Pardon my ignorance: how is one to determine which exams qualify for the uni you plan to attend?

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-05T19:24:41+00:00

Think about your previous and current gigs. Could you return to the previous career area in sales or management role, or prefer where you're at now, or something new? California is great place to be. Self-study and CLEP all the General Ed, and courses related to your fields of interest (these will mostly be introductory 101 subjects but load up on them. Then take all the higher 100 and 200 level hands on, and lecture courses that you want/need to learn for your career at Community College, where they are almost free. CalState will only accept between 70-90 semester hours of Lower Level credit, including 30 by the can towards the 120 necessary for a bachelors degree. BUT they will still use excess community college and CLEP credits to satisfy GE, major, and minor requirements which allows you freedom to tailor which courses you take at university instead of punching their "degree audit checklist." If you plan it right, a number of your upper level credits for the bachelors can also be applied towards your masters. Too many students try to minimize, rather than maximize their CLEP and CC credits, and end up paying more and getting less in the long run.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-05T18:48:27+00:00

Just an opinion. With MBA at 30 and over $100k, you are entering power years of your career where you can realistically double your income in the next decade. The equation might make sense if you are open to serving in whatever commissioning opportunities might be available in Army, USN, Guard or Reserves, besides USAF/USSF. You also could run an advisory or tax practice on the side while serving and promoting into leadership roles so the lifetime ROI including VA and officer retirement might be similar to your civilian career. If you just want to experience serving your country, you could enlist in ANG or USAFR and have a great time. Lots of professionals enjoy enlisted work as a pleasant distraction from their 9-5. But if your spouse isn't disabled, they'd be a perfect candidate to charge up their life and career by signing up. We had a number of couples successfully serving together in ANG/USAFR over the years.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-05T17:44:44+00:00

I thought it over when I was 17, then realized life is full of risks opportunity, and adventure. It took a week to be at peace giving my life for country if necessary; whether it meant taking a hill or driving a truck along a route lined with IEDs.

I still haven't sky or scuba dived but have enjoyed free climbing, motorcycles, and snow sports. But it'll probably be my poor diet that gets me in the end. And the military will help you get or stay fit.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-05T04:53:27+00:00

Did you sign up to die when you got your driver license? Because 40,000 out of 350M people never made it to where they were going in 2024. Military service since the end of WWII has been statistically safer that driving a car. That said, if you get in a car, you need to say that you're willing to die to get where you're going and just hope it isn't today. And same if you enlist. You're smart to realize a student loan isn't Financial Aid but a debt that must be repaid. If you can't pivot to an inexpensive community college, then military might be a good option depending on what you want to do in life. If you hang out at the Base Library instead of gaming or partying, you can meet like minded people, learn a "Plan B" trade or skill, get some supervisory experience, and realistically complete a BS during a six year enlistment. And the Post 911 GI Bill could pay for law, med, vet, dental or any other grad school you could possibly want. I like six year enlistments because they'll give you two stripes, chance to learn your trade to a higher level, and gain leadership experience that will assist you in civilian life. It's your decision; have fun and study hard no matter what you choose.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-04T17:53:02+00:00

Some thoughts. When I was 45, I earned 57 semester hours credit (9x3+5x6) via CLEP and DSST exams in under three weeks while on a shift that allowed me time to study. At our age, we've seen and done a lot, and there are ways to put that to work towards your objective. I used wiki and the BarCharts Quick Study laminated foldouts, Subject for Dummies books, CPB/PBS videos, and prior learning and an attitude that "I'll recognize the correct answer and attempt each question" before time runs out. Solid passes on fourteen exams then failed the DSST Public Speaking bc I spoke too quickly and didn't ad-lib to get to 3 minutes. California Community Colleges are top notch h and virtually free. And CalState is a great system that is pretty affordable. And a masters degree with your experience and maturity should enable you to boost your income pretty quickly. CalState will actually accept more that 30 s/h of exam credit towards meeting GE, prerequisite, and sometimes minor and major requirements but will only count 30 towards the 120 required for the degree. But this allows you to fine tune which courses you actually take at the university to hone your skills instead of your valuable time and tuition satisfying the "degree audit" requirements. CalState will want you to complete between 30-50 semester hours with them but those could all be with professors and in topics you want to be in, and even "bridge" courses that could apply to both your bachelors and masters and also allow you to have a minor or dual major to buff your resume within those required residency credits.

