"Career assistance services are provided from the date of admission and continue beyond graduation. These services include planning careers, completing job applications, preparing cover letters and resumes, interview techniques, and more. "

This is stated on the school website. Of course this is a false claim! When sat with the admissions rep before I decided to attend this college, I asked if I could transfer to a public university such as University of Central Florida. Her response was, " Of course honey, you can do anything with your degree after you graduate and we have a career placement representative that will help you find a job." Wow! Completely astonished and so was my mother which also was present.

After the 18 months, I did recieve my diplma.(an associates in criminial justice) Guess what? I was also sitting in the career assistance office, with a very unkind lady. She repeatedly said, " Sorry look for jobs yourself. I can't help you with that. All I can do is give you websites. Go on careerbuilder and search." I really wish I was exaggerating. I am not.

Three years later, I sit in front of this computer typing a rip off report because, not only can I do nothing with the degree and do not have a job, the school is not regionally accreditated. lol Oh, and this is the best part. I have to go valencia and go for an A.A degree just so I can go to UCF. I know what your thinking, " Oh that's not that bad, some credits will transfer". Wrong again! The teaching methods at florida technical college are so horrible that, not only are they not accredited, but none of the general classes I took at FTC even come close to the classes offered at VCC. Which means, I have to start all over. From scratch.

I even have to take a computerized placement test in oder to be placed into a college level course. Basically, I am starting fresh like a college freshman out of high school! Not to mention the the 24k from the student loans. Isn't that refreshing? ;)

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Florida Technical College

8 Updates & Rebuttals

FTC is a waste of time and money

Florida,

I'm in the same boat.

#2Consumer Suggestion

Mon, December 16, 2013

I've filed with the BBB and FL Dept of Ag. Maybe if enough of complain we can bring this to the State's attention.

https://csapp.800helpfla.com/CSPublicApp/Complaints/FileComplaint.aspx

http://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/schools-academic-colleges-and-universities/florida-technical-college-in-orlando-fl-1045282

FTC is a waste of time and money

Florida,

I'm in the same boat.

#3Consumer Comment

Mon, December 16, 2013

I've filed with the BBB and FL Dept of Ag. Maybe if enough of complain we can bring this to the State's attention.

https://csapp.800helpfla.com/CSPublicApp/Complaints/FileComplaint.aspx

http://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/schools-academic-colleges-and-universities/florida-technical-college-in-orlando-fl-1045282

RVHO

Lynn,
Massachusetts,
United States of America

Lies.. Waste of money and time!

#4Consumer Comment

Sun, March 25, 2012

I totally agree! They are a ripoff. I went there back in 03 for their MA program that they just had started and the recruiter lied to me along with a few other girls wanting to pursue a career in the nursing field that they would have an RN program that we can bridge over to once they have that program available. I first went in and checked the school out and then called days later to tell her that I'm not interested in becoming an MA and would like to check out FCCJ's nursing program and she lied and told me that they too will be having an RN program and I can also get my degree. I didn't find out until about a year or more after I've already started going that it was a lie. One girl dropped out and started all over again at FCCJ because she found out it was a lie. A few of the other girls stayed since they've already put so much time and effort into the program and into getting their degree.

When I first started, it was all so easy! Got A's in every course but Economics and had one course until I needed to complete the whole program but I was already getting paid more than what MA's make! I had hopes of becoming a nurse one day, not an MA and to find out that my credits were non-transferrable when I did my research and that there was no such thing as an RN program I can bridge over to, I was furious! I even filed a complaint to the Dept of Education and FTC lied to them and said that I always left early which was originally my complaint about the professors letting us leave hours early every day and they said I barely attended school which was a lie! Why would I want to pay 24k to not attend school? That was a lie! I was early everyday and was excited to be at school everyday, otherwise, I wouldnt have made the decision of pursuing an education in nursing! They even went as far as changing my transcripts to say I was doing poorly in school! I worked full time and went straight to school afterwards from 6-9, Mon-Thurs. Now what dummy that slacked in school would want to do that? I don't have money to burn like that. I had 2 kids, I would never enroll in school only to waste money! I was going to school so I can make more money in the future. Why else?!

