Student Experiences at Western Governors University (WGU)

This thread is intended for students to write about their experiences at Western Governors University.

Please keep it civil, and do not spend your time bashing the school, and its policies. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you have a problem you need to take it up with your professor or mentor. Please no Flaming on this thread.

You can ask for help with a referral (used to avoid paying the application fee) on the following thread: http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/55634-wgu-refer-friend-thread-those-seeking-referral.html

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Comments

snokerpoker

I passed!

Overall, I loved my experience with WGU. More than anything, I am pleased I was able to meet my financial and personal goal of completing the degree in a year and half.

Great way to start my week!

echo465

Does anyone know if any variance in the program is allowed? I'm getting ready to start on BOV1 (Javascript programming), but I'd rather learn some Java so I can apply it to Android programming. Javascript really isn't useful to me at all.

demonfurbie

snokerpoker wrote: »

I passed!

Overall, I loved my experience with WGU. More than anything, I am pleased I was able to meet my financial and personal goal of completing the degree in a year and half.

Great way to start my week!

congrats

themagicone

Congrats!!!

snokerpoker

echo465 wrote: »

Does anyone know if any variance in the program is allowed? I'm getting ready to start on BOV1 (Javascript programming), but I'd rather learn some Java so I can apply it to Android programming. Javascript really isn't useful to me at all.

I believe you can only switch concentrations. If the Javascript course is in both, then you have to take it no matter what. If you change and the program you are switching to does not include that course, then you do not have to complete it. I would discuss this with your mentor. I'm pretty sure you have to give them a month notice or officially put the request in before the last month of your term.

erpadmin

snokerpoker wrote: »

I passed!

Overall, I loved my experience with WGU. More than anything, I am pleased I was able to meet my financial and personal goal of completing the degree in a year and half.

Great way to start my week!

Well done!!

erpadmin

sheckler wrote: »

So does tech writing/capstone have to be a real project or can it be theoretical? I see if you use something from work they have to sign an authorization form, not sure mine would do that so that messes up my plan.

Mine's both. To get around the authorization form, I based my papers on a real project, but the organization is unnamed and dates have been changed to protect the innocent (or guilty...whatever.)

This was done out of necessity...I don't feel like going through red tape with either my present/past employers or WGU. The fact that WGU allows hypotheticals from students who aren't even working allowed me to proceed in that fashion.

never2late

snokerpoker wrote: »

I passed!

Overall, I loved my experience with WGU. More than anything, I am pleased I was able to meet my financial and personal goal of completing the degree in a year and half.

Great way to start my week!

Fantastic. Way to go!

petedude

erpadmin wrote: »

This was done out of necessity...I don't feel like going through red tape with either my present/past employers or WGU. The fact that WGU allows hypotheticals from students who aren't even working allowed me to proceed in that fashion.

I was fortunate to have a project for a small organization that I could complete completely outside past/present employers. The red tape would have been grievous here as well.

Now if I can just finish writing the darned thing.

veritas_libertas

petedude wrote: »

I was fortunate to have a project for a small organization that I could complete completely outside past/present employers. The red tape would have been grievous here as well.

Now if I can just finish writing the darned thing.

LOL. I'm wondering how much red tape I will have to go through to talk about my project at work. We will see how this goes.

sheckler

It's nice how the capstone course mentor doesn't email you back.

petedude

sheckler wrote: »

It's nice how the capstone course mentor doesn't email you back.

They've got a new guy pitching in while the previous mentor is away temporarily. If you don't get a response within 24 hours, talk to your mentor or Student Services.

erpadmin

sheckler wrote: »

It's nice how the capstone course mentor doesn't email you back.

Student Services gave me a $25 gift certificate because of that guy...and I wasn't even "complaining."

