critter1972

now that i'm doing the TCN program, i have access to their online chat rooms...in these chat roms, there are other students that i can talk to about what i'm reading. we have each others emails and we set up times to be online at the same time. So, if we agree to read Chapter 5, we can get online and talk about what we read and learned. Plus, the Advisors from TCN can answer questions for you if you need help. have you found that when you mention using TCN's study materials, people rip you a new one? LOL...it's like some sin that you spent the money to get the materials directly through the place that ISU recommends. I've had people even call me a troll in one of these forums! In fact, i hardly get on this website much any more. It seems like this site is for people who want to complain about something or tell us what we should and shouldn't do. I don't mind advice, but that's all it is and always will be. i'm a grown adult and i can make decisions on what is best for me....and i did and i'm glad that i made the choice i did. I just encourage everyone to make their decisions based on their own wants and needs. These people telling me (us) that our decisions are bad.....well, will i ever meet you, will you be someone making an impact on my life? I know that this sounds harsh and i apologize...but, if someone is taking my comments personal....maybe you are one of these people. too many people can dish out comments and tell everyone else what they should and shouldn't do....but.....i know that in 3 years, i'll be a BSN....where will they be? will they still be complaining that they are doing the work of an RN and not getting paid for it? Life is too short to complain about something...you have to do what it takes to make improvements in life. yeah, it may be hard, but life isn't easy..you get out of lilfe what you put into it. You're right though....it takes WAY too much time going from site to site to link to link to search for materials to read. I was worried that i'd spend too much time looking for something that i wasn't sure would prepare me. That's why i went through TCN and got their materials. I knew that i had academic support, online and phone, i knew that i could chat with other students, i learned about the gaurantee, I READ THE PAPERWORK that i signed....i knew what i was getting into. I met with an advisor who i met with at a starbucks...we talked about everything, what the clinical requirements were, where i would do them. I took my transcripts with me so that the advisor could look through them and give me a rough estimate of what i would still need to take (gen eds). once i started, TCN pulled my official transcripts and the Academic Advisors reviewed them. I ended up needing a few more than what we originally went through, but that's okay, that's part of it. Anyway, i'm very pleased with my decision. Yes, there are days when i don't want to study, so i don't, but i make it up. I know what my goals are and i know what i have to do to reach them. good luck to all.

I'm in the program and so are about 7 of my co-workers....the clinicals through Indiana State University are done at a facility of your choice. You can do it at your own work place ...you just can't get paid for it. You shadow a preceptor for 'x' amount of time a week...the 'hours' are set between you and your preceptor. once you choose the clinical facility, you let the Clinical Coordinator through ISU know where you want to do the your clinical hours. The Coordinator will contact that facility and get everything set up. that's it.... In phase 1 of the program, you test out of your gen ed courses, phase 2...same thing except you take the exam, online, through ISU. Phase 1 and 2 are self paced...you study at your convenience and you take the exam when you're ready. The gen ed courses in phase 1 aren't that bad. Have you checked out what the requirements are? Chemistry 100 is the only chemistry required and Algebra and Statistics are required. that's it for the chem and math requirement. All of us needed about 7 gen ed courses cuz we had most of the others done already. those include intro to religion, ethics, pathophysiology, literature, technical writing, stats, a history class..i can't remember the other ones right now. I have a study guide, one for each course, and all the info that i need to know is in there. It's not a guessing game...we know what to study. then, in Phase 3, you do all of your nursing courses online through ISU too. there are no set times that you have to be online, so it's very convenient. when comparing and associates to a bachelors degree...there are going to be a lot of differences....it's a bachelors degree. however, for anyone who is wanting to further their education, the best way to learn about the program is to check it out, ask questions.....i was leary at first, but i did my research and found out that it's not that difficult to understand or do. i'm glad that there is an option for LVN's if they are looking for an ASN degree....it's too bad that Excelsior was stopped 3 years ago!! however, i was also extremely excited to know that there is now this option available. Good luck to everyone with what ever you do.

i'm curious...why would you spen $41,000 for an associates degree from a local program when you can do the Indiana State LVN-BSN program for around $20,000? The $20,000 total is the fee IF you need all the general ed courses. I just don't see the sense in spending that much for an associates when you will spend half that for a BSN degree through ISU's newly approved program. just my opinion.

