ECPI University review: rip off! 68

I am sooo glad I decided NOT to attend ECPI (Raleigh Campus). I went & took the entrance exam. I was interested in taking the Practical Nursing program. After passing the 1st test, I was told that I'd have to take the Math & Reading portion of the TEAS exam. The recruiter email me some links (supposed to be study guides) which were no help at all. These guides had the questions/equations & the answers, but did not show how one would get these answers.

I passed the reading & was 3 points short of passing the math. I was told that I could retest for $25 and had to purchase the TEAS study guide from them for $40.

Meanwhile, this recruiter continuously tells me that I could take their Medical Assisting class which didn't require high scores. After that & hearing over & over from the recruiter, "this is where the rubber meets the road" - referring to whether or not I was serious about obtaining a new career & enrolling at ECPI, I had no interest in fooling with this place.

If I were initially interested in taking Medical Assisting, I could have went to Wake Tech. My Pell Grant application was already approved and covered the amount WT charged. My guess is because price was never mentioned (except for the $200 application fee for the Pratical Nursing program) or couldn't be found on ECPI's website, I would have ended up having to get a loan or two. I figured if I had to do that, I may as well go to a 4 year or a community college.

I'm currently attending the ECPI Campus in Newport News and I would not recommend ECPI to anyone.

First, no credits are transferrable anyway. In fact, ECPI won't even accept their own credits that was previously earned while attending ECPI. This leaves me to believe that if ECPI not only does not have any faith in themselves but they have no faith in their students either.

Second, ECPI is more concerned about about what we wear than what we learn. I state this because they have made statements about sending students home if they come to class wearing shorts on professional dress day (pdd) ; yet, 5-10% of the student's grade is based on what we wear on pdd. A student can earn a 63 (F) average on the academic part of the class but still earn a C average for the class, if the student just comes to class wearing the proper attire.

Third, the tution is not worth it. I'm maintaining a 3.98 GRA, due to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology in August; yet, the only thing that I have to show forth is a outragous tution bill and no job.

Fourth, and final, they are very crooked. They tried to double charge me for tution and when I contacted financial aid office about this, I got ignored. It took me contacting the U.S. Department of Education before they would take me serious enough to get this issue resolved.

Ok, first off, for all of you seemingly Gods of Academia that like to say that people aren't hard working or whine and that is why they don't prosper after their degrees, get over yourself. If you were that great at school then why weren't you at an educational institution with actual accreditation, instead of ECPI which in many states only has the ability to operate a business for education services? Constructive comments about ECPI, whether you had a great or bad experience, would be most helpful to everyone so that people with bad experiences could better understand what went wrong.

Second, my fiance went to ECPI. Because of his deployment he had to withdraw, but subsequently returned and completed his Associates in IT/IT Management. Now, two years later his is trying to transfer to college for his B.A. and when he called to have his transcript forwarded to the new school he was told by ECPI that all of a sudden he owes $2300. He has never received a bill or any other communication from ECPI regarding this alleged debt. When he inquired with ECPI what that was for and why he owed, he was told that the guy that he had to speak with was not in, so to call back. When he called back, he was told that the Columbia, SC Campus was "not allowed" to give him the information so he had to call the main administration in V.A. When he called VA they said that all they were "allowed" to tell him was that he owed $2300. If he was able to graduate and have a degree then how can now owe money? I just graduated from law school and went to a very prestigious university for my BS, and from both of those institutions I know that (1) if your balance is more than $1000 they usually drop you from classes; (2) if you owe money at the end of the semester you cant register for the next until it is paid; and (3) if you owe money you definitely do not graduate.

Has anyone had a similar experience? We are trying to decide if contacting an attorney is the next best step. Also does anyone know how much (estimate) ECPI tuition is?

Those credits are not that liquid easy if you want to transfer them to a university for a higher degree.

Competition is extremely tuff in this economic crisis.

ECPI is not a normal university that is listed as a undergraduate school.

Think about it & check into what I am saying. My brother goes to ITT & it breaks my heart to tell him the same.

It is better to change to a known university now & pursue the same major.