I know a few of the girls that felt the same way I did. Now, I am stuck with this huge debt that wasn't worth it and didn't finish school because it wasn't worth it. The recruiter, I'm not sure what happened to her. Her name was Nicole. I know she left months after I started. I'm not sure if she got fired or quit and my professor left months after as well. That school is very unorganized and they shouldn't be telling lies just to get students in. There's not one day that I don't regret going there but I did. I'm an ambitious person with 2 kids. A degree in medical assisting and science won't do anything for me. Just to think, if I just stuck to my plan and went to FCCJ, didn't believe the lies they told me, I could be nursing right now with years of experience. I've worked in the medical field for 7 years and nursing was something I really wanted to do but cant. I've invested time to going to school and getting good grades for absolutely nothing.

RICKYF

United States of America

Untransferrable Credits

#5Consumer Comment

Fri, March 23, 2012

I agree with all of you, I went to FTC in 2000 when it use to be by Semoran BLVD. Yes everyone at that school are trained to rip students off. Unfortunatly, there is no one who will guide them in the correct path. When they show up to their school, the lead all the students to believe that their school is the greatest thing in Florida, and well, we all fall for it. They also did tell me their credits are transferrable, and you can persue a BS. degree starting at their school. What they don't say is they are accredited by an organization that does not accredit major state universities like UCF, FSU, UF. As far as transferrability, they claim their credits transfer, and they told me that to my face. I don't remember the registars name but, she was an older lady with curly white hair and worked in the time of 1999-2001. I asked her point blank to her face "If I go to UCF will my credits transfer?" she said yes. I don't think its fair that students are put between a rock and a hard place. But unfortunatly, we dont know what else we should do, even 10 years later I have a debt of $18,000 in college loans that I haven't paid because of bad times. I ended up having to go to valencia community college and like all of you HAD TO START FROM SCRATCH. That school has given me nothing but headaches I have nothing to show for what they gave me. I will be trying something soon but I will be keeping you updated. Because needless to say, they should pay for what they did to me. I wasted 3 years (18 months for computers and electronics and 9 months of networking) and ended up having to do the same classes over again. good luck folks. If everyone knows anything that could be done about this please dont hesitate to contact us or reply to this post.
Ricky

FTC STUDENT

Orange City,
Florida,
United States of America

EVEN TOP FTC STUDENTS SCAMMED

#6Consumer Comment

Thu, June 10, 2010

I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS SHORT AND TO THE POINT BECAUSE I HAVE ALREADY WASTED ENOUGH TIME AND MONEY AT FLORIDA TECHNICAL "COLLEGE". I HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY..THEN I CAME TO FLORIDA TECH AND I CAN TELL YOU BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT THIS PLACE IS A SCAM! FROM THE START OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDING ENROLLMENT IT WAS NOTHING BUT FALSE PROMISES ND BLOWING SMOKE. THESE PEOPLE ARE LIKE USED CAR SALESMEN..THEY WILL TELL YOU WHATEVER THEY THINK YOU WANT TO HERE TO GET YOU TO ENROLL SO THEY CAN GET THAT MONEY.

