- Report: #442282
Complaint Review: Lincoln College Of Technology LTI Lincoln Tech Instutite - Grand Prairie Texas
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Lincoln College Of Technology LTI Lincoln Tech Instutite
2915 Alouette Dr. Grand Prairie, 75052 Texas, U.S.A.
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Lincoln Technical Instutite, LTI, Lincoln College Of Technology It's a SCAM, A $23,400.00 SCAM,YES $23,400.00 Grand Prairie Texas
PLEASE READ: I KNOW THAT THIS IS LONG, but there is alot that needs to be known about this place. Lincoln Tech, Lincoln College of Technology, LTI, whatever you want to call it doesn't matter, IT'S A SCAM!!! What should you really know before you spend your hard earned money or your child's future hard earned money on attending this school.
First, allow me to give a little info about myself. I am not a 18 year old kid that is mad at the school, I myself am a 31 year old that loves working on cars that decided after spending 8 years traveling and living out of a suitcase and hotel room that it was time to start over and begin a new career that would allow me to spend more time at home with my family. In comes Lincoln College of Technology (the only school in North Texas that offered an accredited ASE course program).
Now when I first attended a walkthrough with a recruiter I was given the royal treatment, was taken into classrooms to be shown all of the " trainers " ( these are in all of the classrooms, boards set up to simulate a component or series of components on a vehicle). I was even taken out behind the school to be shown all of the trainer vehicles that were also available to be trained with and worked on by students. Of course listened to the recruiter talk up the school for a couple of hours during the walkthrough and tried to dismiss about half of what was being said and take the other half with a grain of salt.
I had taken the time to do a little research of my own about the school that I intended on attending only to learn that not a lot was being said in a positive light about the school but being a grown man I tried to use a little " positive adult thinking " and try to assume that I was going to get out of the school whatever I was willing to put into it. Well when it's all said and done I will have spent $23,400.00 dollars yes, $23,400.00 dollars for an education that very few places will take seriously. For example, the campus that I attend is in Grand Prairie, Texas; across the street from the school is Holt Caterpillar. One would think that for a student attending the diesel program that this would be a great place for the school to build a relationship with and start sending students for jobs. Catapillar doesn't want them, WHY, (my opinion based from what I have heard at the school not only from the students but from the instructors as well)because students in the past that were trying to obtain employment were unable to complete a repair properly, couldn't pass the pre-employment drug screen, couldn't show up to work, etc. Just FYI it's not just Holt, most places in the area look at the school like it's a joke mainly because of the practices that take place at the school by students and instructors alike.
Now here is the part where you want to say well that isn't the school that is the students, and yes that is very true but only to some degree. The problem however is the school has done nothing to help improve it. Now I will go as far to say that in the past year I have seen some changes but not sure that I would be willing to call them improvements. What does this mean to a new attendee, with the exception of a select few the majority of the graduates that actually will start working in the automotive field will start out doing oil changes for a lube shop making 8 or 9 dollars an hour. (The exact same job that the same 18 or 19 year old could walk in and obtain just as easily without spending the money for the piece of paper the school is going to give you upon graduation).
Upon being accepted you're honestly given the impression that you have accomplished something by being accepted by the school. You're given the third degree about how important and serious the school is about providing an education, and about how if accepted then you will be part of the elite so to speak. Your contacts are called and used as character witnesses on your behalf and then you show up the first day and sit though a month or so and start to realize that the things that you're read on the internet really were true.
If you would like a more straight forward response try this one, In order to attend this school it comes out to $18.00 per hour to go to school and sit in the class. I would say that about 95% of the jobs that are obtainable for a fresh graduate are going to pay about half of what you're being charged for the education in the first place. Is there room for advancement sure there is once you become an ASE Master Certified Technician. Not something that you can obtain from this school(ASE certification requires 2 years work experience(this school can be used to cover one year of that requirement) and you have to pass the ASE test in the related area. The school advertises a Master Certified Automotive Technician program (then tells you when you start that you will be taught entry level skills (how does that work?)), leaving out the ASE part because they cannot certify you. That has to be done by taking ASE tests (not available though the school you are simply handed an ASE pamphlet and told that there is the ASE information needed to find out about testing) and by having the 2 years of related job experience.
Now, let's start with the actual courses, for the automotive program (the one that I myself am currently attending) I have upon writing this, completed 11 of the 13 classes, and am currently in my 12. I show up to school, do my work, and pay attention in class (hence myself being able to give such a detailed description of what really goes on here). I maintain 3.9 GPA, no it's not a perfect 4.0 but close.
My first class Intro - a joke let's talk about shop procedures for 20 days, even better let's talk about how the instructor is offering his wife and step daughter to the students like they are a piece of meat. Or how about being instructed about how to start clapping when someone from the front office is approaching the classroom so that he can stop talking about whatever and start talking about something that pertains to class (was honestly told to do this in an effort to keep the instructors out of trouble with the front office personnel, this is the honest truth). Was given my school provided work wear and tools in this class, consisting of 5 pairs of work pants(that even having the correct size labeled on them didn't fit - and good luck on getting them replaced - quickly found out that it was much easier to simply go out on my own and purchase pants that actually fit). OH, if you don't were work pants to class then you're not in line with the dress code and you're sent home. 5 Shirts, a pair of safety glasses, a multimeter, and the school issued tool box (a $300.00 value with a $1000.00 price tag)
Now I could sit here and talk about the rest of the classes about the same way as my intro class however, I kinda think that you get the idea. Now in all fairness not all of the classes were this way......JUST MOST! Now here is where I tell you to listen to what you have read not just from myself but all of the other reports on the internet and find another option for an education but I know that most people have to see it to believe it ( I myself are one of those individuals).
