West Coast University and college network such a rip off!!!

nnicolee · Jun 24, 2009

After reading your post, we apologize that you were left with certain misperceptions. We want to be clear in the way that tuition is charged. Like most universities, West Coast University (WCU) charges tuition by the semester. We teach each semester in two 10-week blocks. Based on the number of credits you take within a semester, the tuition varies.
Without knowing all of your specific circumstances and assuming:
* All pre-req courses are accepted as transfer credit with the exception of Bio-Chem; and,
* You complete the program without any failures or dropped courses:
The LVN to RN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program would require (based on the current tuition schedule):
Semester 1: ½ time with 8 credits (20 weeks) - $10,375
Semester 2: Full time with 16 credits (20 weeks) - $16,000
Semester 3: ½ time with 8 credits (10 weeks) - $10,375
Total Tuition: $36,750
As you evaluate your academic options, please keep in mind that as a private university WCU does not have the luxury of tax dollar subsidies to offset our tuition expenses as do the public colleges and universities. However, at West Coast University if you meet the admissions requirement and are accepted:
* You will be treated as a person, not a number.
* You may be able to start classes as soon as June 22, 2009 (space availability varies at each campus)
* The courses you need to graduate on time will be available.
* And, you will receive additional NCLEX test preparation over and above the standard curricula.
Good luck in evaluating your opportunities for completing your nursing degree. Please contact us if you need further clarification.

Since I can't PM you, I was wondering why you guys don't offer the HESI study packet online anymore? Why did you all remove it??

lolasmomma2bLVN · Jun 24, 2009

It just seems so expensive. now granted I'm in an LVN program at a community college and the total cost is $2000. that's it!

Theone40 · Jun 25, 2009

I start my second term this week at WCU and have been very pleased with everything. I have been treated excellent from start to finish. My instructors have gone out of their way to make sure I do well. I am an older student and felt it was the best choice for myself and my family. I know it is not for everyone; there are many excellent choices in Southern California, but thus far I have not felt as though I am being "ripped off" or taken advantage of in any way.

I just felt they weren't there for my best interest just for their pocket book....as long as you understand how they bill and plan you semester and your OK with that and it works thats wonderful ...for me it was just ridiculous how they took a few classes and dragged them out over 3 semesters so they can collect 16000 each semester ...i could have finished those classes in one semester and payed only 16000 but if they allowed me to do that then they would lost out on 32000 dollars....

plus another thing that really turned me off was their director started talking to one of the counselors and did not know that i was in the waiting room behind the wall. he was talking about a student who had taken some sort of test and had not paid to have it graded yet. well he made if perfectly clear that nothing happens until they get the cash in their hand and they were joking and laughing about how its about collecting the cash........after he came to walk outside of the office and saw me there he had that look of oh crap oh his face.....

calstudent1967 · Jun 25, 2009

I just felt they weren't there for my best interest just for their pocket book....as long as you understand how they bill and plan you semester and your OK with that and it works thats wonderful ...for me it was just ridiculous how they took a few classes and dragged them out over 3 semesters so they can collect 16000 each semester ...i could have finished those classes in one semester and payed only 16000 but if they allowed me to do that then they would lost out on 32000 dollars....
plus another thing that really turned me off was their director started talking to one of the counselors and did not know that i was in the waiting room behind the wall. he was talking about a student who had taken some sort of test and had not paid to have it graded yet. well he made if perfectly clear that nothing happens until they get the cash in their hand and they were joking and laughing about how its about collecting the cash........after he came to walk outside of the office and saw me there he had that look of oh crap oh his face.....

That is unfortunate. I am really sorry you had such a bad experience. I have shared that I do not think WCU is for everyone but it is meeting my needs at this time. I think for an older student such as myself, someone who does not have the time in a general sense to go to the CC system and play the waiting game. I had my professor offer to tutor me in my anatomy class, they set up study sessions as well as the need arises.

I presume you are talking about a challenge exam for which the cost is 100.00 and they collect the funds up front - and then it is graded by the professors who teach the exams, again though unprofessional behavior is unfortunate, in my own past I am sure I have said or done things that I thought were private conversations only to find out that someone heard them that should not have. I try not to look past certain aspects in life over all and focus on what I can control - and you do have the 100% choice to not select WCU. I do see how it would not be the best choice for everyone, but I am glad it is there for me and for my classmates.

All the best in your pursuit of your RN! :)

calstudent1967 · Jun 25, 2009

It just seems so expensive. now granted I'm in an LVN program at a community college and the total cost is $2000. that's it!

It is expensive. There is no doubt about that - no matter how you slice it or dice it - it is costly. Again, I can only speak for myself and it has worked well thus far and I hope and pray it continues to. All the best!

Theone40 · Jun 25, 2009

yes it is expensive and it its structured to be that way..its a private business and you can take it or leave it.....if i had been able to take my 3 classes in one semester and only pay 16000 i would have signed up in a heart beat...but again it would have not been profitable for them ...its more profitable for them to drag out my 3 classes over 2 or three semesters and get paid for each semester.....which is yes still shorter than a JC (WCU 10 weeks JC 16 weeks )but at an extra 20000 price tag a 3 month difference. not worth it for me. i also went back up and reread the post by nicolemsm the rep from west coast who states that the only class i need is bio chem which is exactly my situation i have everything else and have not dropped or repeated and classes so my tuition should be 36,750 like she states.....well thats if they didn't stretch my classes out....which they did for me.....they added a few extra semester and bought the price tag to over 50000. I just found it misleading.....then i remember it is a private college , it is a business and they are there to make a profit. another problem was that and RN from WCU is only accepted at university of phoenix no where else, so if i wanted to get a BSN at a later time i would not be able to go any place else except back to WSU and as far as i know right now they are charging over a 100,000 for a BSN. I am actually glad that i met and went threw WCU it got me to start digging around and found cheaper alternatives which are just as quick and convenient as WCU (for example WGU ISU Azu pacifica etc... ) I believe if people just spent some time and actually did some research they would find better and cheaper altermatives....

LuffyRN · Jul 10, 2009

* You will be treated as a person, not a number.

I beg to disagree. One student had a death in the family and had one absent. She spoke with the instructor beforehand and the instructor agreed to give her a retake. When she came back, the instructor changed his mind and told her there will be no retakes. The Dean of Nursing, the school director, and Academic Dean all know of her circumstances and still did not give her the chance. She had to repeat one term.

Another one, went to the hospital the night before but the director won't even look at her doctor's certificate. That was her only absence and still she wasn't shown compassion. Need I go on?

Some select students were treated with utmost respect and given the royal treatment, but that was not extended to others... Sounds so much like discrimination, does it not?

Theone40 · Jul 11, 2009

Thank you so much LuffyRn for the post ....all west coast cares about is $$$$ nothing else as long as their getting paid.

I also forgot to post the last conversation i had with the west coast rep. she called me to ask if i was going to sign up or not . I told her not yet and by the time i could open my mouth to as what my options for the future would be if i changed my mind she hung up the phone......

calstudent1967 · Jul 11, 2009

LVNR - I really suggest you speak with someone above the rep's head. I cannot imagine that is acceptable behavior. I wish you all the best in your pursuit of your RN.

All the best.

LuffyRN · Jul 11, 2009

You're welcome. I just don't want anyone else to go through what some of my classmates went through.

LosAngelesLVNRN · Jul 13, 2009

hi! Can you tell me the director and the one who gave you wrong quote?

Columnist · Jul 13, 2009

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