If you are going to spend money & take a chance after your graduate, then also have a degree that is liquid in well known university.

I am currently attending ECPI (Va beach campus). Yes the tution is expensive, the schedule is rough, but I have confidence that when i graduate i will have what i need to make it in the real world. I have had seriously slack teachers and extremely tough teachers. I think they exist in any school you attend. So far my experience with staff has been pleasant. They have all been very helpful. I have been struggling with maintaining a job during my enrollment and with the help of career services i was able to find a new job. I have had much help through career services and with teachers with editing my resume and cover letter. The teachers for the most part are very approachable and willing to help as long as you are willing to work. My mother has her doubts about this school, but i am confident that when i graduate she'll think of ECPI differently. I am working hard and have about a year left. I will be working towards getting my certififications. As for finacial aid, i've been fine. Its going to suck when i graduate because i have a bunch loans and i have not qualified for any grants but maybe i have looked hard enough. But my education has not been interrupted. I strongly believe you get what you put into it. I am a PTK member i have a 3.9 and on my way to "real" job as my dad says. I am sadden for those who have had bad experiences but to those who are considering ECPI, keep in mind, not everyone can be pleased, thousands of students attend ECPI, dont make decion based on a handful of complaints, do your research. You have to work for EVERYTHING in this life. I am part of the "i want to be spoon fed" generation, and i understand this fact. Good luck to those looking into furthering educaton and congrats on taking the first and doing your research. :-)

Good Evening,

Wow, after reading all your complaints about ECPI, I feel that I was not imagining this problem.

Would you all believe that I took a Online Bsc Information Technology Program with ECPI to have the registrar in VA. Beach tell me that it does not belong to them?

It was somebody impersonating the ECPI school.

Secondly, I was told not to worry about it if I have a higher degree.

The registrar said ECPI is not a traditional Undergraduate College said the registrar, rather a Technical College. I asked if they could straighten this mess out with my transcripts because I had listed them on my CV in Europe. I was told that I need to sign another contract and they would look from there.

Please somebody advise me on what I should do with these ECPI folks.

I have lost so much money & time since 2006.

Signed
Spent lots of Money with ECPI

Good Evening,

After reading all of your complaints I am really worried.

I took a online Bsc Information Technology Program with ECPI, only to find out that the registrar in VA. Beach does not recognize the transcripts. I have been led around in a circle about this issue since 2006.

Then I was told if I had a higher degree that I should not worry about it, just pay off your balance. We are not your average undergraduate College, rather a Technical College?

Please somebody advise on the above statements, so I know what to do in the future for these ECPI people. What about my past CV's with them listed?

Thks, signed Spent Plenty of Money with ECPI

I went to ECPI in Glen Allen, VA. That's right by Richmond for those who don't know. I have not found a job with my degree but I solely blame myself for this. Right around the time that I graduated my mother was diagnosed with leukemia and there was alot of talk about her going through with a bone marrow transplant. At the time, I was just one big mess and my head was not in the right place. ECPI's job assistance sent me emails everyday with jobs in the field for my degree. I even got phone calls directly from companies themselves, saying that my resume landed on their desk and they were interested in having me come in for an interview. When a company is calling me to come in for an interview without me ever applying there, I'd have to say that's pretty damn good. Most, if not all of the IT companies in Richmond, VA are very pleased with the entry level persons they have hired from ECPI. I went to 3 interviews after I graduated but others were hired just because they had a little more experience than myself. This, in no way should discourage you to keep looking. It is normal to not land a job right away. You have to stick to it and keep your head high. Determination is key in getting a job. Bottom line is, you get out what you put in. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA in computer programming A.A.S. degree. I didnt land a job because I didnt stick to it. Now that my mom has gone through her bone marrow transplant and is doing much better I plan on going back and getting my B.S. I have no complaints about this school. I would also like to add that if you're trying to enter the IT field you may have to relocate. Try to increase your chances of getting an IT job by looking in an area that is popluated with them. Having to move to get a good job is just reality. Dont think you can just stay in your small town and hope to land something then get pissed at the school that you havent gotten anything. I am going back to ECPI for a B.S. in Game simulation and programming (which alot of my credits can tranfer for this) and I know for a fact that if I have any chance of getting into that industry I'm going to have to move to Boston or CA, FL etc... I read above somewhere that some are worried that their credits won't transfer if they go to ECPI. This is not always the case but the reason why some credits might not trasfer is because of the amount of information and the growth of technology that has increased dramatically over the past few years. What it took for you to get your degree back then is probably not the same as what it takes to get it now. The class may have the same name but the information taught is probably alot different than it was when you originally took that class. Times change! I hope this helps some. I can't speak for all ECPI campuses but the one I went to was great, and the instructors I had were also programmers themselves and had programming or web development jobs outside of teaching at ECPI. Instructors with real world experience.

