Student Success Story: How one college freshman saved 12 months and thousands of dollars by strategically completing prerequisites through online college courses with StraighterLine.
Student Success Spotlight: Shay's Journey
Quick Stats:
Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Challenge: Limited enrollment windows (once per year)
Solution: StraighterLine online prerequisites
Result: Graduated 12 months ahead of schedule
Shay has ambitions of becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant when she graduates. The only challenge? The competitive program she was applying to only accepted students once per year, and she hadn't yet completed the required prerequisite courses to get accepted.
Find out how she used StraighterLine online college courses to knock out her prerequisites and apply for her program the very same year she started college.
The Challenge: Limited Enrollment Creates Major Obstacles
For many college students, on-time graduation is essential. Programs that only accept new students at certain points in the year can be a major obstacle to this! Students sometimes have to wait months or entire years to apply, leading to delayed graduation, higher costs, or filling time with elective courses that don't necessarily fit with long-term goals.
This was the case for Shay. Her competitive Occupational Therapy Assistant program only accepted students once per year. As it was her first year in college, she needed a way to get prerequisites so she could get her application in on time.
The Impact of Once-Per-Year Admissions
Challenge | Impact on Students |
| Single Annual Intake | Forces students to wait entire year if prerequisites incomplete |
| Strict Prerequisites | Missing even one course delays application by 12 months |
| Delayed Graduation | Pushes back career start date and increases education costs |
| Financial Burden | Additional semester costs can exceed $10,000+ |
How StraighterLine Became Shay's Strategic Solution
The Online College Courses That Made the Difference
"I took two courses with StraighterLine. One being a Humanities course and the other being an American Government course."
Overcoming Online Learning Concerns
While she at first had reservations about taking classes online, Shay found the support system transformative:
"The support that the StraighterLine team gives definitely helped me overcome the challenges of online learning and helped me achieve higher results by the end of the courses."
Shay's Timeline Comparison: Traditional vs. StraighterLine Approach
Methods | Application Timeline | Graduation Date | Time Saved |
| Traditional Path | Apply May 2025 | Graduate December 2026 | |
| StraighterLine Path | Applied Fall 2024 | Graduate December 2025 | 12 months |
Seamless Credit Transfer Process
And she was able to transfer her credits directly from StraighterLine to her college without any hassle!
"Once you complete your course, you apply for your credits to be transferred to your college. Within a week to two weeks, they were at my college!"
Credit Transfer Steps:
Course Completion: Finish StraighterLine coursework at your own pace
Credit Application: Submit transfer request through platform
Processing Time: 1-2 weeks for credits to appear at receiving institution
Program Application: Apply to competitive program with completed prerequisites
The Results: Program Acceptance and Early Graduation
Shay Applied for Her Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, and...
She got in! Shay is now on track for graduation by December 2025. Way to go, Shay!
StraighterLine online college courses helped her apply for her Occupational Therapy Assistant program the same year she started college rather than having to wait a whole year to apply.
When we asked how StraighterLine impacted her path to graduation, she told us "If I had not taken the two StraighterLine courses, I would only be able to apply for my program in May of this year, meaning I would only be able to graduate in December of 2026."
Success Metrics: Shay's Achievement
Program Acceptance: Successfully admitted to competitive OTA program
Timeline Acceleration: Maintained December 2025 graduation target
Cost Savings: Avoided additional semester expenses
Career Readiness: On track to enter workforce 12 months earlier
Strategic Advantages for Healthcare Program Applicants
Why StraighterLine Works for Competitive Programs
Advantage | Benefit |
| Self-Paced Learning | Complete courses faster than traditional 16-week semesters |
| Flexible Scheduling | Study around work and family commitments |
| Affordable Tuition | Significant cost savings compared to traditional college courses |
| Transferable Credits | Accepted by 3,000+ universities nationwide |
| Year-Round Enrollment | Start anytime, no waiting for semester start dates |
Shay recommends StraighterLine as "an affordable option for those needing to complete their college credits without the time crunch that a regular college semester may have on you."
Expert Tips for Limited Enrollment Programs
1. Get Organized
Are you looking to enroll in a program that only accepts applicants a few times a year? Start by talking to the admissions office to understand key deadlines and all that's required to apply.
If you're missing some important prerequisites, you can still get started on your application and organize supporting documentation. If you're on a tight timeline, ask your school if you're able to apply while you finish prerequisites or wait on test scores.
Essential Steps:
Contact admissions offices early to understand all requirements
Create prerequisite completion timeline working backward from application deadlines
Identify flexible course options for accelerated completion
Organize supporting documentation while completing coursework
2. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
The most important part of applying is clear communication. If you expect you'll miss a deadline, get in touch with the admissions office. They might be able to offer a short extension or give you some alternatives — especially if you're close to being ready. You'll never know if you don't ask!
Proactive Approaches:
Maintain regular contact with program advisors
Request deadline extensions when appropriate
Explore conditional acceptance options
Ask about applying while prerequisites are in progress
Financial Impact: Cost-Benefit Analysis
Traditional Path vs. Accelerated Prerequisites
Cost Category | Traditional Path | StraighterLine Path | Savings |
| Additional Semester | $8,000-$15,000 | $0 | Up to $15,000 |
| Delayed Career Start | $35,000-$45,000 lost income | $0 | $35,000+ |
| StraighterLine Courses | N/A | $198-$398 per course | Net positive ROI |
Popular Healthcare Prerequisites Available
Course Categories for Healthcare Programs
Course Category | Example Courses | Typical Programs |
| Sciences | Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Biology | Nursing, Physical Therapy, OTA |
| Mathematics | College Algebra, Statistics | Healthcare Administration, Radiology Tech |
| Social Sciences | Psychology, Sociology, American Government | Social Work, Counseling, OTA |
| General Education | English Composition, Humanities | All Healthcare Programs |
Ready to Start Your Journey?
StraighterLine's self-paced online college courses help you knock out prerequisites and give you the foundation you need to excel in your career.
If you're looking for a more flexible way to get a head start, explore our 75+ online courses that transfer to more than 3,000 colleges and universities, and can save you thousands on college tuition.
Next Steps for Prospective Students
Get Personalized Guidance — Connect with our Enrollment Specialists for your specific program
Try Risk-Free with Free Preview — Experience the platform that helped Shay succeed
Browse 75+ Transferable Online College Courses — Find your required prerequisites
Verify Transfer Credits — Confirm acceptance at your target institution. Our Enrollment Services team is happy to help you do this!
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Program Prerequisites
Question: Can I apply to competitive programs while completing prerequisites? Answer: Many programs allow conditional applications. Contact your admissions office to discuss your specific timeline.
Q: How quickly can I complete prerequisites through StraighterLine? A: Courses are self-paced, so motivated students can complete them in days or weeks rather than months.
Q: Will online prerequisites be viewed differently by admissions committees? A: No — transferable credits from accredited institutions are treated equally regardless of delivery method.
Q: What if my program has specific prerequisite requirements? A: Our Enrollment Specialists can help match StraighterLine online college courses to your program's specific requirements.
Don't let limited enrollment windows delay your healthcare career goals. Join thousands of successful students who've used StraighterLine's flexible online courses to accelerate their path to healthcare careers.
Save time. Save money. Start your healthcare career sooner.
