Westervelt College review: Beware! 79

Everest College's 'campus' here in Sudbury, is up for sale.

www DOT northernlife DOT ca/news/localNews/2014/08/01-everest-college-sudbury.aspx

This, along with their location in London closing up shop, it looks like they're starting to finally crash and burn. Now if only Westervelt would follow suit.

Anyone been in Galleria lately? CDI College, Everest, whatever the hell they're calling themselves now has closed up shop. I guess having to share a building with legitimate schools such as Fanshawe, UWO and College Boreal (French college whose main campus is in Sudbury) was just too much for them.

Now if only Westervelt would follow suit and shut down, we'd all be much happier.

You gotta do what you gotta do I guess. I'm sure it will turn out for you though, since it's really just knowledge for a test that you need.

Hi Walter
Thanks for the reply. But it seems like only private colleges offer medical lab technician program in Ontario. And you can find a list of approved colleges for MLT exams under OSMT site. Looks like I have no other options.

JayWu: I wouldn't even bother. In your situation, it seems like it's not so bad ... but I guarantee you'll have more than your share of grief from this school.

Hey guys, give me some advice
I want to do a Medical Lab Tech program at Westervelt. I already kind of have the idea of private college. But I want to take this course so that I can write the MLT exam to be a certified Lab Tech. I don't actually care about the diploma from the school, I just need the knowledge so that I can eligible to write the exam. Do you guys think it is legit?

Sad that they use those tactics on former students. I wish I could spread the word about how horrible this establishment is. No laptops allowed in the classrooms? Red flag. Paying to redo your tests? Red flag.

It just goes on and on.

Hey, sup Mr. White? Ya up for cookin' again soon? I won't sample the product like your last partner did.

They sent me a cease and desist order from a London law firm, probably one that they use lawyers from to 'teach' their classes. They had some old guy hand deliver me an envelope that had that in it, as well as an envelope that looked like a 5 year old child with severe ADD had addressed.

They then sent me another letter about some other site that just mirrors all complaints from this site via an RSS feed, and saying that I needed to delete the post that I had never written. I took it to the London Police and they said not to worry because they (Westerjoke) has nothing concrete.

Guy from London: I'm back man, after they tried to silence me as well. How did they try to silence you?

This school is awful everyone. They noticed it was on front page of this site and suddenly I was getting mail with vague threats on it. Little did the teacher know that when they printed it, it had the date and a phone number. I called it and a woman answered and sounded a little confused and scared. It have me the vibe of, "uh oh, how did this person get my number?"

Wish I would have kept it.

OP here. Yeah, the guy that originally started this thread 3 years ago but was SILENCED by the scammers that run this so-called 'school'. I still haven't forgotten how awful my teacher was, or how rotten I was treated.

After having lived in Sudbury for a few years now, and having completed some welder training at a real school, I can safely say that Westervelt was even worse than I originally thought it was. I just LOVE how they won't let you review your tests, you just have to take their word for it. Or how the administration is all in cahoots with the awful teachers here.

I say this once again, to any prospective students of this 'school', please don't make the mistake I and so many others have made. They don't care about you, only how much OSAP or government funding they can squeeze out of you before they throw you aside.

Education is not something you can fast track. If you don't have what it takes to get into a real institution like Fanshawe or Cambrian, go back to school at either Wheable or the Centre for Lifelong Learning, and then apply.

Furthermore, the way they silenced me and the others on this thread, does that sound like a business that you want to associate with? Any business that is legitimate would want to listen to the critics and try to right what is wrong, but these guys just sweep everything under the bloody rug. No WONDER you can't find anything negative about them online.

Monster on a highway with coldblooded, arrogant, dictator -like leaders in pencil-skirts and they followers. They get shaky when you do not obey they way of thinking and ready to jump crashing your bones before swallowing you half alive.

@ The above poster:

I would imagine things have changed drastically there at Westervelt since your attending 25 years ago. I believe it has gone through 3 owners, with just as many locations since 1986.

I attended Westervelt College in 1986 and graduated with a 97.23% average in an office automation program the college had at that time. This course of studies was basically for women who had not worked full-time for five years and was sponsored by the federal government. It was a very tough course and I worked tremendously hard to receive the award for the highest average in any program. I was hired by the University of Western Ontario, where I have worked for 25 years. I remain extremely grateful to Westervelt for the new start I got at this college.

