Anonymous
map-marker Olympia, Washington

Lies lies lies

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This place they call a college is filled with nothing but lies ,lies. Money hungry, they make you think they want to help you, but then as they suck the money out of you, they suck every ounce of energy you put into the program and in turn make you work harder for a result of NOTHING, their gain not yours!
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User's recommendation: Don’t waste your time,

Anonymous
map-marker Oxnard, California

High Pressure Admissions

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I enrolled at Charter College and have regretted it ever since. I wanted to become a dental hygienist, but the program at the community college had a waitlist, so I was looking into other options.

When I met with the admissions counselors at Charter College it felt like a sales pitch the entire time. There was a lot of pressure to sign up and I was told that I was just signing up to save a seat in the upcoming class because the class was filling up quick. This was a lie. I wasnt signing a form to save a seat, I was fully enrolling into the college.

I was pressured to not read the enrollment agreement fully and to just sign it. I read it anyway and understood that I had the first week to cancel if I wanted to. That seemed okay. At the time.

I met with financial aid multiple times and ended up having to apply for multiple student loans. The program is REALLY expensive ($23,000). It is MUCH more affordable at the community college, but I kept hanging onto the fact that I could cancel. At Charter you will use ALL of your pell, ALL of your federal loans, AND still have to take out a private loan with Charter College.

They do subsidize your payments for that loan, so you only pay about half. IF you graduate on time. More on this later. I started the program and the dental classes seemed pretty good.

The instructors were great, but the classes were condensed. I was worried about the fast-pace track (classes started every 5 weeks). I also didnt like the technology class they enroll you in. Its just busy work.

After talking to my family I decided to leave Charter and just wait to be accepted into the hygienist program. I went to talk to the admissions counselor that enrolled me. But they had been fired. So I had to talk to someone else.

I explained that I did feel duped by the admissions counselor. They said that the dental program was full and there was only one seat left, which is why I agreed to sign up. To save that seat. This was a lie!

There were only three people in my dental class. I also explained that I felt the high cost wasnt worth it, especially since I still wanted to enroll in the hygienist program. Charter College would put me into too much debt. I also explained that the class structure was too fast paced and that I actually liked the Community College structure better.

All this said, the advisor tried to talk me out of it. We had a good conversation and see seemed reasonable, but let me know that she would let the Director of Admissions know that I wanted to cancel my enrollment. Cool, right? No.

My phone started blowing up. I talked to two different people that kept urging me to stay. They encouraged me to stay until the second week. I had already attended the first two days of classes, and had a third day coming up.

They kept saying that the third day would be better and that I would get to work on patients. This seemed too fast, but I figured it IS a fast paced program and they do claim to be all hands on. So, I came back for the third day of class, which turned out to be another lie. We didnt work on patients and wouldnt be working on patients for another 6-8 weeks.

I could tell my instructor was upset by this news. I asked to speak with someone about canceling my enrollment. I spoke with someone, but they explained that they admissions department was the department that needed to handle that, but was told they were all busy. I called on Friday of the first week and was told the same thing, but that someone would call me back.

Another lie. I came to school on Monday and asked to cancel my enrollment. Instead, I was asked to sit in class until someone could meet with me. I ended up attending the entire class.

I asked to speak with someone and again was told everyone was busy. I finally asked to speak with the campus president. That was a mistake. She urged me to continue and basically pushed aside all my concerns.

She kept talking about her being a student and that she understood and would help me. I explained that I didnt need help with classes. I just wanted to unenroll. She kept pressuring me to stay, but I said no.

She finally let me go and said that someone would call me. Yet another lie. I ended up not coming to my next dental class because I asked to cancel my enrollment. The college started blowing my phone up telling me I was late for class.

I explained that I talked to the campus president and was told someone would contact me about cancelling. I was told there were no notes that this happened and that I needed to come to the campus. I was annoyed, but went. I was pushed to go to class and that I could meet with someone at break.

