar requirement and the process is very quick. The extra step COSC requires is one the reasons I chose Excelsior. Plus, Excelsior now offers actual majors instead of concentrations. I believe all COSC degrees remain General Studies degrees with a concentration. From my experience Excelsior is built for speed and there are very few surprises.
I am so sorry your mom is having so many problems. When my wife went to COSC her proposal was accepted the first time. I know on their website or in the materials they send you, they give you a guide to go by. I am sure you mom has used every resource possible. One thing that she may want to do is have others who have been through the COSC process read her paper and give her some feedback before she submits it again. I would not give up and I would not switch schools. Switching schools is just going to cause more money, time and frustrations. The bottom line though is 4 times is way too much. The people or person reading that paper should have given enough feedback the first time in order for the paper to be submitted correctly. I hope your mother is not changing the entire paper around every time. It should of just needed adjustments. If I can be of any help, let me know. I would take the other posters advice and contact someone a little higher on the chain. Best of luck!! Duff
boy, i havn't been to the site for a handful of months, post once and nothings changed...you guys are great! And, I printed out your responses for Mom to read, her next day off is Tues, so she'll have time then, and I will definatly post with updates. Thx again! >short bio on her BA> she's 2-3 years from retiring, so this degree is not entirely career enhancing, but personal. Also, she's been tracing our family (genealogy) for over 30 years and would someday like to write a book on her experience and the family, even if she doesn't publish it. So this may be a little of why it's been hard for her and her coordinator to come up with the right approach to writing her essay, but thats just a guess on my part. Plus, she only has 18 credits to go. (I on the other hand have 60 more to go, but thanks to the boards help over the last couple of years, I've garnered 39 of the first 60 just in the last year all through testing.)