The contract that you signed...can't be cancelled. Do you still have a copy of your contract? Read it.....i have mine and i made sure to read it completely before i signed it. There's a 3 days cancellation period. It's like buying a car, buying a home, or signing up for regular courses....if you start classes on campus, or buy a home, or buy a car...you can't just expect to stop paying for them six months later. You signed a legal and binding contract. My fiancee is an Accountant and he read the forms too... Well, you can stop making the payments, but your credit will get hit. Is is really worth it? Like I, as well as many others have stated....this is a good program for some people. you get out of it what you put into it. just bite the bullet, use the study guides that you purchased and get through this. So, you bought new study materials....so what? Aren't you using the academic support and the website to talk to other students in the program? You have to look at the outcome of this....you will become an RN and make $10,000-$20,000 more a year. I bet when this is done and over with...you won't be complaining then.... So, refer people into the TCN program/Excelsior...for each person that you refer and they start, you get a $250 referral bonus. After 6 referrals, TCN pays off your loan.....it's true....i did it. Now, i have 7 other people doing this and we have our own study sessions together. good luck and just focus....you'll get this done.

MFD727..... In the state of Florida, in order to sit for the NCLEX you must be an LPN. Every state as a different requirement as to whom can sit for the exam and you happen to live in a state that will only let LPN's sit...that's if they do the Excelsior progam. now, what you can do is take the state exam from another state, such as South Carolina. You don't have to leave your state to do this, just request to take another state's exam. Then, once you pass the NCLEX, you can transfer it in using reciprocity or licensure by endorsement. You can not take the Georgia exam, because Georgia requires that you take the exam from another state and transfer it in too. Also, in regards to those you with negative remarks about the "publishing companies"...TCN IS affiliated with the NLN. Also, yes, you get your degree from Excelsior, but look at these places like bookstores. If you walk onto any college campus in this country, there is more than one place where you can purchase your materials. Same thing here....excelsior is the school that you get your degree from. some people don't like using all the textbooks that excelsior and rue provide...that's why some, like me, went through The College Network. TCN provides one guide per course and ALL the research has been done. So, for those of you wondering what to do....all i say is, "do your own research." everyone has an opinion, but YOU have to do what is best for YOU!!!

a troll? i see that our intelligence level has lowered some to name calling. isn't it something how most people have to problem bad mouthing my decision to do the TCN guides, or any other guide through those 'publishing companies.' however, when i defend my decision....it makes you mad? that, is a double standard, my friend. you ask about the current version? well, if i'm paying $75 or $200 for a testing fee, i want to make sure that i'm prepared. by me buying NEW guides, i'm guaranteed to have the most up to date material. so, if buying used guides works for you, then so be it. that is your choice....my opinion is my opinion....and so far, my decision has proven to be right (for me) because i haven't failed an exam. i feel good about my decision. i thought that this website was to talk about our experiences and find support, motivation for those of us who work full time, have kids, and still find the time for our education. however, the quality of some of these threads are little to be desired. i find that if i'm going to put that much effort in defending myself, i would be more productive actually studying. So, thank you for making me realize that i can do this on my own and that others opinions don't really make or break me.

thank you.... :wink2:

plus, doesn't the thread on this section say: College Network....wouldn't it make sense that if i'm in the program.....i would talk about it, or yet...defend it?

perhaps what? the fact that I'm in the program and am using the study materials...and that i'm doing well and feel like i have to defend my decision? is there a problem with that? there doesn't seem to be a problem with people bad mouthing it, but there is a problem with me defending my decision.....that's little of a one sided comment from all of you. we all do what we can to get through the programs and i thought that this forum was to share our experiences....am i wrong? if so, i'll just go back to yahoo's rnstudygroup.com account.

You are all correct...you do what you can and what works best for you. I'm sure that most of you know at least one RN that doesn't know as much as you do, as an LPN. how many LPN's out there are doing RN work and not gettng paid for it. Plus, most of the LPN's are showing the new RN's how to do their job. that's scary! just because someone can pass the NCLEX doesn't mean that they are a good nurse. my sister in law has never worked a day in life after she got her LPN license and she took her time getting her RN degree from one of the local programs. she passed her NCLEX the first time, she's book smart, but not common sense smart......because what you learn in school and how you do it on the job are two different things. i'm sorry if i offended anyone, but we are just giving our opinions. i've been on here tonight and on some threads i feel like i almost have to explain why i'm with the College Network...it works for me and for those i work with...it's been very good. We find what works best for us.