If enough students call Student Services, they may try to give this guy help. Will be better for other WGU students in the long run as well.

sheckler

I need to get tech writing turned in and passed before the end of the month, and with enough time for my mentor to enroll me in capstone. Then I can get the 30 day extension to finish capstone. Otherwise pay $3000 with no prorate because it's more than 12 CUs. It pretty much has to pass on the first try since I don't think there would be enough time for a revision even if I turn it in tomorrow. I'm pretty poor so this is a lot of pressure!

erpadmin

sheckler wrote: »

I need to get tech writing turned in and passed before the end of the month, and with enough time for my mentor to enroll me in capstone. Then I can get the 30 day extension to finish capstone. Otherwise pay $3000 with no prorate because it's more than 12 CUs. It pretty much has to pass on the first try since I don't think there would be enough time for a revision even if I turn it in tomorrow. I'm pretty poor so this is a lot of pressure!

So call Student Services. Believe me, they will help you!

erpadmin

Needed a kick in the butt to get this thing done. I changed my TWA1 paper around, and had to write a few more pages.....plus modify the original Project Plan slightly. Hopefully it'll be enough.

If I do have to do a revision, at least I have time for it. I never know with these things though.....so we'll see....

I'm going to follow my own advice to set it and forget it. I'm not going to care if it comes back tonight, tomorrow, or whenever....but at least if it comes back with a revision I'm hoping I'll know what I have to add. Here's hoping.

sheckler

It's gotta be weird for you to be done with capstone but know that you still have 3 hard MS tests left.

erpadmin

I dunno about weird, but that was the plan. I wanted to knock out the courses I felt were "easy" for me to knock out. I did try to fit MS exams in my first term, but it never got to happen. It barely happened my second term.

In order for me to go to Atlanta dreams, I have to have everything done by January 6th. Otherwise, I can't be added to the program. This is the motivation I need to play with my server every other day.

I didn't pass Capstone yet. There may be a chance that it gets returned....hopefully it doesn't, but there is that chance.

I'm not worried about it, since I know I get another shot and I have until the end of December to make good, but I did put a lot into it so we'll see.

sheckler

So what format did you use to turn in tech writing/capstone? I know previous taskstream classes asked for .rtf, but tech writing doesn't specify.

I wish graduation was in a more-fun city than Atlanta. NYC or San Fran would have been cool.

erpadmin

sheckler wrote: »

So what format did you use to turn in tech writing/capstone? I know previous taskstream classes asked for .rtf, but tech writing doesn't specify.

I wish graduation was in a more-fun city than Atlanta. NYC or San Fran would have been cool.

Never been to Atlanta though. I am hearing that there isn't the much to do there...I might have to get all General Sherman when I leave....

(joke....)

I'm spitting distance from NYC....it would be difficult for WGU to do anything there because NYC is so friggin expensive. Philadelphia would have been very cool though (I like Philly). Baltimore wouldn't have been so bad, but if you leave the aquarium area, you may find your life in jeopardy...lmao.

This is what has me worried....for TWA1, I didn't save in rtf....I forgot actually and just sent a regular docx file. When I was saving the Gantt chart, I just sent the MS Project file and docx (unlike before, where I saved it as a jpeg...).

If it becomes a problem, it's no big whoop....but we'll see.

demonfurbie

it depends on what part of atlanta and whats going on

you could go to a game or a concert

then there is dave and busters game room/bar thats always fun

tc613

Hey folks ATL is a fun city if you know where to go. I will tell you at least you wont' have worry about multiple connections so much for flying into Atlanta. ATL Int Airport has the most incoming flights for all regions in US.

By the way Dave and Busters is a great place to have fun and dinner at the same time, good suggestion Demonfurbie.

hiddenknight821

I live 15 miles west of Manhattan, and I have just been to Dave and Busters a few weeks ago there. I have to say it's getting old. I spent $13 on the swipe card and didn't win much, because the games were rigged. The prizes aren't even worth the money. I dunno which is worse. This or the casino.

erpadmin

tc613 wrote: »

Hey folks ATL is a fun city if you know where to go. I will tell you at least you wont' have worry about multiple connections so much for flying into Atlanta. ATL Int Airport has the most incoming flights for all regions in US.

