The WGU Challenge - Finish in 1 term

swild

I have decided to start a blog of sorts on my journey through WGU. I transferred in 62 credits and have 60 to go. I am pushing myself to be done in 1 term. I have 17 classes. If you do the math, 181 days divided by 17 classes gives me 10 days per class with 11 days of flex time.

Number of exams by Vendor:
CIW - 4
MS - 3
Cisco - 3
Performance - 4
Other - 3

I test pretty easily and don't see and problems with the MS and CIW exams. I am a little nervious about the Cisco exams since I have never taken one and the performance assessments because I have no idea how long it will take to finish them. That is the one thing that makes me not sure about finishing on time.

Week 1: WFV1, IT Fundamentals I, and CLC1, Reasoning and Problem Solving. Passed all practice tests for WFV1 and pre assessments for CLC1. Just waiting on my vouchers so I can schedule the exams. Starting DFV1, Web Development Fundamentals.

I had an iPad until Friday when my boss decided to give it to someone else for a while so I am in the market for a new Android tablet. I am trying to wait until Lenovo's new tablet comes out, but may wind up getting an Asus Transformer Prime.

FloOz

goodluck on the challenge!

jmasterj206

How much experience do you have with Cisco? Like you said that probably will be your harder part, but if you have a good understanding of subnetting that should help a lot. Best of luck.

Alif_Sadida_Ekin

It's possible. I did it:

http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/60354-finished-degree-one-semester-wgu.html

I didn't have any cisco or microsoft exams that needed to be done though. Good luck!

Turgon

swild wrote: »

I have decided to start a blog of sorts on my journey through WGU. I transferred in 62 credits and have 60 to go. I am pushing myself to be done in 1 term. I have 17 classes. If you do the math, 181 days divided by 17 classes gives me 10 days per class with 11 days of flex time.

Number of exams by Vendor:
CIW - 4
MS - 3
Cisco - 3
Performance - 4
Other - 3

I test pretty easily and don't see and problems with the MS and CIW exams. I am a little nervious about the Cisco exams since I have never taken one and the performance assessments because I have no idea how long it will take to finish them. That is the one thing that makes me not sure about finishing on time.

Week 1: WFV1, IT Fundamentals I, and CLC1, Reasoning and Problem Solving. Passed all practice tests for WFV1 and pre assessments for CLC1. Just waiting on my vouchers so I can schedule the exams. Starting DFV1, Web Development Fundamentals.

I had an iPad until Friday when my boss decided to give it to someone else for a while so I am in the market for a new Android tablet. I am trying to wait until Lenovo's new tablet comes out, but may wind up getting an Asus Transformer Prime.

Is it possible to get a Bachelors degree in one term?

erpadmin

swild wrote: »

I have decided to start a blog of sorts on my journey through WGU. I transferred in 62 credits and have 60 to go. I am pushing myself to be done in 1 term. I have 17 classes. If you do the math, 181 days divided by 17 classes gives me 10 days per class with 11 days of flex time.

Number of exams by Vendor:
CIW - 4
MS - 3
Cisco - 3
Performance - 4
Other - 3

I test pretty easily and don't see and problems with the MS and CIW exams. I am a little nervious about the Cisco exams since I have never taken one and the performance assessments because I have no idea how long it will take to finish them. That is the one thing that makes me not sure about finishing on time.

Week 1: WFV1, IT Fundamentals I, and CLC1, Reasoning and Problem Solving. Passed all practice tests for WFV1 and pre assessments for CLC1. Just waiting on my vouchers so I can schedule the exams. Starting DFV1, Web Development Fundamentals.

I had an iPad until Friday when my boss decided to give it to someone else for a while so I am in the market for a new Android tablet. I am trying to wait until Lenovo's new tablet comes out, but may wind up getting an Asus Transformer Prime.

I'm happy with my Lenovo Ideapad K1. Got it for $299 and it's a very functional tablet. It's got some GPS issues, but I have a smartphone for that (and I believe Lenovo is on it, in anycase.)

