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Computer Systems Institute

Computer Systems Institute review: What a rip-off. 25

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9:56 pm EDT
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Computer Systems Institute is one of the biggest rip-offs.

1) They state that you will be working with state-of-the-art equipment - Only true if you're still living in 1995.
2) They state that you will recieve a great deal of lectures - Only if a "great deal" is an average of once a week.
3) They state that you will receive an overabundance of hands-on labs - Only if an "overabundance" is an average of once every week and a half.
4) They state that they are accredited - They don't state that the acceditation is completely worthless.
5) They state that they are approved to award Associates Degrees - False. They are in the process of becoming approved.
6) They state that you can transfer credits in from or to other schools. - Completely false.
7) They state thay they have a job assistance program - Which consists of posting jobs from careerbuilder.com or monster.com, which can be found by anyone with internet access.

They essentially charge students $11, 500-12, 500 for a sub-standard "education" that's only worth about $2, 500.

They have a nice little scam going on and they need to be shut down.

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25 comments
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Sapphire lover
, US
May 15, 2018 8:38 pm EDT

I got scammed also by CEI. No one in my entire class was able to get full time work corresponding to the Program we had completed. Those who work there maintain the facade and hype that the School is current, efficient, and successful with their program results. If their success is measured by the number of graduates who can't get steady jobs following their program, then they are extremely successful. CEI is just another diploma mill exploiting the hopes and expectations of naive impressionable young and older people alike. They employ misleading marketing tactics, high pressured sales and hype to ensure continued enrolling, and subpar education, fostering false hopes of begining a good paying career or starting over. Sadly, their accelerated style method of teaching and ineffective job placement program fails to deliver on its promises and leaves most with nothing but bad debt, and real world disappointment.

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Sta2015
, US
Jul 25, 2017 3:20 pm EDT

I went there also I had a graduation and they sent me on dead leads for jobs it's sad we think we have a chance put our time and effort succeed and then nothing I had hope and faith going everyday got certs and everything and it's like damn that was my only chance now I'm in debt now authority knocking at a student I went to school with door like what is it

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wood0322
, US
Jul 25, 2017 3:38 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of Sta2015

I just hope that maybe we all can get reimbursed or can attend another school for free for our loses but I know that chance is like finding a needle in a hay stack. But hopefully something drastically happens to were we are compensated.

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ELJackson
, US
Jul 13, 2017 5:33 pm EDT
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I agree job placement help was suppose to be included with the 14.000 tuition, never got it! I agree we should be refunded especially after the school was dis credited, I found out recently that the school had a dummy company in an abandoned garage where the students was to be replaced if that wasn't a call for the students to get refunded i dont know what is, no job but is drowned in student loan debt its not fair nor right they shoudnt be allowed to keep our money and get away with it! Im calling on you Senator Dick Durbin get us our refunds!

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wood0322
, US
Jul 14, 2017 1:19 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of ELJackson

I agree just let me know what to do and I'm ready to help. Because I attended this school in 2007 and it was definitely a waste of financial aid money to have nothing to show from attending here. Meaning no jobs, no certifications nothing it's ridiculous.

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wood0322
, US
Jul 13, 2017 5:00 pm EDT
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I attended CSI in 2007, i was promised that i would have a graduation as well as externship and have careers services help me once i was completed as well as pay for my certification test. Well once i completed my classes which i did have a 3.8 GPA one of the administrators at the Chicago campus told me i had completed all my courses and i was done. Never did i have a graduation, never did i even go to do an externship with anyone and careers services never help me get a job. i called them several times about this matter and no one would get on the phone to speak with me all they did was leave me on hold. I was suppose to receive a letter from the school so, i could take my certification which was suppose to be included in the tuition and i never got that either. I feel like this school was a waste because i never got a job in this field because i never received any training and had i receive my externship then i probably would be working in my field now. But, i decided that after being scammed by this school i didn't want to have to pay to take the program all over again at another school. I think all students should receive a refund for all the lies and scamming this school did.

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ELJackson
, US
Apr 27, 2017 11:27 pm EDT
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I attended csi in 2008 and graduated my gpa was 4.0 from start to finish i was promised employment it never happened i was ripped off as well. E Jackson

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DerrickT
, US
Mar 30, 2017 2:04 am EDT

I signed up in november 2015 for networking and title 5 funding pulled while i was attending in feb 2016 my grades started to drop student services were no longer available, staff that i was familar with no longer worked there. they let everyone go. how do i get my loan discharged?

