Complaint Review: University of Phoenix - Phoenix Arizona

Actually, I've seen the New Your Times quotes in quite a few posts regarding the University of Phoenix rip-off complaints (hmmm...). And with a little bit of critical thought you too can see that my question is valid: what is the rip-off? I would say that it will take a little more evidence than a fine by the DOE to make Dave's counselor up and quit. Poor corporate culture? Perhaps 10,000 employees may be wrong after all...

What's far more reliable is the available evidence out there, such as a U.S. Dept of Education report on UOP recruiting. David, your draw a distinction between mistakes and errors on one hand, and rip-offs. Unfortunately for the UOP, available evidence is not nearly as kind to the UOP as you are. A recent New York Times front page article referred to the U.S. Dept of Education report describing UOP recruiting thusly, that they, "...systematically operate in a duplicitous manner." That report attributed a quote to a high ranking executive at the UOP, '...the Corporate Director of Enrollment stresses the big dollars that come with high enrollments, he characterizes the compensation plan for recruiters as 'smoke and mirrors' so that UOP can 'fly under the radar' of the Department.' That's because UOP's recruiting scheme, according to the Department, was fashoined in a way that broke recruitment rules. This executive was, according to the report, boasting about how the UOP had created a scheme of evasion, thus the term "fly under the radar." If the Dept of Education exists to protect students, and schools are attempting to evade this authority, what happens to students? Now, if this stuff is coming from the mouth of the Corporate Director of Enrollment, what sort of example and culture does this set for the rank and file? Does this set an example of integrity and honesty, or for the opposite? Is it wise to associate with such an organization?

I suppose I'm new to mistakes or internal problems being a "rip off" in today's standards. First of all, if I understand the U.S. educational models, financial aid is a service that a university offers on behalf of students and financial institutions. Please correct me if I'm wrong. The financial institution pays the university, you pay the financial institution. You are responsible for staying on top of your financial obligations. Never let a University or another institution handle your obligations. With that out of the way, a problem in the service is not a rip-off. I recently bought furntiture and the company delivered the wrong set of furniture last week. A rip off? No, a mistake. A month ago, I was double-charged a dinner on my VISA by a restaurant. A rip off? No, an internal problem. If you are expecting a flaw-free experience with any organization then you are expecting too much. Every company is going to have quitters that walk out the door and leave a mess for the organization. But a rip-off? I would say that when this happens, first breath deeply then contact who you need to contact to fix the problem. A rip-off implies a deliberate act on the behalf of an institution.