Posted on Mar 21, 2015
Why don't more service members take advantage of CLEP exams?
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I have been fortunate to have had a leader of mine years ago tell me about CLEP exams and how I should start taking them to get college credits quickly and without taking on any debt as long as I was active duty. I was nervous to try and pass a college level course with 1 exam and ended up putting it off for a few years but finally gave it a try. I found the whole experience easy and needless to say was trilled to have passed that first test and have taken several more over the years saving me time and money in the process. I have found that the exams that have a 50% or higher pass rate are a good starting point and would recommend everyone take at least one just to see if it's for you. Last I checked they are still free if your active duty and there was no consequence if you fail besides having to wait 6 months to try the same exam again. If anyone has updated information please share it.
Posted >1 y ago
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I think as far as the Army goes we do a terrible job of educating our Soldiers on education.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
I'm with you CSM (Join to see)
Additionally, we may well have been told "And CLEP is really cool, do CLEP!" But there is no real explanation of what it is, other than really cool, and how to go about using it.
I know that I looked into it about 15 years ago, but my initial research was so frustrating that I just gave up.
Additionally, we may well have been told "And CLEP is really cool, do CLEP!" But there is no real explanation of what it is, other than really cool, and how to go about using it.
I know that I looked into it about 15 years ago, but my initial research was so frustrating that I just gave up.
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My base years ago, when I tried to finish a A.A.S degree the only options I had were 300 and 400 level CLEP exams at that base.
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There is a stigma and plenty of misinformation that says they are not "real" credits, that they won't transfer. So as much as I hate to do it, here it goes...
Young Specialist in Korea, nothing to do except work and workout (not a big drinker). My Commander tells me that he wants me to go to USMA, OCS or ROTC. I was too old for USMA and only had 6 credits, so no OCS. I figured I was off the hook. He said figure it out.
Fast forward a few weeks, and there I am at the Camp Greaves Education Center (back when the 506 was forward of the river), taking 5 CLEP tests worth 30 college credits. About 6 hours later, and I had my credits. Further, after a little research, I was able to find one of many schools (two of note are Austin Peay University near Fort Campbell and the Fighting Camels of Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC outside of Fort Bragg) that took my CLEP credits AND also gave me college credits for my army training to that point. Six hours, almost 50 credits!
That turned into a college degree, which turned into a Masters, which turned into another Masters and there is more coming. All from those CLEP credits that even when I was a battalion commander, soldiers swore they didn't count, they weren't real credits.
Here's one more for you: as a PL and CO CDR, I used my position (possibly undue command influence) to have every soldier assigned sign up and take at least one CLEP Pre-Test. Many took that and more. There is a number which I choose not to share that have either gone OCS or Green to Gold, not because of me but because they had the ability already. Sometimes we need to cut through the bull and just go for it -- no risk, all reward. Even if you don't pass, you just wait a period of time and retest.
CSM (Join to see) , not sure how promotion points work for college credits anymore, but for my board, I was able to get credit for all 50ish credits! The gift kept on giving.
I'm all about soldiers taking their own initiative. But I firmly beleive that in this one area, we as leaders should make the time, create the incentive and if we have to, make it mandatory to just try. 30 college credits -- one calendar year of college, knocked out in 6 hours.
Cmon, what are you waiting for?! Great question CW3 (Join to see) !
*editors note, inserting yourself into the story -- hard not to do on RP -- is a drinking foul. Water down the hatch...time now!
Young Specialist in Korea, nothing to do except work and workout (not a big drinker). My Commander tells me that he wants me to go to USMA, OCS or ROTC. I was too old for USMA and only had 6 credits, so no OCS. I figured I was off the hook. He said figure it out.
Fast forward a few weeks, and there I am at the Camp Greaves Education Center (back when the 506 was forward of the river), taking 5 CLEP tests worth 30 college credits. About 6 hours later, and I had my credits. Further, after a little research, I was able to find one of many schools (two of note are Austin Peay University near Fort Campbell and the Fighting Camels of Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC outside of Fort Bragg) that took my CLEP credits AND also gave me college credits for my army training to that point. Six hours, almost 50 credits!
That turned into a college degree, which turned into a Masters, which turned into another Masters and there is more coming. All from those CLEP credits that even when I was a battalion commander, soldiers swore they didn't count, they weren't real credits.
Here's one more for you: as a PL and CO CDR, I used my position (possibly undue command influence) to have every soldier assigned sign up and take at least one CLEP Pre-Test. Many took that and more. There is a number which I choose not to share that have either gone OCS or Green to Gold, not because of me but because they had the ability already. Sometimes we need to cut through the bull and just go for it -- no risk, all reward. Even if you don't pass, you just wait a period of time and retest.
CSM (Join to see) , not sure how promotion points work for college credits anymore, but for my board, I was able to get credit for all 50ish credits! The gift kept on giving.
I'm all about soldiers taking their own initiative. But I firmly beleive that in this one area, we as leaders should make the time, create the incentive and if we have to, make it mandatory to just try. 30 college credits -- one calendar year of college, knocked out in 6 hours.
Cmon, what are you waiting for?! Great question CW3 (Join to see) !
*editors note, inserting yourself into the story -- hard not to do on RP -- is a drinking foul. Water down the hatch...time now!
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