Opinions on MATC-Milwaukee?

rn/writer, RN · May 9, 2007

Where did you read the negative reviews?

I have worked with MATC students and found them to be very good. One of the big drawbacks to MATC is the horrendous parking situation. That shouldn't disuade you entirely, but it is a consideration.

You might look into WCTC as well. Don't know about their waiting list, but I went there and got an excellent education. There was just an article in the Journal/Sentinel about a $250,000 teaching mannequin that they are starting to use. The WCTC has a gorgeous, easy-to-use campus, a fabulous lab set-up, and a number of other features that make it worth considering.

Good luck in your search.

badgerstudent · May 9, 2007

There are some posts in the Wisconsin forum in which students express dissatisfaction with MATC-Milwaukee's program, saying that it took longer than expected to finish their coursework.

Thanks for your quick reply, Miranda. As a native of Milwaukee, I am (unfortunately) familiar with the state of parking downtown...

Ideally, I'd like to stay within a big city because I'm not a fan of small towns...but who knows, my education is more important. I'll keep my options open.

rn/writer, RN · May 9, 2007

There are some posts in the Wisconsin forum in which students express dissatisfaction with MATC-Milwaukee's program, saying that it took longer than expected to finish their coursework.
Thanks for your quick reply, Miranda. As a native of Milwaukee, I am (unfortunately) familiar with the state of parking downtown...
Ideally, I'd like to stay within a big city because I'm not a fan of small towns...but who knows, my education is more important. I'll keep my options open.

This is a common complaint, no matter where you go. On paper, an ADN is two years. In real life, many do their pre-reqs (which you should have covered with a bachelor's degree), then do the remaining academics, and finally, do clinicals by themselves. This is especially true for those students who work and have families.

I don't know where in Milw. you live, but do consider WCTC. I can't say enough good things about the program. It's a straight shot out I-94 and there is plenty of parking when you get there.

I went back there for a refresher course after being out of nursing for a couple of years, and I was not disappointed.

When I attended, we had students from as far away as Oak Creek, Thiensville, Hartford, and Wind Lake.

What is your bachelor's in?

badgerstudent · May 9, 2007

My bachelor's is in Spanish, I hope it will be useful in my nursing career! I some of of the prereqs for many nursing schools (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, etc) but it's disheartening how many classes do not transfer to BSN programs and how each BSN programs vary in which pre-reqs they require.

I am waiting for a reply from Drexel in Philadelphia for an accelerated BSN but a community college seems appealing, too (low cost!) The bad part is the wait lists that most CCs have... :uhoh3:

dlaura22 · May 24, 2007

really? i have a hard time believing there is no waitlist. i applied over three years ago (may of 03) and they told me my estimated clinical start date would be jan of 07. i took a few prerequisites there then transferred to do my clinicals. i've heard from other people the wait list is long. also, they changed it now where you can't even get on the wait list until you've completed all prereqs. parking is expensive. you can get a pass to get a discounted rate in the parking structure, but i never got in because it was ALWAYS full. i've heard pretty good things about the program, and the profs there that i had were good. i will say this though, their staff is horrible (ie: financial aid, registration etc). they don't ever return calls and are hard to get any help from. hope this helps!

passnclex · May 26, 2007

I just read lot's of negative comments on MATC and their nursing program. I graduated from MATC in 1996. Yes, there were some parking issues, but overall if you want to get a great education for a cheaper price, I would definitely recommend MATC. I had some great instructors who really encouraged me and supported my efforts. My biggest problem while in the program wasn't the school itself, it was the nurses working in the hospitals that made me feel stupid. Many of them were not pleasant, and made you feel like you were a threat to them. That made my clinical experience not too pleasant, but I did what I had to do and got through it. MATC is a great school. I just graduated from MATC on May 19,07 with another degree in Early Childhood Education. If , you can deal with a few parking issues, MATC is definitely a good pick. Good Luck on your future endeavors.

rn/writer, RN · May 26, 2007

My biggest problem while in the program wasn't the school itself, it was the nurses working in the hospitals that made me feel stupid. Many of them were not pleasant, and made you feel like you were a threat to them. That made my clinical experience not too pleasant, but I did what I had to do and got through it.

I'm sorry you went through that. Where did you do your clinicals?

passnclex · May 27, 2007

I'm sorry you went through that. Where did you do your clinicals?

I did a clinical at St. Michael's Hospital that was terrible and another clinical at St. Luke's Hospital that wasn't that pleasant either. I had many friends that were doing their clinicals at the same time as I was that also talked about their aweful experiences in some of the hospitals. We all had to travel the same road to become a nurse, and the nurses that are in the professsion already should make things more enjoyable and tolerable for the nursing student. when I pass my test and become a nurse, I am going to take the nursing student under my wing, mentor and encourage them, and try to help them as much as possible to succeed. There were some wonderful nurses at Sinai, VA, and St. Mary's hospital. Thanks for your concern.

mturner88 · Jun 20, 2007

When I tried to get into MATC last January they told me their waiting list was 3000+. So I came to Bryant & Stratton for their 18 month program and they have no waiting list. I started last May and I graduate this December. I do here WCTC is a really good school though. You might want to try them out.