I'm in Ottawa because I wanted to get the hell out of that god awful city known as London after living there all my life. How are you liking your title as having the highest unemployment rate in all of Canada? London getting out of the rut it's in is nothing but a pipe dream, and Mayor Joe Quimby is delusional if he thinks putting a fresh coat of paint on the downtown will solve any problems.

NO College or Univesity is required by regulation to get you a great job. That's why we have people with PHD's cooking burgers for a living. I get your problem Ken, you're just looking for a hand out, explains why you live in Ottawa

Well no words need be said.

It's fairly clear and obvious that Westervelt college is a dodgy sham. The comments posted at their main site raised some red flags, but then the staff posing as students just pushed it over the top.

Word to the wise: Private community colleges will not get you into a career of your dreams. Though the right college can and will set you on the right path, private colleges are private businesses. They are not required by any regulation to get you a great job.

I don't need to do a job hunt. I make good money where I am.

Hows the job hunting going Ken?

Ask yourself what you want to do when you have completed the course and call up some employers and ask what education they recommend? At the end of the day that is what counts. I would also call up some of the employers listed on their website and get their opinion and you can ask Westervelt for contact details of recent graduates and ask them how they rate the program. If they are not willing to accommodate this should be a red flag.
I would also ask Westervelt how much time is spent on each course to get a good picture of what the curriculum actually entails. In the course there is also time spent on Typing, basic Math, Outlook, Excel and English. If you already know how do this you may not want to spend money on this.
Once you have done this you can make an informed decision.
I wish I had taken these steps.

If you're unable to attend a two year program at Fanshawe or any other real college, then you really should ask yourself, "is school the right thing for me?". Your schooling is not something you can just fast track and cut corners in. Fast food this is not, this is your education and a ticket to a brighter future.

Keep in mind that if you fail a 'module', you essentially get kicked out of the school, with all your progress being lost. - Also remember, each 'module' is only a few weeks long. A few weeks vs a 4 month class with 4 hours a week of class time. Doesn't take an Einstein to figure out there is much left out.

tl;dr - Stay far away from this business. Take the $20, 000 you would have spent on tuition and living expenses while attending here and invest it in a business, or just spend it on a weekend in Vegas. You'll be better off in the long run.

Has anyone taken the sales & marketing course? Was it good? worth it? I do not have the luxury of time for a 2 or 3 year course at fanshawe, should I enroll at westervelt? I have heard mixed reviews so any help would be great.

Oh and yes I did attend Westervelt, in case you are wondering.

Hello People

I agree with some of your complaints about Westervelt but, some of the teachers do actually try and do care. Anyhow this site maybe good to "air off", but if you really want to help others then you should take the correct route, and that would be through the ministry of education because the more official complaints they receive, the more they are required to look into the practices of Westervelt College. Show some intelligence and do it properly people!

WOW, just wow (not a student) and from reading these, im never going to apply. THANK YOU. all these post really made me think twice, they do sound good when they talk to you. NEVER will i apply to westervelt.

Amen.

They claim they don't have wireless because "people would abuse it" and computers aren't allowed into the class rooms because "people would get distracted" and the "instructors" wouldn't know if you were listening to them or "goofing around online".

How do you like how courses are done in about two weeks or even less? There's no way you can cover anything important topic in such a short amount of time.

So what program did they rope you into? You should look at moving out of London like I did. I really don't plan on ever going back because the job market there is dead. Not that things are perfect here in Ottawa, but they're certainly better than that miserable pisshole London.

Hello,

I am currently enrolled in an insanely over-priced program at Westervelt College. I have prior education before arriving here, such as a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario. I can honestly say this school is the biggest money scam since Enron. I would NEVER in my life recommend family, friends, or foes to this "institution". Here me out.

