Platt College

Oh wow. I never knew that there are other students that has issues with this school. Before enrolling to this school, i asked the Director of Dialysis Dept multiple questions and one of them is that if i finish the whole program, is it possible to sit down again to the class to have a refresher course before taking the state exam test due to the fact that i have learning disabilities. The Director of Dialysis said YES! So when she said that, i am sold! I even brought 4 of my friends to sign up but we have different schedules.
On my first day, i was so excited, pumped-​up to learn, and so focus because of my age level. I told myself «this is it», i will take this class seriously and work on this field. After 1 or 2 weeks of the class, the teacher is gone. Either she resigned or she got fired or whatever the reason is. So now we have a problem, the school replaced it with substitute teacher. After 1 or 2 week, the second teacher got replaced too. Now a male substitute teacher which is the dean of the school is actually our teacher now for the 3^rd time. After 1 or 2 weeks again, that teacher got replaced by another teacher which is a female for the fourth time. This time, the female teacher is actually the Director of a Dialysis place. Therefore, she can better explained everything credential wise.
During these whole course of theory about dialysis program, i and other classmates of mine have lost interest or loosing interest. Why is that? Each teacher have different ways of method for teaching and not considering the level of grasping information by individuals. There are some who are smart and can cope with the understanding faster but for some people or students like me who has difficulty understanding, we need a teacher that knows exactly how to teach the student in their level of thinking in order for us to absorb the information properly. Because medical field is not a joke especially when your dealing with them in dialysis section. Patients can die if you mess up. That is why its very important the we understand what we are learning.
So after the class, we went to externship and it was tough. It is tough because other students from other school are well versed on the theory while we are trying our best to understand.
So to make the long story short, i finished the externship but not confident enough to do it due to lack of theory knowledge. I asked the Director of Dialysis if i can sit down once in a while in the class again so i can refresh my memory. The Director of Dialysis said, NO! I asked why, and she said, because i finished the externship and that i should be competent enough to pass the state test. I told her that before i sign up i clearly asked the same questions before i enrolled and she said YES. Now its different story because i pass the externship. OMG!
Knowing the differences after the program and all those substitutes teachers. I would have not sign up with this school. Now i owed money from the financial dept, i don’t have my certificate because of the balance, and after 2 years of feeling down about this situation, she said, i can no longer take the test and that i have to take the whole course again with new enrollment fees. I told her, that she disappointed me BIG TIME! She said, i offered you a refresher course but u never attend.
Now let me explain, after the externship and asking for the refresher course to sit down. I was said NO! After couple of months pass by, she try to reach out and provide me a refresher course during their available time in which doesn’t go along with my work schedule. I told her, what i want is to sit down in a class like what i have mentioned to you in the beginning of enrollment. She said, she can’t. I said, this is full of BS! Me and other students on that batch of mid 2013 to 2014 lost interest in this school institution. We thought, they are for student’s goals rather they don’t provide u with all the exact details in the beginning.
So i’m stuck with the STUDENT LOAN without any way to take the state exam test since it lapse and i dont have the certificate. Now tell me how i’m going to pay for that fucked up loan? If only she would have let me sit down in one of those classes which is not too much to ask since they fucked up by changing all the teachers. Just because they want to finished the syllables otherwise they will have issues with the associations of education. What a director and what a school policy they have. They are not for the student’s sake, they just want their money.
After these experiences with private college at age 35 when it happens and now i’m 37. I don’t think i would want to go to private college like this one ever again. I hope their president or owner knows about how they messed up students life. It’s not cool.

I agree with some of the reviewers when it comes to organizational stuff– financial aid etc. It’s poor. But at the end of the day I cared about getting a good education and receiving my Respiratory License. I was taught and prepared by professionals and I now have 2 jobs. It’s a strict school, so don’t bother if you’re not determined to graduate. They will do their part– be ready to do yours.

This school is a scam ! They are very misleading about the total cost of tuition. The degrees you earn from this school are a joke, no one will take their credits not even other trade schools. BEWARE !!