I can sit here from personal experience and tell you that I first hand was told on multiple occasions by instructors that it was ok for me to work under a vehicle that was on a lift knowing that the safety latches were out of order.(lift shouldn't have been in service in the first place). The trainers that were mentioned earlier, most of them look new because the students are required to clean them daily ( gotta have things in tip top shape at all times for the sake of recruiters that are trying to sell the program) Just FYI, most of those trainers that were pointed out in the beginning DON'T WORK, in fact in 12 months at this school I have worked on 3 of those trainers and on 2 school vehicles, no typo there I really said 2 cars in 12 months, am I lazy, well I have a accumulative GPA of 3.9, you tell me? The fact of the matter is this place is doing nothing more than taking hard earned money from uninformed people and using it to line their pockets.
Now in all fairness the school does use ASE Master Certified Technicians as Instructors. What you will learn (because the instructors will flat out tell you) is that most of them are there for the benefits and not the pay and that it's almost impossible for them to lose their job (need an example). The instructor that I had for automotive manual transmissions and drivelines didn't teach anything (true story). I spend $18.00 per hour to sit in his class. Now these classes are 20 class days long without the weekends and 6 hours per day a class comes out to $1800.00 dollars. So for $1800.00 dollars what did I get, I did get a manual transmission to take apart and reassemble in a group of 5 other people. No for the money that is spent for the class you don't get a training aid of your own you share one with 5 other students (this is the norm in any class with any and all available training aides). When I asked the education supervisor how could one be expected to learn anything when 6 people are trying to disassemble and reassemble one transmission his response was, " well there just isn't enough room in the class for students to have their own to work on " my response then was how can anything be learned from an instructor that is never in class that is supposed to be responsible for teaching the basics of manual transmissions to 30 students in 20 class days using 5 manual transmissions. The Education Supervisors response was him yelling at me for not bringing this to his attention sooner (how can something be done about it if I don't know is what he said (I was pretty sure he knew but anyway)). This is the same instructor the Edu. Supervisor says to me well I will talk to him and take care of it, he's a good friend of mine and a good instructor and he is going though alot with his divorce and all........OK then if that is truly the case how in the world can this same instructor 6 months later look at his diesel transmissions and drivelines class and tell them that he isn't gonna teach them anything because he is pissed off at the school for making him teach the class that he told them he didn't want to teach(was not actually in the class just heard the same story from most of the people that I knew that were actually in that class). Good thing the Edu. Supervisor did his job huh? Unfortunately, most of the classes are like this, this isn't simply an isolated incident.
Do we want to talk about that job placement that is offered, Holt Catapillar is just one of many(most) automotive and/or diesel businesses that have no interest in Lincoln Tech graduates Why because they know that the education that is received is below second rate. What does this mean? Well, Lincoln Tech prides itself in their job placement so please allow me to break it down for you. The school recently had a job fair,
Here is who was there,
Firestone - Ok not a dealership but at least there looking for technicians, it's a start. (Now I say not a dealership for a couple of reasons 1. I have never seen a dealership in the school trying to recruit anyone and 2. I kinda expected to see someone from a dealership at some point in my time there simply because every classroom that you walk up to with the recruiter and enter the recruiter is very quick to explain how some dealership in the area sponsors that classroom).
Mary Kay Cosmetics - WHY, to recruit people not to work on cars, trucks, tractors, and or semi-trailers but to sell cosmetics - REALLY, yes REALLY!
Chase Bank - Now why in the world would Chase Bank be at an automotive school you ask, well trying to recruit technicians to work on armored trucks right? NOPE, the just want you to open a checking account with them.
Bank of America - SEE CHASE BANK ABOVE
AutoZone - Well were not going to school to work a parts counter but at least it was automotive related.
T/A (Truck stops of America) - One of the school favorites simply because if you have a criminal record then this is the place that assuming you didn't kill anyone you probably have a fairly good opportunity to obtain employment.
Big Job fair huh? Well that is only half of it the other half is this, You're not only told about the JOB BOARD at the school but your encouraged to start there if you're looking for a job (in the field that pertains to your study?, not normally) Like I said the reputation that the school has will local business isn't very good. So, about 80% to 90% of the jobs that are listed are crap that the career services pulled out of the paper, not jobs that the school really has some kind of inside track on.
