Collins College (formerly Al Collins School Of Design) FRAUD is to nice a word for this scam school Tempe Arizona
I won't bore you with a flame about some school I will let the letter I wrote today to the employees and department heads speak for itself. At this time I am considering suing the school for multiple counts of fraud. And rest assured just because some of the Admin/Falculty Heads are ex-police means nothing to me I will not be bullied as they have done to others in the past. Make NO mistake this is a turn and burn academy with the sole purpose of taking your Finacial aide monies to line there own pockets.
Good day,
I am faced with a dilemma. When I first talked to my Admissions Representative (Jason Bishop) about Collins College, several things were told to me about the facility and equipment that I would have access to. Namely the campus having Discreet FLAME system as well as several High Definition cameras. At one point, I asked my Representative the whereabouts of the FLAME server, and he replied without hesitation "oh I don't know it must be out for repairs." My wife was on the tour and also remembers this remark. The above mentioned things were also told to several other students of my enrollment period and to others from the periods prior to and subsequent to my class. After bringing this issue to the attention of Collins College management, I looked the other way and let this heinous misrepresentation be swept under the rug.
Today, I get a odd call from Lisa in Admissions about there being a problem with my application letter to the Media Arts Bachelors degree program. So I of course head right over to remedy the situation thinking nothing of it since I have been told a couple times by Nara that I was "IN" no problems what-so-ever. I arrive to find that I have been denied entrance into the Bachelors program because in my letter I expressed an interest in continuing my education elsewhere at a later date following completion of the Bachelors program via a Masters Program at a university such as UCLA or the like.
I was then told that the Bachelors degree that would be obtained from Collins College would not be recognized by any such institution as a "VALID BACHELORS DEGREE". Imagine my surprise after having spoken to instructors and talking quite regularly about going on to a Masters Program and never having had any one of them tell me that Collins is not accredited to give such a degree. Especially after I had specifically stated to my Representative initially that I was considering SFU or UCLA but thought I would find out more about Collins before making a choice.
I made the decision to come to Collins College based on information that was not true in anyway shape or form... In fact Jason Bishop, when confronted about the school not having a FLAME rig or HD cameras stated very boldy "Its the Bachelors Degree that you want - anyone can certify you to use anything but you need a Bachelors degree to go on to Film School. And we can give you that." And as we can all see that just isn't so.
At this point I would like in writing and for the record exactly what this school (Collins College) is accredited for and how. The reason being is after talking to the Los Angelas branch of the Directors Guild of America's Trainee office they state "If an establishment such as UCLA or Columbia University won't accept the degree as valid then there is tremendous question as to whether we will honor it either."
Its actually very disheartening to have put in the work thus far having maintained perfect attendance and a place on the Dean's List since enrollment to find it could all very well be for nothing. James Rader told me when I confronted him about this issue, "Most people don't want to continue on past their Bachelors." That is hardly the point - I was told that the degree could be used in that respect, and that option should be available to any graduate if they so choose.
Jonny
mesa, Arizona
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Al Collins Graphic Design School
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Jramsey
Calexico,California,
U.S.A.
ACCSCT
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, September 21, 2008
I recently graduated from Collins College and applied to be a substitute teacher in my home town. I was living at home to save money and help out with the daunting financial situation that we were having to struggle through. It turns out that the state of CA doesn't recognize the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology(the accrediting body that grants Collins it's accreditation.) But wait, they claim that it's NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED. My friend's I do not doubt it that it is but it must be for it's reputation as a joke, not it's prestige. I didn't lose hope though, apparently you can contact the Accrediting body and ask them to submit an application for recognition to the state of California just like the NCA did(the accrediting body for the University of Phoenix.) I visited the ACCSCT's website and moved onto the "Contact us" section, they displayed a list of executives and such, and i pulled the top three people's emails and sent them an email asking them if they could submit the application I described above. the next day I got three "Failure to send" notifications. Surprise Surprise, I was very much enraged. so is this ACCSCT a real accrediting body? or are they an empty shell to substitute so that CEC's schools can legitimately be up and running?
...Disgrace
Cindy
Riverview,Florida,
U.S.A.
Another CEC student gets ripped off by this company. This company needs to be shut down.
