Penn Foster College Reviews
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They give you the tools you need
School recommended by
Lisa
on
March 16, 2010
1/1 person found this review helpful
I completed their Desktop Publishing and Design certificate program back in 1997 when they were still ICS. Now I am back after years of experience that program helped me attain to complete the Graphic Design Certificate and apply it toward the A.S. degree. PF is accredited, so maybe student satisfaction varies from program to program. I wanted quality training and am very satisfied. It is not just a "look up the answers and pass the tests" program. They provide opportunity for hands-on practice exercises and knowledge application. Opportunity is the key word - you've got to be patient and work through the program to get the most out of it. If you short-cut it, you won't get your money's worth.
Considering the self-paced schedule and no-interest tuition financing - I don't think there is a better return on investment out there.
Learn More about Penn Foster Collegenationl accredition v regional
School recommended by
jjj
on
March 08, 2010
5/5 people found this review helpful
There is nothing wrong with PENN FOSTER. It might as well be regional acc. as it is recognized by the US Education Dept. & CHEA.
National Accreditation vs. Regional Accreditation
There are 6 Regional accreditors that are recognized by the USDE and CHEA- NEASC,NCA,MSA,SACS,WASC and NWCCU-these are the 6 original accr.
The DETC is also recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. but since it didnt come along til later it is considered "national". DETC accreditation is considered valid by many employers. However, many regionally accredited schools will not accept course credits from DETC accredited schools. But several schools indicated they would accept courses from DETC-accredited schools that had been separately evaluated for credit by American Council on Education(ACE). ACE evaluates non-collegiate courses offered by schools, private industry, the military, and others. Ace evaluated and recommended more than 150 of PF courses. In that case, they would accept the ACE recommendations for awarding credits for these courses
Only if you're desperate for a diploma.
School not recommended by
Anonymous
on
March 06, 2010
4/6 people found this review helpful
Unfortunately, I was desperate to get my diploma. I wanted to make sure I graduated on time, and chose Penn Foster as a homeschool method. Well, they get the job done, but I'm not sure that I would reccommend it unless you have no other choice. Alot of the work I've done I did in elementary school. Which, that does make it easier to get my diploma, it also makes it a little bit tedious to do the work.
I've also noticed that the study material they give you has alot of typos. One of my math books has a completely wrong answer in one section. It was the answer from a previous question. Also, one of the books has two completely different things for a question and answer. I've found so many more typos throughout their material. You think they would fix something like that. I'm going to finish the program though and get my diploma, but if you have another option I suggest taking it!
Instructors? Hardly..
School not recommended by
Tara martin
on
March 03, 2010
6/6 people found this review helpful
While I feel the program included a lot of information and I have learned a lot, the so called Instructors are a joke! Apparently there are only two "instructors" who know little to nothing about children. Everytime I asked them a question regarding an exam they said "chose which I thought was best". When I did so and I got the answer wrong they said "I see your argument for the answer you chose and it could be right, but it's not the correct answer." I only have a 92 average because there is NO help available with this program. A few of the answers on the exams were very vague but there is no one to help explain them. The two instuctors are Susan McGrath (extremely rude and of NO help), and Sherry Pietrzykoski (slightly less rude but still of no help). If you decide to take these course expect to do so with no help.
Totally recommend it!
School recommended by
Laura
on
March 02, 2010
8/8 people found this review helpful
I started with Penn Foster about six months ago and I have to say that I am extremely pleased with the material they send me. They have never missed one shipment, when it comes to talking to the advisors they have always answered my questions, and they send e-mails to let me know of my progress. I am almost done with my course and I can not complain. I am a mother of three have two jobs and this is great to have a better future. You dont get that with a lot of the schools out there.
What a Joke!!!
School not recommended by
Sarah
on
February 25, 2010
15/17 people found this review helpful
HVAC course. It says that you will be able to be a " HVAC Technician" when this course is completed. Oh heck they even give you a voucher for your EPA Certification and you should be able to take the exams to become licensed.
This is bull. Our state requires that you have a four year degree in HVAC operations and at least 2 years on the job experience.
Now, this college proclaims to be Nationally accredited and Regionally accredited. No where on this site for this course does it say check with your state first.
No where do they have a list of states where this is non applicable.
They then proceeded after only two weeks into the course, which was paid in full right away to deduct 250 dollars for taking .08% over their ten percent reimbursement agreement. Not only that, they are charging us the $60.00 administration fee that is set up only if you have a payment plan. If you paid up front the cost is $25.00 non refundable. When you explain this to them they give you the run around. So we take three exams out of 22 and have had the course for two weeks and they charge $250 just for the privilage.