Listen, be prepared for any potential setbacks. Best advice I can give you under the circumstances. I will never advise one to do or don't do a program in one term if they have their minds made up...all I can tell you is best of luck and prepare for contingencies, smartly.

swild

It is possible to do in one term. Since I have half of my credits from transfer, I have all of the horrible Liberal Arts classes out of the way and can focus on IT. I think it's the gen ed classes that take so long because I have no interest in them.

I have no work experience with Cisco, but I started my home lab almost a year ago and haven't even taken ICND1 yet. Subnetting is pretty easy as long as I brush up on the formulas. I think if I actually got a job where I needed to use it semi-weekly, it would be easy to remember. half of the reason to finish my degree with WGU is to get the Cisco certs started.

I am really tempted to get that K1 tablet, but I want the Tegra 3. I just hope it comes out in the next month or so. I also love love love the digitizer pen with the Thinkpad tablet.

It looks like MS Visual Web Developer 2008 just finished installing, so back to work.

Hypntick

Good luck on your challenge! My only word of caution, the MS tests are a beast.

jmasterj206

He only has to take the MTA exams, so it shouldn't be too bad.

swild

I passed the 70-680 about a month ago and I expect the MTAs to be easier than that.

Hypntick

swild wrote: »

I passed the 70-680 about a month ago and I expect the MTAs to be easier than that.

Ah, yeah I thought it was the 70-640 etc. etc. Yeah the MTAs should give you no trouble at all. Good luck on the goal once again!

drumrolfe

Turgon wrote: »

Is it possible to get a Bachelors degree in one term?

I already had my CCNA and an A.A.

I finished in two terms with an average of 36 cu per term. If one were to focus completely, I could see finishing in one term as a viable option.

IMHO - going to school to get an education should be about absorbing the material, learning new concepts and skills, not just about passing the tests to earn a peice of paper. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to judge - but consider the value of a degree. Is it going to be used only as a ticket to gainful employment OR to better yourself, expand your knowledge, and lay the groundwork for a continuing passion for lifelong learning (along with a ticket to gainful employment)?

Completing a degree quickly is great, but learning and absorbing in the process is even better!

Best of Luck!

erpadmin

drumrolfe wrote: »

IMHO - going to school to get an education should be about absorbing the material, learning new concepts and skills, not just about passing the tests to earn a peice of paper. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to judge - but consider the value of a degree. Is it going to be used only as a ticket to gainful employment OR to better yourself, expand your knowledge, and lay the groundwork for a continuing passion for lifelong learning (along with a ticket to gainful employment)?

Completing a degree quickly is great, but learning and absorbing in the process is even better!

Best of Luck!

If one is "passing the tests", then one knows the material.

I'm saving that "learning and absorbing in the process" jazz for my Masters degree. I feel that between my maturity, work experience, and (I'll dare say it!) WGU, I have laid "the groundwork for a continuing passion for lifelong learning (along with a ticket to gainful employment)."

I don't really give a crap about whether a WGU undergraduate bachelor's compares to a one from Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Princeton, Stanford or any other Ivy League. Heck, I don't really give a crap if a WGU undergraduate bachelor's compares to one from a state flagship school, like Rutgers, or Ohio State University, or any other Division I school. All I really give a crap about is if I answer yes to the question about my college degree, and I'm run through the National Clearinghouse that verifies degrees, that WGU will count for that! Because WGU is regionally accredited, I get to also attend a school where I will care about "learning and absorbing in the process." Which is what I'll be doing in a couple of weeks....I'm also hoping that I pass my final exam in a few days.

In the end, WGU's degree is what one makes of it. It's always on the individual to decide what the next chapter is. A degree, be it from WGU, Harvard or Oxford, will not lay opportunities on a persons lap....it's still up to the individual to find those opportunites on his/her own.

swild

I couldn't have said it any better.

The BS isn't all that important to me. I already have nearly enough credits to graduate from my B&M school but didn't want to pay the $10k for another year.