Now, how can I forget about the job placement (you maintain a 3.5 GPA and at least 95% attendance your eligible to intern after your 11th class). The intern process goes something as follows: I was given the initial intern packet by the intern coordinator filled it out and turned it back in and then was handed the second packet. Nothing about shops or dealerships in the area that needed employees, but in my second intern packet it was actually in writing that I was suppose to seek the place of my choice and not go and apply for a job but to approach the service manager of the shop or dealership as a representative of Lincoln College of Technology and explain to them the LTI Internship Program (isn't this the Intern Coordinators job?) obtain a business card from the manager and then return to school, hand the card to the Intern Coordinator so that he can then call the shop and try to persuade them to hire you. (SIDE NOTE: The school is aware of its reputation of being less than desirable to most employers so they actually tell you in writing in your intern packet that you will probably have to go to several shops in order to find someone that has an interest in working with you)
The school recently changed from Lincoln Technical Institute to Lincoln College of Technology (yeah). The academics classes that are offered at the school for the associates program are not classes that you're taking from an instructor, these are classes that one of your ASE Master Certified Technician instructors takes you down to a computer lab and sets you in front of a computer so that you can take these classes online, yes ONLINE. These instructors are teaching the Associate Program because they themselves have a degree of some type (in order for an instructor to teach the associate program they themselves must have a degree of some type).
Now there is some good instruction that does come from the instructors at this school it isn't all bad, the problem is that the good instruction isn't enough to overlook all of the bad. This school does what it needs to do in order to get people in the door however that needs to be done. Once your there you simply become another number and another source of income for the school. Please take some time and think about what you want for yourself and/or your child before you step into this place even with one foot.
Just remember this: It takes $23,400.00 dollars to attend the 13 month automotive program at Lincoln Tech. (the recruiter will not tell you that, you don't find that out until you're in the middle of your financial aid paperwork and after you have been pumped up by the recruiter and financial aid enough that you can be persuaded into it). When it's all said and done with your going to wind up with a certificate that isn't work the paper that it's printed on, A tool box that if your lucky hasn't had the tools in it stolen by other students or the entire tool box (that your charged way too much for in the first place, Napa tools are provided because the school has a contract with them and has one located on site at the school). Side note the school does have security cameras in place however in the year that I have attended have known of about 6 or so tool boxes that have been stolen from other students and when the students try to get something done about are typically given the excuse that the tapes were reset for the cameras, that one camera isn't working at the moment, that the person that has to look over the tapes isn't available, that the person that is needed to authorize someone view the tapes isn't there that day, etc. I have starting calling the fourth row of the parking lot the " Drug row " because generally the vehicles that are parked that far out in the parking lot are oddly enough occupied by people that are trying to watch for anyone walking their direction (other students not instructors, the school personal stay out of the student parking lot because they know what goes on, they just don't care). What it boils down to is this, as far as the school is concerned as long as you simply show up and occupy that seat, you will pass. Simply because if you at least show up and sign the sign-out sheet (required by the state in order for the school to receive monies from government financial programs) everyday then the school receives it's money from your financial aid.
I understand that a private establishment as well as most other businesses are in place to make money, but generally an honest business offers a quality service for the money that is spent with them, at Lincoln College of Technology, LTI, Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln Tech Institute, whatever name that they want to go by that week, this simply isn't the case. If you want to make better use of $23,400.00 go to a homeless shelter and buy them an outfit, a fresh hair cut, and a hot meal. That's much better use of your money than to give it to Lincoln Technical Institute.
Hypnotic
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
U.S.A.
First, allow me to give a little info about myself. I am not a 18 year old kid that is mad at the school, I myself am a 31 year old that loves working on cars that decided after spending 8 years traveling and living out of a suitcase and hotel room that it was time to start over and begin a new career that would allow me to spend more time at home with my family. In comes Lincoln College of Technology (the only school in North Texas that offered an accredited ASE course program).
Now when I first attended a walkthrough with a recruiter I was given the royal treatment, was taken into classrooms to be shown all of the " trainers " ( these are in all of the classrooms, boards set up to simulate a component or series of components on a vehicle). I was even taken out behind the school to be shown all of the trainer vehicles that were also available to be trained with and worked on by students. Of course listened to the recruiter talk up the school for a couple of hours during the walkthrough and tried to dismiss about half of what was being said and take the other half with a grain of salt.
I had taken the time to do a little research of my own about the school that I intended on attending only to learn that not a lot was being said in a positive light about the school but being a grown man I tried to use a little " positive adult thinking " and try to assume that I was going to get out of the school whatever I was willing to put into it. Well when it's all said and done I will have spent $23,400.00 dollars yes, $23,400.00 dollars for an education that very few places will take seriously. For example, the campus that I attend is in Grand Prairie, Texas; across the street from the school is Holt Caterpillar. One would think that for a student attending the diesel program that this would be a great place for the school to build a relationship with and start sending students for jobs. Catapillar doesn't want them, WHY, (my opinion based from what I have heard at the school not only from the students but from the instructors as well)because students in the past that were trying to obtain employment were unable to complete a repair properly, couldn't pass the pre-employment drug screen, couldn't show up to work, etc. Just FYI it's not just Holt, most places in the area look at the school like it's a joke mainly because of the practices that take place at the school by students and instructors alike.
Now here is the part where you want to say well that isn't the school that is the students, and yes that is very true but only to some degree. The problem however is the school has done nothing to help improve it. Now I will go as far to say that in the past year I have seen some changes but not sure that I would be willing to call them improvements. What does this mean to a new attendee, with the exception of a select few the majority of the graduates that actually will start working in the automotive field will start out doing oil changes for a lube shop making 8 or 9 dollars an hour. (The exact same job that the same 18 or 19 year old could walk in and obtain just as easily without spending the money for the piece of paper the school is going to give you upon graduation).
