South University Review-My experience

**curlyfries** · 07-29-2008, 10:21 PM

Greetings,
I'm new to this site and need to vent a little. Working on my RN-BSN. I was searching online and sent out for some info. on schools. South University called me. Gave me a spill on the courses were only 5 weeks, no clinical, no tests, all papers, sounded great. I told them I could not start unitl the fall semester 2008. Well, the sales pitch got heavy. Admissions guy said I could start within a couple of days and they would give me an easy class to start off with. I said I really couldn't and that I had a vacation scheduled at the end of the 5 weeks. His name was Arthur. Art told me that the instructor would work with me on my assignments since I would be on vacation. Well they didn't. I still at least got a B. Then I go on and get scheduled for a nursing class. Well I had taken that class before. My adviser tells me that the upper level BSN classes I took a couple of years ago were not transferable. I was never told that when I interviewed. I also paid $25 for them to get my transcripts. This was to make the admisision process easy. I thought great, I don't like doing all that. Now they (Stephanie) are telling me I can't sign up for next semester because they don't have all my transcripts, which I paid them to get, and now at the last minute and after 2 mos. they all off a sudden are telling me they don't have. On top of that, since I can't get registered for next semester I now all of sudden am not going to get my student loan, which was approved and awarded months ago and I have to now come up with the money to pay them for the classes I have already taken.
Please learn from my mistakes. It's not about academics anymore, it's about money.

**danahayes** · 10-13-2008, 07:43 PM

I am so sorry! I'm actually just starting in South University, but after looking onto it and other schools I realized that it was a bad idea. There were so many red flags, and yes they push you into getting enrolled no matter what you argue. After this first class I'm out and going to a community college where I live.

**sampop** · 04-14-2009, 01:50 PM

Since you don't know the business, I don't expect you to know this off hand, but for future reference…
First of all, NO SCHOOL can tell you what is or is not going to transfer for sure without your official transcript review. Any school that says otherwise is either lying or guessing. So, the fact that the admissions representative did not tell you that your higher level classes could not transfer in the interview was them being professional.
Secondly, when getting a hold of your transcripts, it’s up the OTHER school to give them to the school you are transferring to. No school can control how fast or efficient another school is at sending transcripts. If you were doing it yourself, not only would you have to travel to the school but you would also be paying up to $50 per transcript! So, the fact that South did not have your transcripts after so long (and if you read your application agreement you would know this) it is ultimately YOUR responsibility to make sure the transcripts are able to be gotten! Also, if you ever went to a ground university, you would have been doing EVERYTHING yourself with little luck getting a hold of anyone if you get confused.
So, this so called “bad experience” you had was mainly caused by ignorance on your part. So, I do apologize, but your input was like telling a doctor that he did an operation wrong because recovery hurt…
If you were dissatisfied, you should have done more research or asked more questions, because it is your responsibility as a student to know what you are talking about… especially when other ignorant students are going to look at your opinion.

**JP2009** · 08-27-2009, 05:59 PM

Greetings,

I have to disagree with you. I went through the process and found South University provide an Outstanding level of service while making the application and earning my Bachelor's degree through their school. I would recommend them 10 times out of 10 for anyone looking to obtain their schooling for a nursing program. Their school and instructors are absolutely Fabulous!!!

**smclendon70** · 09-08-2009, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by JP2009

Greetings,

I have to disagree with you. I went through the process and found South University provide an Outstanding level of service while making the application and earning my Bachelor's degree through their school. I would recommend them 10 times out of 10 for anyone looking to obtain their schooling for a nursing program. Their school and instructors are absolutely Fabulous!!!

And I would have to disagree with you! I am no longer a student at South University Online to due to scam-like practices. As the first poster said, the rep. gives a sales pitch and promises things that they never intend to fulfill. They also make it hard for you to transfer credits that would transfer to any other reputable school in the system. Then they try to charge you for classes never taken. Their financial aid office is hard to reach by phone except when they are begging you for a non-existent payment. I would not advise anyone to go their without doing their research first, as there are many other options to getting a degree (I would first look into schools local to your area). Also, make sure you understand the difference between private and public schools; most private schools are unnecessarily expensive, why be in debt when you can go to a good local schools for thousands of dollars less! I hope someone reads this and learns from the mistakes of others...

