Questions on WGU before applying

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2015

You will certainly have to take nutrition. Other common pre-reqs that people often have to take is biochemistry, and a humanities course or two. But these prereqs can literally be finished in a week or two each (sometimes less). For nutrition, all I did was take the practice test, saw that I passed within a very comfortable margin, and immediately scheduled the exam. I think I may have spent an hour reading up on the areas where I got some questions wrong, and I took the exam a week later. All in, I probably spent about 4 hours on that class. The biggest delay was in having to schedule the exam a week out, but while I waited for the exam date, I could work on the next class.

Yes, they have a payment plan which allows you to pay tuition in equal installments over 3 or 4 months.

The first class has to be finished right away before they open up any of the "real" classes. That first class is called "Education Without Boundaries" and is basically just an introduction to how WGU works, what online learning is like, etc.

But yes, after that, you could literally do not another thing for 5 months (I have, in fact). Of course, you will be talking to your student mentor weekly, and they may get on your case about why you're not doing any work (they have metrics they have to meet as employees, including students finishing on time). Of course, you need to allow yourself enough time to finish your classes, submit them, and have them graded (which can take 3-6 days), and then enough time to resubmit and have it graded if a paper is returned to you, before the end of your term.

I would be lying if I said I have never put off 4 classes until 3 weeks left in the term, and then worked night and day to get them done before deadline. But I highly don't recommend it.

11nick · Mar 9, 2015

Reading on older posts, I see people had concerns about the pass/fail and 3.0 final grade from WGU. I don't see this complaint as much in the more recent posts. I also saw a post where someone got into CRNA school, having gone to WGU for earlier degrees.

A legitimate question: Is there any concern with this concept? Even though some of you who are reading this have gone through the WGU program... is there anywhere you can envision that this may be a hindrance to you in the future?

I'm not really looking for a reason to go to WGU. I'm trying hard to find a reason not to. I'm willing to pick a different school, but the way the classes work with WGU... it is so hard to not jump on it. With the negativity I've read in older posts, it's also hard not to walk away.

second question... in other classes I've taken, I often had a study buddy. I'd help them with a tough concept. They'd proof my paper. Etc. Is there any benefit to having a study buddy with this type of program? You would almost have to be synced with each other in order to scratch each others back, wouldn't you? Otherwise, person A would be ahead of person B all the time, and just be "carrying" B... rather than getting any reciprocal help from B. Do/did you have people in the program that you worked with? Or do you just go solo?

Thanks so much for your time.

11nick · Mar 9, 2015

Just found a video link in an older thread. Someone showed how to navigate a course on the WGU site.

If you complete an objective course and take the final test... can you start the next class before that final test is graded?

Early in that video, it showed the entire degree broken down in a class by class list. Must the classes be taken consecutively as they are listed? Or can you take them in any order?

Thanks again

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2015

You can start or work on any classes that have been assigned to you during your term, irrespective of where you are in another class.

It's all solo. The WGU Facebook page is quite helpful, though, for tips and ideas on the class you're working on.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2015

If you complete an objective course and take the final test... can you start the next class before that final test is graded?

You can work on multiple courses at a time since they are offered asynchronously.

Must the classes be taken consecutively as they are listed? Or can you take them in any order?

The courses can be completed in any order.

Do/did you have people in the program that you worked with? Or do you just go solo?

I completed the program by myself. I am definitely not into study buddies or study groups. I like to control my own destiny.

11nick · Mar 13, 2015

I work in the ER, mostly 3 to 11. I'm usually ramped up when I get home and can't sleep. I applied to WGU last night when I got home. Got up this morning, go the the kids off to school, and ordered transcripts. I'm way, way ahead of the game. My life is crazy busy from May-Sept. I'm not intending on starting until Oct. I want to get everything out of the way and be locked in for Oct start so I can forget about it over the summer.

Glad I got that settled. Ready to get the admissions stuff done and behind me.

canigraduate · Mar 14, 2015

I just enrolled last weekend and I spoke with my enrollment counselor for the first time today. My counselor asked me when I wanted to begin my first term. You may be able to delay your start date until you are comfortable.

Good luck!