I went to this school in 2013 and stopped going 9 months into the criminal justice program. Every single course I took in this program was a waste of time. All we ever did was watch Netflix. I had a crime scene investigation course that provided us with a duffle bag full of tools to use in a crime scene. That entire time we did not use one tool. All we watched was the perfect murder, and stuff in that nature on YouTube and Netflix. After taking multiple courses in this program I asked myself «if I go into the criminal justice field would I really know what I’m doing? «the answer was no. I wasn’t going to keep paying for student loans, and pay out of pocket to go to a school that wasn’t teaching me anything I didn’t already know.
And guess what, two years later I’m responsible for paying almost $ 7,000 for those classes. I feel like I shouldn’t have to pay for classes I didn’t learn anything from, yet alone wasn’t try to teach the students anything. The criminal justice program was a waste of time and money, I regret attending platt college

To start with, I graduated from the DMS program, was one of the lucky ones who got an internship at a hospital, passed my boards and I am currently employed.
This review is for those considering the DMS program. Unless things have changed, it’s not worth your money, now knowing people who have come from other programs.
I should have waited a year or two to get into another program.
Things you should ask:
What is the class size?
Do all students get both OB clinics and hospital rotations?
The class size was way too large — should be 15 MAX, mine had 27. The teachers are overworked, with that many students putting in time for both the morning and evening sessions, it’s not fair to them or the students. One on one training would have been really helpful to get my skills to where they should be after attaining a degree in DMS. I feel so far behind in my current job, and I’m doing all that I can to catch up, but there isn’t really time to «practice» anymore.
There was a lot of drama happening at the school with the program when I was there. With the administrative drama, it caused a lot of confusion amongst the students on what the protocol actually was for certain things. Like applying to take our SPI exams. And knowing if there was class during the holidays. Things that shouldn’t cause large amounts of stress did.
It seems like a lot of other school’s programs have students head right into a monthly clinical just to get an idea of what is expected, I think that would have helped a lot. Also ensuring that students got both abdomen and OB experience. My hospital clinical site was fantastic for abdomen, but not once did I do a 20 week OB exam, because they don’t go to hospitals for that. It would have been helpful to have a months rotation at an OB clinic, just to get some basic experience.
This is a for profit school, and they are rotating students through the doors at an alarming pace. There aren’t enough quality internship sites to take in that many students. And with all of the money the school is taking in, the ultrasound department was not seeing any of it, the machines were extremely outdated and rarely getting the maintenance they need.
I hope the program has improved with the new director. But if the class size is still large and lacking quality internship sites, that is only going to hurt it.

Very good school! Very pricey but it’ll pay off in the long run. After reading the reviews I must say the teachers are excellent! They will help you any way they can to make you understand the concept and pass the class. I believe they have replaced the director… It is now Dr. Klimo that runs it. Financial aid and everyone else is very helpful. They have absolutely improved based on the previous reviews. I am a current DMS student.

I was in the DMS program. It started off great had no issues whatsoever. Seemed like every teacher knew their materials. It seemed all perfect until I got into the DMS classes. There was this one teacher and I believe she doesn’t work there anymore but not sure. She was HORRIBlE!!! Gossiped about every single student to other students. Many times, students complained about her. No staff ever took the complaints serious neither & as soon as that teacher found out who went to tell on her, she would literally make that student’s experience hell! One time, she gossiped about several students to me, she said that she can make that one student lose her clinical site, since she had «connections» with them. This other time, one student complained about her and later on got into an accident and the teacher said «good, she had bad karma coming.» Like what kind of human being says that!!! I ended up getting pregnant few months before starting clinicals. One day, I arrived to class and one student told me that as soon as a I left, that teacher said «she is stupid for getting pregnant, no radiologist would want a pregnant intern» (btw clinical site offered me a job, so she can go suck it) I asked more students if this was true and it turns out it was. I was so embarrassed to show my face to class and even got to the point that I was thinking twice about going through with the pregnancy. As I was doing my clinical hours, I met more students that were attending platt but were a few cohorts behind me. Apparently I was known as «that pregnant student» thanks to her. She managed to tell all the cohorts after me that she had this pregnant student which I believe is no ones business! Btw the school’s maternity leave policy is ridiculous. I told everyone (many months advanced) that I wanted to attend clinicals and get many hours in until a wk before I was due (which I made it happen). No one ever once told me that if I started my maternity leave during the middle of a module that I will end up receiving an «F» for that class. I ended up receiving that «F» and had to retake and repay that class. Overall, I ended up graduating and I regret deeply for not complaining about her. I was honestly too scared of what she can possibly do If she was to find out that I complained. But it’s not right to have second thoughts about your pregnancy due to another human being especially a teacher. The other teacher that teaches lab is such a sweetheart and does whatever she can to help. Her and the other teachers that taught general Ed classes are the only reason why I gave 2 stars instead of 1.
Career services sucks too. Got a call 6 months later, asking if I had a job or not and if my clinical site hired me. Since I live in a different county, I asked if she knew any job openings in my area since it was difficult for me to find a job. She told me «yes and I’ll get back to you soon.» I called her twice and left her voicemails. I also emailed her and I still haven’t heard from her.
Be careful if you attend that school, no staff ever takes a complaint serious and all they want is your money. I should have sued the crap out of this «so called» college too!!!

