What do you do when you just can't get that degree?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by ProfesionalStudent, Jul 29, 2013.

Loading...
  1. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    I've been a student FOREVER. Seriously, for years. It's ridiculous. I have more debt that I care to admit, and more time spent that I wish to admit. Learning disability didn't help. Neither did my procrastination and letting health get the best of me.

    And, I have nothing to show for my studies yet.

    I just can't seem to get that degree. I have few degree requirements left, but had to relocate too far away for health, personal, and professional reasons. Options are physically limited. Can't relocate back to the Ivy.

    Do you quit? Do you find some classes elsewhere to fulfill the last requirements and spend more money? I have tried, but no such luck yet (rare classes, and the subject matter is difficult for me). Do you transfer locally and choose another field of study to hurry it up?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 29, 2013
  2. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    Have you been officially diagnosed with a learning disability? If so, did you let your college know, and did they accommodate you?

    I know some people are probably tired of hearing this recommendation, but the Big 3 are really the best colleges to transfer credits to and to save money by using alternative methods of earning credit. These alternative sources of credit can often be done at your own pace. The Big 3, technically, don't have any residency requirements as in you don't have to take a bunch of credits with the school online or on campus. For most programs, you only have to take a capstone or capstone and cornerstone depending on the college. The Big 3 are Charter Oak State College, Excelsior College, and Thomas Edison State College. Just about every other college is going to require at least a 30 credit residency requirement. What was your major?
     
  3. lawsonry

    lawsonry New Member

    For your own psychological well-being I would recommend having something tangible to show for all your struggles.
     
  4. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Let's start with the absolute basics: what do you need the degree for? Do you have a specific goal in mind? Giving us that insight will allow for the DegreeInfo collective to share ideas with you on how you can obtain it.

    This site can help you greatly in getting a degree. If you're entirely sure that your ivy league college is out of the question, and are ok with getting a degree from a less prestigious (though still accredited and reputable) school, there are a number of options out there that can move you along towards your goal.
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I'm with Maniac, you have to define the utility requirements first. If this is just a check the box- then go with the fastest/cheapest/shortest point between here and graduation. If you want to get into grad school, then that has other considerations. You didn't mention "which" Ivy you attended, or how many credits you have, but if you'd like to graduate from Harvard, they have that option through their college of continuing education. You can transfer in all of your undergrad credit (or most) and complete several of your courses online. They cap online credit, so you can't finish that way, but you can likely use online for as many as you can and then simply spend 1 summer (or 2) finishing the requirements during summer school.
     
  6. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    You mention you're only a handful of credits shy of your degree. I'm not sure how long ago you attended the Ivy you were at, but many of them are pretty helpful/flexible with their students, especially when something like a learning disability is an issue. They may be willing to allow you to finish your credits at another institution to be applied towards your degree there. How many credits are you short? I would contact your school to see if something can be arranged.
     
  7. Delta

    Delta Active Member


    Many of us faced the same challenges! I once attended a "big school" but later joined the military, attending schools here and there with over 200 credits of course work and no degree! Every time I attended a new school, they accepted some coursework in transfer and rejected most.

    My Army education officer told me about Regents College now Excelsior College that accepted college credits from accredited schools. To my astonishment, I was able to earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with little additional effort. The diploma says, The University of the State of New York. I believe today it says Excelsior College, member of the University of the State of New York. Bottom line, I graduated and subsequently have earned two masters degrees and working on a doctorate at reputable universities.

    Don't quit! Have your education evaluated at one of the "big three"! I recommend Excelsior College but COSC and TESC may suit you as well! If you have a desire to attend graduate school, I think you will be amazed at the doors that will open to you with a Bachelors from one of the big three!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 29, 2013
  8. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    Wow, 200 credits! Ok, I feel better now. :) I like the idea of a SUNY/Excelsior degree. Glad all those credits could pay off for you.
     
  9. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    I didn't ask for any accommodations. I wasn't familiar enough with the DSS office or what they do, and didn't think I had "enough" of one to merit anything. I would be too embarrassed also, and when I was 18, I didn't know why I was how I am (dsylexia, ADD, nonverbal learning disorder, mild autism/HFA (but my IQ is normal),... then a mild stroke in my 20s didn't help my already poor memory :) ). I've always had poor reading comprehension, though, so I can't really blame that. I slide by the first few years of college, eventually managed to get a 4.0 GPA each semester. I procrastinate doing things that frustrate me, like these few classes remaining for the degree. Some subjects I can do fine... the few remaining classes I just can't seem to accomplish.