That never happened. I was so frustrated that I left when the class was over. On Thursday the school blew up my phone, saying I was absent. I ignored them, which was a mistake.

I went to campus that Monday and demanded to speak with someone and refused to sit in class. I finally got to talk to an advisor that said I would be dropped. Heres the problem. They didnt say my enrollment would be canceled because I didnt get canceled in the first week.

That matters because they charged me tuition for the first two weeks of class. I explained that I didnt actually attend, but was told to sit in class while I waited to speak with someone. No matter how much I explained this, it didnt change. I still owed the money.

They cancelled my pell and my federal loans, so I had to pay out of pocket. $1500!! They said that the 1500 was the Charter College loan. I thought, okay, I will only have to pay half of this since the loan is subsidized by Charter.

Nope! Because I was a dropped student and didnt graduate I had to pay the full amount. What a scam!! I was furious!

I ended up paying that day, thinking Id rather be in debt to someone else than to Charter College. Who knows what lie they would come up with next. A few weeks later I talked to some lady who tried to get me to reenroll. No!

She was so rude and condescending. I cannot believe places like this are even allowed to operate. Do not get sucked in like I did. You will regret it!

Dont let them lie to you, or tell you that youll be on a waitlist forever. I ended up getting bumped up on my community colleges waitlist and currently taking classes. Things are crazy because of Covid-19, but thats okay. I STILL get calls from Charter to come back.

But I will NOT enroll with them and neither should you. Save yourself the frustration and the money.

View full review
Pros:
  • Dental instructors are knowledgeable and friendly
Cons:
  • High pressure enrollment tactics

User's recommendation: Do NOT enroll! Do NOT believe what they say!

1 comment
Guest

I’m at Charter College Oxnard, too, and had a similar experience. Except I stayed and am trying to finish.

We lost so much class time to Covid and can’t make it up. The campus president at Oxnard is horrible and I hate having to deal with her.

I wish I could leave but I feel stuck. I hope no other students ever enroll at this school.

GP

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Los Angeles, California

Class action lawsuit

Is anyone aware of any pending lawsuits against Charter College over their misrepresentations to students? If so, can you please provide details, e.g., court location, case name, lawyer name and contact info for the students involved in the lawsuit. If not, if anyone is interested in joining a class action lawsuit please let me know here.
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1 comment
Berneta Gcx

There is one but I can’t find the information. I requested to be a part of it through dept of education

GP

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Oxnard, California

DO NOT ATTEND

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I attended this school in 2016-****. I am currently in 14k in debt from a student loan and 14k in debt with a parent loan.

That is what my mother and I agreed to when applying. I am currently paying off BOTH loans due to my guilt for not being able to land a job in that field, I am still searching and nothing. I finished an Optical Technician program (I was the last graduate of that program due to it not being a high-demand course, so I heard, then they completely got rid of the Optical Technician program in the location I attended at after I finished) and I also finished the Associates of Applied Science in Allied Health. I was told a way cheaper amount for both courses and ended up with almost 30k in debt when combining my student loan and parent loan.

I am currently still looking for jobs totally unrelated to what I graduated for. It would have also been nice knowing that credits are NOT transferable. When applying for the Associate's program, I remember asking them if I was able to transfer to community colleges to pursue my Bachelors's, since the Bachelor's program was really expensive at Charter, and they said yes. I have tried applying to community colleges near me, but they declined the credits I received from Charter College.

It is now 2020, and I am still so hurt and feel so betrayed by this school. I have been carrying this huge financial burden on my shoulders for too long that I finally feel confident enough to speak up when I felt like I couldn't. I strongly believe people who have been wronged by this school, with good reasoning, should definitely receive compensation.

Or a refund for the amount of money we made payments for every month after graduating. I take responsibility for this situation I am currently in as well, but the amount of negative reviews I have seen about other people in this financial burden really disappoints me and all I can do it pity them and me included.

