CLEP/Excelsior/GPA?

[allthemadmen]

Hi-

I am impatiently waiting for a response from EC and thought someone here could probably help me.

When Excelsior grants credit for CLEP exams, do they still assign a grade? I would hate to pass a CLEP exam only to have that show up as a "C" on my transcript!

I'd appreciate it if anyone knows from experience since I'd like to register for CLEP or the required courses ASAP (as you all well know!).

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[Geezer]

Cleps are recorded as P only....no grade. TECEP's are also recorded by Excelsior as P only. DANTES are given as a letter grade. Happy testing!

You can still use CLEP's to raise your GPA. I replaced 5 D's and a C from 30 years ago with 18 CLEP credits and my GPA went from 2.1 to 2.97 in one day. Finished with a 3.01.

[ImustStudy]

Originally Posted by allthemadmen

Hi-

I am impatiently waiting for a response from EC and thought someone here could probably help me.

When Excelsior grants credit for CLEP exams, do they still assign a grade? I would hate to pass a CLEP exam only to have that show up as a "C" on my transcript!

I'd appreciate it if anyone knows from experience since I'd like to register for CLEP or the required courses ASAP (as you all well know!).

Thanks and Happy New Year!

If you want to raise your grade, take Dantes DSST exams. You will get a letter grade for those. Some exams also receive upper level credit.

[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,

[dave042]

IMHO, if you have no future plans on earning a masters or PhD then I wouldn't think it would matter. On some job applications, I have seen entries for GPA. I know some insurance companies offer discounts on GPA, not sure if its linked to age though. So bottom line is it probably wouldn't hurt you unless you plan to pursue a higher degree.

[allthemadmen]

Thanks for the responses!

I'm not trying to raise my grade; I don't want anything to bring it down. My GPA is vitally important as I plan to apply to a competetive master's program ASAP.

Excelsior's Student Guide to Earning Credit... isn't really clear on the matter. It says that the computer-based tests are too difficult to assign a grade to, and that they don't do that anymore, but on their CLEP chart the passing score of 50 is listed under "C" with the exception of the foreign language exams, which can grant an "A" if high enough.

[soltran]

G'day,

Originally Posted by clep101

Does the GPA really matter?

I am currently working for a global organization that has approximately 55,000 employees. It is virtually impossible to get an interview with this company without a degree (for the majority of positions). It is next to impossible to land a job with the company without a 3.0 GPA and for many of the positions it is unlikely that they would be filled by anyone with a GPA of less than 3.5.

It is a competitive world out there and the more you can do to improve the odds the better.

Regards

[clep101]

Well then,
I guess I better aim between a 3.0 adn 3.5 just in case I need the higher GPA. That means that I will have to study a little more.
Thanks for the advice.

One more question, does anyone know the difference in classes for a BA in Psychology and a BS in Psychology? I was looking at them in the Excelsior site but the classes to choose from look the same to me for both degrees.

[Johanna]

For the BS they will allow a lot more applied professional credits, for the BA you have to meet more stringent arts and sciences requirements. The actual major requirements are the same. Does that answer your question?

[japhy4529]

Originally Posted by Johanna

For the BS they will allow a lot more applied professional credits, for the BA you have to meet more stringent arts and sciences requirements. The actual major requirements are the same. Does that answer your question?

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