Dick
Hazleton,#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.