View full review
Loss:
$30000
Pros:
  • Teachers
  • Instructors

Preferred solution: Full refund

4 comments
Guest

Yeah, you're toast but thanks for posting this as a warning to anyone who would think of attending something like this and going into debt for a @#$# "education." Before applying for any program, go to your state's workforce website, create an account and then do a search on the job and their potential for growth. There you will see what careers they believe will be in demand.

Their projections are based on data and not a sales quota these people and others like them have. Remember, advisors, are salespeople. That's it. Next, call your local community college or university, tell them you're in this joke or a joke like this and want to transfer to their institution.

Ask them how many credits will transfer. Do this BEFORE signing up with these people are others who are "accredited" by the same group. With regards to accreditation, any business group, yes these are business can create an accreditation as a sales point. These accreditations may mean Dyck.

Refer to the comment above to see how many credits from this place will actually transfer. Joints like this suck in people who want to be done with school fast and/or have no real knowledge of the difference between a for-profit hole and a school that potential employers will take seriously. They love getting parents to sign on the dotted line because they think their child is going to "college" and will make them proud. Do not rush into anything, do you research before signing up.

Oh, and by the way, NO "institution of higher learning" can promise you a job. They can charge you for tips on how to interview, resume building, etc. Stuff that your state offers for free from people whose job it is to get you work-ready. States can show you how to earn REAL certificates in fields that are projected to grow for little to nothing or far less than what these people will bend you over for.

Sorry that you found out too late. I wish you the best and hope others who see this don't fall for a slick sales presentation given by the salespeople, whoops advisors.

Brandi Pzo

We’re disappointed by your review, GP, but we understand your frustration. We know the job search can sometimes be a struggle; however, we are here to help.

We’re proud to have graduates working in their fields for all of our programs – including our optical technician program. Our mission as an institution of higher learning is to help our students and graduates get to work. Have you connected with our Career Services team?

While we sadly no longer offer the optical technician program, we are still dedicated to helping our graduates. Please give us a call at (805) 973-1240.

GP
reply icon Replying to comment of Brandi Pzo

I am very disappointed as well, especially having to pay for this immense debt where I was promised transferrable credits to another school. If that were the case, I wouldn't have such a negative review for this school.

But the fact that there was false information given to me, I am in huge disbelief. Given, it is my fault for attending this school blinded, choosing a field that is not in demand to where the program isn't even offered anymore in your facility, AND pursuing further education where I could have easily just earned in a more affordable, non-profitable, accredited school. Having to start back in the beginning, if I decide to go back to school, where my hardworking credits I rightfully earned isn't acknowledged and accepted from Charter College is truly betraying and a huge waste of countless studying. There are no career services I want nor need from your employees because the resolution to my problem isn't that.

It's the fact that I was given information where I can pursue higher education at another school with transferable credits just to find out that it is not a possibility to do so, and having to overpay for a certificate and degree where my credits are useless unless I attend Charter College again, but that will not happen again.

If there were services for compensation or debt relief, that would be greatly appreciated. Other than my input about this facility, which most likely won't have any resolution to it, at least you acknowledged my comment.

Brandi Pzo
reply icon Replying to comment of GP

GP, If you at any point change your mind regarding our Career Services, please do not hesitate to reach out. While we cannot offer compensation, we are happy to offer you the assistance of our Student Accounts team, which helps advise our graduates regarding the management of their student loan repayment.

Please connect with your campus if you’d like to speak with the team. We wish you the best of luck in your future educational and career pursuits.