i sent you a private message.

you can go directly to Excelsior's website and count how many Textbooks you need. for just the six nursing courses, there are a total of 24 textbooks. I don't know how long ago you did the program, but there have been a lot of changes with the program in just last five years. they used to be known as Commonalities A and B, Differences A B and C...now they are called something completely different. this just goes to show that people do what works best for them. The cost is about the same if you know anything about the cost of textbooks now a days... after you add up the testing fees, the enrollment, clinical and graduation.....those are fees regardless of where you get your study materials....and again, the cost for the study materials are about the same...give or take a few hundred dollars. my question is "how long did it take you to get through one course by using the textbooks, writing things down and recording your voice, and whatever else you did? With the College Network guides....if you put an hour a day into studying, you should be taking an exam every 4-6 weeks. My girlfriend, co-worker at work did 8 of the courses in three months and passed everyone with an A! The info was right to the point, she had the academic support from The College network and could call them anytime during their 15 hours of support. I don't want to try to explain why i am doing it this way...it was my choice...just like it is for you. Everyone gets out of it what they put into it. You pay for what you get. Getting your degree is worth it. so what if you spend $10,000-$12,000 for the EC/The College Network program...first, it's going to cost you about the same anyway....and you're getting a degree that will allow you to get paid for what you do.....so, spend the money, get it done because once you start making that money in the first full year of employment, you'll be able to pay of any loan early without any penalities....well, at least through The college network.... good luck

education is expensive....who cares how you did it as long as you passed anyway? it's still less expensive than taking time off of work to sit in a classroom for 2 years.....you pay for the convenience....that, right there is worth it to me. especially since i have kids. The RPT program is through Independence Univ., formerly the California College of Health Science. you do your clincial hours by shadowing a RRT. you learn how to do it online and then go and do it at the clinical hours. call The College network or the school and find out how it works. you aren't obligated to start a program just by calling asking. if you don't want an appointment with a local rep, ask to speak with an advisor over the phone. TCN has advisors on staff for immediate answers.

oh people.....have any of you ever done anything through The College Network and know how they work? if not, then....shush... this forum is to give advice based on our experiences, not through rumors. The College Network and Indiana State University have a partnership, which means, that ISU recommends that you get your study materials through TCN for Phase 1 and 2. yeah, go ahead, go to ebay and buy them cheaper from someone who's had them lying around for years....however, are they up to date? do you want to take that chance and then go pay a testing fee for an exam that you hope you pass? some of those testing fees are about $190! by the way, the testing fee is what the testing site charges, not The College Network. I have had no trouble using TCN guides. I can call them anytime and their advisors help with whatever questions i have....because they work WITH ISU oh, and they work with Regis University, Independence Univ. George Washington, Cornell and Boston. They have partnerships with these schools to help US get our degree....which by the way is our goal anyway right? You know that if places like this weren't around....we'd still find something to complain about....probably complaining because of all the textbooks we have to get instead of using a self contained "guaranteed" guide. that's my two cents.....

plus, if someone needed the whole program...the study materials through Excelsior would total about 50+ textbooks.....who has time for that? Through The College Network, i got one guide per course...for a total of 13. They have live academic support and guarantee my success with a gaurantee that is hard to pass up.

Indiana State has been doing their on campus program for YEARS..that school has been around, well, my aunt went to school their for her degree and she's nearly 60....and now they are offering it online. it's the same kind of program...you're just doing it online. The college Network provides the study materials for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the program...then you enroll with ISU for Phase 3 whch are all of your online nursing classes/clinical hours. It's a program that is designed to be done in about 3-4 years. it's legit and just got approved in California! California......that says a lot considering CA stopped the only other online/distance learning program three years ago. Most states that don't approve the ASN program through Excelsior approve the ISU nursing program. good luck