Just starting in G-boro North Carolina, will let you know whats up and direct fact play by play soon.Its my 31000 I am forking out anyway... right?

Cross your fingers ...

Advisor this term...

G. Frick 7802 Airport Center drive Greensboro...

I would have to say that any school you are attending or plan on attending your success is based on what you put in. I believe in the real world is where you really learn. ECPI can't guarentee you a job but ECPI will teach you the basics and fundamental to help you get your foot in the door any degree is good. ECPI is a technical school and provides real hands on learning. I currently attend ECPI manassas campus and I have no complaints. The financial aide department to the instructors in the classrooms are all very helpful. ECPI College of Technology is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), and the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV). ECPI College of Technology is also accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor of Science, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees. If you really have a complaint report it to BBB.org. ECPI is also a member of the Better Business Bureau here's the link http://search.bbb.org/Results.aspx?n=ecpi+college+of+technology&add=&c=&st=&z=

ECPI is a huge waste of money. They will tell you anything you want to hear to get you to start classes. Once you start and they know you are on the hook for the tuition, that is when I feel they really dont care. Faculty was a revolving door and the administrative people were some of the rudest, downright ignorant people I have ever dealt with. I can only speak on behalf of the Charlotte campus. Please do your homework and search other colleges before signing on the dotted line at ECPI Charlotte. No school is perfect, but that place was awful.

Although the education received at ECPI is not equal to that of a university, I cannot say that it is a scam. I attended ECPI in Charlotte, NC for Medical Imaging Equipment Technology. I finished and was hired by the first company that interviewed me. I earned $55K my first year out of school, and $65K my second year. Before attending ECPI, I was earning a whopping $18K a year. I would much rather make $5K per month and pay 400 out on student loans, then to make 1500 per month with no debt.

I was told when I went to talk to an advisor that credits could not be transfer to another school. That worries me because I would like to persue my bachelors one day. On the other hand, they have flexible hours and I can work while taking classes. Still if I decide to get my bachelors I will have to start all over because they dont offer it at the Raleigh campus. Also, the price is just to much. Like the person above said when you get financial aid you are suppose to get money back after books and tuition. Not at ECPI. My cousin went there for Networking and she FINISHED TOP OF HER CLASS AND COULD NOT FIND A JOB. Its not because she didnt make good grades, its because ECPI is not a state accredited school. Thats why they can charge you a arm and leg. Im not going there. IT IS A RIP OFF!

My mistake I said in #1:

" ECPI offered college assistance"

I meant

" ECPI offered job placement assistance"

which means they teach you how to do interviews, search for work, etc. NOT that they GIVE you a job. But your generation loves having everything handed to them on a slver platter.

I went to ECPI and graduated 8 years ago with a degree in CIS/Networking. During my time at ECPI I often wondered why I didn't seem to be learning anything that would help me in the job market. I constantly told teachers and administration of my fears. When I graduated with a GPA of almost four I couldn't even get a job at a call center for Gateway. I couldn't answer their questions when interviewed. I was lucky enough to get a job with a very shady contractor which led to three other jobs in the Cellular Phone industry. Now 7 years later I am out of work. The only jobs I am qualified for are Call Center jobs. Nothing but listining to screaming customers 8-10 hours a day and the pay a whopping $25k and I am still paying on my student loan. I could not get any job in the IT field I am not qualified at all. And I would embarass myself trying to field their questions on the interview. So its back to being a Waiter for me. At least I will know what I am talking about. ECPI is a joke. Don't go there.

