Hello, my name is Jenna and I have an AA Degree and going to pursue a BA, but thought that a certificate might be good as well. Here is my story, it is long, but worth the read for those of you seriously considering this school and fun for those of you that hate what this awful school has done to you!
So I saw the add on TV many times and decided to finally get some information. I was contacted immediately after requesting a brochure for Everest in SF and was surprised at how quickly they were able to set up an educational interview and tour. I went with my mom and husband and met with a recruiter named Colette Johnson. She was a sweetheart, but at the end of the day she is a liar like all the rest of them. We were shown OUT OF DATE, INACCURATE statistical information regarding the wages of graduates (from 2008). Thank God I have just finished a Statistics Class at my previous school and was able to recognize these ridiculous, false stats. So I gave the papers back to the recruiter and told her these papers are useless because it's not accurate information.
So, I was interested in 2 programs: Medical Assistant and Medical Billing and Coding. I was given a 15 question survey to see which choice was a better fit and it was Medical Assistant. Well, the program cost is like $16, 500 which is way too much for a Certificate in my opinion. I asked Colette about the courses, and she explained that after the courses there is an Externship, but the STUDENT has to find the site...which is a major red flag. And then she told us Career Services will help you to find a job after you graduate if you are unsuccessful on your own, but that you should make friends with those in that department because apparently they help the people they like better than the average Joe.
I have almost fallen for scams in the past (like Western Dental telling me I have 13 cavities and then a real dentist telling me I don't have any). I was very weary and made a comment to the recruiter saying "I just hope this place isn't like Western Dental where there are a lot of horror stories" and she says "Oh no we aren't like that, I promise! You know there are some schools that are like that and they've actually had to change their names because of the bad reputation!" and I said "really?" and she said "yeah! like western career college changed their name...and some others" and I said "Well, did Everest go under a different name at any time? How long has it been around?" and she laughed and goes "well actually (she laughs), it's funny because Everest is a part of Corinthian Colleges and used to be called Bryman, but they changed the name for their ow reasons; not because of any problems" OOPS! That was what made me decide to Google this place, Thank God.
After talking with the her, we were shuffled over to the Financial Aid department to talk with a guy named Dennis. He was a complete joke. He was nervous and I could tell right away that he was basically reading us a script. He did an estimate for the costs and took my tax info from 2009. I asked him if it needed to be combined with my parents income (because at the time I was not married, under age 24 and still living at home) OR with my husbands income b/c I was married last year and the guy DIDN'T KNOW!! He took my wages alone and came up with a "TENTATIVE" Pell Grant figure. Then he put some government loan figures and at the bottom of the page only $1, 500 was left over and he said that is my final price to pay to the college. So he tried to make it sound like I was only paying $1, 500 of my money and hiding the fact that there were $9, 000 in gov't loans plus interest that I would have to pay back. I told him due to my husband's religion, we don't pay interest for anything and he kind of laughed b/c he thought it was a joke, which was offensive (FYI: Muslims don't believe in interest).
As the time approached 4pm, he said he had another appointment and we offered to go back to the recruiter and he said, "oh no it's fine, you guys are my number one priority right now, don't worry about it" and we continued until 4:10pm. I found it odd that he would just shrug off an appointment just to help a PROSPECTIVE ENROLLMENT. How much value does he give to current students? Obviously NONE! So that didn't sit well with me because I am one of those punctual people and I wouldn't want to be kept waiting if I had the appointment at 4.
After we left the Financial Aid we went back to talk to the recruiter. She asked us how everything looked so far and I told her straight up I won't pay that much money and we need to look at other grants or scholarships before making a commitment. She looked kind of disappointed and then brought over the Dean, Scott Marcelo or something, and that KID is a complete joke too! He must be 21 years old and he was nervous too. He asked how everything looked and I told him we will think about it. 2/3 of those people were nervous and unsure about what they were saying to us...how legit is that? Needless to say, I came home and looked up the reviews and have decided not to be a victim of this terrible scam.
Some things I'd like to point out is the recruiters make it sound like they are interviewing YOU, and they try to make it sound like you are a SOMEBODY. They try to make it sound like this "educational investment" is lifelong and worth it. Let me tell you, it's not! Colette and Dennis both have BA's (Chico and SF State) so I don't see how they can promote a worthless certificate or diploma when they themselves know a BA is more valuable!!
I don't know how these people who work for Everest/Heald/Wyotech/ITT Tech/UOP/any other "for-profit" schools can sleep at night. They have absolutely NO INTEGRITY and are worthless scum for putting the less fortunate and those wanting to better their lives into further debt. The students I saw during the school tour were sitting by themselves at tables or in groups, and I didn't once see a teacher. Where's all that "hands-on" training, huh??? A lot of the teachers aren't even teachers either, they are people with "work experience" so that means that they haven't been trained to teach properly. Don't fall for their lies; you will be worse off than you are right now if you go to this college.
Please, I beg ANYONE who even considers a "for-profit" school like any of the ones listed above to NOT GO THERE!! They will put you into further debt and they LIE!!
I IMPLORE you to go to a legitimate college!! A Junior or Community College will save you so much time and money, and it will actually be better for your life. The "lifelong investment" that Everest boasts is THEIR FINANCIAL INVESTMENT since you will be indebted to them FOR LIFE!! Please, do NOT give them your money and support this corporation of rich, low life losers.
To those of you who defend these types of schools, YOU OBVIOUSLY WORK FOR THE SCHOOL! I mean, at least be smart and change your typing styles, you are so obvious. If I could think of a better insult term to insult you people, I would! But for now, scum is the lowest thing I can think to call you sick, demented, no compassion, life destroying, EVIL people!! I would like to protest in front of this school, even though I am not a victim, it's important to stand up for what you believe, and I am very passionate about the public knowing the truth. So anyone wanna get together and protest in front of this school, e-mail me.
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