i'll tell you this....The College Network provides the study materials for Phase 1 and 2 for the ISU LPN/LVN to BSN program. ISU recommends them...they have a partnership, which means, that ISU has seen what they offer and approved it. TCN also provides study materials for Excelsior (no partnership because EC wants ALL of your money). They also provide study materials for Independence Univ (formerly know as the California college of Health Science) for the ONLY Respiratory Therapy program offered online. Plus, they, TCN has partner ships with CORNELL UNIVERSITY and Boston university....that means something? go to their website, see what schools they work with and make a decision based on what's best for you. A lot of people will give you all kinds of opinions, but i personally find TCN very helpful. I can call anytime during their 15 hours a day of academic support and ask questions about anything and i get help. they guarantee their study materials, if you fail a test, after 2 tries, you get a tutor and then THEY pay your testing fee. I went directly through them to get my materials because i wanted that support. I could have bought them off ebay for less, but i'm not looking for the cheap way out. Plus, i didn't know if i was buying the most up to date materials. oh, and i'm paying a testing fee for a test i better make sure that i'm studying the recent stuff. call TCN, or ISU, i know my advisor that i spoke to, on the phone, was very helpful from TCN. She wasn't pushy, she answered my questions, sent me info and a cost estimate on what the program would cost...including ISU's fees. Plus, she went through and explained, not only how it worked, but how it gets paid for. I was given her name, phone and email so that if i had any questions, i could call. she did follow up with me a few times....just to make sure that i got the info, but never once did i feel pressured....because...i told her up front that i am very interested, but i want to make sure that it was something that i could do and afford. then, once i felt ready, she helped me get started. good luck

okay, for all you non believers....call Indiana State University and ask them how to complete the general ed classes....they TELL YOU TO CALL THE COLLEGE NETWORK due to their partnership with them. yes, you can buy them on ebay however.....how can you be sure that you are getting the MOST up to date material? when you go take the exam on that class, you have to pay a testing fee anywhere between 75 and 190 a test.....are you going to be secure to know that you're taking a test and paying that kind of money from a book that you bought off of ebay? At least when you buy them directly from The College Network...as ISU recommends....you are getting the latest material based on ISU requirements. Plus, TCN has 15 hours of academic support and they guarantee that you pass or they hire and pay for a tutor to help you study, plus, they pay the testing fee after your second attempt. come on....how can you put a price on your education? Especially...if you're in CA!? we've been waiting for 3 years for an online program to be available ...now that there is one....we find something to complain about? you get what you pay for ......this is a nursing career....are you really looking for a cheap way out to get your BSN??? do you want a nurse working on you that took the cheap way out or do you want a go getter and have someone who grabbed the bull by the horns, did what they needed to in order to get it done? we're all adults...make these kind of decisions for yourself....don't let a stranger tell you what's best for you.

wow..negative people on the 'publishing companies'....let this person do their own research and do what's best for them. first, EC doesn't offer FREE materials. well, they give you a free study guide that has a bunch of questions and then you need to purchase all the study materials to look everything up. If someone needs the whole program, there are 50+ textbooks....going through RUE or The College Network provides one guide per class and all the information that you need to know is in the guide. I know about the colllege Network because i'm in their program.....they have 15 hours a day of phone support, guarantee their materials...Excelsior doesn't. Plus, TCN is affiliated with the NLN!!! that means something to you people, right??? The National League for Nursing. Excelsior doesn't want you to get your study materials from these places because they want YOUR money going to them....not to TCN. it's a money game. You're going to end up spending the same amount, regardless of where you get your study materials. you just have to decide if you have time to go through that many textbooks, or do you want the "cliff note version." keep in mind most of these people only have bad things to say about places like The collge network for a few reasons: 1. they didn't use them and have no real knowledge about them. 2. they signed up and didn't put the work into it and failed a course. now, instead of taking responsibility for not preparing the proper way....they have to blame someone else. 3. they work for Excelsior....hmmm. there are threads in here with people having great experiences and bad with places like RUE and The college Network.......unfortunately, most of the ones with good experiences don't have time to listen to the BS about all of this. They got it done and moved on. however, most of you know that where there is one bad apple the rest will follow...and spread their bad seed around because they feel that they have to vent to feel better. keep in mind, that online study or at home study isn't for everyone....there are people that fail classes and sit in a regular classroom and there are people that will fail classes doing it online or through at-home study....that's college! What you have to determine is are you someone who can study at home or do you need a teacher telling you what to do. if you have good study skills and actually study and take notes, make flashcards, you will pass. If you half-a$$ it, you won't.... make the choice based on what will work for you...do your own research. you can listen to what others are saying, but don't let a stranger on this site dictate what you should or shouldn't do. whatever you do, stick to it, focus, and before you know it, you'll be done.