Upon being accepted you're honestly given the impression that you have accomplished something by being accepted by the school. You're given the third degree about how important and serious the school is about providing an education, and about how if accepted then you will be part of the elite so to speak. Your contacts are called and used as character witnesses on your behalf and then you show up the first day and sit though a month or so and start to realize that the things that you're read on the internet really were true.
If you would like a more straight forward response try this one, In order to attend this school it comes out to $18.00 per hour to go to school and sit in the class. I would say that about 95% of the jobs that are obtainable for a fresh graduate are going to pay about half of what you're being charged for the education in the first place. Is there room for advancement sure there is once you become an ASE Master Certified Technician. Not something that you can obtain from this school(ASE certification requires 2 years work experience(this school can be used to cover one year of that requirement) and you have to pass the ASE test in the related area. The school advertises a Master Certified Automotive Technician program (then tells you when you start that you will be taught entry level skills (how does that work?)), leaving out the ASE part because they cannot certify you. That has to be done by taking ASE tests (not available though the school you are simply handed an ASE pamphlet and told that there is the ASE information needed to find out about testing) and by having the 2 years of related job experience.
Now, let's start with the actual courses, for the automotive program (the one that I myself am currently attending) I have upon writing this, completed 11 of the 13 classes, and am currently in my 12. I show up to school, do my work, and pay attention in class (hence myself being able to give such a detailed description of what really goes on here). I maintain 3.9 GPA, no it's not a perfect 4.0 but close.
My first class Intro - a joke let's talk about shop procedures for 20 days, even better let's talk about how the instructor is offering his wife and step daughter to the students like they are a piece of meat. Or how about being instructed about how to start clapping when someone from the front office is approaching the classroom so that he can stop talking about whatever and start talking about something that pertains to class (was honestly told to do this in an effort to keep the instructors out of trouble with the front office personnel, this is the honest truth). Was given my school provided work wear and tools in this class, consisting of 5 pairs of work pants(that even having the correct size labeled on them didn't fit - and good luck on getting them replaced - quickly found out that it was much easier to simply go out on my own and purchase pants that actually fit). OH, if you don't were work pants to class then you're not in line with the dress code and you're sent home. 5 Shirts, a pair of safety glasses, a multimeter, and the school issued tool box (a $300.00 value with a $1000.00 price tag)
Now I could sit here and talk about the rest of the classes about the same way as my intro class however, I kinda think that you get the idea. Now in all fairness not all of the classes were this way......JUST MOST! Now here is where I tell you to listen to what you have read not just from myself but all of the other reports on the internet and find another option for an education but I know that most people have to see it to believe it ( I myself are one of those individuals).
I can sit here from personal experience and tell you that I first hand was told on multiple occasions by instructors that it was ok for me to work under a vehicle that was on a lift knowing that the safety latches were out of order.(lift shouldn't have been in service in the first place). The trainers that were mentioned earlier, most of them look new because the students are required to clean them daily ( gotta have things in tip top shape at all times for the sake of recruiters that are trying to sell the program) Just FYI, most of those trainers that were pointed out in the beginning DON'T WORK, in fact in 12 months at this school I have worked on 3 of those trainers and on 2 school vehicles, no typo there I really said 2 cars in 12 months, am I lazy, well I have a accumulative GPA of 3.9, you tell me? The fact of the matter is this place is doing nothing more than taking hard earned money from uninformed people and using it to line their pockets.
Now in all fairness the school does use ASE Master Certified Technicians as Instructors. What you will learn (because the instructors will flat out tell you) is that most of them are there for the benefits and not the pay and that it's almost impossible for them to lose their job (need an example). The instructor that I had for automotive manual transmissions and drivelines didn't teach anything (true story). I spend $18.00 per hour to sit in his class. Now these classes are 20 class days long without the weekends and 6 hours per day a class comes out to $1800.00 dollars. So for $1800.00 dollars what did I get, I did get a manual transmission to take apart and reassemble in a group of 5 other people. No for the money that is spent for the class you don't get a training aid of your own you share one with 5 other students (this is the norm in any class with any and all available training aides). When I asked the education supervisor how could one be expected to learn anything when 6 people are trying to disassemble and reassemble one transmission his response was, " well there just isn't enough room in the class for students to have their own to work on " my response then was how can anything be learned from an instructor that is never in class that is supposed to be responsible for teaching the basics of manual transmissions to 30 students in 20 class days using 5 manual transmissions. The Education Supervisors response was him yelling at me for not bringing this to his attention sooner (how can something be done about it if I don't know is what he said (I was pretty sure he knew but anyway)). This is the same instructor the Edu. Supervisor says to me well I will talk to him and take care of it, he's a good friend of mine and a good instructor and he is going though alot with his divorce and all........OK then if that is truly the case how in the world can this same instructor 6 months later look at his diesel transmissions and drivelines class and tell them that he isn't gonna teach them anything because he is pissed off at the school for making him teach the class that he told them he didn't want to teach(was not actually in the class just heard the same story from most of the people that I knew that were actually in that class). Good thing the Edu. Supervisor did his job huh? Unfortunately, most of the classes are like this, this isn't simply an isolated incident.