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Furious654621.3126549847
, US
Jun 21, 2016 7:28 pm EDT
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I complained to the Dean that: 1) the labs were not set up with equipment acceptable to to lab assignments, 1a) because the school had opened for students before the building was prepared. 2) the lab instructors were completely un-committed to the point that 3) I would need to re-do lab assignments as many as three times in order to get the work done 4) lectures (which were daily and required attendance) were often just repeated word-for-word from the textbooks 5) I eventually gave up on actually learning useful information and focused on taking Cert Prep pre-exams which fellow students told me were available 6) my Facebook account was hacked by someone on the school network 7) when I brought my computer in because it had picked up a virus, the instructors were unable to help me get it working again, but a buddy of mine did... The Dean told me that I was invited to return to school and repeat classes after the course had completed, for FREE... but when I did ask to re-take the classes, I was invited to PAY. I abstained.

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khino
, US
Apr 28, 2016 11:56 am EDT

Loss of Title IV Funding[edit]
In February 2016 the U.S. Department of Education took action due to: "...deceptive marketing practices and defraud [of] taxpayers by giving out student aid inappropriately. These unscrupulous institutions use questionable business practices or outright lie to both students and the federal government.” (Under Secretary of Education for the United States Ted Mitchell)[12] The money garnered from federal grants was used by management[who?] for "vacations to Rome, to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, to Uruguay and the Dominican Republic, plus skiing in Beaver Creek and Vail, CO."[citation needed] In April 2016, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools "ordered [CSI] to show cause why its accreditation from ACICS should not be withdrawn."[13]

Three programs were affected by the loss of title IV funding: Healthcare Career Program (HCP), Networking Career Program (NCP), and Business Career Program (BCP). Students enrolled in CSI’s other programs, such as international students attending non-Title IV programs, are not directly affected by the DOE decision.[14]

https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1046751/letter-to-president-barack-obama-protect-students-from-deceptive-loans#.VyJbq_krJhF

http://www.riverbender.com/articles/details/durbin-calls-for-expedited-student-loan-relief-for-illinois-students-deceived-by-the-computer-science-institute-11175.cfm

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Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C.
, US
Aug 13, 2014 10:05 am EDT
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Hello. I am contacting you regarding your posts above about Computer Systems Institute (CSI). I work with attorneys who are engaged in a lawsuit against CSI. As part of our investigation, we would like to talk to students who have attended/are attending CSI as well as former employees of CSI. If you are willing to speak with us about your experience, please send your name and phone number to caseinfo@lawmbg.com and we will contact you. Thanks

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ELJackson
, US
Jul 15, 2017 12:32 am EDT
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Hello i sent you all a email a few months ago i never got a response can you all help me as well?

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bluvwill
Chicago, US
Jan 27, 2014 12:40 pm EST

I need help filing a complain on them! I was harassed by one of their sexist discriminating teachers in Skokie whom they claimed left the country after I filed a complaint that got washed under the table yet found out he's at another school still Liars ! They had special treatment applied for far more money than the loan was worth and are highly overpriced! Still no job and no tests and no degree they claimed I was with their degree program lied again smh

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bluvwill
Chicago, US
Jan 27, 2014 12:36 pm EST

Hey they ripped me off too! I'm trying to find out if there is a way to get my money back! I had no help was discriminated against as a woman and was promised a lot of things that didn't happen?! How are they getting paid so much and how do we come together to file some kind of complaint?

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demgirls2013
Milwaukee, US
Oct 09, 2013 12:16 pm EDT

Well for those who think this school did not do anything for you. You obviously didn't pay much attention when the representatives explained in detail what you should expect and what you should do because It is what you put forth that will come back to you. For the lady that states that she is now homeless and $15, 000 in debt sorry you are in that predicament but the school is not responsible for your housing so where did that come from. Next, you are attempting to contact the Attorney General and an Alderman what can they do? I'm just saying...did you put forth 90% effort to help them place you or did you expect them to put forth the 90% and you only had to put forth 10%...Well, hey to each their own but you can bet your bottom dollar I am going to use every single resource available to me. Like I am quite sure they offered you plenty of resources. The school is not just about attending your classes but being prepared and involved in your LIFE PLAN...I am SOOOOOO SORRY FOR YOUR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. That means you didn't do your life homework while you were there. You have to always have a plan A through Z and it is not the schools fault that your without a stable living environment. It is in my blood to be a hustler and I don't wait on anyone else to do my work for me. You have to do it yourself to get what you want out of life. That's what a lot of you don't get, that things shouldn't be handed to you like you hand things to your children. Stop placing the blame on others and take responsibility for your actions. You are a grown woman CORRECT! CORRECTION YOU ARE A GROWN WOMAN WITH 5 CHILDREN. Get up and go find that job it's all about you and the effort you put out there.

