This serves as a realistic and unbiased review of Everest College, San Francisco. Beyond the ethical and moral objections many have regarding "for-profit" education, I will be focused solely on the education, teaching, administration and student learning. I was a Career Services Representative for about a year. My background is in direct teaching, served 3 years in an inner city HS in NYC (with a Congressional award for excellence) and currently serving as an assistant principal for a HS. My background is directly serving those who have been traditionally under-privileged (the bread and butter of Everest College).
As a successful teacher and administrator, my focus has and will always be on student development. I hope that you, as a perspective student, feels the same. Understand that first and foremost, school is what you make it to be. You will see many posts complaining about their (graduates) inability to secure a job after graduating from Everest. However, please take note of their grammar and strong lack of professionalism. There are plenty of Everest graduates with jobs. I would also like to point out that there are plenty of Harvard and Yale graduates who are unemployed. This fact drives home my point that school is what you make it. Those who commit themselves to the curriculum of Everest (organized into "Mods") will be successful. Those who attend school to holler at the hunnies sitting next to them or to find alternate routes to government aid will NOT find a livable wage position.
Pros:
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All the teaching staff I have met truly care about students
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All the administrative I have met truly care about students
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Hands on curriculum - personally witnessed the "real life" scenarios (medicine dispensing, blood pressure work, massage - yes!)
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Flexible scheduling - they really will work with any work and obligations
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Career services have a focus on development and counseling, as opposed to "placement" (although this culture may have changed since the team has turned over)
Cons:
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The senior management do not have teaching experience (last I remembered, senior management was composed of 4 MBA's and 1 RN). As caring as they are, it takes a teacher to teach. It takes an awesome and experienced teacher to teach those who have been under-served. Just the reality.
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Students who hold others back. (this can be minimized through classroom management - a skill learned through pedagogy and experience - lacked by administration)
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A tough job market, especially for those who do not have the computer and linguistic etiquette skills (something that I tried to implement as a Career Services adviser)
Ultimately, my advice for perspective students is to know yourself. Take a second, minute, day, week, or even months to truly analyze yourself to see if this program will be appropriate for you. The fast paced, hands on, and self-motivated program does not work for everyone. I can tell you of many success stories for those who have graduated, as well as many who have failed.
Best of luck to all who are investing in themselves!