Ecpi is a ripoff!I have had the a least one of the same teachers every term. Apresident whos attitude is awful and he is not helpful because we never see the man! The teachers are great and they do there job. But the school itself is not the best. It just need some minor adjustments and I think things would be good.

For all you guys complaining...what is the ripoff exactly? This school is accredited by the Southern Region, which is the most important accreditation.

Now, you want to know what a ripoff school is...it's somewhere like ITT, where I graduated from. Worthless credits...you can't take them anywhere.

You might not like the teaching or whatever, but I don't see this as a ripoff. Are the credits good? Did anyone have trouble transferring them?

In this day and age, you must be wary of posts praising a subjuect when the obvious flame is valid. I am a student @ ECPI and I can tell you these crooks are exactly what they are called, CROOKS, using legality to weasel their way through conflicts. I find it necessary to call out the ARBITRATION CLAUSE in the contracts that to an unknowing "student" will suck you in to a hell worse than this life itself (look around tyranny is rampant nowadays and the f*kkers get away with it everyday now).
With that said, ECPI IS THE WORST EXCUSE OF AN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY WITH SNAKES IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENTS TO INSURE YOUR A$$ IS DOLLARS FASTER THEN YOU CAN SAY IMPEACH THE ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION!

Blame? ARE YU READY?

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU -> YEAH, RIIIIGHT

ACCREDITION COMMITEE -> HOW MUCH $$$?

EDUCATIONAL BOARD -> ya, we know, nobody told you... : (

THIS HAS GOT TO STOP! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!

DEBT SLAVERY -> I BLAME YOU OLDER GENERATION TO BE TOO STUPID OR LAZY OR CONCEITED TO BE HUMAN

HEALTHCARE FOR SENIORS? HA! WE'LL SEE

I have been in the technology business for 23 years. I had decided to go back to school to finish my degree. Bachelors thenon to masters. I have been in ECPI the past year and a half and am thoroughly satisfied with the curriculum. I do see some students come and go, and you know what their complaint is? "Why do I have to take this class? This class isn't doing anything for me!" I suspect many complaints will be from such persons. College is NOT k-12. You will not be hand held through the process. YOU must go and learn for yourself. That is part of the preparation for joining the REAL world. The college insrtructor is there to go over the highlights and assist in explaining some things you many not know. AND, not everything is covered because they don't have time. This is true with ANY college (Paul Horowitz, electronics professor at *Harvard*, has cut out much of his curriculum due to the huge amount of technology out there since the 80's). That is why book stores were invented (learning should never stop). As for administrators, I am not aware of any foul play or incompetence among the ones I am familiar with. Maybe sometimes something slips through the cracks, but not often. But hey, if you expect perfection, then stay home. The real world is full of errors. We need to learn to deal with them too. Overall, my experience at ECPI has been very good. As long as they are accredited to award me a bachelors, it is up to ME to do with it what I must to succeed. I hate to sound arrogant, but, stop whining!

I am enrolled to start the PN program at MCI through ECPI in Sept. I couldn't be more pleased with the admission's process as well as the financial aid assistance I was given. I literally went to interview and tour the campus on a Saturday and was accepted with financial aid award letter in hand on Wednesday afternoon! They are VERY flexible with class schedules - I work 40 hours a week and am a single mother so need to take night/weekend classes. The program is very fast - 14 months! The school came HIGHLY recommended to me and so far, I see why. Now - as for my "attitude" towards the complaint, I'm neutral, it wouldn't be fair of me to rank agree or disagree solely on the admissions process, but with that said, anyone interested in the programs offered, check 'em out! I completely understand that this is just a forum of sorts to vent, but this site came up early on in searches for ECPI info and I don't want someone to miss out on an opportunity because of several negative experiences...not to take that away from anyone - I'm sure you're upset or you wouldn't have posted! Just want it known that so far - I couldn't be more SURE that I have made the right decision for me and I know they're are more of us out there. And for the "debt" aspect - sure - you're going to college...everyone knows that that typically comes at a high price and in all honesty, when I saw that my program would be 29K for 14 months - my heart skipped a beat - or two - but I kept the process going, applied for aid and once I graduate, I'll only actaully have to repay just under 10K - for a diploma in nursing. They even pay for my NCLEX exam. There is a LOAD of assistance out there - your's for the taking, if you do your research!