I am planning on attending a B&M for my Graduate studies. I expect that to be difficult and time-consuming. I also plan on my master's program to be my full time job.

coty24

I love you man! Get it done, i'm so motivated by your thread! I got 60 credits left as well. One thing though, if you know you are ready to test out, make sure you schedule it asap; it's mandatory to give 5 days notice for exams(Not the cert kind) good luck and God's speed!

petedude

What should have taken me two terms max has trailed into three. Java and the capstones slowed me down, especially Java. Thankfully, I have only one course left now.

swild

First test scheduled for Sat 1/7 8:00am for CLC1. Still waiting on scheduling for WFV1 and DFV1. I really think that the scheduling is going to be the worst part of the whole process.

I just started DFV1 and requested scheduling yesterday. I expect that I will finish this class this weekend and wanted to schedule it for Monday or Tuesday next week. However, it says that I have to choose dates that are at least 7 days away. I will be scheduling all of my tests before I even get a chance to look at the material.

Also, anyone that has taken DFV1: Did you find that the course text was pretty useless? Is the uCertify material better? I went through the first chapter in the book, did all the exercises, and when I got to the practice questions, I was blown away. I had to look up nearly every question.

swild

petedude wrote: »

What should have taken me two terms max has trailed into three. Java and the capstones slowed me down, especially Java. Thankfully, I have only one course left now.

I am dreading the Java. I start my first Java course next week.

KeithC

swild wrote: »

... I really think that the scheduling is going to be the worst part of the whole process.

If you want to schedule faster just call the scheduling department. As long as your mentor has approved you to schedule a exam after you hit the schedule now button call up the WGU Assessment Delivery Department. I just did the same thing last month where I wanted to schedule the exam right away and my "order" was not even dispatched to anybody.

I have never tried to call before the assessment status states "submitted for schedule" thou.

As long as you have passed the pre-assessments don't worry about going through your weak areas until your test is scheduled so you can focus on the material for the test that is coming sooner.

Good luck

swild

Good to know that I can call to schedule.

I will probably look over a few things for the CLC1 exam because I only beat the cut score by 8 points. I don't think I will review on the others if I can beat it by 10 or more.

I'm guessing that the only classes that you must do all the work in are the performance assessments, right? I just took a look at the Web Design Specialist study guide and it looks like another breeze-through class.

demonfurbie

on the cert classes i suggest soon as you start request the voucher code

powerfool

Turgon wrote: »

Is it possible to get a Bachelors degree in one term?

I don't really consider any of these situations as completing a bachelors in one term... every case that I have witnessed has been someone transferring in an associates or an associates worth of credits...

For all intents and purposes, with the exception of programs that require licensure (like an RN), as associates degree really isn't a degree; it is more of a consolation prize on the way to completing a bachelors degree and is only worth listing if you don't have a bachelors degree or you have an associates that requires licensure and your bachelors degree is in a different field.

It is pretty much the same thing with masters degrees. If you are familiar with The Big Bang Theory... masters degrees are consolation prizes on the way to completing a doctoral program, with a few exceptions, like an MBA which has long been considered a stand alone program (although there are a few DBA programs out there).

It would be more appropriate to say completed AS to BS in one term.

A colleague of mine completed his BS at WGU in one term after transferring in with an AS.

SteveLord

powerfool wrote: »

For all intents and purposes, with the exception of programs that require licensure (like an RN), as associates degree really isn't a degree; it is more of a consolation prize on the way to completing a bachelors degree and is only worth listing if you don't have a bachelors degree or you have an associates that requires licensure and your bachelors degree is in a different field.

Nail on the head. And nursing is a pretty good example.

swild

WFV1 scheduled for today in 2 hours.

I had to request my MSDN-AA login so that I could download the full version of Visual Studio 2010 and start on KET1. I was told that they normally don't do that until your 2nd month in case you change your mind during the 30 day trial period. Appearantly you can withdraw during the first 30 days without owing anything. Good to know.

Anywho, lots of good stuff on that MSDN-AA. I can't wait to start playing with these full version programs for free. Unfortunately, my work blocks the download manager from Microsoft so I will be spending a few hours at my coffee shop until I get all the programs I need.

Now I just wish that the nearest Prometric center was less than an hour's drive from my work.