Do we want to talk about that job placement that is offered, Holt Catapillar is just one of many(most) automotive and/or diesel businesses that have no interest in Lincoln Tech graduates Why because they know that the education that is received is below second rate. What does this mean? Well, Lincoln Tech prides itself in their job placement so please allow me to break it down for you. The school recently had a job fair,
Here is who was there,
Firestone - Ok not a dealership but at least there looking for technicians, it's a start. (Now I say not a dealership for a couple of reasons 1. I have never seen a dealership in the school trying to recruit anyone and 2. I kinda expected to see someone from a dealership at some point in my time there simply because every classroom that you walk up to with the recruiter and enter the recruiter is very quick to explain how some dealership in the area sponsors that classroom).
Mary Kay Cosmetics - WHY, to recruit people not to work on cars, trucks, tractors, and or semi-trailers but to sell cosmetics - REALLY, yes REALLY!
Chase Bank - Now why in the world would Chase Bank be at an automotive school you ask, well trying to recruit technicians to work on armored trucks right? NOPE, the just want you to open a checking account with them.
Bank of America - SEE CHASE BANK ABOVE
AutoZone - Well were not going to school to work a parts counter but at least it was automotive related.
T/A (Truck stops of America) - One of the school favorites simply because if you have a criminal record then this is the place that assuming you didn't kill anyone you probably have a fairly good opportunity to obtain employment.
Big Job fair huh? Well that is only half of it the other half is this, You're not only told about the JOB BOARD at the school but your encouraged to start there if you're looking for a job (in the field that pertains to your study?, not normally) Like I said the reputation that the school has will local business isn't very good. So, about 80% to 90% of the jobs that are listed are crap that the career services pulled out of the paper, not jobs that the school really has some kind of inside track on.
Now, how can I forget about the job placement (you maintain a 3.5 GPA and at least 95% attendance your eligible to intern after your 11th class). The intern process goes something as follows: I was given the initial intern packet by the intern coordinator filled it out and turned it back in and then was handed the second packet. Nothing about shops or dealerships in the area that needed employees, but in my second intern packet it was actually in writing that I was suppose to seek the place of my choice and not go and apply for a job but to approach the service manager of the shop or dealership as a representative of Lincoln College of Technology and explain to them the LTI Internship Program (isn't this the Intern Coordinators job?) obtain a business card from the manager and then return to school, hand the card to the Intern Coordinator so that he can then call the shop and try to persuade them to hire you. (SIDE NOTE: The school is aware of its reputation of being less than desirable to most employers so they actually tell you in writing in your intern packet that you will probably have to go to several shops in order to find someone that has an interest in working with you)
The school recently changed from Lincoln Technical Institute to Lincoln College of Technology (yeah). The academics classes that are offered at the school for the associates program are not classes that you're taking from an instructor, these are classes that one of your ASE Master Certified Technician instructors takes you down to a computer lab and sets you in front of a computer so that you can take these classes online, yes ONLINE. These instructors are teaching the Associate Program because they themselves have a degree of some type (in order for an instructor to teach the associate program they themselves must have a degree of some type).
Now there is some good instruction that does come from the instructors at this school it isn't all bad, the problem is that the good instruction isn't enough to overlook all of the bad. This school does what it needs to do in order to get people in the door however that needs to be done. Once your there you simply become another number and another source of income for the school. Please take some time and think about what you want for yourself and/or your child before you step into this place even with one foot.
Just remember this: It takes $23,400.00 dollars to attend the 13 month automotive program at Lincoln Tech. (the recruiter will not tell you that, you don't find that out until you're in the middle of your financial aid paperwork and after you have been pumped up by the recruiter and financial aid enough that you can be persuaded into it). When it's all said and done with your going to wind up with a certificate that isn't work the paper that it's printed on, A tool box that if your lucky hasn't had the tools in it stolen by other students or the entire tool box (that your charged way too much for in the first place, Napa tools are provided because the school has a contract with them and has one located on site at the school). Side note the school does have security cameras in place however in the year that I have attended have known of about 6 or so tool boxes that have been stolen from other students and when the students try to get something done about are typically given the excuse that the tapes were reset for the cameras, that one camera isn't working at the moment, that the person that has to look over the tapes isn't available, that the person that is needed to authorize someone view the tapes isn't there that day, etc. I have starting calling the fourth row of the parking lot the " Drug row " because generally the vehicles that are parked that far out in the parking lot are oddly enough occupied by people that are trying to watch for anyone walking their direction (other students not instructors, the school personal stay out of the student parking lot because they know what goes on, they just don't care). What it boils down to is this, as far as the school is concerned as long as you simply show up and occupy that seat, you will pass. Simply because if you at least show up and sign the sign-out sheet (required by the state in order for the school to receive monies from government financial programs) everyday then the school receives it's money from your financial aid.
