Ashford University - Bachelors of Science

BE VERY CAREFUL!!! (And I'm a neutral party!)

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on July 9, 2009

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I first contacted this school just to get general information, as I planned to look into several schools before making a decision. I can validate what a lot of other posts here have already stated: be careful! Once you make that call, they will suck you in and make it very hard to get away. 

After I made the call, I was immediately pressured into completing their online application form. (I wasn't even ready to apply, though! I just wanted information!) But okay, so I agreed just to "apply"....and then I'd continue on with my plan to research other schools in the meantime. Well, they advisors they set you up with (upon your first call) will call you incessantly, day after day. It is very annoying, very high-pressure.....they just want you to sign up. It is more pressure you will receive than at a used car lot. I honestly wonder if these "advisors" are paid on a commission or something like that....

Anyway, I've done my research and for many reasons I've decided not to attend this school. So I encourage everyone out there to please do your research!! Draw clear boundaries with these guys and don't be forced into a decision. Here is what I found (and the reasons I won't be attending this school):

- It is NOT the cheapest online degree program out there. Check out a lot of other state and private universities, especially the ones that are reputable campus schools (not just the strictly online schools).

- You may get more financial aid by going to a state school, because most states have state grants that are provided for in-state schools too. 

- The traditional university format has it's strengths: you get to pick your own courses each quarter and the traditional quarter-format is much more manageable in terms of work/life balance (for me,anyway). 

- Many schools will NOT accept credits from Ashford if you choose to transfer or apply for graduate school. Please look into this if you've got educational plans beyond Ashford.

- Lots of complaints filed on Better Business Bureau. I compared their file to that of other schools I'd been researching, and it didn't even compare. Now if you think about it, why would any even have a reason to file a complain with BBB for a SCHOOL??? Well, of all the other schools, only one of them had 1 complaint filed. Ashford, on the other hand, had about 35. That's a lot for any business, let along a school.

So do your research, folks. It's up to you But who knows....this may be the perfect fit for someone out there. But not for me.