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.

**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!

**shellywood** · 02-02-2011, 06:59 AM

First, there is a responsibility of the school to be upfront and honest and thorough. I've worked at a prominent online college and we obtained all of our students transcripts ( I managed this dept for a while), and we made sure the transcrpts were obtained in a timely fashion tht did not effect the students education b/c we told the student we would do so...wht ever happened to honesty and full disclosure! And how dare you call this persona dn others ignorant b/c they do not know all the ends and outs of how each college works...I believe you are either ignortant or work for south college and are trying to make your college look better whn the reality is tht south college lied and excluded pertinent information tht has now put this student in a really bad position. It is sad to me tht our higher education has become a cheap sales job in many cases...instead of being about the actual education its only about the money to be made off of the student! Also it is not true tht you wld have to travel to each school...again, the school who is saying tht they are going to get your transcripts for you needs to explain the ends and outs...please stop standing up for the hight pressure sales tactics these schools (if you can call them tht) are using, the schoolss need to be held accountable for wht they are saying and doing! Also, just so you know, I no longer work for a school and am not promoting or trying to bash any one school...south university is the issue of this thread so tht is the only reason I used tht name. The bottom line is there are quite a few schools out there utilizing these unethical sales tactics to lock students into their schools and they need to be stopped and should not be allowed to call themselves institutions of education. The first step is bringing into light the schools tht are operating in this fashion and I thank everyone who is doing so...keep telling your stories!

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.

**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...

**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!!!

**westcoast** · 08-23-2010, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by smclendon70

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...

is this school accredited?

**Renee108** · 09-08-2010, 07:15 PM

JP2009
I to agree with you. I am enrolled at SU and am so happy-- they have gone above and beyond the expected from the admissions to the professors. I have only found professionals and extremely dedicated individuals there to assist you in all you may need. I look forward to continuing my education there. The West Palm Beach location is a brand new building and a CLASS A facility all the way around hands down!

**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!