This course is a joke. No one will listen and then you get told they cant help you , its not their department.
They also claim they have checked the states where they are acredible and where they are not...Gee, some reason Wisconsin was an oversite.
I am reporting this school to the BBB within our state and in Pennsylvania if I can.
Ticked off consumer
Think twice.
School not recommended by
Student
on
February 21, 2010
6/10 people found this review helpful
You should know before you spend your time and hard earned money that they send materials for one class at a time, holding your materials until you pass one class to send materials for the next (never mind that you have already paid ahead for ALL of the materials!!). Now, since you are required to attend scheduled class discussions (once a week, seriously?!), if you have a two minute time discrepancy, you have to sit on your hands for an additional week plus to attend two minutes of class then wait another week for the two minutes to be recorded, then wait another week for more materials to be sent so that you can continue your studies. Seriously??!! I understand requirements but if this were a "real" college, I am sure something could be worked out for a student who is trying to do what is right!! Having trouble? Don't bother reaching out for help to the program director, you will get that hand bitten right off with a full dosing of rude and nasty!! Wow!!!!!!
I am enrolling in the Associate Degree for Computer Information Systems
School recommended by
Alfred Dunhill
on
February 11, 2010
5/7 people found this review helpful
I am new to this school and I will be enrolling within the next few weeks.
The price is what attracted me the most but also that it looks accredited.
Online program is what fits my schedule and current lifestyle. I just emailed a few of the potential schools I will be applying for after I finish my assocaites at Penn Foster.
I hope everything goes good for me and won't be a PITA.
Not for everyone
School recommended by
Christie
on
February 07, 2010
21/21 people found this review helpful
I have been enrolled in the Medical Transcription Course at Penn Foster for 1 year now. I am on my 2nd to last set of materials. I have seen a lot of people complain about no communication with the school "oh I called them and they took a week to get back to me" well first off You are not their only student. Some people complain well they won't give me my degree till I pay off the course- HELLO people neither will a college or university that you go and sit at. I have seen were someone said that they are a scam- well Believe me they are not, the people that say this are probably not dedicated enough to work on their own. Granted there are some courses I agree that should not be taken on-line (anything hands on-like engine repair) but for the courses that you use a computer for most of the career (like transcription, billing,bookkeeping,etc) you are going for, why not save the money and do your classes online? I am very happy and completely challenged with my course. Trust me this is not a cake walk. If that is what you think an online school should be then you need more help than what a degree can give you.
It's online school
School recommended by
Pascal
on
January 21, 2010
41/43 people found this review helpful
Penn Foster College isn't a scam NOR is it not accredited. I got my Pharmacy Technician Diploma in 2007. It definitely helped me land a Pharmacy Technician job--especially when my then employer had me do a test of conversions, reading the SIG part, matching brand name drugs with their generics, etc. However, since I live in the state of Florida, Florida's only requirement for Pharmacy Technicians is to register with the State Board of Pharmacy--it became a law as of Jan 1, 2010. So, before anybody enrolls with Penn Foster's Pharmacy Technician course, do your research and make sure PR is accredited with your State Board of Pharmacy.
In summary, if you plan on enrolling with Penn Foster, read their payment section carefully. If you don't pay your tuition in full before you complete all of your credits, you don't graduate until all debt is paid. It can be great, because you won't be in debt.
I am once again enrolled in Penn Foster (A.S. in Finance). This time around, I get college size textbooks rather than just "study units(thin to medium size colorless textbooks)." Study Unit books keep the tuition low--which isn't a bad thing. Would I recommend Penn Foster College to anybody? No. It would depend on your Degree/Diploma. If your Degree/Diploma requires state regulations, first find out if Penn Foster is approved with your state. In some states, you must be certified AND must've attended a state-approved school before you can work as a Pharmacy Technician.
Legal Studies
School not recommended by
Dee
on
January 09, 2010
14/19 people found this review helpful
The school is accredited but only Nationally, which is not much recognized in the real world. An online school must be accredited by one of the six Regional Associations of Schools & colleges. The high school and diploma program is regionally accredited but not the degree programs, so don't waste your time and money because the credits cannot transfer, and the real world will laugh at your degree.
vet assistant
School recommended by
Gaylynn
on
January 03, 2010
46/48 people found this review helpful
I just finished my course (vet assistant) in 9 months and I would, without hesitation, recommend this school to anyone who was interested in the field! In fact, I already have!! PennFoster was very upfront in what to expect and I never had any trouble contacting them regarding questions. They were prompt in response and very helpful. My books arrived on time and my payment plan really fit my budget. I work full time and as a mother of three, this was an option that I could not pass up. I now am in a better job, thanks to Penn Foster, and I am making higher wages as well. PF is accredited and I had no trouble in finding a better job with the resume help they offered to me. I was skeptical at first but after seeing the difference this has made in my life I wish I could share the info with everyone out there looking for direction in life!!!!