My Experience,
This school feasts on the weak and economically disadvantaged. Their number one priority is to seek OSAP and Second Career's funds to satisfy their insane tuition. One of their slogans has something to do with "a change in your career".. who would change into hotel management or travel and tourism (as examples) in a our dire economic times. Do not listen to any of their ###. Moreover, non of these "instructors" have any background in teaching - a BIG red flag. Furthermore, the school does not turn anyone away - big red flag - if you have the funds, or if you can get it them their favorite government programs, then your accepted. You also can't fail (or it is very hard too).. lets say you do fail, you can pay a fee of 500$ to re-do a course or 25$ to redo an exam or test - need i say red flag?. Many employers that i've contacted had simply said "we do not associate with Westervelt any longer." Not only am in debt for over $10, 000, there is no hope for employment to pay the debt off. This "institution" also has the most ridiculous rules. For example, you must go to 60% of the classes to write an exam or pass a course. I can honestly say if I went to ZERO classes and read the books I would still be getting the high marks that I have. Moreover on the ridiculousness of this place, there are NO services. There is a room with lockers that COST us 25$ to reserve with a bunch of tables an chairs. If they could have paid for real drywall, the classrooms beside the "lunch room" wouldn't complain about noise. There isn't even a microwave to heat food. One of my biggest pet peeves is that fact there is NO WIRELESS internet or the acceptance of computers in the class room. If they are "preparing us for the workforce" how can computers not be allowed? Our society runs off technology and its helpful innovations. Every workplace uses a computer and/or internet in one form or another. You may think I am totally biased towards Westervelt and the only cause for this is my experience. I honestly came in with an open mind and with the hope of success but have turned into this dissatisfied person. I wake up in the morning with the face of regret and sorrow knowing I must swallow my pride and finish so my over-$10, 000 investment gets me a piece of paper. Please NEVER attend this school.

Sincerely,

Concerned Student

Look at that, yet ANOTHER anti-Westerjoke thread has been DELETED. This time, it was an unhappy person that graduated from the massage therapy program. Why is it that these ###s at Westervelt can't take any criticism? They need to man up and face the unhappy customers that attend their FOR PROFIT school. It is a business like any other. Do you think other businesses out there that are legit actually go through the whole boo-hoo legal ### to SILENCE critics? NO. They do their best to right the wrongs and ensure their customers, and future customers are happy and satisfied, otherwise, they wouldn't be in business for long.

tl;dr... ### WESTERVELT.

Westervelt College London Ontario Canada.
1st you do not need to attend Police Foundations to be a Police Officer.
2nd Before you decided being a Police Officer research everything there is to know about it.
3rd If your a visible minority you have a better chance of getting a job as a Police officer.
4th ATS Testing is required and costs money, it's not cheap.
5th Westervelt College will give you an entrance test, but no one fails, you will be accepted to your program of choice.
6th Westervelt College is a for profit business, they are registered with the better business bureau.
7th Go to a Gov't College or University, in my opinion it is the better educational choice.
8th Again they will accept anyone into Police Foundations even when the people at Westervelt are well aware the person will never become a Police Officer.
They Just want your money.

Has anyone noticed that Donna Doerr claimed to have won the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur award, as well as the Ontario. Check out:http://www.theawards.ca/cwea/past-winners.cfm and you'll see she is not mentioned anywhere. As for Ontario, could not find any evidence of that either - makes you wonder...if the owner can publicly lie about that, what else is she lying about.

lol. I came back to London yesterday (Saturday, February 18) and on the bus ride to my brothers home I noticed a banner ad for a new school that's an even bigger scam than Westervelt, CDI/Everest and Thames Valley Business College combined. - It's called Concordia College of Canada. How shady are they? They're operating an office in the VIA Rail Train Station downtown for starters. A quick search on Google brings up their Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concordia_College_and_University

If anyone had doubts that the National Association of Career Colleges was a worthless accreditation before, then this should smash any doubts about that then, because they are indeed 'accredited' by the NACC. http://www.concordiacollege.ca/about.html

well "Problem?" did you atctually attend Westervelt?

I am currently a student at the University of Toronto. Oh? What was that? Yes, university. A real school. Just like countless other ones like York, Guelph, mcmaster, Waterloo, etc. ###, if you want to go to a technical college, try Humber, Sheridan, or George brown. See, these schools have REQUIREMENTS to get in, not just money. Have some pride in yourselves people. Don't fall for this ###. There is no way in hell a ### school like this will get you a better job than one of the colleges I listed above. That's not to mention universities, where you earn a thing called a DEGREE that is respected in the real world and will get you the best job hands down.