    I don't think anything they seem to do do (longer testing hours or the like) would really help since my problem is the learning of the subject and remembering what I read, other than waiving requirements, and that wouldn't happen.

    Do accommodations really help more than I think?
     
  10. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    Thanks for the suggestion. I'm 2 classes/6 credits short. They were helpful in waiving/letting me use other classes as requirements. I guess I'm really not sure I can learn the subject matter for those last 2 classes.
     
  11. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    I really just want a degree. It would help as a baseline requirement for most jobs here too. I guess my only goal is just finishing what I started. It feels like a waste to not get the degree because of two classes. I guess if I can't accomplish those 2, I have switch plans.

    If SUNY or Thomas Edison could accept all of my credits with few courses left to get a degree, that is worth considering. I have taken so many classes and delayed a degree so long that I just can't keep doing this. Aside from the money it's cost, I'm burnt out. Plus, I'm inept at many subjects... if I had to take a math class now as some pre-req, there's no way I would even pass that.
     
  12. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    I definitely want something tangible, and fast! :)
     
  13. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    Could you work something out to take either or both of the remaining courses as a reading course, independent study course, directed study course, etc., under the direction of faculty from your Ivy?
     
  14. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    I wouldn't be surprised if you can learn the subject matter and well but performance is standing in the way somehow. I wouldn't be surprised you could show knowledge of the content areas with multiple-choice test but they're asking for major research papers, or vice-versa, or something along those lines. Performance often gets entangled or confounded with learning. Of course they're closely related and measures of learning are also almost all measures of performance.

    Is there a math, science, or math- or science-based requirement here? A language requirement?

    You're so close with your Ivy. I would try to finish something with them. You could map what you have against one or more degree plans from Big Three assessment college and that route could be an alternative.

    For clarity, Excelsior College is not a SUNY college. Excelsior used to be Regents College, a program of the University of the State of New York (USNY), and grant USNY degrees. It became an independent non-profit private college in 1998 and took the name Excelsior in 2011.. SUNY Empire State College is also great, though ESC has a 30 semester hour residency requirement. You'd have to do a full academic year's work of coursework with them; this is available by distance.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 29, 2013
  15. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    What are the last two classes/subjects? It would be dumb to go another route if an Ivy is willing to work with you on the degree and you only need two classes.
     
  16. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    They were willing to work with me on the other requirements, but these last 2 are subjects I am inept at. I've been banging my head against a wall so long with these 2 that I just about can't deal with it anymore. I've over my head and frustrated to the point that there's been many tears with this. (Yes, I'm a grown-up, but a very frustrated one.) I can't keep doing this and see very little chance of passing those 2.

    I'll see if I can find the course descriptions of them here in a minute... maybe there's something online at some school that could match the description.
     
  17. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    Hmm, how does a person overcome a performance issue? (Oh, that doesn't sound right.. you know what I mean though.) I'm terrible with tests. My GPA (higher) has never matched my test scores (lower). The classes that I need have a lot of tests- mostly multiple choice with some short answer. The language requirement has speaking requirements, and I'm not good with that even in English.

    There's a science and an advanced language requirement... two things I'm awful at. I'll try to find the course descriptions to post.

    I haven't looked at reading classes and see if a professor could work with me at a distance. I'll have to look into that.
     
  18. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I feel your pain, really. I dropped a subject that felt impossible to me, because it required intuition about a foundation subject that I lacked....so I understand. First, 6 credits is SO. FREAKING. CLOSE. Seriously, I don't think you should transfer. The likelihood of your courses fitting perfectly into another degree plan are tiny, and most schools will require a residency anyway. You need a tutor. Someone to help you through and meet with you daily. Since you only have 2 classes, that's a light load- or maybe they are sequential and you're only doing 1 at a time, I don't know, but it's not 12 so I think you can and should devote serious amounts of brain space to the subject. Also, can you take the classes as pass/fail? That might ease a bit of pressure.
    This is good advice, you might enjoy it: Week 32 - How to Learn Really Hard Subjects - YouTube
     
  19. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    Will they let you transfer the courses in? You might do better in a self-paced, independent study course. UNC - Chapel Hill is a high ranked school that offers independent study courses. I know top private schools can be picky about what they accept as transfer courses if they accept any at all.
     
  20. ProfesionalStudent

    ProfesionalStudent New Member

    I posted the class descriptions and a few things yesterday but don't see them yet. Maybe they'll appear soon. If not I'll try to remember what I posted and re-post later.
     

Share This Page