MYSELF ALONG WITH A HANDFUL OF OTHERS WERE TOP STUDENTS. EACH ONE OF US MAINTAINING A 3.5 - 4.0 GPA. ALL OF US WERE TOLD THE SAME "STORY" FROM THE BEGINNING. THEN ONCE WE GRADUATED..WE WERE TOLD AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT STORY. IN ADDITION THEIR CAREER SERVICES DEPT. IS A JOKE...MUCH LIKE THE REST OF THEIR "DEPARTMENTS." THEY CONSTANTLY FIRE TEACHERS OF WHICH ARE ACTUALLY WELL EXPERIENCED AND EDUCATED IN THEIR FIELD. THEN THEY REPLACE THEM WITH UNEDUCATED NO EXPERIENCE TEACHERS SO THAT THEY CAN PUSH THEM AROUND AND PULL THE WOOL OVER THEIR EYES..THESE "TEACHERS" ARE EASIER FOR THEM TO FOOL.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A COLLEGE FIR SO MANY EMPLOYEES IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEY SCAM THEIR STUDENTS...AND THEIR TEACHERS FROM THE BEGINNING. THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL ABOUT COLLECTING MONEY AND NOT ABOUT EDUCATING PEOPLE FOR CAREERS...MUCH LESS HELPING START A CAREER. I KNOW IT'S NOT ME...BECAUSE IF I CAN GET ALL As AT A REGULAR COLLEGE AND ALL As AT FLORIDA TECH...IT'S NOT ME OR MY FELLOW STUDENTS WHO ARE THE SLACKERS.

DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL!! HUGE SCAM!! THEY TREAT YOU LIKE YOU ARE THERE TO SERVE THEM...NOT THEM SERVE YOU. THEY ARE DISRESPECTFUL TO THEIR STUDENTS AND THEY TALK TO YOU AS IF YOU'RE IN A MILITARY ACADEMY OR SOMETHING. NOT AT ALL LIKE A REAL UNIVERSITY OR EVEN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE. TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SCAMMERS!! SHYSTERS!! USED CAR SALESMEN!!!

Report Attachments

Jeanski

Hamburg,
New York,
U.S.A.

follow up

#7Consumer Comment

Wed, April 21, 2010

The school has periodic reviews from its accrediting agency. You can go to the agency's website and probably find a way to file a formal complaint. You could also trying being really bold, and having a talk with the career counselor at FTC. Show her the student handbook (or college catalog, or their website) where it outlines what you said in the previous post. Tell her very specifically what you would like help with. If she blows you off, ask her who she reports to, and talk to him/her.

It could be they're just totally incompetent. That sucks, but it's not that uncommon in any profession to have some bad apples.

Anonymous

Orlando,
Florida,
United States of America

Still a phony school

#8Author of original report

Wed, April 21, 2010

Thank you so much for the information provided above. My main issue technically was, they claim to provide career placement assistance before or right after graduation. They also tells students they can further their career as to applying to UCF right after. They also never stated in the enrollment contract, or whatever its called -- that they were only nationally accreditated. Basically, they falsely claim upon entering, your credits will transfer to a well known public institution because this is a "legit school", and we will make sure you walk out of FTC with a career. Guaranteed!

A job placement specialist assist students and graduates in determining qualifications and eligibility for employment referrals based on education, experience, and skills. Conduct comprehensive tracking of graduates; compile statistical reports. prepare graduate follow- up reports. Provide student career advising, schedule workshops and make class and community presentations for small groups or individuals. Develop job placement sites and job referral contacts. ( I was given careerbuilder ) Assist with preparation of resumes, job searches, interview techniques. The list can go on...

I think any institution should not go as far as claiming they do provide a certain service for the alumni(stated on their site), when factly they don't. And don't even have certified staff. Does the department of education even conduct any type of investigations on these phony schools?

Jeanski

Hamburg,
New York,
U.S.A.

Response

#9Consumer Suggestion

Wed, April 21, 2010

Sounds like a really bad experience :-(

FTC is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Otherwise you would not have been able to get student loans (assuming they were federal, and not private, loans). This accreditation is not really held in high regard among traditional colleges which is why you can't transfer credits.

However, there is one solution that may help you. Check out your local community college for their testing center, and see if they offer CLEP/DANTES exams. These exams are recognized everywhere, and, assuming you pass, can award credit for the basic courses and then some. There is a fee for each exam but it's much less than tutition and the passing score will transfer to any college. It will also save you considerable time.

If you don't pass the CLEPs, then FTC didn't do you any favors and you may have to just live with it. I hate to sound cruel, but these for-profit schools are taking advantage of a lot of students. I hope someone learns from your unfortunate mistake.

Good luck in your educational pursuits.

Reports & Rebuttal