Ken, my wife attended Westervelt in 2003/04. She left her retail position of more than 15 years to take Medical administration. She graduated highest in her class and had a job offer the week before she graduated. She continues to work as a medical administrator for that same family doctor today.

lol... . I'm only posting replies because of all the fake reviews posted by Westervelt staffers posing as students. That's some funny ### there btw, all because of him going to Westervelt, he got a signing bonus which was enough to buy a car. Quit the ### already Kempling.

GIVE IT A REST! Just to add another POSITIVE comment..my future Son-In-Law attended Westervelt in Police Foundations, with the aim of joing the Military Police. After his basic training he was posted at CFB Borden, Because of his Diploma from Westervelt he joined with the rank of corporal and his signing bonus ( because of his Diploma) was enough for him to buy a new car.

SUCK IT UP CUPCAKE !

lol @ the previous comment. How is someone supposed to know about ### behind the scenes at the so-called school? As for the school being "professional", what would you call the obvious fake reviews and shills that school staff are posting? That's got dodgy written all over it. Once again, if Westervelt were so legit, they wouldn't need to resort to such low life tactics, and address the concerns of the customers.

You know what? The things you are saying about Westervelt College and its staff is totally unacceptable. It is one of the most professional schools I have ever attended. Some of the policies are strange but they are put in place to not only protect the school, but the students as well. As far as I'm concerned Drew Gardiner is a great person who excels at his job. The main reason I chose to attend Westervelt is because of the amazing job he did during what you call his "sales pitch". If I ever wanted to get into any other line of work that required college training, Westervelt would always be my first choice for education and I recommend all my friends who are seeking post-secondary education to attend Westervelt. The staff is amazing, the instructors are amazing, and the educational experience is one you will never forget. So before you fly off the handle and down play and talk smack about the school because they forgot to give you your letter of acceptance, maybe you should realize that you aren't the only person enrolling. Hundreds of people per year attend that school and paperwork can become piled up, so of course its naturally that people might forget that someone hasn't gotten documentation. It then becomes your responsibility to remind them that you require the document and then wait patiently for it to arrive. The staff are always more than happy to assist you and there is no reason to black list Westervelt College.

Joe Thiessen
PFP Troop 28B

No hard feelings, I'm just defending a school that is setting me up for the career of my life.

I think the idea of this website is wise. With any school, there is always going to be some good and some bad. I took the time to read these comments and I have to say, I agreed with some of the good things and with some of the bad things. I wouldnt say "dont go to westervelt college".. however i do think that there are certain courses they should not offer. A course such as travel and tourism, or interior decorating, go ahead and go to westervelt. But when it comes to a more heavy duty course, they simply are not equipped with the skills to properly teach and prepare their students for a legit career.

I attended westervelt for 18 months in their massage therapy program. Looking back now I do wish that I had went to another school for that specific program. Having said that, I did appreciate the small community feeling of westervelt, when of course it didnt work against me. I got good marks, I attended class regularly, I was liked by my peers and teachers and yet I still, almost a year later feel bitter about the way my class and our education was treated.

At the end of the day, like I said... theres good and bad in every education facility. Would I recommend westervelt? No. Do I feel the need to totally bash and try to destroy its reputation? No.. Its simply not worth my time

Ok I attend Westervelt College and found employment in my field after alot of job hunting but I never gave up.
Unlike some people I actually studied and worked hard.
I dont know how many times I hear this stuff and its always from the people who put little effort into the program.
For christ sakes what do expect to get out of a program that you dont put something into.
So for anyone wanting to attend college at Westervelt or anywhere else, please stay way from the people who starting complaining and ### as they are usually the ones who do as little as possible.
No One said it would be easy.But I guess its pretty easy to sit at a computer all day long and ### instead of getting up and doing something.
Westervelt is not a job agency its up to you and no else if you succeed or not.
Remember... words minus actions equals zero...

So grow up and own up
Better yourself education is the key

Yet another advertisement for Westervelt appears in the form of a reply. Nobody in their right minds would "consider a career change" and go into either Travel & Tourism or 'Hotem Management' in this brutal economy. And then there's having to only get by on one paycheque for the next year as well. I hardly doubt your wife (that is if she even exists) would be happy with that.