Kaplan University Kaplan is in such desperate needs for funds they can't refund $45 Boca Raton, Florida
I too wised up before registering for classes at Kaplan University. The first real clue to me that something wasn't quite right was when I took their KU Academic Readiness Assessment test. Supposedly there are 30 questions and they allow you 8 minutes to take the test. They state at the beginning of the test that they do not expect you to answer all questions in the alotted time.
The following day after taking the test I spoke with my admissions advisor Nancy Rothman who asked me how many of the questions did I answer. I told her that I didn't pay attention to the number of questions being answered but I was paying more attention to the 8 minute timer. She said I got 26 correct. I knew without a doubt that I did not answer any where near 26 questions. If she knew how many I had correct why did she not know how many I answered??? She transferred me to the class advisor who could not register me for classes because the test results (whom Nancy had access to) strangely enough the class advisor did not have ready access to. A return call was scheduled for 1:00 PM the next day. The time came and went and no call. I called the class advisor myself and she pretended she had to go into a "staff meeting" and said she would call back. Never called.
On Feb 26 I sent emails to the admissions advisor, class advisor and financial aid office at Kaplan that I was un-enrolling and that I desired a refund of the $45 deposit I paid. I also sent certified letters to all three persons at both the Boca Raton, FL location and the Davenport, IA location. So far I have not encountered any further harassments from Kaplan.
However, now I am having difficulty getting the $45 refund I requested in my emails and certified letters. I called Kaplan today and after being transferred 4 times, I finally spoke with a man in student records who asked me to hold a moment while he checked into it and then promptly hung up on me. I called back and and spoke with "Tim" in Registrar who said I didn't need to speak with Student Records and gave me a phone number to Elizabeth Twells. When I called the number he gave me it went right to voice mail with no announcement as to whose voice mail I received.
My next step is to send a demand letter via registered letter. If no results are obtained I will join any and all class action law suits that any one may be considering or are in the process of filing.
My heart goes out to others who have gone through classes at Kaplan and are out thousands of dollars and no degree to show for it.
Wised up in time!
White Pigeon, Michigan
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Dick
Hazleton,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
You're lucky that they only got you for $45!
#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 26, 2009
I contacted Kaplan sometime ago as did some other people that I know that were looking for higher education. The people we spoke to sounded fairly professional but also a lot like used car salesmen. Lately I found out that the Admission Advisors (AA) are in fact salespeople who go through two weeks of training to learn how to strong arm potential students.
When I called in, the AA was initially friendly and established rapport (part of her sales training no doubt) and after talking with me for awhile tried to close me on a $60,000+ course. This agent (AA) also tried desperately to get me to put down $1500, not just the $45 deposit required. She said that this would prove that I am serious and would possibly enhance my chances of getting accepted.
When I asked if I was turned down for any reason, would my $1500 be refunded. She himmed and hawed, dropped her voice and said "Yes" but I found out later, that Kaplan does not refund deposits. I also found out that these initial deposits count as points towards bonuses for the (AA). No wonder they wanted me to put so much down and push these deposits so much!
The other thing was that I noticed much yelling and cheering in the background, it sounded like a boiler room call center.
In another regard, I have called employers and asked them if they accept online degrees from schools like Kaplan and they indicate that while they do, they prefer the old fashioned on campus like study. They are also leary about schools like Kaplan that accept students based on a GED or High School Diploma. They prefer students who have done it the old fashioned way, take a SAT, go to school, sit in class, take monitored tests and graduate.
One final point: for Online classes, the prices for these courses is inflated. No way is worth that much. No wonder Kaplan is the most profitable and fastest growing company owned by the Washington Post.
My advice, bypass Kaplan and go to real school then get a real job.