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, July 24, 2004
Cec (Career Education Corp) has many different colleges that they own and from reading this report it seems that some other divisions are shams as well. I attended Ultrasound Diagnostic School (now known as Sanford Brown Institute) which is also owned by CEC. I have posted my report on this site that explains what a joke this school really is and others have also posted their comments.
UDS is accredited by ABHES for their program in Ultrasound and is trying to get accreditation from CAAHEP however, I have found through writing both of these organizations that they do not seem to care what type of schools they accredit. The school lied about everything in my complaint that I addressed to these accrediting agencies and although I can prove all of my allegations and they cannot the agencies closed the investigation.
One of the complaints I made was the rapid turnover of admistration. In the 9 months I attended this school we had 3 presidents, 2 directors of education, and numerous teachers. The school responded that their turnover was no greater than anywhere else, however, in the 4 months that I have been out the president is gone (they are now on number 4) the teacher that was hired for our class in March of 04 is gone and the new director of education they just hired is also gone.
And they say their turnover is no greater than anywhere else. Also, I stated in my complaint that the equipment was outdated and broke often. Their rebuttal was that all of their equipment was maintained on a monthy basis and was state of the art but I received a letter from their new president that new equipment has been purchased to replace the outdated after my complaint had been written.
Myself and 2 other former students (one from the year before me, and one from 3 years before me )are presently pursuing a class action lawsuit against CEC. This will not be the only time they have been sued. Some former students in Pennsylvania sued them in 1995 and won a judgement for 7 million. The judge stated that this school was a sham.
Also, they presently have several lawsuits pending from investors for security violations. This school (company) is bad news. Before enrolling in any college check to see if they are owned by CEC because if they are RUN don't walk to the nearest exit.
Cindy
Riverview,Florida,
U.S.A.
Another CEC student gets ripped off by this company. This company needs to be shut down.
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, July 24, 2004
Cec (Career Education Corp) has many different colleges that they own and from reading this report it seems that some other divisions are shams as well. I attended Ultrasound Diagnostic School (now known as Sanford Brown Institute) which is also owned by CEC. I have posted my report on this site that explains what a joke this school really is and others have also posted their comments.
UDS is accredited by ABHES for their program in Ultrasound and is trying to get accreditation from CAAHEP however, I have found through writing both of these organizations that they do not seem to care what type of schools they accredit. The school lied about everything in my complaint that I addressed to these accrediting agencies and although I can prove all of my allegations and they cannot the agencies closed the investigation.
One of the complaints I made was the rapid turnover of admistration. In the 9 months I attended this school we had 3 presidents, 2 directors of education, and numerous teachers. The school responded that their turnover was no greater than anywhere else, however, in the 4 months that I have been out the president is gone (they are now on number 4) the teacher that was hired for our class in March of 04 is gone and the new director of education they just hired is also gone.
And they say their turnover is no greater than anywhere else. Also, I stated in my complaint that the equipment was outdated and broke often. Their rebuttal was that all of their equipment was maintained on a monthy basis and was state of the art but I received a letter from their new president that new equipment has been purchased to replace the outdated after my complaint had been written.
Myself and 2 other former students (one from the year before me, and one from 3 years before me )are presently pursuing a class action lawsuit against CEC. This will not be the only time they have been sued. Some former students in Pennsylvania sued them in 1995 and won a judgement for 7 million. The judge stated that this school was a sham.
Also, they presently have several lawsuits pending from investors for security violations. This school (company) is bad news. Before enrolling in any college check to see if they are owned by CEC because if they are RUN don't walk to the nearest exit.
Cindy
Riverview,Florida,
U.S.A.
Another CEC student gets ripped off by this company. This company needs to be shut down.
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, July 24, 2004
Cec (Career Education Corp) has many different colleges that they own and from reading this report it seems that some other divisions are shams as well. I attended Ultrasound Diagnostic School (now known as Sanford Brown Institute) which is also owned by CEC. I have posted my report on this site that explains what a joke this school really is and others have also posted their comments.
UDS is accredited by ABHES for their program in Ultrasound and is trying to get accreditation from CAAHEP however, I have found through writing both of these organizations that they do not seem to care what type of schools they accredit. The school lied about everything in my complaint that I addressed to these accrediting agencies and although I can prove all of my allegations and they cannot the agencies closed the investigation.