I had an appointment to meet with Fina at 12:00 PM on 6-​4-​2015 to talk about the Respiratory Therapy Program. I arrived in plenty of time for my appointment, which gave me time to get lost trying to find the right building (I signed in at 11:40 AM). The receptionist was courteous, even offered me some coffee or tea. Approximately 20 minutes after I arrived, a young gentleman walked in to meet with a Rep. I could hear the receptionist inform him that Fina already had an appointment scheduled at his appointment time. A not-​so-​friendly lady emerged from the office right behind the waiting room and came out to where we were all at (I was seated, waiting for Fina) and asked me if I had an appointment with Fina. I informed her that I did. She then stated to the receptionist that she ‘will she him (pointing to the gentleman who walked in after my arrival) and Fina will see her’ (pointing at me). I was glad that she announced I would meet with Fina, otherwise I would have requested to wait to see Fina as this lady just seemed to be annoyed she HAD to meet with someone. This is the same lady who criticized the receptionist for doing something just moments before the gentleman arrived (it was NOT constructive criticism in any way, shape or form) and I heard the whole conversation. I’m sorry, that is uncalled for. If someone is going to get ridiculed, take them out of earshot of prospective students to do it OR try constructive criticism. That was EXTREMELY unprofessional.
The gentleman who I mentioned above actually wrote a review (see Derek S) and you can tell he did not enjoy his experience with the lady he ended up meeting with. Based on his review, she was discouraging him to sign up for the program he wanted due to his tattoos. I’m sorry, but I have been working in the medical field for 20 years and almost EVERYBODY has tattoos these days (visible and covered up).
Ok, back to Fina, she was MORE than helpful in answering my questions. Believe me, I had lots of questions. I took the 1^st of 2 required tests today and passed no problem. I am scheduled to go back on Monday to take the next test and meet with Albert in Financial Aid (thank God because the Financial Adviser I met with today didn’t seem to be able to provide me with what I was looking for) and all the other reviews on here mention how wonderful Albert is.
The only question I forgot to ask the Financial Aid Advisor is whether or not the loans cover the entire cost of the program. I guess I can get my answer from Albert on Monday. I did not think to ask this question until I met with another school after my appointment here. This other school informed that their would be a gap in the loans as the loans would not cover the entire tuition; resulting in me having to make payments to the school WHILE STILL ENROLLED. I am fortunate enough to not have to work while I will be going to school, which will allow me to devote most of my effort into school (I’m also a single mother so I have to devote myself to my teenage daughter as well). I am in no means rich, therefore any added monthly expense needs to be brought to a prospective student’s attention ASAP.
I wish I could break this review down by each encounter. If I could, it would be:
5 STARS for Fina
0 STARS for Not-​so-​nice lady
2 STARS for Financial Aid Advisor

I played a game of cat and mouse for two weeks trying yo get ahold of Fida or Fina. Whatever. Finally got back to me and made an appointment. This morning I went in at 12pm sharp. That was our appointment time. The receptionist looked at me funny when I signed in and stated that she already had a 12pm. Wonderful. One of the other program directors (annoyed) volunteered to meet with me. Once I got in to speak with her she was very quick to point the fact that my tattoos would make things very hard for me to have a career in the medical field. Also, that there was 70 people on a waiting list that were more qualified than me and that a chance of me getting into the sonography program was «never going to happen, just being realistic.» Mind you she didnt know anything about me up until that point. She also asked me what she would find on my criminal record if they ran a background. Wow. Then she tried persuading me to get into the graphic arts program. She thought that because I was in construction and had «tattoo art» that this would be a great idea. Obviously… Sorry but no thanks. Not a great first impression.

