It appears that it may not be necessary to remove low grades prior to January 1, 2008. I have to admit that I'm still not 100% clear, but let me share my circumstance and subsequent exchange with my Excelsior advisor.
I recently realized that I have a shot at a final GPA of 3.75 if I'm able to achieve an "A" on the last four of my graded exams/classes. Achieving an "A" on all of them will raise my GPA to 3.74. If I drop my "C" in Business Law and replace it with a CLEP pass, that'll put me over 3.75 and I can graduate Magna Cum Laude. However, If I get even on "B" on any of my last classes/exams, then nothing (reasonable) will get me over 3.75. So, my best course of action is to complete all my classes/exams and replace Business Law last only if it'll help--which will be next year. Otherwise, I won't bother.
So, here's my exchange with my Excelsior advisor:
Me: ...One thing I've learned along the way is that completing exams with an "A" bumps my GPA by about .01--but removing a "C" bumps my GPA by .07! In looking everything over, I think it is in my best interest to remove one more low grade from my transcript. The best option is my "C" in Business Law from SCCC. I would do this ONLY if it made the difference between a 3.75 or something lower. In other words, if I still couldn't hit 3.75 once I dropped Business Law, I would then leave it alone.
I believe the new Jan 1, 2008 rules may impact my ability to do this--although I'm not sure--despite almost being a college graduate! Assumably, the best course of action is to just drop it prior to January 1. However, for my information, would I have the option to do nothing now and take the CLEP Business Law exam after Jan 1 and then designate that score to replace my SCCC Business Law course? Since classes not pertaining to my degree will not be counted after January 1, I think that will work but I want to be sure. Please let me know. Thanks!
Excelsior: ...Yes, you can take the CLEP Business Law after January 1st to replace the grade for your Business Law course. The CLEP is a pass/fail grade so it will not effect your GPA. Taking off the course and adding your A will bring your current GPA up to 3.74. So if you get A's on your other exams it should bring it up even more.
Me: Wow, that would be really great... Thanks again for your prompt reply. Here's what I plan to do:
1. I will not request to remove any further grades from my transcript this year.
2. I will complete my seven remaining exams/classes and look at my "final" GPA.
3. If I've attained at least a 3.75, I will take no further action and ask you process me for graduation.
4. If I have NOT attained at least a 3.75 AND removing my SCCC Business Law "C" grade (and replacing it with a pass on the Business Law CLEP) will provide me with a 3.75 or better, I will take the Business Law CLEP and then ask you to drop the SCCC Business Law class from my transcript.
Good plan? Please confirm...
Excelsior: ...Your plan looks good...
Me: Great, thanks. Not to beat a dead horse, but I just went back and looked at the email we all recently received re. changes beginning January 1, 2008, which read, in part, as follows:
"Credits in excess of what is needed to complete your degree requirements will no longer be listed on your Excelsior College status report or transcript as of January 1, 2008. Excess credits that are already listed on your status report or transcript will remain; however, if you are considering removing credits to improve your GPA, you must do so in writing prior to January 1, 2008. Please contact us soon if you are considering this option."
Also, an on-line correspondent of mine recently inquired re. removing grades and here's what she was told:
"You need to request to have low grades removed from your file prior to January 1st, but you do not need to request official course or exam approval prior to that date."
So, I just wanted to TRIPLE check to make sure I don't have to remove my SCCC Business Law grade prior to Jan 1, 2008. If I understand everything correctly (unlikely), I think what you may be saying is this:
If you take the Business Law CLEP in 2008 and pass--you will have duplicative credit for that class and can choose which to apply to your degree. That will make your SCCC Business Law class "credit in excess of what is needed to complete your degree requirements" which, after Jan 1, will not show on your transcript.
The only thing that makes me nervous about that interpretation is the bit from the Excelsior email which reads:
"Excess credits that are already listed on your status report or transcript will remain"
So, if you could humor me one last time and confirm that I will be able to replace my SCCC Business Law with CLEP Business Law (both in 2008) and that my SCCC grade will NOT remain on my transcript to impact my GPA in any way, I would really appreciate it.
By the way, the only reason I'm so concerned is that I computed all the grades I expect to get which will leave me with a GPA of 3.74. At that point, I'll have to replace the Business Law to get over 3.75--however , I won't bother if I get even one "B" out of my last four graded tests and classes--because then even the Business Law swap won't get me over the 3.75 mark.
Thanks for listening and your prompt responses--as always!
Excelsior: The SCCC Business Law class will be on your record. Then if you decide to take the CLEP and use this for the requirement, the prior course will no longer count toward your GPA. It will still appear on your transcript, but will be coded so that it does not count.
So there you have it--another impossibly long post from me. It appears that you may end up with a GPA for your degree and maybe another GPA for your overall transcript??? I only care about my GPA for the degree, so I'll take my chances so that I don't unnecessarily take Business Law again. I just wanted to get this out there and see what y'all make of it. Thanks.