**smclendon70** · 09-08-2009, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by sampop

Since you don't know the business, I don't expect you to know this off hand, but for future reference…
First of all, NO SCHOOL can tell you what is or is not going to transfer for sure without your official transcript review. Any school that says otherwise is either lying or guessing. So, the fact that the admissions representative did not tell you that your higher level classes could not transfer in the interview was them being professional.
Secondly, when getting a hold of your transcripts, it’s up the OTHER school to give them to the school you are transferring to. No school can control how fast or efficient another school is at sending transcripts. If you were doing it yourself, not only would you have to travel to the school but you would also be paying up to $50 per transcript! So, the fact that South did not have your transcripts after so long (and if you read your application agreement you would know this) it is ultimately YOUR responsibility to make sure the transcripts are able to be gotten! Also, if you ever went to a ground university, you would have been doing EVERYTHING yourself with little luck getting a hold of anyone if you get confused.
So, this so called “bad experience” you had was mainly caused by ignorance on your part. So, I do apologize, but your input was like telling a doctor that he did an operation wrong because recovery hurt…
If you were dissatisfied, you should have done more research or asked more questions, because it is your responsibility as a student to know what you are talking about… especially when other ignorant students are going to look at your opinion.

What schools make you pay $50 for a slip of paper? The most I have ever paid for a transcript is $5!

**themrs1999** · 09-23-2009, 06:20 PM

You know, I really had a positive experience with the application process, but once I told them that I would not be attending their school they ignored me. They went a head and mailed books to me the admissions rep (Jennifer) did not cancel my application. Plus I had not agreed to the financial aid nor submitted all of the forms needed. I keep calling and they keep ignoring me I just want the to cancel everything before I register for my classes at another college.

**natrem** · 11-10-2009, 06:00 AM

does anyone know a good or easy nursing school to get in that does not requires and entrance test. I am also willing to relocate. Also can anyone give some info about south university. what is there passing rate and does alot of students drop out of their nursing program. I am trying to get in the spring semester and if its bad I dont want to waste my time.

**sola** · 01-19-2010, 09:00 PM

I was in South University for about a year and realized it was not a good afterall. Some of the Teachers are really good but some are just not worth it which happens in all schools. But in South University, I submitted an Assignment leaving out my references once and I was told that I had done it repeatedly and was sanctioned for this reason, no pleading process, no proof of me quoting over and over again. They are absolutely ridiculos and when I complained, they sent a back-dated letter to act like they had responded to me earlier. I had issues that I cannot explain, they literally lie!!!

**todd123** · 02-14-2010, 10:20 AM

Sola, I have to agree with you on some of the things that South University has done. The problems I have incurred do not have to do with money either. The problems I have to do with are instruction problems and what they have done. When you have a particular idea or view that is non conformance with what the professor is asking the question is deemed incorrect thinking even if itis based on opinion. I have problems with sanctioned and progressive thinking which directs a specific point of view base on opinion. When principals of intellect are shadowing the creativity of a student and telling them a particular opinion is not valid simply because it is not the view of the facilitator it is censorship .On your comment about post dated letters I believe this has happened to me as well with a billing procedure now that I think of it. I have found that I was going to go to a different university to move on to graduate school and 2 days before I was to leave I found a letter in my in box changing policy on how the loans were billed to the fasfsa. Very confusing way to change policy and very convenient considering I was to withdraw 2 days prior. I find that coincidence in this case to be a little to convenient. It sounds as though they were judging my desire for different classes as a bad thing. I have no choice to complete the degree I am pursuing.

I have decided that the actions of the professors at south are on the fence with regard to students needs and the support which is in the pitch they give in some cases and classes is simply not there.I realize that all needs of students cannot be met completely ,however I think that this needs to be improved and addressed as a concern by the people in charge at South University.

**icurn1967** · 02-18-2010, 06:50 PM

Hi to everyone,
I am new to this thread and was reading your comments on South University and just wanted to post what has happened to me regarding this school. I have spoke with an advisor with the school about their Master program for Acute Care Nurse Practioner and everything sounded great, could do at it my own pace and it is online. Paid the 50.00 processing fee for admissions, get transcripts sent and financial aid in order and working on the other items they wanted. Thinking everything was good, I get a call today and I mean today that they have suspended their nurse practioner program, and they are sorry, not really able to give me a reason as to why, wanted me instead to go into their master of nursing education program, the core classes are the same they said and they would pay for my first set of books for my inconvience. I told them that was not what I wanted to do and their reply was to think about it and let them know. ANY SUGGESTIONS????