This is for the day Shona called me to come back to «apply back to where I left off»
I was pretty pissed that day. Because I came excited knowing I was about to re-​enter.
So, I come in, looking for Shona, to my knowledge, I am meeting with her, then financial aid.
I am not disclosing names on this part BUT, with my experience from Everest College I knew this time around I wasn’t singing anything that didn’t have to do with a government student loan.
The pressure was there to apply a past balance on to private lender. I said NO twice. and I made it clear TWICE I am not signing myself up for ANYTHING without me starting school first. Third time came around sounded like this «okay, so anyways lets sign you up for our alternative monthly payment method from our private lender»
N-​O. I am not doing that. Did I come here to get pressured? Ill let it be known I am in the process of suing Everest College and my guard is really HIGH when it comes to anything financial.
Anyways, financial aid person told me she dosent even know when my LVN program is starting… WHY? ISNT THAT WHY I CAME HERE? I took time out of my day because Shona kept calling my phone! So I finally came in…
And it turns out, Shona came by the office and I asked”, When does the LVN program start? «And she replied she didnt know!
What the!!!
WHY? Why did you keep calling me to come in, get me all excited telling me «I CAN RESUME RIGHT WHERE I LEFT OFF»…
Anyways, the million dollar question was splurged out which put the cherry on top of me being upset.
She then asked, «Can you like, enter another program then? Are you sure you want to do the LVN program»
(Me thinking in my head) «SURE, IF YOU WANT TO PAY THE 20 – 30 SOMETHING THOUSAND IT COSTS FOR ALL YOUR PROGRAMS»
I swear Unilocal is like my alter ego, because I am all about respect, and customer service. But really now, you’r going to ask me that? Hence Platt is a vocational school where people go just to graduate fast, so why would I want to spend my time doing something else?
Anyways, it’s still a good school… I’m sure my little rants and thank you/​appreciation updates are appreciated by the public as I have 80+ emails from you Unilocalers regarding everything at platt.
Till next time folks…

Don’t choose this school, wasting of time. I started ultrasound program last year. Program director was so rude and mean, every time I had to talk to her I was getting nervous. She was acting like she is giving me such a favor and was just very unhelpful.
Everyone is unhelpful and confusing there.

If I could give zero stars I would, I was a student there some years ago in the Graphic Design program, there a was a few great teachers there Mike D, and Anders who deserve to work for a better school, a couple of other good teachers as well maybe one two more, anyways, In the end I have no degree and owe over $ 22,000.00, the company is majorly disorganized, and ask for money while you are attending school.
I would honestly love to sue, just to break even, this place has ruined my life, and to make matters worst, I was mislead into thinking that the credits here are transferable to other legit schools, and they are not, try to bring your Platt College degree or credits to any other school, that matters (outside of another For Profit school), try a UC, Cal State, or even legit Jr. College like Pasadena or Glendale. Your worthless credits will not transfer.
I hate to say this in public, but I really just wanted to end my life over this, I’m already older and starting over at another legit school, but I owe so much money to Platt for nothing, and it will never be paid off, death would at least clear my debt, as I have no wife or co-​signer to have to deal with it when I’m gone.
And unless you can clear my entire school debt, and erase all record of my of ever going there, then I don’t give a crap about a pleasant reply from the President, Dean, or Admissions. I hope the school burns to the ground (figuratively, not literally) I’m not making threats to end anyone elses life.
AVOID THIS PLACE, AT ALL COST, YOU WILL SAVE TIME THERE, BUT LOSE EVERYTHING ELSE. Go to a reputable school whose credits will transfer anywhere, and with financial aid you shouldn’t owe anything when you finish, I have friends that went to PCC, got their AA or AS in 2 – 4 years, transferred to Cal State LA, and owe zero. That’s my new plan.
Shame on you Platt!!! (I want to use other words, but I’ll keep it classy). Heed my warning, and Good Luck.