when you signed up for The College Network, they provide you with a cost estimate that includes the cost of the excelsior fees, right through graduation. plus, you have to initial it when you get started to reflect that you acknowledge all the fees...up front. Think of TCN as the bookstore.....whether you go directly through Excelsior or not, you still have to buy your study materials which is what TCN provides. Excelsior offers textbooks, TCN offer self contained study guides. So, intead of using 50+ textbooks with Excelsior, you get 13 study guides from TCN....it's your choice. either way, the cost is about the same...give or take a few hundrend dollars. then, regardless of where you get your study materials, you still have to call Excelsior each time you are ready to take a test, pay EXCELSIOR's testing fee, and then get scheduled for an exam. the testing fees range from $75 for the basic gen ed courses like Psychology and Sociology, to $190 for Life Span and Mirco, A&P is $280, English is $290 and the nursing courses cost $220. Then, after you have completed all your general eds and the first nursing course, that's when you enroll with Excelsior. see, excelsior won't tell you that once you enroll, the enrollment fee is only good for 12 months...if you go over, guess what people....it's about $420 to re-enroll each year. that is why you take your time with the gen eds and the first nursing course....there is NO time limit. then, when you're ready to enroll with EC, it's $75 for the application fee, and once accepted, then you enroll. the enrollment fee is $895, the clinical fee is like $1725 and the grad fee is $495. however, EC offers student loans, scholarships, payment plans, etc....no, you can't get federal financial aid for this, but there's still some funding available. the degree will cost between $10,000-$12,000 whether you get your study materials from TCN or EC.....it's up to you...it's an individual choice. ask yourself if you have time to study through ALL of those textbooks...or do you want something that is self-contained, breaks in down into chapters with practice exams.....has academic support and provide a tutor IF you fail any exam...well, TCN does that....Excelsior gives you the textbooks and wishes you luck. now, yes, you sign a contract with TCN, but that still not any different than buying your things from EC. I mean, you can't buy a car, drive it for 5 months and want to change your mind and give it back...and get all your money back. in fact, you can't enroll into excelsior, do half the program and expect to get your money back. if you sign anything....read it first...come on people. don't blame EC or TCN because you didn't pass a class...you get out of it what you put into it. if you half a$$ study....you won't pass. oh, and as far as going to ebay and getting the guides...you're going to spend money on a course that you don't even know if it's updated!!!?? wow...then, you'll pay $220 to take a test and not know if you have the most up to date material to pass? wow.....why take the cheap route when it comes to your education. we are in the nursing field people.....this is one career where we don't want a cheap education!

beware that the college network has you sign that they can get copies of your transcripts and they can also send you up to an additional 3 study guides and charge you for them if they determine that you will need additional guides to complete your degree and there is nothing you can do. the state of arkansas has a class action suit pending against the college network for presenting themselves as a "school" when in fact they only really sell the study guides. you can't get a degree through the college network. tcn sent me study guides for sociology and anatomy/physiology and micro that i didn't need because i already took the tests and had credit for the a & p and micro and gerontology. i sent the study guides back, and proof that i had been given credit through excelsior for these already, but they have never credited me for these guides. they still say that i owe them the money. this is from a link above..... the enrollment forms that the college network sends you includes a transcript request form. once you start, they send you your first course and you begin studying. then, they pull your transcripts and academic advisors review them to make sure that you are taking what you need. if you need more courses they will add them...if you don't need what you signed up for, they deduct them. the only way that you need more guides is that first...you went to a school that wasn't regionally accredited. two....some of the courses that you took were counted as a nursing course instead of a general education course. a lot of lpn schools count anatomy and physiology as a nursing course. same with life span psychology and mircobiology. if that happens, yes, you will need to take them again. plus, when you enroll with excelsior, you have to submit your transcripts to them anyway. if you get to that point and they say that you don't need it, well, send the paperwork to tcn. however, 9 times out of 10, you'll have to take them again. also, someone said above that you can't clep out of life span....that is right. you have to take the ece exam not the clep exam for that. there is a difference. ece is an excelsior college exam...clep is a basic college level exam. ask excelsior....some want to blame tcn for making them take more courses.....but it's according to excelsior rules and requirements. also, another very important notice.....arkansas does not have a lawsuit again the college network. tcn has never claimed to be a college and neither have any of the other 'publishing companies." i didn't see the word university next to the college network logo. heck...look on this website..they advertise everywhere. these places give you an alternative to using textbooks through excelsior college. walk onto any college campus and you will find more than one "bookstore" where you can buy your study materials. you go to the place that offers not only the best price, but the best guarantee, and support. do what's best for you. there are a few links here talking about how they used tcn and didn't have a problem, but there are tones of people complaing....have any of you thought...why? you always hear about bad experiences, you never hear about good. maybe it's because those that are successful and pass the program...moves on and don't want to listen to complaints. thnk about it...those who aren't successful, or don't want to put the work into studying, fail, then they don't want to take the responsibility and accept their demise....and they have to blame someone else to make themselves feel better. it's like my 9 year old...if he gets in trouble at school and i ask what happened, the first thing out of his mouth is "it wasn't my fault...it was the other person." yeah, okay. isn't it funny how we teach our kids to take responsibility for their actions...and yet some on this website don't. we teach our kids how to buckle down and study because it will make a difference for them when they go on to college....but when it comes to studying for the adult, well my my how things are different. sometimes we need to listen to what we preach....or just take responsibiity for our own actions.