By the way Dave and Busters is a great place to have fun and dinner at the same time, good suggestion Demonfurbie.

I won't be flying with Delta...that's for sure.....(Atlanta is a Delta Hub)

I would have thought it would have been cheaper, but not really. Most of my miles are tied into Continental anyhow.....

I'm hoping to hear from WGU soon about partnered hotels.....erpadmin is springing for a suite.....

veritas_libertas

erpadmin wrote: »

I won't be flying with Delta...that's for sure.....I would have thought it would have been cheaper, but not really. Most of my miles are tied into Continental anyhow.....

I'm hoping to hear from WGU soon about partnered hotels.....erpadmin is springing for a suite.....

LOL! Going all out huh? Check out the aquarium if you have time. I enjoyed it.

erpadmin

veritas_libertas wrote: »

LOL! Going all out huh? Check out the aquarium if you have time. I enjoyed it.

I should have said considering...

I'll check that out and maybe Coca-Cola. I plan on being there a couple of days before commencement, so I can do the touristy stuff.

I'm just a wee-bit excited. Being the first guy in the immediate family to have a college degree is an exciting time.

Nobylspoon

erpadmin wrote: »

I'm spitting distance from NYC....

Where about? I'm right on the other side of the TZ bridge. Just moved here a few months ago from Austin (work relocation).

Rappeller

I have my A+ exams scheduled for Oct 4th and 5th and I haven't finished the Labsim for applications yet (2.5 years hands on). So far I'm averaging about 85% on the essentials in Labsim. I am planning on studying right up to the end using both skillport and labsim. How well prepared do you think I will be?

erpadmin

Nobylspoon wrote: »

Where about? I'm right on the other side of the TZ bridge. Just moved here a few months ago from Austin (work relocation).

I'm not that far from Nanuet...that's the GSP to NYT for me....many, many moons ago I used to go to this club in that area called Facades. (The Ramapo chapter of my fraternity hosted parties there....fun times). I also worked in Greenwich, CT and I sometimes would take the TZ route when I didn't want to take route 95 (GWB).

I'm close to Jersey City for right now.

It's funny...I'm trying to relocate to Austin myself....I know you're here because of work, because if you chose to come here I'd be asking "why?" I need to get my financial affairs in order before I make that leap though.

Nobylspoon

Project+ tomorrow. I read the Sybex book twice and ran through all of the uCertify "Exam Essentials" & chapter tests. My scores on uCertify are hitting at a pretty wide range between 750 - 850+. I am confident with the terms and formulas though so I think I will do fine tomorrow.

My term ends 11/30. I told my mentor that I want to add BOTH ORC1 and MGC1 after I pass Project+. He just wanted me to do one at a time because the end of term is getting close but I was able to talk him into giving me both so I could take them back to back without delay. I expect to finish those in 2 weeks max but shooting for next weekend (Sat & Sun exams). Any study tips for knocking these out fast? I don't want to underestimate these just b/c cutoff is so low. I was thinking about just hitting the chapter reviews for each book and reviewing any that I score less than 75% on. What do you all think?

I can't wait for the next conversation when I tell him I want to do INC1 & INT1 before end of term...

For INT1 tasks 1 & 2, I already selected topics. I have also planned my science project and know that it will take me 1 week to execute plus a couple of days before and after for my report. Since my mentor will probably freak out when I ask for both courses, I may just request INT1 first until I submit all of the tasks. I would still be able to study for INC1 during that time. I have the Biology book (a slightly newer edition) and I ordered the main book on Half.com for $25.

My goal is to have all of this completed by the end of October. I will use November to prepare for 70-640 and possibly work on papers for QLT1, IWT1 & LAT1 and start term 2 off pretty strong.