Words from Students who are earning Credits before College and their Parents
Just a note: Sometimes when you step off the path everyone else is on, they might tell you you are heading the wrong way. Take care to ask for directions from someone who holds a map!
Karen, Parent:
A moment of applause for CLEP testing and for Cheri's encouragement to keep working at it! Starting in 7th grade, my son learned test taking and STUDY SKILLS which brought him to care about what school and college credits can do for him. He's walked away with determination to finish college and feeling great about his accomplished 6 college credits he's earned. He has set an even higher goal for himself by wanting to finish college two years after completing high school. He's also narrowed his area of study to forestry or environmental science.
Matthew, 9th grade and successful owner of 6 college credits:
Through a logic class that I took from Mrs. Frame, I was first inspired to earn college credits through the Clep program. I have a goal to earn 18 credits before I get to 11th grade.
Kim, Parent:
My daughter has successfully taken two DSST tests and passed them as a 10th grade student. Mrs. Frame led the study group for the World Religions DSST which covered a vast amount of material. Her approach to the subject was creative but thorough. She had the students look at the material not just from a rote memorization point of view, but also from a "big picture" aspect. Her encouragement to both my student and me has been wonderfully helpful! I would encourage any and all parents and students to consider taking the Dantes and CLEP exams as a way to reduce time and money spent in college on courses that are required but are simply stepping stones to the student's desired field. I wish I had known about this option when I was in college -- it would have saved me MUCH!
Katie, 9th Grade, 27 Credits:
My CLEP experience has been very successful. I have earned 27 credits through the CLEP program and am very pleased with the process Cheri has helped map out for my education. I hope to gain 60 credits with Credit-by-exam then use PSEO to finish my degree by the time I finish high school. I think this is very doable after listening to Cheri speak. UPDATE: While in only 10th grade, Katie has surpassed her goal of 60 credits. She has set her sights on earning her BA degree early and without debt.
Holly, 10th Grade Parent:
CLEP testing is a wonderful way to get a jump start on college and college level work. There is so much information on study tools and general CLEP information that it can quickly become overwhelming thinking about where to start. Connecting and listening to those who have gone down the CLEP Path is so valuable. Cheri is one of those who has explored and navigated the Path well and has become a wonderful resource for me. I consistently gain from her knowledge, research and insight. She is a great resource for anyone who is considering CLEP testing.
Jacob, 9 Clep Credits and Counting:
Clep, for me, was a learning experience. It showed me how to prioritize and pin point my best study time. It was also very encouraging to see that I could do college level work and pass the test, saving me time and money that won't need to be spent in college overall. Clep classes were extremely helpful in all the skills that it taught me. UPDATE: As a 10th grader, Jacob has accumulated 21 credits with plans to finish 30 (one year of college) before beginning 11th grade next year.
Debbie S, Homeschool Parent:
My daughter was in a CLEP study group that Cheri held and thoroughly enjoyed the process of preparing for the exam. Cheri provided motivation, taught study and test-taking skills as well as review of the subject matter. My daughter passed her exam thanks to Cheri's efforts and has gone on to use the skills she learned in Cheri's study group to take and pass seven other CLEP and DSST tests.
Kelly, Homeschool Parent:
My daughter was confused about how to get from her dreams as an animal lover to the job she wanted as a field ecologist. My daughter knew a master's degree was required to let her do the work she wanted in the field. Cheri helped her process how to get from here in 10th grade to there -- 9 years of education later. And best, how to stay focused on one year's worth of work at a time. Then my daughter was able to make a plan to combine high school and college using CLEPs and PSEO to shorten those potential 9 years of work into 7 or less. Cheri emphasized it is best to work backward from the final goal; you need to see how things will fit together in the overall plan and the requirements of your chosen college or field of study. Cheri helped pie in the sky dreams become concrete steps that are the foundations of my child's future. UPDATE from Britta, 11th grade: Cheri has been wonderful with helping me plan out my high school years
and making a plan for the college years after. Using CLEPs I've earned 21 credits. Add PSEO
classes and I have saved over two years of college and several thousand dollars.
Thanks Cheri!
Laura, 10th grade, 33 credits:
In my experience, taking a CLEP or DSST has been extremely rewarding. Although I have not reaped the full rewards of taking these tests yet, I am sure I will see them soon. Mrs. Frame and my mom have been instrumental in me working hard and pushing through to completion.