here's my two cents..... first off, The College Network is a publishing company, duh, but think of them as a bookstore for the schools that they actually partner with (Indiana State University, Regis University, George Washington University, CORNELL UNIVERSITY...IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL). No, of course, Excelsior doesn't 'recognize' them....they want you to spend your money for all those textbooks from them. come on people...you have to buy study materials from somewhere don't you? yes, they, the college network, might be expensive, but you get what you pay for. If you buy the guides cheap on EBAY, well....who's to say that they are current. if you are paying $220 for a nursing test...don't you want to make sure that you have the most up to date materials? yes, they might expensive, but TCN has 15 hours a day of academic phone support....ebay doesn't offer that when you go there and buy out of date books. Yes, they might be expensive, but TCN guarantees that you pass....does EBAY offer that? No...in fact neither does excelsior when you go there to buy the books from them. if someone needed all 13 class for the Excelsior ASN program, they are either going to get 13 self contained study guides that contain all the information that you NEED to know...which includes practice exams, academic support and a guarantee....or they are going to buy nearly 50 textbooks from Excelsior where there is no support or guarantee. you all want to complain about cost? have any of you priced what it would cost to buy 50 textbooks? go ahead, buy a guide from Ebay and when you get the wrong version (life span---is currently being updated), pay the $220 testing fee and fail it. guess what, you'll end up spending another $220 to take the test again....for a total of $440...the same cost as a study guide from The College Network..........hmmm? maybe you should have done it the right way from the beginning....but to each his own. doesn't your time and the convenience of using the TCN guides cost anything to you. Nursing 1 has nearly 7 textbooks....2000 pages of reading that you will end up needing to read because you don't know exactly what to study, so you study it all. You get what you pay for. like the thread above...i know that this is going to upset some of you, but i've had nothing but a great experience with TCN and many of my co-workers are doing very well. you get out of it what you put into it. you can't put a cost on your education...especially since LPNs are doing the work of an RN and not getting paid for it....you want to complain...right there is a reason to complain. Then, when you're done complaining, get your RN and start making $10,000-$20,000 more a year. The cost of the EC program is nearly $10,000-$11,000 regardless of whether you get your study materials from The College Network of EC bookstore. so what!!!! you'll be making how much more when you get it done. Be happy that this company/program/EC is available to you because there are some states, like Maryland, where you can't do the ASN program. Be thankful that you have a choice....and it is a personal choice of how you want to study. Ultimately, if you put the work into it, and i mean work....studying isn't reading something once and hope that it sinks in...you will be successful. isn't that what we all want anyway. I just can't believe that there are some who want to put down another nurse for deciding to go through The College Network instead of EC directly. Maybe they would rather have the convenience----what's wrong with that? be happy that there are people going back to school, working and raising families at the same time. education isn't something to take for granted---you have to earn it. good luck to everyone.

people....there is a huge difference between RUE and TCN. The College Network sends out all the study materials at one time. I mean when you buy a car, you get the whole car....they don't send you one tire at a time. Plus, if ya'll didn't read what you were signing...how can you complain about it? I mean, you signed a loan.......if you bought a car and have monthly payments, you are obligated to make that payment. just because you decide one day that you don't want the car anymore doesn't mean that you can just take it back and expect your money back....or that you can just call them and say, "na, i changed my mind." online education is something that you really have to think about...not only financially, but are you motivated to do this on your own. Some people are up to online study...some people need that teacher to tell them what to study, what to know and when to take a test. to each his own. all i have to say is "read the contract before you sign anything" that way you can't blame anyone else.