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ikengah
Chicago, US
Oct 08, 2013 9:30 am EDT

i recently attended that school, as well i worked hard for eight months and graduated with a 3.75 gpa it is now 7 months later and i am living in a shelter renrolled in school with nothing to show for the certifications i have recently filed a report with the states attorney general and i am hoping to speak to an alderman if you can report them as well because it is a travesty what they are doing to us iknow a woman who had 5 children that i taked to every day about how she was going to change her and her childrens life only to find after graduation she is now penniless and 15000 dollars in debt if any of you can please contact the states attorney general your local alderman or even the local news these people need to be stopped

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Chibiusa
, US
Jan 29, 2013 10:56 pm EST
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Fellow students were always too bitter. I've had a hard time adjusting to being around them after 5+ years of being used to being around my friends at the local community college.

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alg456
antioch, US
Jan 29, 2013 10:02 pm EST
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They also did not do.a very good job with helping students get employed or help them study for their exams or certfications

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alg456
antioch, US
Jan 29, 2013 10:00 pm EST
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I was very unhappy with the way the teachers treated the students

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Chibiusa
, US
Jan 29, 2013 1:08 pm EST
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Can't do anything here. It's like a totalitarian dictatorship. You have more freedom in the local community college than you do here. Fellow students are always unhappy. Every other site is blocked here. there is nothing to do in the student lounge.

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mocha1234
Chicago, US
Mar 04, 2011 7:19 pm EST

the school is a rip off...they told me that they had ged classes and they dont they are just now finishing up the lab, and they keep changing the requirements to receive your stipends! u cant even get your certs in medical coding and billing without having a GED an thats what they dont tell you! CSI is all about the money to make their school bigger an they dont give a hoot about us! u pratically teach your self!

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MrMacJADA
Chicago, US
Mar 02, 2011 11:12 pm EST

i think the school is great so far im in my 3rd month and my teacher is great and the students are rowdy but im here for me not them and to get my certification that it and for people saying its a rip off there lieing the

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MichelleM1001
Chicago, US
Jan 19, 2011 8:50 pm EST

YOU ARE SOOOOO TRUE...THIS IS SURLEY A BIG RIP-OFF AND REALLY TRYING TO GET STUDENTS OUT OF SCHOOL, EVEN IF THEY DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE KNOWLEDGE...I FEEL THAT THEY TAKE PEOPLE FINANCIAL AID AND 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 PEOPLE ARE ON LOANS. BUT HOW CAN WE REALLY PAY BACK LOANS AND DON'T HAVE A JOB TO FALL BACK ON...HOW CAN WE GET THE JOB THAT WE WANT BUT THE EMPLOYMENT RATES FOR THIS IS LOW IN CHICAGO...IF THINGS DON'T GO WELL AFTER I GRADUATE IN MARCH, I AM TAKING THIS SCHOOL TO COURT.

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callmekittyplz9
des plaines, US
Aug 06, 2010 10:19 pm EDT
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1. What people don't get is that financial aid is earned like a clock. the longer you're in school, the more aid you've used. if you leave school, anything after the point that you've left has to be sent back but the time that you used their services will always be with held.

this is the same for big 10 schools as well.

2. they wouldn't be able to get financial aid if they weren't accredited. Accreditation is a process in which an outside organization actually reviews the practices, visits, scrutinizes and either awards or does not award the accreditation. the NCA accreditation is used in a lot of public high schools, community colleges and other places of higher learning. So it just so happens that this place is actually accredited by the same people as everyone else.

3. while I don't know much about the career assistance, you need to actually utilize what is given to you. if they have people posting jobs, then use it. Nobody is going to go out and find you a job.

4. it doesn't matter if you went to this school or ANY school, the institution receiving the credits decides whether or not they transfer. You could try to transfer from Harvard to Yale and still not be able to as far as what coincides.

I totally understand what you're saying about the school and I've had bad experiences with schools too. But take a step back for a moment and really think: would you really have gotten any better treatment in any other school? especially with the bigger schools that are "state" or "community" schools. I know my college (a 4 year institution) never even posted jobs for us. we were expected to just know what to do and we paid almost 40k a year.

so think before you dismiss. I don't care if it's this place or one of the other places. I know i've thought a lot about the different programs that i want to attend next and, while this is helpful, it doesn't mean that you should assume that you've found the worst place on earth because there could be a lot more to pay for and they could help you a lot less.

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WIFEY2DEJUAN
SUBURBS, US
Jul 03, 2010 10:06 am EDT

NOT TO MENTION THEY STILL COLLECT YOUR FINANCIAL AID EVEN IF YOU DROPPED.

THE STUDENTS ARE ROWDY & THERE'S NO CONTROL. ITMAKES IT HARD FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN.

NONE OF THE TEACHERS STAY. THE ONLY PERSON WHO CARED ABOUT STUDENTS DIDN'T STAY EITHER.

I SHOULDVE KNOW SINCE YOU DON'T NEED A GED OR DIPLOMA WHAT I WAS GETTINGINTO