View more comments (3)
Kayla B Hhp

Jobless and broke

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I am irritated with this school. I thought I'd have a CMA job by now. Instead, I've ended up back at my minimum wage job. There are no MA jobs, and if there are, they want you to have experience. I guess people don't appreciate a 180-hour UNPAID externship. I saved so much to be able to do the externship and did it all for nothing. On top of that, my payment didn't go through at the beginning of this month so now, they've charged me double what my school payment would initially be even though I can't even afford the school payment to begin with because of the fact I ended up back at a MINIMUM WAGE JOB. Don't waste your time and money. I'm currently signed up for American Idol because, at this rate, that dream is more realistic than this dream.
View full review
Loss:
$20
Pros:
  • Teachers
Cons:
  • Waste of money and time
Reason of review:
All of the above

Preferred solution: I wish there was a full refund option, because this program was ridiculous

2 comments
Guest

The possibility of you not scoring a CMA job is probably due to lack of experience or maybe it’s your unprofessionalism. I graduated from Charter College and landed a great job as a CMA. You should square yourself up and practice on interviews.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1746501

"square yourself That's old folks or solider's talk. If you're some kind of solider, you had the chance to get a "squared away" prior to joining this place.

Assuming you are who you claim to be. Either way, your experience doesn't seem to be the norm if take into consideration the poor showing this place has on other sites.

Of course, those other sites have great sales copy disguised as comments too. You can tell sales copy a mile away and your comment straddles the line between a DB and someone who writes poor copy.

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Anonymous

Asked for no contact for a year

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Back in 2016 when I was looking at going back to school for medical coding or medical assistant the advisor told me that I should go for computer tech instead. After looking at the school the first day that they had me talk to an advisor via screen. I had asked them not to contact me for year to let me look into Perry Tech first and think about what I wanted to do. They kept calling me everyday while I was working. Then one day I answered and asked the advisor to please not contact me any longer because I was planning on attending Perry Tech and he cut me off asking if he could still be in contact with me and when I said no, he continued to talk. I the proceeded to hang up on him and blocked him from contacting me. Now Charter College have contacted me again but a different advisor 3 years after I moved and after my mom started looking at online classes for me to help me go back to school to get a better job where I am guaranteed hours. I asked them please put me on a do not call list with my past experience with them.
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Anonymous
map-marker Matanuska-Susitna, Alaska

Want my 2K back

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I'm 20K in debt. Still can't get a CMA job because they put me in a nursing home and told me that's all they could do. I want my money back. It was a waste of my time and money when I could be paying a real college or university that money for a good nursing degree.
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Brandi Pzo

Hi PissedConsumer1516852, We’re sorry to hear you’re not happy with your current position at a nursing home. Have you connected with our Career Services Team?

No matter when you graduated, our team is here to help with your job search!

Please give us a call at 907.277.1000. We look forward to hearing from you!

Amanda W Oak
map-marker Oxnard, California

Credits are not transferable

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Wish they would have told me this before. Once I had called to ask about how to further my education, they just tried to talk me into getting my associate's of applied science's through them. Would have been great, if I were ablee to attend the campus. I moved out of state. There are no campuses close to me in Texas.
View full review
Anonymous

Avoid charter college at all costs!