I understand that a private establishment as well as most other businesses are in place to make money, but generally an honest business offers a quality service for the money that is spent with them, at Lincoln College of Technology, LTI, Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln Tech Institute, whatever name that they want to go by that week, this simply isn't the case. If you want to make better use of $23,400.00 go to a homeless shelter and buy them an outfit, a fresh hair cut, and a hot meal. That's much better use of your money than to give it to Lincoln Technical Institute.
Hypnotic
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
amy
irving,Texas,
United States of America
Rebuttal to ZRAI...
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, July 06, 2010
Zrai...you must not be speaking of the school in Grand Prairie...my husband put blood sweat and tears into that school, he recieved high marks and no job opportunities. We went to your "caring" Dean and all officials and were told rather uncaringly...'sorry'.
Please see my original post...and let me say before anyone says that my husband didn't put anything into his devotion into that school, that he was at school, on time at 7 am, the day AFTER I had my baby by emergency C-section. If thats not dedication I don't know what is....
Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln College Of Technology False advertisements for job placement and/or career services assistance Failed Expectations not met! Grand Prairie Texas
... Lincoln Technical Institute - Florida - AVOID!!!
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Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln College Of Technology
2915 Alouette Dr.
Grand Prairie Texas 75062
U.S.A.
Phone: 903-240-9027
Web Address:
Category: Adult Career & Continuing Education
Submitted: Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Last posting: Saturday, November 07, 2009
To begin with, I would love for the media to interview and do a story on this Technical/Vocational school. In this day and age of recession and loss of job market, false expectations and failure to comply with graduate services would make a great story.
My husband decided to go to Vocational/Technical college to receive a supposedly accredited certificate in order to provide for his family. over 12 years ago, one felony still haunts his employment and he fails to get the job. What 17 year old stupid kids will do. The recruiter named Toni was very positive and stated that many students do have records and have come to the school because the school backs them with the certifications programs and with good character referencing.
Toni also wanted to interview me, stating that many wives/partners were sometimes not supportive or accepting of the demands of a student. I was interviewed very strictly and made sure that I was "on board" to get my husband educated. Regardless of written contract, Toni made it quite clear that job placement was inevitable and easy to acheive in the field of Collision Repair, naming companies like Service Magic that picks up what other top Collision centers didn't hire. My husband signed up and we agreed to the high tuition with the year deferrment.
My husband wasn't the top 4.0 student always, but he was middle or bottom. His ending GPA was above a 3.5 and he was voted shop foreman by his fellow students. My husband even went back to school the first day after the Christams Holidays was over, after I had just had our son. That's how dedicated he was to finishing college.
The next year, in December of 2008, the Collision repair students were called in and told that there were absolutely 100% ZERO jobs available at this time. They offered some of the graduating students the option to become Welding students for extra money of course. My husband couldn't participate because he was not up for graduation in December.
In January, there still were zero jobs available, but there wasn't any alternative classes to get other certifications as was offered the previous months. Graduate and Career services was supposed to schedule an appointment with my husband to sit down and make a resume and go over applications for employment or at least prepare him for job searchability.
1 day to graduation, and my husband had to go down there. They had forgotten to schedule his appointment for Graduate and Career Servicing. I personally did his resume, so that when he handed it to his advisor, she was quite pleased she didn't have to do one.
My husband received one job interview for a painters position in a nice facility. However, the job description failed to include that the employer needed Bi-Lingual. The employer was shocked when he learned that my husband didn't know Spanish. He had made a point to let Lincoln Tech know that he needed this as part of the job requirement. The employer seemed more embarassed than Lincoln Tech career services. The advisor was more of an "oops" sorry! attitude.
We received a letter from our Career Services advisor about 3 months after graduation, congratulating us on recent achievements and she would be happy to be in contact as if he had JUST GRADUATED. We then received one call (I say we, because she also called my phone) about once every two weeks until April 2009.
The calls consisted of "Hi...have you found a job yet?"
"No?" "Ok...nothing here either, let me know when you have one!"
We have stopped paying the high tuition payments because of two reasons.
a. Lincoln Tech failed to live up to its agreements with Graduate and Career placement services....services...I'm not saying they promised him a job, but they did promise to provide better services for career placement
b. We are now reduced to a single family income with 2 children and one vehicle. (The other vehicle was ruined by the supposedly ASE CERTIFIED mechanics at the school, when they installed a brand new clutch improperly and tore up the transmission in my husbands truck)
So, yesterday, August 4th 2009, I hear this disgustingly happy radio advertisment for an open house at Lincoln tech, with its promises of Career pathing and services, so I call. I was told that my recruiter would be calling me and/or my husband because it is in their interest to make sure that my husband has beenin contact.
At 8pm CST that evening, we get a call from our Career services advisor ( NOT the recruiter as I was told) stating that she had been calling us and left messages and have you found a job and here is one, but I've already sent 5 guys to it, and I'm faxing your resume to some place in Ft. Worth..no I don't have the name of it...and good luck! Thats all the jobs we have right now.
I really really hope that they do a story on this school. If the lady wins her lawsuit in New York for her Bachelor's degree not providing her with a job, I would consider suing Lincoln College of Technology for not adhering to the contractual agreements.
Amy
irving, Texas
U.S.A.