READ this and THINK about it......
School recommended by
Angie
on
December 15, 2009
43/46 people found this review helpful
Let me start off by saying, I have no complaints about this school, so far. Shipments do take a lil long but they are in Pennsylvania and I'm in Cali so I would expect that, and it takes 2 weeks so that means there's 2 Sundays,(NO MAIL).
Another thing is I am actually shocked that the books are ONLY 10 years old -- 1ST-12TH graders are still using text books copyrighted in 1990! And the paperbacks are perfect. OKAY, I ADMIT...when I got my first shipment it looked disapointing until I opened it and thuroughly read everything. Paperback books are less expensive because they use less paper and are less heavy to ship. They are convienent to store also, and have everything a hardcover book would have. You cannot complain about the price at all! $798 TOTAL W/ A 19 MONTH PAYMENT PLAN OF $40 BUCKS?
Dont' complain about the instructors not instructing like acollege professer, cause basically when you homeschool your damn near you own teacher! Look at it this way, be glad your not drowning in student loans/grants you can't afford to pay back reguardless if you pass or fail! in traditional colleges your limited to test re-takes and everybody has to work at the same time / pace. At least here you will walk away with a diploma showing that you furthered your education, and passed with having new knowledge of something you love. That looks good on a resume, and if you want to work in the animal field at least you will have a heads-up on interacting, working, and caring for them.
The course is great so far and I am enjoying every minute of my schooling...I get to fully understand my studies in the way I was taught from K-12th, (don't rush,take your time). I am going on now to Handling and Restraint/ Restraining a Horse (unit 4) and I am soooooooo happy to have already learned so much!
Penn Foster is working for me and my busy schedule being a single parent and sole provider of my household. In about 15-20 years I hope to open my domesticated animal adoption agency and since I'm only 24 I got plenty of time to educate myself more!
Goodluck with your studies, and it's unfortunate that some of you are having trouble with the staff, I'm PRAYING that I don't run into a sucky/rude staff member, cuz I will be back on here telling you guys all about it. Angie from N. Cali
Not good!!
School not recommended by
Mary
on
December 10, 2009
39/46 people found this review helpful
I am currently in the Dental Assistant program, and all seemed well until I found out PENN FOSTER is NOT accredited. To the person that said they are accredited...you need to to MORE research. Ok, Ok, yes, they are accredited as an online college, but they are not accredited for your license or job!!! What I mean by that is... I am in the Dental Assistant program and when I finish I will have a diploma from Penn Foster, but to be able to get a job as a Dental Assistant I will need to have a degree or certificate from an ADA accredited school, and Penn Foster is NOT ADA accredited. I already paid and can't get my money back so I am going ahead and finishing just so I can get some knowlage of Dentistry. I will be entering a REAL Dental Assistant program soon. As I've found out, there is just too much "hands-on" in dental to learn online. Hope this helps. If it's too good to be true...it probably is!!!
Be very careful!
School not recommended by
nichol
on
December 08, 2009
18/29 people found this review helpful
Be very careful! They seem wonderful with all of their payment plans, no interest, etc...they give you one year to finish each semester and you could take 33 months per semester to pay it off, yet they neglect to tell you that you do not recieve your degree until every penny is paid off. They make it seem great and wonderful, like you are paying installments to a loan, but that is not the case. They do not offer finacial aid or grant money. So if you have over $6,000 to spend right now...go somewhere else!
SCHOOL IS ACCREDITED
School recommended by
Katrisha Scott
on
November 13, 2009
47/53 people found this review helpful
I've noticed some people have made suggestive comments that Penn Foster is NOT accredited. I did some thorough research and found out that Penn Foster is DEFINATELY an ACCREDITED institution. For those who are skeptical or disbelieve, you may check the schools credentials on www.detc.org In any case, school is what you make of it; PERIOD. Every school has complaints. I am a current student at Nova Southeastern University for my B.S. in Management and I could tell you a lot of issues I have with them. In any case, NO SCHOOL IS EVER PERFECT. Be sure to check your state's requirements for certification before enrolling in any program. I RECOMMEND PENN FOSTER's program for Pharmacy Tech.