Being a "student" at charter college the problem isn't so much the instructors its the overall school itself. Charter has refused to bring the IT department upto date and lacks the necessities of being able to go out and find a job at in the IT world right after graduation. They fly through the classes so fast the student is lost, confused and trying to figure out the basics just as the class ends and another one begins. My take on it is if i had to do it over again i would have not chosen charter college. So far i have been fortunate in the fact that i knew a lot going in but needed some schooling. Stick to a community college that is more legit and can transfer! Another promise that was made was they told me they would help find jobs well now that im almost done the career services department is trying to get me to come back for my BA saying that i would be able to find work easier if i told the employer i was enrolled in the BA program. Honestly good luck finding work and its not sarcastically said, but i feel the same way that i will not find a job after attending charter college. When its all said and done nothing that was told me nor promised would happen has or will happen. From the hands on experience, down to them offering work study for students which i was told and finding a job. I will have an AA that i busted my tail for that is non transferable to any legit actually accredited schools. Im sad to say that this "college" has deceived and lied to many people and while the students pay a fortune to go there for an unaccredited degree the people running the college make a fortune on us! I am beyond sick and tired of this school and wish i would have made a better choice. In finishing to everyone who was screwed over by charter college i would say this go to a community college and get true credits that will make your AA actually worth something..once you get the AA from charter because of the low pathetic standards that charter has to acquire the AA its not worth much weight to colleges because its very under PAR for what a true AA is and should be. Go beef up your math skills primarily bc that is what true accredited colleges are wanting students who know more than just level 75 math. All i can say is it sucks that charter can get away with this leaving us in debt, deceived, lied to and in the end screwed with no options. Not to mention they falsified the resume that was sent to them and added certifications and qualifications that weren’t obtained to the resume to beef it up and make it seem greater than it was. This is how they attempted to get students jobs by lying to get them In the doors! This doesn’t even cover the classes the school refused to pay for and not provide but forcing students to pay for, or the financial aid services department defrauding students of grants and making Them re-sign grants for much Lower next To nothing amounts and increasing the student loans and changing student financial aid forms so the money went To the school and not the students who needed it! Charter college is a joke! I have a worthless AA that they want money for that has not gotten me a job at all. Best advice is don’t ever ever ever choose charter college! Charter college fits this: If it looks to good to be true it is too good to be true!
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
5 comments
Nazeer Hwk

I like how you expect everyone to believe that you are a college student, yet your spelling and grammar is at a fifth grade level. The reason that you did not get a job is probably because your resume and application form were rejected due to your many grammar errors?

Your review has many spelling and grammar errors and yet you expect people to believe you are college material. You say the college is fast paced. Well it is probably not.

They teach at an adult level not at the level of a ten year old. Just because the classes are too fast paced for you does not mean they are for everyone.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Nazeer Hwk

And that paragraph is suppose to make you how much more intelligent? Idiot I swear!

Guest

bbb

Guest

If you go on the ABHES website you will see that Charter College is an accredited college.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1583861

Which means dyck....Anyone can create an accreditation group, slap up a web site and say they're accredited. If you look at who's in this group, you'll see for-profit junk schools whose credits may or may not transfer to real schools.

Here's what you do, call your local community college, university, etc, tell them you're a grad of this joint or any other of the ABHES "accredited' schools and ask how many of their credits will transfer. Do this BEFORE you sign up for @#$# like this.

View more comments (4)
FUCK O Uyx
map-marker Anchorage, Alaska

Charter College - Customer Care Review from Anchorage, Alaska

This FOR PROFIT SCHOOL is a complete SHAM!!!! Several of my classmates have been "washed back" for things that were out of their control. On student was sent home by an administrator for having a cold during clinicals, the next day she learned that she had been "washed back" 5 weeks. This is absolutely absurd, and should not be tolerated! When you are "washed back", you not only have to complete all the work again but you are paying for the hours again. You have the option to rebut the "washback", however the staff makes sure you know it takes up to a year to resolve rebuttals and you can't attend classes during the investigation. What a crock of *** *** THIS SCHOOL!!!
View full review
Loss:
$35000
Pros:
  • Teachers
Cons:
  • Everything else
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Full refund

2 comments
Guest

I recently had a similar issue. I just graduated in October for A.A.S.

Applied Science I was told my credits would transfer to a community college. That was a lie I was told Charter College is only accredited in certain programs. Now Charter is pretending like that was told to me. I got my A.A.

degree solely to transfer to get my B.A.

Degree. Now I am starting all over.

Guest

Hi I am interested in hearing more. Please email me at garciachelle2018@***.com. I am collecting information on complaints about Charter College in Anchorage.