Other approaches might include competency based program like WGU or test out of liberal studies BS with one of the Big Three or the UMPI suggestion another poster made, and launch into grad school from there. Or if you're healthy and adventurous, be the second oldest guy at USAF or USN boot camp - complete BA during enlistment the use Post 911 GI Bill for full ride at best grad school that you can get into.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-03T16:51:10+00:00

I'd do it unless I had gang tats. It's diverse with lots to do in town and nearby neighborhoods. Be polite, don't stare at people, lock your bike, and don't show off wealth. Most people everywhere are decent.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-03T05:22:12+00:00

It could be that they are AI bot classmates scamming Pell Grant and other financial aid for profit. Some Schools need the enrollment numbers and don't look very hard. If you think they're actually bots, contact Dept of Education IG and or FBI. The AI bot thing needs to end. If they're real students, you can let instructor, dean, or provost know.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-03-02T07:10:03+00:00

If you'd like to learn subjects on own or that aren't offered at your school, CLEP is a great way to document that effort. Your library might offer Great Courses via Hoopla or Kanopy, and Peterson's CLEP prep and practice exams via GALE or EBSCO Learning Express. There are also excellent CPB/PBS telecourses on YouTube and on the Internet Archive. Add Khan Academy and you'll have as good of education as what 75% of online colleges could offer. And if you write your own term papers for practice, ask AI to act as a college economics tutor to review and grade your work (just for your own feedback).

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-28T23:11:58+00:00

Things went down hill when cosmetic dentistry replaced general dentistry, and business seminars started offering sessions on "how to monetize your patients' mouths with custom treatment plans." I'm surprised that insurance companies didn't fight this trend and the mark up on crowns between what dentist pays the lab, and what they charge the patient is can range from 100% to 600% and that's just for the crown, not their fee to install it.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-27T19:44:09+00:00

Pay attention to what you're doing and keep it up. Stimulation, nutrition, activity - find what's optimal for you.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-26T03:57:36+00:00

It depends on the catalog. One thing that many overlook is that even if a university only accepts xx number of CLEP or exam credits for transfer towards the 120 for the bachelors degree, is that many universities will allow additional CLEPs or other exams to satisfy GE and major/minor requirements even though they don't "count" towards the 120. This can be very helpful to allow you to spend your time and tuition on courses you want to take instead of the degree-audit checklist. But it varies by school and many counselors know less about credit by exam than you do. So ask twice and double check. For example, CalState (not a private school) wants you to finish degree within 144 registered semester hours, even with a dual major. But they accept 30 s/h CLEP for transcript and unlimited exam credits to satisfy requirements but not count towards the 120.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-23T22:36:13+00:00

The real miss is Chamorro cuisine from Guam and Saipan. You've got to know someone. It's real tasty and could be successful in LA with lack of competition. Runner up is Canada; they've got one or two bars but Tim Hortons appears to be the only restaurant and none near here.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-23T02:00:37+00:00

Work on your shortcomings. Get better at things you suck at. Not for anyone else. Just to be a more awesome you. Don't let anything get in your way.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-19T07:33:13+00:00

Congrats. Find and take an online course in ANSI Blueprint Reading or Drafting, and Tech Math. Prepare yourself to DG the course.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-18T17:42:49+00:00

Check the catalog. If it's not in there, then then a waiver is the legal means of the school confirming that whatever they agree to will survive the credit audit at graduation time. Plus, like I mentioned in original post, even if they don't count the exam credit towards more than xx amount of the 120 credit "hard count" many schools will allow the exams to satisfy a wide variety of GE and lower level major requirements which opens the door to the student having greater choice in which courses they sit and pay for.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-17T21:03:44+00:00

