What more do you know about this strategy? Can you introduce me to anyone who has done this?
Several of the students on that Discord are doing this or have done this. I know one is just about to graduate from WGU after doing it.
You probably do 3 years at this whatever and then WGU says "we'll take your history and art credits, now start the rest of your degree over with us". That's generally how this sort of thing goes.
Also WGU isn't known for academic rigor either. They're essentially like Excelsior and UOP and AMU.
UoPeople requires a high school diploma equivalent and English proficiency. If you meet that, you're golden.
The school uses a process they called "foundations" in which you take basic college-level courses to demonstrate the ability to complete them. If you maintain a decent GPA in those courses, you are granted "degree seeking status." So, essentially, you meet the minimum requirements and then earn your way into the program.
You will not need to submit your previous transcripts when you apply. However, I would recommend submitting them later and transferring any credits your can. No sense in repeating what you've already studied.
Even if you do submit your transcripts when you apply, I seriously doubt it would hurt your chances. The school is very big on "access to higher education," so denying you would run counter to that.
You could also try reapplying to WGU. If you struggled in community college, WGU might not work for you--yet. Then again, UoPeople might not either. If you feel like you've grown since then, developed better study and time management skills, then give either a shot.
Another option is that some universities offer "academic forgiveness."[0] It's basically a way to help students recover from a rough start.
[0] This is an example, but if you search for the term you'll find many schools with similar programs. https://www.tulsacc.edu/student-resources/student-records/ac...