View more comments (1)
Susan S Swv
map-marker Anchorage, Alaska

Go anywhere but here

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None of the credits from a BS will transfer to any real college. Friends of mine were allowed to continue in a program, with no way to complete it based on financial aid blocks, which led to not being able to do the work, which led to failing the class and having to pay more. Admissions just want to meet their quota, management does not care how hard they work the faculty. It is only a way for those who don't know better to go into debt for something that has no value. Go to any school but this one. They will smile at you and welcome your money, but they do not care about a true education. I finished my program, but it was all a waste of money. If you don't have a GED or HS diploma, it's ok, they don't check because they don't care, as long as they get your grants, your loans and extra money on top of that from you. If you just want to buy your certificate/degree... you can do that here, but it's very expensive.
View full review
Pros:
  • Two instructors
Cons:
  • Waste of money and time
Reason of review:
all the above

Preferred solution: changes at your school

1 comment
Guest

You can have your units converted at Phoenix and then go to university. However, I would work on my English mechanics first.

josue t Hua

No good

Is no good what you doing is to many problems for that just carful
View full review
Anonymous

They'll tell you whatever you want to hear. SICK OF BEING LIED TO.

I am a current student at Charter College. While I personally have not had problems with any of the classes or teachers I have had (I am doing all online classes) I am having problems with Charter College staff giving me false information and holding on to money that is rightfully mine! I have been in contact with 2 separate representatives that when I started the program told me that everything was ready to go funds wise. I am a veteran so the VA covers my tuition but I also have to take out student loans to cover my cost of living. As it turns out 3 weeks into the program neither the VA or student loan paperwork had been submitted even after I was assured multiple times that it was already taken care of and going to be a quick process once my classes started. I also receive a Pell Grant that is supposed to be mine to choose what to do with (ie. put towards tuition, books, supplies, cost of living, etc.) But Charter College is holding on to my funds as tuition even though they know the VA covers tuition costs. I recently fell on hard times and am relying on my student loans but Charter has effectively helped me get deeper into debt as I have been unable to pay my bills and am getting penalties as a result. I could have possibly taken measures to prevent this from happening had I not been lied to and assured MULTIPLE times that everything ready to go as soon as my classes started.
View full review
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
1 comment
Guest

Has anyone else noticed that the charter college commercial has one Caucasian student in the entire classroom, and the other white guy is in a position of authority-- so obvious that they are trying to appeal to minority cultures...

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Anonymous
map-marker Wasilla, Alaska

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE

Not only did I get told the INCORRECT information but was kicked out because I was told I could do the classes on MY time, between being a single mother and working full time to support my YOUNG kids that is what I needed!!! Then NOW I am getting harassing calls from some one stating I owe Charter College money....you all were paid!! You all were paid WAY too much!!!! By FASFA!!! And the personal loan I took out on my own!?!?! I would NEVER recommend anyone to attend this so called bs of a "college!!" Love how you all target people!!! I was just another gullible single mother you took advantage of....
View full review
Reason of review:
LIED TO OVER AND OVER AGAIN
1 comment
Brandi Pzo

We’re disappointed to read your post and we’d like to help. While we do have a great deal of flexibility in our academic schedules, we have due dates and grading policies.

However, our online classrooms are available 24 hours a day with 24-hour technical support. We understand that our students, like yourself, have many other responsibilities and we do our best to accommodate their needs.

We strive to be very clear and upfront about our school policies, which are outlined in our Student Handbook.

Nevertheless, we’d like to learn more about your situation and see how we might be able to help. Please reach out to the campus directly at 907.352.1000.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Brandi A.,

Charter College

Anonymous

It sucks not worth it

They will make you go in debt only fed loans that will just increase and the degree is not real. Waste of time
View full review
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Anonymous

Good Experience

Hi yes I studied with Charter University and they were so much helpful , all universities are expensive . I took a loan to pay but now I have 4 degrees traceable degrees , I have a nice job . The modules were extremely difficult but just try again . I will always recommend charter university , I studied online and had no one to explain to me which made it so much more difficult !!!!!{{Redacted}}
View full review
Reason of review:
Good customer service

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