Features and/or highlights you liked most? It was really easy to navigate the website and post homework.
Would you recommend us to a friend? Yes, definately.
Can you describe the level of support you received while going through LearningCounts.org?
It was amazing how quickly my course instructor responded after submission of our assignments. She was incredibly supportive through the whole process and provided positive reinforcement. I appreciated her ability to show me different ways of looking at situations or ideas. She gave me a whole new perspective on things and how to work through the times when I was stumped and needed help.
Name: Briana C. Taravella
Age: 54
When you expect to graduate: May 2013
Major: Applied science
What was the subject area of your portfolio? Business letter writing combined with editing and proofreading, and intro to computer application
What are/were your biggest obstacles to getting your degree? Time, it takes so much time.
How did PLA and specifically LearningCounts.org help you overcome those obstacles?
Even though I had to work hard every day, I was able to earn credit that would have taken longer to earn going through the classes.
Would you recommend LearningCounts.org to a friend? Yes, the workshops on preparing for what you actually have to write makes you think outside the box. It was absolutely necessary and I could have never have done this (writing a portfolio) on my own. It makes you think differently about your experiences. The book, Earn College Credit for What you Already Know, was well written and a great aid in writing the portfolios.
Can you describe the level of support you received while going through LearningCounts.org?
The one phone call with the counselor was awesome! It got me settled right away. The instructor was amazing. She answered my emails promptly even though I knew she had a lot of students. She got me on the right track and was very supportive. Her criticism was very constructive and always made sure I was on the ball.
Name: Jill Powell
Age: 40
When do you expect to graduate? Just waiting for the paperwork to be complete, I am finished with all my coursework.
What was the subject area of your portfolio? Medical assistant and communications. I did two portfolios, 6 credits each, so with the class, I received 15 credits total.
What are/were your biggest obstacles to getting your degree? My business stopped being profitable and so we had to close the doors. I had my associate’s degree and all kinds of work experience being a medical assistant. There was no other way to get credits for this kind of work. I knew I needed to get a bachelor’s degree (at least) to get a better job.
How did PLA and specifically LearningCounts.org help you overcome these obstacles? I finished the class and completed my portfolios in 8 weeks total. Nothing else would have worked so quickly and cost effectively. Nothing else would have given me the college credits for what I learned on the job.
Would you recommend LearningCounts.org to a friend? Yes, in fact, I already have. And I will keep recommending it! It was a real godsend!
Can you describe the level of support you received while going through LearningCounts.org? It was a fabulous experience. The teacher was amazing. He was available for me whenever I had questions and he helped me to jump ahead and finish 2 weeks ahead of the rest of the class. Every question I had was respected and answered quickly. Now I want more people to know about it!
Name:Jeff Reardon
Age: 33
When you expect to graduate: April 2012
What is your major? Business/finance. I got my associates degree in 2001. I re-enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University to get my BS in 2009. I just decided to go for it – to go back to school – even though I really didn’t have the time.
What was the subject area of your portfolio? Finance. After getting my associates degree, I went to work at Mass Mutual Financial Group as an agent. Now I am an employee benefit specialist, I’ve been with them for 7 years. I basically used the knowledge from my first 3 years of working as a financial advisor for Mass Mutual. When I read the class description, I thought there is no way I should have to take this, I’ve already done all this, so I talked to an advisor who recommended LearningCounts.org.
What are/were your biggest obstacles to getting your degree? Time management. Working full time and having two children makes it hard to study, so I just take one class per term. Each term is eight weeks, so I just finish one and then go to the next. I study a bit every night to keep up, so I don’t have to cram it all in a day or two.
How did PLA and specifically LearningCounts.org help you overcome those obstacles? The course taught me how to build the portfolio. It was a lot of work, but now I know how to do it, and I know I can do it again. It speeds up the whole process of school, I think people would be crazy not to take advantage of this. Another huge benefit is how much tuition I saved. It saved me at least $3,000.
Features and/or highlights of LearningCounts.org you liked most? It saved me time and money.
Would you recommend us to a friend? I would, and I already have. I know someone that needs to finish, he’s about 10 years older than me. I think it would be a great program for him.
Can you describe the level of support you received while going through LearningCounts.org? I got a lot of support from the instructor. He was very encouraging and he went through my portfolio and gave me very specific recommendations and guidance. The LearningCounts.org staff was also great, response was always fast. I like that all the materials were available online and I didn’t have to go out and buy any books.