Do not listen to their [salesman] pitch. For any of the prospect students, just iremember it takes time to build something great.

I recently graduated from this school Respiratory therapy program. It was a short and intense 11month program, and I completed my certifications smoothly and successful got my licenses in one shot. My 2 stars are dedicated to some of the instructors that I had, they are some wonderful people and caring friends. However, there are also some inexperienced and arrogant people that are teaching amateurly.
My biggest problem with Platt college is the fact that they do not live up to their promises.
When I decided to go with this local vocational school, I did so because their counselor convinced me that this is a responsible and excellent program that supports their students all the way through and provide resources available for career advancement and job opportunities connections.
Well… it’s been 6 months since I graduated, and all I ever heard from them after graduation was a simple phone call asking if I got a job.
What happened to those resources, what happened to those convincing statements they made to lure students in?
I’m not being picky, but when people do not live up to their own words, I don’t think they are much trustworthy, especially when they are not even trying, no efforts or whatsoever.
This is my review. Choices are your to make
In response to Campus President:
I did graduate, but decided to remain anonymous. Just want you to actually check your so-​called «placement rate» again. Because as far as I know my classmates are all in the same situation, and too none of them were happy with your «placement rate». So instead of helping me, I think it would be appropriate for you to contact each graduate personally to find out, which is only about 16

Im in the Ultrasound program its really tough but rewarding. Instructors know what they teach everyone is passing the boards. They are very supportive to all VETERANS always having events to help us for all of our needs and they always get us food to show appreciation… Happy I came here

First want to mention graduated from Platt on January 2013 as a Respiratory Therapist 2^nd group since they first announced Respiratory Therapy will be available at this campus.
The GOOD: Instructors always did their best to to teach me even putting after class time to find a solution to teach me I’m very thankful for them made learning much more at ease specially as it got closer to graduation and multiple test per week even per day. Library would always be available even past closing hours when staying after school to research new topics given or for multiple research papers/​projects. When seeking help from my counselor she would always be available (until the day she got fired). After that counselor was never the same but let’s keep this article positive because next one will be all the gravity that drowned them. Among classmates we all helped each other to learn as 1 and no one would get held back. School was a nice area to relax before starting school as I worked full time till I got half ways to my course then went part time so as everyone else we want a place to relax before starting that second job or in this case school. Parking lot is free as long as you carry your valid parking lot card. Parking lot is very large yet at times would be packed specially if we would have visitors such as recording crews which would take up a good amount of the lot. Meliana Joseph was great help specially since I would spend most of my time at the library she even provided me help which I needed after I graduated once I started to apply for a job.
Overall in these areas I can give a 5 star to PLATT when it comes down to Instructors not just giving work with basic textbook teaching methods but actually explaining it in any posible learning method to each individual student as we all know we all aren’t text book learner but like myself a visual or hands on methods. Here is where all my instructors though me what seemed imposible to learn.
Keep it up instructors!