Ingersoll
Mesquite,Texas,
U.S.A.
lincoln college of technology is a rip-off
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, March 28, 2010
I worked for this school for several years in the financial aid office as an Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Prior to working for this school I have worked for a number of schools in a number of positions: School Director, Director of Admissions, Assistant Director of Admissions, Admissions representative, Senior Student Account representative, Director of Financial Aid and accepted the position of Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Lincoln since the school director at the time new my background and the current director of financial aid was out due to a heart-attack. I was terminated for reporting violations to the corporate office taking place at the school.
Since I did work at the school - I can verify the information in this complaint is true and I have heard many of the same statements made by other students who have simply walked away and said nothing about their bad expensive experience. I went to classes to get students on a regular basis and the "clapping" this students talks about does indeed take place - it happened to me when entering a number of classrooms to get students. If you want a better education - for a far better price - you can go to your local community college and pay about a 5th of what you would pay for at this school.
The majority of the Admissions staff mislead students about jobs, how much they can make when they graduate, when next classes start (Admissions staff will tell students they do not schedule classes to start until they have enough job orders for those students who would start and then graduate), type of certification the student will receive and what the certification means, these statements made by the "sales" staff are totally false and misleading to the potential new enrolling student. The school has monthly scheduled starts - which are determined by the begining of each year. The "sales" staff is not representing all the facts of what you are going to get if you enroll in the school. The Admissions representative who job is to enroll you will tell you everything and anything necessary to get you to start school - which most will be untrue.
I have witnessed students putting false information on student federal aid applications to gain federal aid funding they would not otherwise be eligible for because they were "coached" by their Admissions representative to do so. The concern is these types of violations can lead to serious sanctions on the school - which can include huge fines to the company, the lose of all federal aid funding to students attending the school and up to and including the school being closed by the Department of Education. The Texas Workforce Commission also has authority in regulating the schools activities - so if you have been riped off by this school - you should report it to the Department of Education, Texas Workforce Commission and OSHA. At this time the school is being investigated by these agencies. I have also filed a law suit against the company for requesting me to perform illegal activities regarding financial aid, I have reported them to OSHA who is currently investigating them for violations of publicly held companies (SOX) and the school is also being investigated by the Department of Education for the federal aid violations and my wrongful termination.
If you are considering enrolling in this school - you should do your research on them, speak to other students while you visit the campus while the "sales" staff member is not with you - insist you want to speak with students while they are on break - since the students hang outside the shop bays during this time. If they will not allow you this opportunity - walk away from the school and do not look back. If you choose to continue then make a trip back to the school and speak with students who are standing around outside of the school on break or leaving classes.
If your enrollment advisor suggest to you anything about information you should put on financial aid forms that does not represent the truth about your situation - do not make this mistake, it is illegal and if the Department of Education determines a student provided false or misleading information - then the student is also subject to fines and possible prison sentence. Do not let these people get you in trouble. Best thing to do is go to your local community college - most of these schools now offer the same types of programs and they are not "for profit companies" as Lincoln College is.
Do your research!!!
stan659
kaufman,Texas,
United States of America
lincoin tech auto school
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, December 19, 2009
i work for a city in texas we hired a young man that worked for us in high school he cleaned the floors and filed paper work he was not allowed to work on veh's after he was done with high school he went to lincoin tech in grand prairie,tx. he graduated from linc tech they gave him a plastic covered diploma.well he comes back to work for the city the boss gives him a brake job on the rear of a f-150 r&r brake shoes and turn the drums very very easy job ok FOUR DAYS later the truck is still in air.and a oil change three hours and another hour to clean up his mess elec problems forget it.if you want to be an auto go to a dealership of a veh that you want to work on go to work there as a service tech there is a big turn over in that area but you can get your foot in the door that way and prove your self to the dealership that you are a good worker the dealership will send you to school and pay you to go before i got this gravy job with the city i worked for ford when i left ford i had 52 certs and 5 masters it did not cost me a penny and ford gave me a car to drive to school we have got to get rid of these ripoff places like lincoin tech this kid paid over $10,000 out of his pocket and the gov paid the rest we are getting ripoff two ways we are paying part of this $10,000 and when this works on our vehs and screws it up.its a ripoff anyway you look at it. and not only is every body getting ripoff its giving other techs a bad rap because of this lincion tech guy can't fix anything. oh one more thing they put plastic on the diploma so you can wipe your butt more than once.up top i said service tech i really ment start off as a oil changer doing a full service.sorry i'm not a compture person.
Zrai
United States of AmericaAn Explanation of the Program
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, December 19, 2009
I would like an opportunity to explain a few things about LTI/Lincoln College of Technology that I don't feel were either understood about the school or about college in general. First, let me state that I do not represent the school in any way and all opinions here are mine.
You mentioned early on that you were likely going to get out of school what you put into it. This is very true. Lincoln is here to provide you with a skill. If you decide to pay attention to the instructors and take the initiative and make sure you practice in lab time, then you will learn something. I know a great deal of the instructors personally and they are extremely talented at their craft. All of them are ASE certified in multiple areas and they are teaching at Lincoln because they love to teach and love what they do.
