How I Hacked My College Degree by Taking Exams for Credit

College Wasn’t For Me

I hacked my college diploma. Although I started college after I graduated from high school, I realized that I wanted a break from school. I worked really hard in high school, got accepted early decision to the school of my choice, the University of Virginia. But once I got there, I didn’t know what to do. My goal was to get into UVA and please my parents, but once I was there I was disillusioned and aimless.

I enjoyed my first year of college, a bit too much, meeting and hanging out with new friends, waking up really late, skipping classes. My grades suffered and I felt guilty for wasting my parent’s money and not knowing what to do.

I took time off school and worked, and I decided to take more time off when I struggled to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I even moved to California with my best friend for a couple years and lived it up. I took a few college courses here and there, still trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Should I be a graphic designer? Should I go into optometry? Or should I go into ministry?

After a couple years in California, I moved back to Virginia while my friend stayed there. He graduated from a good university, got a good paying job, and has had a very succesful career since. I, on the hand, took a long time to figure things out.

When I passed my mid twenties, I decided that I needed to really decide on something. I was teaching part time, tutoring students for an educational company, and I really enjoyed it, but I wasn’t making enough to be financially secure. It was then when I started to do some research to see if I could just finish what I started and earn a college degree online.

How I Earned College Credits Just by Taking Exams

In those days, they weren’t many options compared to today. Only a few colleges and universities offered online courses and degrees. I did tons of research, and I settled on Excelsior College (now Excelsior University), which was accredited and provided a way for me to submit my previous courses for review to obtain credit. Also, Excelsior College gave me to option to take exams to earn credits toward my college degree. I could not believe that I could finish my college degree just by taking exams!

I learned that I could take CLEP and DANTES (now called DSST) exams and submit them to Excelsior College for college credits. I remembered I had taken one AP exam from high school, U.S. History, and got 3 credits for that as well. One by one, I studied for specific exams I felt I could study for and pass. I would literally check out a book from the library based on the subject, read it from cover to cover, and after a couple weeks or so, take the exam and pass!

How I Saved Time and Money by Taking Exams for Credit

Taking exams saved me time and money. No more going to class or spending money on expensive textbooks. I didn’t have to sit in a class for an entire four-month long semester to get college credits. I saved hundreds, probably thousands of dollars, and hours and months of time by taking exams for college credit. I had hacked the system.

After a couple years, I finished what I started and earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College. Although it was for Liberal Studies, not any specific major, I did not care. I just wanted to finish my college degree and move on with my life. 

How College Hacking Helped Me Earn Two Master’s Degrees

After finishing my college degree by taking exams for credit, I earned two Master’s degrees. My first was an MBA from Liberty University, earned entirely online. The day I graduated was the first time I ever set foot on the Liberty University campus. Completing my bachelor’s degree online gave me the confidence, study skills, discipline, and resourcefulness to continue my education.

My second Master’s was a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University, which I leveraged to get into the Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program. Currently, I’m a Major with the United States Air Force Reserve.

How Homeschool Students Can Earn College Credits

My journey to get my college degree was unique and not typical. Homeschooling is the same way; it goes against the traditional way of obtaining a high diploma. However, more parents are realizing how homeschooling has its advantages and benefits for families and children.

Homeschool students have many options and opportunities to earn college credits. Earning college credits by taking exams is one way. Another way is dual enrollment, where students can enroll into college courses and even earn a college degree while getting a high school diploma at the same time!

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you would like your homeschool student to get started with earning college credits and need some guidance, get in touch with us. We will discuss a plan and strategy for you and your child, based on your academic and financial needs and goals.