I agree, ECPI in Columbia, SC was the biggest waste of time. I went into the medical assisting program. I was told that it was better due to it adds in the administrative part also, so you can work anywhere in the medical office. I thought ok. 5wk classes, alot to study and its ok. First when I came in our class was huge my first three classes had around 30 people. It was hard and they said the most was around 14. Then I had a few teachers that were IT trying to teach pharmacology and other medical classes. Say we had alot of study groups. Also either classes were scheduled way out of order or where some terms you either only had one class or none. There were some great teachers but some that could care less if you were in the room. They just sat at the computer and did there thing but gave you some work. I finished finally all my work but no job, not ready for the test, I looked at the review tests for the certification test and I was not taught half. There might be some good campuses but Columbia SUCKS! Dont waste the money on the medical there, no equipment, no hands on, nothing... You only get help here if they like you.

please file your complaints with the BBB - (better business bureau), and possibly the Attorney Generals Office.
My daughter is considering going to this school, I found it suspect the idea of a Bachelors in 2 1/2 years, now I'm even more concerned.

This school is the biggest waste of money. I went for over a year andnot only acrued a mountain of debt, I was not taught the necessary skills to break into the workforce in that field.If any of you have ever been to a real school, then you know you get the check after the classes are paid for to buy books, supplies, etc, and then the remainder is yours. At ECPI they keep the entire check and charge you monthly for books. That entire check is more than a real university charges for the most part and the professors are just that, not cheap, worthless street walkers brought in to teach a class. What a bunch of ### that school is.

I disagree. My stay at the Norfolk campus started with the most basic courses. Math, English comp, psychology, web design, etc. I started with the most basic classes. As far as scheduling, my classes were never canceled, except on 9-11. and my schedule was very regular... the same every day. My teachers were outstanding. If I did not understand something, I could stay after class for one on one time with the instructor. They even pushed me into studying for my certifications to be a role model for other students.

As far as University of Phoenix, my sister went there and that school I call the joke. In fact, they spam me every day. I will not support any school that sends out straight out spam. Just search them on google.

But as far as ECPI, I payed my tuition and did my work. Now I own my own web development company that is very successful.

I agree ECPI was a TOTAL WASTE of my time and money! 90% of the teachers were great, but the other 10% did NOT know what they were teaching! There were times my classes got cancelled and did NOT get reimbursed for the class I paid for and a lot of the times, my classes ended early, still did not get what i paid for! The scheduling was VERY POOR! Classes were scheduled out of order - now that was ridiculous b/c it made me lost as I was in the Programming/Web Develoopment Program. How can you learn Advanced Programming if you didn't take the prerequisite courses? The Administration Office was VERY RUDE and unprofessional! The financial aid was incompetent of doing their job! I graduated with honors, but I would have like to have gone somewhere else like University of Phoenix, a more accredited and popular school, but did not know about it until it was too late, where I was already half way through with ECPI. Everyone I know that's gone to ECPI regrets going there. My sister graduated with me, but she ended up going back to school to University of Phoenix and still paying the ECPI loan! What a waste! Were all still paying for something that was NOT as promising as it sounded! No one's heard of ECPI outside of VA/Carolina, but everyone's heard of University of Phoenix - where the Superbowl 2007 was - UOP Stadium. Go to a real school, do NOT waste your time on ECPI. Don't be fooled like many others were, then get stuck with a HUGE bill that leads you no where! I studied on my own and had taken classes elsewhere and I am where I am today withOUT ECPI's help and now stuck with an unnecessary bill! Be SMART, do your research, then decide where to go!

I went to ECPI's Norfolk Campus and was on the Dean's List my entire stay. I had no issues with ECPI and I now make $95K a year.