"The Big 3" is a group of schools with similar enrollment options and would like to see more differentiation between them. It almost seems as if people look upon all of them as pretty much the same. I thought I would make a fun Poll to see which one is the crowd favorite, please vote and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!! The Poll question is: Which of the Big 3 do you prefer?
Edison, even though I graduated from Excelsior's predecessor. TESC's portfolio assessment and development of taught courses (not to mention its graduate school--much more defined and bold compared to Excelsior's little program) set it apart.
I like Edison the most (only because it has the best name). However, I had to vote for Excelsior to make up for Rich not voting for his alma mater. That way we come out even.
This is an interesting poll, and I am glad someone started it. But, I have a feeling that it is going to be so close that everyone (including me) will still be thinking which would be the best one to get a degree from.
I chose Charter Oak. Even though all the degrees are "general studies", they still seem to have the most concentrations. TESC has a lot of different programs, but they seem pretty expensive compared to Excelsior or COSC. Bill
I chose Excelsior for the same reason I enrolled - it had a bachelor of science program in business that I could complete via flexible testing with minimum expense. Having said this, I'm contemplating a second undergrad at COSC that I want to complete via testing and portfolio assessment. It's hard to go wrong with any of the Big 3.
Excelsior College + Has major's, probably best known of the three, MA in LS, Lawrie web site maps directly to EC degree - Unusual name, lack of customer service COSC + Name, customer service, small size - Only offers a "General Studies" degree TESC + Defined degrees, name, offers classes and MS degrees - Out of state tuition, lack of customer service
One good thing about Excelsior (which is a good idea, I think), is that you can finance the enrollment fees. I don't think the other two have this option..
I spoke to all three schools and went with COSC becasue they were more accepting of old credits (no time limit for technical credits), great customer service, and I liked the name as opposed to Excelsior.
COSC allows you to pay any fees over 200.00 in equal installments over 3 months. Good thing since I'm also financing son's college every semester from my checkbook in cash. I also chose COSC in the poll and in real life based on the customer service, which has been absolutely outstanding. Couldn't get Excelsior or TESC to talk to me without showing them the money first, although both continue to send me flyers and pamphlets. May go for a second degree from Excelsior but TESC is just way too expensive for out of state if money is an issue.
Can I vote 3 times for COSC since I graduated from there when it was the Board for State Academic Awards (BSAA of CT), then replaced with Charter Oak College before trading my diplomas in for the COSC versions? At the time is was the only college that took 'D's in the concentration area, was and still is supportive (since I still have credits added to my original transcript) and lets me drop by for cookies and coffee now and then.
So if Excelsior and TESC can offer majors why not COSC? If they did I think they would have a slam dunk, but perhaps they want to avoid that? I remember reading somewhere at one time they didn't want people to spread the program to people out of state.
Remember that Excelsior and TESC come under the Middle States Association, while COSC falls under the New England Association. I'm not sure if that's the reason, but it certainly makes sense.
That may have been the case at one time but when I mentioned that I had discussed their program at length with other nurses I work with and they were showing interest in also completing their degrees with COSC, my advisor seemed delighted to have more enroll with my assistance. I've never even been to Connecticut.
WOW!!!! I'm happy with the approval of this little poll. I guess not too bad for a newbie!!! The voting seems to be evenly split with Excelsior taking a small lead in 1st Place. I figured this poll would be fun and close. I guess in DL there are so many things we could argue and disagree on so I felt lets have a poll that brings us together!!! Whichever answer you choose, you can't be wrong which is what makes this poll so good. All the schools on this list are good and legitimate. Because of this our poll can be less biased and more accurate. My personal choice was COSC only because I have spoken with all three and felt COSC was best at making me feel comfortable and positive when we spoke by phone which is important to me as I like to feel "If I'm paying you with my hard earned cash, make me feel good about it at least". They also didn't have time limitations on previous credits and experience like the other schools, but their flaw in my opinion was that they didn't offer as many paths to graduation as the others. Their general studies path may not be enough for all. . I felt Excelsior had the coldest customer service of the group and the worst name but had a good selection of course offerings and TESC had the best name and courses right smack in between the two others. This poll is great because even my opinions show how each school has it's strong and weak points in all different areas. Thanks for participating all and please continue as I would like to see more votes to get an even better analysis of who's the favorite, I'm sure all of you would agree!!!