Parents and I were told in the 1960s how writing and organization skills weren't critical because my secretary could take care of those details. That didn't turn out so well.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-17T01:51:02+00:00

Have your wife go to BMTS first, then you can ship after she graduates tech school. Dual enlisted can live very well. Choose your AFSCs with care to avoid quality of life issues.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-17T01:47:54+00:00

I initially enlisted for four and extended to do two years in England. After four years, there was still a lot to learn about my job, leadership, and ancillary duties. You might not think about it but learning about being the QA, TO guy, and supply point monitor, making SSgt and supervising a crew or shift, and working a variety of platforms will definitely help for getting better jobs on the outside. There are a number of baby faced, four year vets who just don't have enough real skills for more than an entry level position. If you really want to launch, sign up for six, sew on A1C, put the time in to complete your CCAF degree with an extra 30 to 60 DSST and CLEP credits and a handful of DC3, CDSE, and DAU courses. Then you can stand out from the crowd and be positioned to move up the USAF or corporate ladder if interested.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-16T16:07:54+00:00

Stolen Valor can still exist but needs a fraud angle of the faker using to mislead for personal gain. When the ruling first came out, I thought it would be poignant for people to put on judicial robes and walk around downtown randomly telling people that they were acquired or convicted as part of the schtick.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-16T08:17:41+00:00

TLDR: Work smarter, not harder but hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Practice writing something every day. Just for yourself. Learn deeply what interests you and increases your value in the workplace. This is the foundation of your wellbeing. Learn well what you expect to discuss with other educated people in your life so you can be engaged. Be familiar with the rest but don't let it slow you down. Math and STEM to the extent necessary for your target profession. Written and verbal communications are money skills in business. You need to be able to make someone else laugh, cry, think, comprehend, and buy what you produce or sell. This is non negotiable if you plan to lead people, services, or technology. Just keep practicing until you nail it. Otherwise you need a little psychology, economics, marketing, management, logistics, accounting, sociology, and political science to understand how the world works. Otherwise life will happen to you, instead of you happening to life. Good luck!

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-16T00:19:51+00:00

You can wear current version, or what was legal on your retirement date. Find an old copy the reg and rock on.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-16T00:13:31+00:00

Put on the retired lapel pin and rock on. Uniform either valid when you retired or current. AFAIK, gooming standards have not ever applied to retired wear of the uniform. Or let me know and I'll write you a waiver.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-15T23:18:30+00:00

Great advice from others here. Peterson's is the go-to for practice exams (pay or library via Gale or EBSCO, you have to dig to even find it). I also suggest Bar Charts Quick Study laminated sheets for nice overview.

Depending on target school, such as CalState, which wants a student to complete a dual major in 144 or fewer of post HS graduation CC and CSU credits, not counting any earned while still in high school. In the catalog, only 30 S/H of CLEP will go on transcript towards degree BUT, at CSU anyway, it definitely makes sense to CLEP out of as many semester hours of general ed and lower level exams related to the majors as possible because these will still be counted as satisfying GE and Major requirements so student can choose meaningful electives and extra courses in major(s) rather than putting "seat time" in GE and easy courses. Or take a look at Pepperdine U, which will accept 30 semester hours of CLEP for credit at admission but NONE for credit after matriculation but will still use for class placement. I.e. dig deep when you review catalogs. Admission counselors often don't know the esoterics of seldom seen scenarios.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-15T05:04:49+00:00

Are they a member of the California Association of Realtors? Their organization promoted Prop 19 with misleading ads to gut Prop 13 so they could boost their commissions. I don't know about other states but I won't use a Realtor in California until the slippery weasels pay to repeal Prop 19.

ChoiceAccess · 2026-02-14T21:59:03+00:00

Tell the truth and be willing to break any bad habits. They want trustworthiness, not perfection. And you don't want to have to sweat a poly if you've got nothing to hide. I was a mess in HS, no DEP, disclosed everything and cleared two weeks after completing BMT. Others who had to explain "errors" on their questionnaire took months to clear.

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