Why would i want to go the cheap route to get my education? i want to take it seriously and do it the right way the first time. If Indiana State recommends going through a place like The College Network, obviously they have already checked out their study materials...hence the partnership. The way it was explained was to think of The College Network as the 'bookstore'for Indiana State University...just llike they are for Regis University, George Washington University, Independence University (formerly California Colleges of Health Science), University of North Dakota..CORNELL UNIVERSITY, BOSTON UNIVERSITY...these are big name schools people! They also work in Indiana University. Doesn't that mean something to any of you? Most employers offer reimbursement to help with school. Plus, once you enroll with Indiana State, you can apply for FULL FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID. the only thing i'm paying monthly is $150/month. that's for the cost of all my general education courses in phase 1 and the 4 lvn-bsn nursing courses in Phase 2. Then, once i enroll with ISU for Phase 3, i can apply for full financial aid. If any of you are already paying back school loans, like me, $150 a month is nothing....especially for my education. keep in mind that you get what you pay for. if you take the cheap way, does that guarantee your success? can you get full academic support? With The College Network, they guarantee your success (it's in writing) and they have 15 hours a day of academic support. They have their corporate office indiana and then have an office in vegas. that way, they are available for everyone regardless of their time zone. They been around for 14 years. If they weren't doing something right, would they still be around. Let alone be partnered with an IVY LEAGUE school like Cornell University? Everyone has to stop and think for a minute.....if you're on campus, going to school locally you have to get your study materials somewhere. most of us, like me got them from the college bookstore, right? same thing with The College Network.....Indiana State offers an online program and you have to get study materials from somewhere... they recommend using TCN for the purchase of study materials in Phase 1 and 2. like i said....you get what you pay for and ISU wouldn't recommend them if they didn't approve of what they offer. how can you put a cost on your education....especially knowing how much more money you are going to make when you're done.

Regarding The College Network..... Yes, the agreement is with Sonoma State and Indiana State University. however, The College Network provides the study materials for the general education part of the program...Phase 1 and Phase 2. The agreement with Sonoma State and Indiana State is for the clinical part of the program only. That was the only way that this got passed in California. If you call Indiana State and ask them, "how do i complete the general eds?" they will tell you to call The College Network because there is an ACTUAL PARTNERSHIP between the two. You can even email the lady in the link above ....she will tell you. The study guides are geared to help you learn what you need to know for that course. ISU knows about TCN's passing rates, they have seen the guides and back TCN....what else do you need to understand? Now, someone was asking about the LVN/LPN-RN through The College Network. TCN provides the study materials for the ASN program through Excelsior College, but the state of CA doesn't recognize Excelsior. TCN's reps know this and wouldn't be enrolling students into that program from CA. they are probably looking into the ISU program not Excelsior. Again, it's up to each individual to make an informed decision as to what is best for THEM....to many people put down other's opinions about what they should and shouldn't do. the time that most have spent complaining....could have started something and been done with it by now. Online study is a personal choice and some people aren't cut out for it. Some students need to be in front of a teacher telling them what to do, what to study, and when to expect an exam...instead of googling The college Network...go to their website and look at the schools and the degrees that they offer and work with...www.college-net.com.. or indiana states website. Again, for those who had a bad experience or heard of a bad experience with this College Network....well, maybe it's because online study isn't for them and they didn't realize the work that it takes. You can't blame someone else for your failures. For a company to be in business for 14 years and who works with schools like Cornell University....they have to be doing something right. Did their reps hold a gun to your head and make you sign/enroll into school? Their reps can't make you study. you have to take responsibility for your own decisions and or failures. You get out of the class what you put in it. for those of you who think that all you have to do is read something once and that you're ready to take a test...well, that usually doesn't work. studying takes taking notes, highlighting things, making flashcards....that's studying. Whether you're in school locally or doing this online, you have to work at it to be successful. that's what seperates good students from bad students..that's the difference between studyiing and failing. now, i know that i made someone mad and i'm sorry. however, we are all just giving our opinions here and we can all take it for what it's worth. none of this is to be taken in anger...this is a sight, that i originally thought, would be available to help me through the program....not for defending our choices. I wish all of you luck in whatever, and however, you complete your degree.