An Alternative to Traditional College

[olde_fashioned]

Global Learning Strategies

Last weekend we went to a seminar about a method of pursuing a higher education via alternative methods, namely, college by examination and correspondence. It was utterly fascinating, and I've been meaning to blog about this all week, but I just can't seem to express myself as well as I'd like to. So, in the spirit of true laziness and procrastination, I'm going to cross-post my brother Spencer's post. ;-P You may read his blog HERE. The entry is dated September 25, 2007, so you might have to scroll down a bit.

Basically, this is how it works: you study on your own using a regular textbook (or whatever you use to increase your knowledge) and study up to take a CLEP exam on various subjects. If you pass the test, you earn college credits without having ever set foot inside a classroom! These may then be transferred like any other credits to another college, if you were, say, aiming for a degree in something. Because you're not spending months taking an actual course, the whole process is way cheaper and much faster than regular college. (No, this is not a scam!)

There were other aspects to the seminar, including speed reading, which helps speed the whole process up even more, and the speaker (one very amiable Ryan Yamane) even taught briefly a few memory techniques to demonstrate their efficiency.

If I'm confusing you then I apologize, but please feel free to ask me any questions you like about this. I took a ton of notes at the conference (and short of typing all of them up for no reason in particular) I'd be happy to share them with anyone who wants them. :-)

Comments

[elainastone.livejournal.com]

Almost all colleges will not accept CLEP credit after a certain amount of time, and not all subjects are offered by CLEP.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

IIRC, the credits are treated as regular credits, and are good for up to 20 years. They did warn you that some colleges wouldn't accept more than X number of credits, since college is after a business and they're in it to make money. ;-)

[sabrinafair2.livejournal.com]

Sounds interesting...but I'd still rather go to a four-year college. It would be great though for those who already have a job or are parents.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Or for a homeschool graduate who would like to avoid exposing themselves to the social life, peer pressure, and liberal professors typical at a normal college. ;-)

[sabrinafair2.livejournal.com]

True, I have some friends who go to a college who have complained about the liberal professors, who were home schooled. They told me it was a big shock. I think they liked being out of their comfort zone for a change.

A bit off on another tangent (sorry). It does really get me mad/sad that so many people see college as a place to party and do what they want to do instead of what their parents have told them. Especially when there are so many people across the world who really want to go to college and get an education but can't due to their finances/location/etc.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I think it's shocking to learn that there are actually people in this world who will lie, distort, ignore, and even change history to suit themselves.

As for your tangent, don't apologize. I agree with you! ;-)

[penguinsrpals.livejournal.com]

I heard about this! It sounds like a great idea! :) ♥ Tiffany

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Did you really? If you don't mind my asking, where?

[penguinsrpals.livejournal.com]

My Dad told me about it. I don't know where he heard it though. Sorry I can't be more help. :) Tiff

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

No -- I was just curious. ;-) Thank you!

[prima-donna87.livejournal.com]

We have a book on it and I have had several friends who have done it and I think it is a much better way to go.If I ever decide to do the college thing I would so do it that way.
Are you planning on doing it? What would you like to study?

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Not immedietely, but I am interested in taking web design and graphics classes. ;-)

[oldfashioned84.livejournal.com]

Hearing about all this sounded so great to me that I went ahead and requested more info from the website. They actually called me today to discuss it and answer some of my questions, and I'm really thinking about considering it if my dad's ok with the idea.

The only thing I'm worried about is running into some sort of problem and having to pay more for some reason...and I'm trying to figure out if it's really good for me considering I'll be graduating the community college with about 70 credits already.

The guy I talked to today said that most of my credits would very likely transfer if I went for a degree in history... even the paralegal credits...but I'm still a little worried there might be some sort of catch and that's the last thing I need lol

Onto other news, I have to tell you that I'm completely obsessed with your new (and amazingly beautiful) layout! :D

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I'm thrilled that this actually might help you!

I shall consult my notes and see if I can answer your question(s)...however I do not believe this is a scam/catch. I would worry more about the college changing rules about transferring credits as opposed to GLS. ;-P If it makes you feel better, I believe Doug Phillips of VisionForum endorses this.

Who did you talk to? The guy who conducted the seminar was named Ryan Yamane and he was very very nice.

:-D Thank you! Glad you like it. I've been working on coming up with a new layout for ages, and finally came up with one I liked. Hee!

[oldfashioned84.livejournal.com]

I talked to somebody named Luke. He was really nice and helpful too, and I even asked him if he could call back to talk to my mom on Thursday and he said he would. :)

Yes, knowing that this is endorsed by Doug Phillips and Christians/homeschoolers in general really eases my fears about it being some sort of scam. Still, I would hate running into some sort of problem with the credits, so I really hope that wouldn't happen. Maybe I'll ask the guy about that tomorrow.