Some jobs that kids start out with are entry level positions after they graduate from LTI/LCT. This is true of university graduates too. Most of Lincoln's attendees are young and without experience of any kind. When they graduate Lincoln, they have a year of experience and an education that they can put on a resume. So, yes, some kids start out in a lube shop. The difference is that they will progress in experience and they can move upward in their field. No one just out of school without any experience is going to walk into an experienced, high paying job right away. Lincoln is giving students a skill that they can take with them as a foundation in the industry.
As far as ASE certification - when you go through the automotive program, you are learning the curriculum as well as the ASE exam. While you may not be told that specifically, each class makes sure to cover topics so that when you graduate and get your other year of experience (one year is already given to you for attending the program), you can take the test and not have any surprises. Of course Lincoln can't certify you - that isn't how the certification works. Its up to you to sign up for the exam and pass it. Again, even in universities that offer certification programs (MCSE and CCNA programs in computers come to mind), they teach you the material and you later have to sign up for the test and pass it. Its exactly the same. I'm sorry that you don't understand the process. I only wish it was explained to you properly.
You stated that you were sent home for not wearing proper work attire. YUP! That's exactly right. If you don't wear the proper clothing, safety shoes, safety glasses and other required articles, yes - you will be sent home. This is for your protection. If you think its any different in the industry, it isn't. Reputable employers don't want lawsuits because you decided to wear tennis shoes instead of proper footwear. In addition to the program, you are being prepared to work in the industry.
Let's talk about your internship. You stated that your expectation was that career services was supposed to find you an internship. Again, even at universities, it is up to you to find the internship. Also, it is not because employers don't want our graduates that you will have to go to multiple shops. Internships are in place of a class. This means that your boss, not a teacher, would have to take on the added responsibility of keeping your attendance, writing down your progress and work ethic, and basically negotiating a grade on your behalf. A lot of employers don't want to do all that. In fact, interning is a lot of work on both sides and very few places want the hassle - they just want the work done. So, if you want to intern, yes - you need to find the internship. Colleges everywhere are basically the same on this. Lincoln does have a fairly long list of places that have allowed students to intern before. Career Services and the Library have this list available and posted. Lincoln does work with a number of local dealerships and shops in the metroplex and they can provide you with leads to call and ask about interning.
I really wish you had spoken to someone regarding feeling like a number. I can tell you that aside from the instructors, there is a large number of support staff that work long hours (and even work from home) to make sure everything is accomplished for the student. There is a Student Services department in the library that helps with just about anything. They will help a student find an apartment, in-school employment (more so than just handing you a list), will sit down with you and write a resume, or even just talk to you if you've got something going on in your life that's stressing you. Your instructors care a great deal too - about teaching you what they know, as well as their class. They really love what they do. However, they won't force you to learn. Just like it is anywhere else, its up to you to want to learn from them.
Your post mentioned money more than once. The amount of money LCT is asking from each student isn't expensive when you consider the sheer amount of new equipment each student is working on. Lincoln has dozens of cars available to tear apart and repair (as well as the ability to work on your car, other students' cars, and even the staff trusts our instructors and classes to fix their cars). Lincoln's bays have new equipment, lifts, alignment machines - and a myriad of other computerized tools that I don't even know what they do (I am not part of the teaching staff, btw). Any automotive shop will tell you that none of this equipment is cheap. On top of just the equipment, Lincoln also provides you with tools, uniforms, books, and other items. So the cost of tuition is helping you to purchase all of these things, giving you a heads up on the exam, allowing you to work alongside ASE certified instructors, and make contacts. You were absolutely right when you said you get what you put in. The resources are there if you want to utilize them, in my humble opinion.
I do hope that if you have any issues that you will talk with someone. Lincoln has a very caring staff that makes it their priority to help every student that they come in contact with. You can talk with your instructor, the Education Supervisors, the Director of Education, the Dean of Education, and Student Services whenever something isn't quite right. You have quite a large support staff behind you. I wish you the best.
Report Attachments
Ravenslvr
Grand Prairie,Texas,
U.S.A.
rip off
#6Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 03, 2009
i paid a fraction of what you paid and i am a diesel tech. i went to cedar valley and paid maybe 7000 total over the entire course. they also offer you a chance to get certified in Ase areas and r-12. if you dont want diesel they have regular auto.all taught by Ase master techs, at least when i went there
Kwtrucks
Joliet,Illinois,
U.S.A.
You cant expect everything at graduation
#7Consumer Comment
Tue, May 26, 2009
Listen, Unlike most people who went to LTI, I paid cash every month. I worked full time and had to sleep in the parkinglot before classes. The instructors are ase cert. and if you need to lear something beyond the book, you had to ask and get the information you wanted. Everyone there has worked in the field and they can give you all the information you want. I will tell you, I never even opend a hood..no idea how to change oil..I mean I knew zero about engines..less than zero.. I made sure I learned all I could and even worked on cars outside of school... Upon graduation, I landed a job pumping fuel at a ryder rental shop.. from there I got a job at caterpillar... I took a paycut from $11.00 / hr at ryder to $6.00/hr to start as a helper... I worked my way up to journeyman then leadman and left there at $28.00 / hr in 2001. I now do mobile work for a major dealership and will make over $100K this year. but I have put in the time and p[ayed my dues after graduation. Most major diesel repair facilities here have an employee that went to lincoln tech or UTI... but they all started out at the bottom !