One of the complaints I made was the rapid turnover of admistration. In the 9 months I attended this school we had 3 presidents, 2 directors of education, and numerous teachers. The school responded that their turnover was no greater than anywhere else, however, in the 4 months that I have been out the president is gone (they are now on number 4) the teacher that was hired for our class in March of 04 is gone and the new director of education they just hired is also gone.
And they say their turnover is no greater than anywhere else. Also, I stated in my complaint that the equipment was outdated and broke often. Their rebuttal was that all of their equipment was maintained on a monthy basis and was state of the art but I received a letter from their new president that new equipment has been purchased to replace the outdated after my complaint had been written.
Myself and 2 other former students (one from the year before me, and one from 3 years before me )are presently pursuing a class action lawsuit against CEC. This will not be the only time they have been sued. Some former students in Pennsylvania sued them in 1995 and won a judgement for 7 million. The judge stated that this school was a sham.
Also, they presently have several lawsuits pending from investors for security violations. This school (company) is bad news. Before enrolling in any college check to see if they are owned by CEC because if they are RUN don't walk to the nearest exit.
Cindy
Riverview,Florida,
U.S.A.
Another CEC student gets ripped off by this company. This company needs to be shut down.
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, July 24, 2004
Cec (Career Education Corp) has many different colleges that they own and from reading this report it seems that some other divisions are shams as well. I attended Ultrasound Diagnostic School (now known as Sanford Brown Institute) which is also owned by CEC. I have posted my report on this site that explains what a joke this school really is and others have also posted their comments.
UDS is accredited by ABHES for their program in Ultrasound and is trying to get accreditation from CAAHEP however, I have found through writing both of these organizations that they do not seem to care what type of schools they accredit. The school lied about everything in my complaint that I addressed to these accrediting agencies and although I can prove all of my allegations and they cannot the agencies closed the investigation.
One of the complaints I made was the rapid turnover of admistration. In the 9 months I attended this school we had 3 presidents, 2 directors of education, and numerous teachers. The school responded that their turnover was no greater than anywhere else, however, in the 4 months that I have been out the president is gone (they are now on number 4) the teacher that was hired for our class in March of 04 is gone and the new director of education they just hired is also gone.
And they say their turnover is no greater than anywhere else. Also, I stated in my complaint that the equipment was outdated and broke often. Their rebuttal was that all of their equipment was maintained on a monthy basis and was state of the art but I received a letter from their new president that new equipment has been purchased to replace the outdated after my complaint had been written.
Myself and 2 other former students (one from the year before me, and one from 3 years before me )are presently pursuing a class action lawsuit against CEC. This will not be the only time they have been sued. Some former students in Pennsylvania sued them in 1995 and won a judgement for 7 million. The judge stated that this school was a sham.
Also, they presently have several lawsuits pending from investors for security violations. This school (company) is bad news. Before enrolling in any college check to see if they are owned by CEC because if they are RUN don't walk to the nearest exit.
Eric
Mesa,Arizona,
U.S.A.
some information pertaining to this report
#8Consumer Comment
Fri, July 23, 2004
just so it can be known, the flame system was only recently acquired, say within the past 5 months, i couldn't give an exact date, but certainly after spring of 2004.
J.
Tempe,Arizona,
U.S.A.
very glad to hear that students that have been mistreated are taking action!
#8UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, October 30, 2003
I am a former employee of Collins College and am very glad to hear that students that have been mistreated are taking action! I just have one suggestion; think bigger! Don't just send letters to Collins employees send them to CEC corporation, the company that owns Collins College. Sending your letters on a local level will never make it to the people who matter, trust me I know! Also, I've noticed that Collins is listed as "in good standing" at the Better Business Bureau. Write letters to them too. If enough people complained things could change. I have my own grievances with Collins College for what I call the "year of hell" when I worked there but can only imagine what it is like to have put so much time, energy and money into being a student there. As for blaming the reps for the mess, you might remember that someone is training these people to lie and paying them insane amounts of money to do so. Would'nt you do the same? Put yourself in their shoes. Consider that the President and half the staff quit during the year that I was there. Look instead at the people that are turning the wheels, the corporate officers. Also, save records of anything said, ask fellow students to write and sign statements telling their stories and forward copies of these to CEC as well. Only students can change things because they are the ones that pay the bills. They need to know what is going on! Good luck!