CLEP/Excelsior/GPA?

[gus]

Originally Posted by Geezer

Cleps are recorded as P only....no grade. TECEP's are also recorded by Excelsior as P only.

Last time I checked, English Literature CLEP was the only one that's still graded (according to Excelsior's 'Student Guide and Assessment Catalog' 2007 edition).

And I believe that the reason we don't get grades for CLEPs is because the exam contents have changed and ACE doesn't have a letter grade recommendation for them yet (citing the lack of statistical data to set the cut score for grades). I was lucky to get away with grades on some CLEP exams when they were still offered back in 2005/2006 (Management, Micro/Marcoeconomics). I wasn't that lucky when I found out that Psychology wasn't graded after taking the exam (which by the way was listed as graded in the Excelsior's catalog for the year of 2005), the exam content had changed during that year and so it had become pass/fail only.

That also means that the situation can change any time and CLEPs taken in the future might (and probably should, unless the exam content is constantly changing) get back to being graded.

To play it safe, I'd always check with the advisers to make sure there aren't any changes before taking any exam.

[allthemadmen]

I received a response from Excelsior today. CLEP credit is recorded only as Pass (with the foreign language exception); however, the counselor told me they do not recommend English Comp since they will not grant credit for it (for my program, anyway).

From what I understand the computer-based test *is* changing too rapidly and regularly to make it possible to assign grade credit, which is why they changed that policy.

Thanks again!

[ImustStudy]

Originally Posted by clep101

I'm new to the College thing. I just completed my TA paperwork and enrolled with Excelsior as my home college. I hear nothing but good things about EC.

My question is: Does the GPA really matter? I mean, if I barely graduate with a 2.0 or 2.5 or whatever and in the end I still have that Degree in my hands, does it really matter if all you want is that Degree? I'm hoping someone with more experience can fill me in on the importance of the GPA.
Thanks,

For some federal jobs, the requirements are stated in the recruitment. Such as "GPA of 3.0 required. 3.5 for advanced standing."

Check the recruitment for any job you are applying for. Private employers would certainly prefer someone with a higher GPA howver they may not require it. If the job is between you and 1 other applicant and you are tied in every other way, they good GPA may take you over the top.

Good luck. Do your best.

[originalbigjim]

Originally Posted by japhy4529

Also, keep in mind that while Excelsior makes references to "majors" you are actually receiving a Bachelor of Arts or Science in Liberal Arts, NOT psychology. This fact is not obvious until one applies and/or enrolls in the school. I was surprised by this when I applied to the school a few weeks ago. In the application, one must select either a BS/BA in Liberal Arts OR Criminal Justice (major). Very odd.

Excelsior does offer a traditional major in Criminal Justice through the School of Liberal Arts. However, all of the other degrees offered through this school are just that, Liberal Arts. The other schools at Excelsior do offer actual majors (e.g. Technology, Business, Nursing, etc.).


-Tom

Bad info. The school of liberal arts does offer actual majors. I majored in political science and no where on my diploma or on my transcript does it say BS in liberal arts, it says BS in political science. The reason why it may seem this way is because the majority of the people who attend this school are getting liberal arts degrees without majors, so most of their forms reflect that. I actually received my congratulations letter for completing my degree in liberal arts with no mention of major, i called up in an outrage because it took me an extra year to complete my major than if i went for liberal arts. They told me that is an automatically generated form when someone completes degree requirements and since the vast majority of their student go for the liberal arts option w/o major that is what it says.