**bobevans** · 02-19-2010, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by icurn1967

Hi to everyone,
I am new to this thread and was reading your comments on South University and just wanted to post what has happened to me regarding this school. I have spoke with an advisor with the school about their Master program for Acute Care Nurse Practioner and everything sounded great, could do at it my own pace and it is online. Paid the 50.00 processing fee for admissions, get transcripts sent and financial aid in order and working on the other items they wanted. Thinking everything was good, I get a call today and I mean today that they have suspended their nurse practioner program, and they are sorry, not really able to give me a reason as to why, wanted me instead to go into their master of nursing education program, the core classes are the same they said and they would pay for my first set of books for my inconvience. I told them that was not what I wanted to do and their reply was to think about it and let them know. ANY SUGGESTIONS????

Hi Icurn,

Universities have the right to add or remove programs at their descretion. If SUO is no longer adding students to the NP program, cancel your application and go somewhere else where that specialization is currently offered. From what I understand, the NP specialization is being phased out over the next few years and will be replaced by a doctoral level certification. You omitted the fact that you were also offered a full refund of your $50 application fee. In this case no harm no faul. It's important when you share your opinion to tell the whole story.

**MA2RN** · 03-18-2010, 04:30 PM

I'm completely new to the whole "online schooling" thing. Is it as productive as ground schools? I believe all schools are about making money, so the sales pitches are going to be aggressive no matter where you go. I'm just curious as to how the classes actually work. Is it just a series of assignments and reports? Do you actually get to communicate with the proffesor? And how can I find out about the graduation rate for SU? Is online school actually worth it, or are most people better off sitting in a classroom? I'm open to all critism and advice. Thank You!

**Mrs_Wilson** · 03-21-2010, 10:58 AM

Well first and foremost I wanted to say hello to all.

In regards to the post about South University I somewhat agree and understand all of your agreements and disagreements. I am currently a student going for my nursing degree online. Everything seemed great from the beginning, I started in November of 09 and since then I have failed my English class only because, I missed a week of class due to my computer being fixed from disk and hard drive damage. So with me not being able to sign in to class and do my assignments for only a week my score goes all the way down to fail that class? That's crazy! They penalized me for not having a back up computer like someone just has money sitting around to go out and buy another computer or laptop. When I told my advisor the problem and why I couldn't do my assignments they said oh well in so many ways. But I think that it could have been handled a different way. I have tried to contact my instructor numerous times to let him know why I haven't turned in my work but that still was not good enough. I am currently having a hard time in my math class because math is not my strong point at all so they give you resources to go to ( tutorials and math websites) where they have someone teaching you the subject in which you need help in. For some odd reason every time I go to the tutorials for math at SU they teach me one way but when I go in to do my assignments and quizzes they say that they are done incorrectly. I am being taught the wrong way! It doesn't make since to tutor someone and you don't know what the heck you are doing. I am completely frustrated and stressed out because of this problem. South University has no regards in to teaching you. If you are more of a hands on learner than this University is not for you!!! They give you an assignment and expect that you know what you are doing with it and if you don't pass it then they say that its up to you to read and take in the knowledge that is being posted on you classroom wall. So in other words it is up to you to teach yourself! I wish that I did more research so please learn from my mistake. I don't like to complain because it doesn't help the situation but, I just needed to let you guys know that you are continuing your education because you want and have to better your lives. You are paying for not a good education but a excellent one and South University does not provide that! Take my advice and look somewhere else please!

**Mrs_Wilson** · 03-21-2010, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by MA2RN

I'm completely new to the whole "online schooling" thing. Is it as productive as ground schools? I believe all schools are about making money, so the sales pitches are going to be aggressive no matter where you go. I'm just curious as to how the classes actually work. Is it just a series of assignments and reports? Do you actually get to communicate with the proffesor? And how can I find out about the graduation rate for SU? Is online school actually worth it, or are most people better off sitting in a classroom? I'm open to all critism and advice. Thank You!

Hello well I was new to the online experience myself and so far this is just my opinion I don't care for it because I am a hands on learner. For your first question I would say it is but, so far they haven't proven so. Yes they post your assignments and expect you to do it by the appointed due date if not then they will deduct points off of the original grade that you receive. It is more of a chat room and in sending documents and allot of READING. From what I have read about them they have a 41 percentile graduation rate. Yes you can actually speak with your Instructor that's if you can get in touch with them but my math teacher was nice enough to call me and talk to me upon my request. Everyone is different and I would just do research first because I wouldn't want you to get in the same situation I am in right now. I hope you will find what you are looking for and also your future endeavors. Hope this was of some help. Stay safe and God Bless!!!!