Medical Transcription
School not recommended by
Dawn
on
November 11, 2009
14/22 people found this review helpful
This school doesn't at all fufill you academically as it portrays to. I am on the last course of this program and all of a sudden everything is set up different, there's no direction. And communication with the school??? Good luck! My last course i sent in the required 10 reports to be graded, i got them sent back to be corrected as i scored to low. I corrected the reports and sent them in along w/the originals.....I got it all back and my corrected copies weren't even graded!!!! AND, i got an 84% when you can only get a high of 70% on a make up. whatever. I am absolutley frustrated that i wasted my time and money on this!!!
Penn Foster Diesel Technichian
School recommended by
V Swann
on
September 15, 2009
32/32 people found this review helpful
Penn foster schools are as adequate as any vo tech type degree, you must under stand that what you put into it will directly affect your outcome. MOST jobs in the Vo-Tech arena dont necessarily REQUIRE school at all to get the jobs, Much, like many diesel technicians have never been to school.
However, In this tight job market, the Penn Foster school was excellent priced to obtain books and study materials I needed to pursue ASE masters status, I could take these exams with or without Penn Foster, But honestly the books would have cost MORE to obtain on my own than through Penn Foster. SO: I saved money, Had direction for studying, Had obscure books I couldnt even locate on my own "Allison Transmission electronic controll devices" Ect. Ect. And now, On a resume I can say, Exp. Diploma, and ASE. You may get jobs you wouldnt even be considered for otherwise.
constant disappointment
School not recommended by
Lisa
on
September 14, 2009
22/28 people found this review helpful
I am a disabled graduate student who was enticed several years ago by Penn Foster's online medical billing course. I have had nothing but trouble with the course, expectations and requirements were not explained to me when I embarked upon my studies. There seems to be no one in charge of monitoring student progress, either. My course was supposed to last for a year, but I have been contending with mis-communicattion by my instructors for two-and-a-half years, was informed by one that I all I needed to finish my course was to submit an essay. Apparently, not everyone got that message though, because my project was returned to me with demands that I resubmit the coursework I had already supplied, thus, I haven't the forms I need to complete the course, and nobody there seems to understand this. My impression is of a school where staff work in isolation, and I am very unhappy with it
Pharmacy Technician
School recommended by
Anonymous
on
September 10, 2009
62/67 people found this review helpful
I really DO NOT understand why there are websites out there questioning if the school is a scam? First of all, the phone numbers for student help and all of that is completley legit and so helful. Secondly, I am using military funded tuition, meaning the department of defense has to approve the school and see if its legit and accredited for them to even waste their time or money on it. Lastly..I just started and everything has been smooth, paid for, and very helpful and educational. Im learning alot and it works for me..maybe self study isn't meant for everybody!
Vet Tech
School recommended by
Amber
on
September 05, 2009
61/65 people found this review helpful
Don't listen to the bad reviews. This course is perfect for those who have the motivation and can work on their own. I know in the first semester many people quit because they feel they aren't learning anything relevant to being a Vet tech, but actually the opposite is true, it helps a lot to learn biology and anatomy and physiology when you get to the more advanced classes (pharmacology, pathology, radiology etc) And the books are NOT outdated, or at least not as of 2009. I am about to start my 3rd semester and am very satisfied.
Vet Tech Program
School not recommended by
Jitterbug277
on
September 04, 2009
26/37 people found this review helpful
First off, I had a terrible time getting PF to accept my transferred credits from my previous B.A. degree. They kept "losing" the paperwork and cost me time and money to keep asking my previous college to keep resending the transcripts.
Currently, I am halfway through the program and would like to transfer those credits to the Vet Assistant program. I keep getting a runaround regarding who I need to contact to do that. No one seems to have any answers, the program director is difficult to work with and I'm very frustrated. I feel as if I've wasted 2 1/2 years of time and too much money!!
Dental Assistant
School not recommended by
Stacy
on
September 04, 2009
30/38 people found this review helpful
This school is a joke! I have my diploma and graduated top of the class. That is about the only thing. I didn't learn a thing, and wasn't able to use my diploma to get a job. Spent money and time for nothing! I suggest looking for a reputable school-and this is not one! I hope this helps and wish someone would have told me not to go here.
HVAC
School not recommended by
John Doe
on
August 10, 2009
28/45 people found this review helpful
I paid a LOT of money for this program and was not even able to use the books for the State Exam. Penn Foster is a RIP OFF.
Graphic Design
School recommended by
T.D.
on
August 08, 2009
37/39 people found this review helpful
I'm getting my Associate's in Graphic Design from Penn Foster College. The textbooks are up-to-date, everyone is very helpful; I've never had any problems. And they are an accredited school. I received a Dressmaking and Design diploma from Penn Foster Career School in 2005, and that worked out great also.