Excellent1

swild wrote: »

I had to request my MSDN-AA login so that I could download the full version of Visual Studio 2010 and start on KET1.

Just outta curiosity, why do you need VS2010 for KET1?

demonfurbie

yea i thought it was all in netbeans

erpadmin

powerfool wrote: »

It is pretty much the same thing with masters degrees. If you are familiar with The Big Bang Theory... masters degrees are consolation prizes on the way to completing a doctoral program, with a few exceptions, like an MBA which has long been considered a stand alone program (although there are a few DBA programs out there).

Seriously, where does this snobbery come from?

I would have conceded to your earlier point about an Associates, as I feel somewhat the same way about it, though not quite so snobbish. My niece is going to earn a Associates in Arts for General Studies (basically all the general ed courses you'd do in your first two years of a four year school.) I basically told her to both not waste her time either participating in attendance of a commencement ceremony, or waste the stamp sending me an invitation to attend such nonsense if she didn't heed my earlier advice. I'm not going to waste my time to watch her wear a gown saying, in essence, that she's becoming a college junior. For her undergrad, that's a different story. But not for an associates.

However, where I really took issue with you is the Masters. While I actually do know a couple of Ph.Ds, MOST of my graduate-level friends have a Masters. For many folks...it's good enough to stop there. Also, an MBA would have been something I would have personally liked....but from what I understand, it won't be good enough to adjunct teach because it's considered too general. Even if there is an IT specialization. So that's why I am concentrating on a MS in Information Systems. While I would love to entertain a doctorate...I won't really know until I'm done with a Masters if it's even feasible. I couldn't suspend life to do "research" at the doctorate level. A lot of people can't...

swild

Excellent1 wrote: »

Just outta curiosity, why do you need VS2010 for KET1?

that's what KET1 teaches you to use. Microsoft exam = training in MS products.

Edit: Oops, DFV1. sorry for the confusion. KET1 is all in NetBeans.

Turgon

powerfool wrote: »

I don't really consider any of these situations as completing a bachelors in one term... every case that I have witnessed has been someone transferring in an associates or an associates worth of credits...

For all intents and purposes, with the exception of programs that require licensure (like an RN), as associates degree really isn't a degree; it is more of a consolation prize on the way to completing a bachelors degree and is only worth listing if you don't have a bachelors degree or you have an associates that requires licensure and your bachelors degree is in a different field.

It is pretty much the same thing with masters degrees. If you are familiar with The Big Bang Theory... masters degrees are consolation prizes on the way to completing a doctoral program, with a few exceptions, like an MBA which has long been considered a stand alone program (although there are a few DBA programs out there).

It would be more appropriate to say completed AS to BS in one term.

A colleague of mine completed his BS at WGU in one term after transferring in with an AS.

What is the difference between an AS and a BS and how can you complete a BS in one term if you have an AS? Seems there is not a lot of difference between the two if this is possible.

For my part I have a Masters degree earned in 1995. I should like to do a PhD one day once Im financially independant. Many decent research ideas to work on!

erpadmin

Turgon wrote: »

What is the difference between an AS and a BS and how can you complete a BS in one term if you have an AS? Seems there is not a lot of difference between the two if this is possible.

Doesn't the UK have some sort of college credit by examination, similar to CLEP?

CLEPing is one way to accelerate a four year degree into a couple of years, but it requires one to be REAL familiar with the exam they are taking for credit.

At WGU, the process is similar to CLEPing. It's just newer...

Excellent1

swild wrote: »

that's what KET1 teaches you to use. Microsoft exam = training in MS products.

Edit: Oops, DFV1. sorry for the confusion. KET1 is all in NetBeans.

Ah, I see. I learned a lot from the Java courses--I had no experience with it at all. I remember looking at the Taskstream requirements for KFT and thinking that I might very well not be able to complete them. Definitely seemed like a huge challenge, but by going through the exercises and building the foundation, the tasks were doable.

By the way, good luck on your goal. I think it's definitely achievable, but remember not to be too hard on yourself if you hit some snags.