I attended and graduated from this school from 2005 — 2009.
THE GOOD: The teachers I had at Platt were excellent. They took their work seriously and took the edification of their students seriously. I had an overwhelmingly positive experience with the teachers and still keep in touch with many of them to this day. They are the reason I am giving this a 2 star review instead of a one start review. If I could give the teachers alone a review, they’d get 5’s.
The campus is beautiful and there’s plenty of places to eat within walking distance.
THE BAD: This is a for profit school so it takes nothing short of an act of Congress to get a student out because plainly put, they need the tuition money. There were plenty of slackers in class like every school does but the challenge of a high caliber school should weed those kind of students out over time. Not so with Platt. There were students I graduated with that consistently turned in sub-​par work (for lack of effort, not lack of talent) and never took the coursework seriously from beginning to end. The feeling that many of us had was that they essentially bought their degree and never truly did earn it. A typical response would be that «they’re only shortchanging themselves» but that’s not the case. Much in the same way a dilapidated house brings down the value of a whole neighborhood, so students with lackluster work & work habits who have a degree from that same school as you brings down the value of your degree.
When a school is small and still trying to establish a reputation like Platt College is, it is in their best interest to focus on developing high caliber students and churning out stellar work rather than primarily just getting butts in the seats. It’s a long-​term plan but having a valuable degree will get more butts in the seats over time, students who WANT to learn and grow, not just those on the market to buy the cheapest degree.
Until they change their business model, they’ll still be selling degrees of lower value because of the reputation attached with the school. If you end up going there or are there now, you can’t do much about that side of things but just like anywhere, you get what you put in. Work hard, take the coursework seriously, and make school what you want of it by gleaning as much as you can from the great teachers.
THE UGLY: The worst part about Platt is the administration. The administration & leadership of this school is what is earning this school the bad reputation it has and is getting all these one and two star reviews on Unilocal.Take a look at most of the reviews if you want a taste of what I mean. It’s mostly the administration that is running this place into the ground. The teachers believe in student development and the administration believes in getting students in the door and keeping them there until graduation. That creates a huge cognitive dissonance, making the school feel like it’s always at odds with itself and the students are the ones that pay for the confusion.
In the past, the administration has chased out so many great teachers. I’ve seen it happen to more than a handful of REALLY great instructors. (In ²⁰⁰⁸⁄₂₀₀₉ the school REALLY suffered for this and their crooked back room dealings, doublespeak, affairs and rampant cronyism nearly killed the school. Shame on them for that).
Platt College, I made the most out of my time there because it was important to me so I made it happen, regardless of the obstacle course of bureaucratic pigswill set up by those who thought they knew best.
THE ANSWER:
Administration: pay heed to what your teachers are saying. They are your boots on the ground and the ear to the tracks and they will likely know what’s better for the school than you do.
Excellent teachers draw excellent students. Excellent students draw more excellent students.
Stop making student graduation your goal but let it be student edification.
Your teachers are your most valuable asset so treat them accordingly and value them appropriately. Your students are your employers so treat them with respect, kindness, & truthfulness especially AFTER they’ve signed up, not just before. And if you flunk an unworthy student from your college, you are ultimately doing them a long-​term favor (as it benefits no one but yourself to keep them there). This shows other students you are truthful and honest because to keep them hanging on, module after module, is plainly deceitful. By keeping your standards very high you are also doing a favor for the other students, past, present & future, who truly care to lean, grow and desire to not only have a valuable education but a valuable degree.
Thank you.

This school is a rip off they stole my money and have the worst communication ever I went on leave of absence with the dean but yet the rest of the school had no idea I was getting F’s in classes I didn’t even take then I tried to fix these problems and it took four months since no one ever returns any calls or email I thought everything was fixed to come back to to fined out now that because of how long it’s taken to fix these problems they aren’t letting me go back. Don’t listen to there lies find another school

Platt College.
My experience as a visual communications major at Platt was a fun and enjoyable one. After graduating career services has provided numerous job opportunities. Even though my career choices have changed in the past few years, I still read through the job opportunities to see what’s available if I choose to start a new career. I read all the other comments and all I have to say is your experience at any college is mainly on you and how you choose to utilize what’s given to you. I had a blast with the professors and everyday was fun and challenging. But I will say personally I hate courses that don’t deal with animation.

Vet tech program — great very hands on. Its come a long way. Do it! Small classes easy to get help. They want you to graduate!
Financial aid –sucks! They lose everything! Don’t help if you need financial help they put you through hell. So give them hell.
Career services– amazing I think. Very caring and helpful!
The chick in the little box next to career services– bitter. Is never to be found in her little box when you need her. Or is always on lunch. Another one you have to be hard On in order to get what you want.
Anyone else you need to talk will not return calls or emails. So call till you fill their voicemail or till you talk to an actual person or show up in person lol
I don’t regret going here at all I have my degree, they provided me with the skills I need to do what I love. I met great people in this program. Its just administration that sucks. So if you decide to attend Platt College Alhambra be prepared.
Have fun!