I did a LOT of research and decided that this school would be my best bet, but now I am seriously doubting them. They never get back to me.
I contacted them back in December and recieved an email from an advisor or admissions counselor. I told her I was planning to head back to school in June but I would like to start the process in April, and that I work nights so not to call my home before 4. That was completely disreagarded, I saw lots of missed calls from while I was asleep., even though I reminded by email. I have now sent her a few emails that I am ready to get the application started with no response. Then I started from scratch hoping to get someone else, as I can only assume she doesnt work there anymore. I re filled out a new interest form, and have gotten no response on over 2 weeks. I am going to go ahead and just call them, but the lack of response from them with so many contacts is making me nervous. And how they ignored my needs was also concerning.
Any current or previous students have problems with communication?
If you ahd any issues, were they repsonsive?
For an online school, I expect communication to be pretty far up there on importance.
I had a similar experience when I initially contacted this school. I have not totally ruled them out but they are now towards the bottom, please update us if you have any positive progress. I have recently started re-looking at schools and trying to compare programs.
Have you considered any other schools? I am still trying to choose. I am thinking of doing some research this summer. I am looking for a school that accepts a lot of transfer credits, and is online. I want to do a RN to BSN first, but I have another Bachelors already. Then I plan to do an MSN but I am not sold on which track to consider.
I had an amazing Enrollment Counselor for the pre-licensure program. I never had problems with this particular EC and he always took my schedule in consideration. Before I had my current EC, I had someone else and the difference was night and day. I believe you should request another EC. I think it is hard to judge a school based on how 1 individual acts; however your concerns are very valid. The EC are really the first form of contact and should be putting their best face forward to showcase the program.
So far I'd rate the communication better than excellent. How better than excellent? Simple, someone told me how to get the initial application fee waived--that's money in hand!
Alana who is who I've been communicating with is very responsive, often within a few minutes, and at most several hours.
I really don't need a BSN as I'm intending to do an Occ Health NP program at U of A in Birmingham but it would meet my needs nicely as I can fulfill my job requirements of going from ADN to RN within another year. I'm not sure if my employer would be happy if I'm only part-way through an ANP course of study. I've two hard-science BS's already and was quite excited about WGU but saw from a post here today on Allnurses that WGU supposedly does not transfer courses from greater than 5 years and if so, that knocks me totally out. There are also some posts here about whether or not, if one carries a lot of credits through, that a person can complete the requirements in one semester, that's a very important area for me as I already hold $28k in student loans and I'm not about to take out new ones whose last payment will fall when I'm in my eighties. Yikes.
I've researched WGU quite a bit and find that for experienced RN's with a prior BS that most seem to have a very good experience. For those who are not established or expect a fast and easy approach, perhaps too easy--there have been some complaints but for those complaining there'll be little sympathy from me.
It seems that if you need a ADN to RN and have a (recent?) BS WGU's worth it. I haven't seen much in the way of communication complaints and perhaps that'll be straightened out with the response from WGU that you received here.
Do keep in mind that there are many colleges who will let you do a RN(ADN) to MN or MN/ANP if you have a BSN. So for those who only want a BSN or need one (as in my case as terms of employment) to me WGU seems a good choice if you fit in with their needs. But if not maybe a pass over BSN to MN might be bestt.....just my two cents.
WGU accepts classes from WAY more than 5 years unless it's a statistics class. :) They took pretty much everything I had and my classes were 25 years old.
Even with hard sciences, almost everyone still has to take biochem and nutrition - that's not dependent on time. But as WGU is competency based, if you know the material you could get through it immediately if you've already had it. Consider it 'testing out' of a class, if that makes it easier. Nutrition, for example, is just a test - someone who just took nutrition could be done with the retake in a few days and move on.
As for the enrollment counselors - you CAN get a new one if the one you have is no good. I had an excellent EC when I did my first WGU degree - the second degree I had a 'returning student' EC who was also very good.
Specializes in Cath Lab & Interventional Radiology.
I just finished the BSN program at WGU, and I really think it is the best, most affordable option out there. Even if you are having issues with the enrollment counselor, I would still plan to attend. The enrollment counselor is only for the enrollment process, so once you are through the process you will never have to deal with them again. My student mentor always was able to make our weekly phone calls at a time that was convenient for me. She was also always available via email, and had a link in her email signature to self schedule appointments with her.
Just wanted to update, spoke with Darren, also got a new EC and he is fantastic. I am in the process of applying and hoping to start in the fall. 42 pines, I was told Stats is the only thing that has to be within 5 years, so I guess I will find out soon what I need to take. I am really hoping to get as much transfer credit as possible, as I also hold 28K in student loans and would like to add as little as possible within reason of course.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
WGU supposedly does not transfer courses from greater than 5 years and if so, that knocks me totally out.
In March 2014, the WGU transcript evaluator granted transfer credit for coursework that I had completed in 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. All coursework completed during the aforementioned years was greater than five years old by the time they were evaluated for transfer credit, yet I received credit for them.
If you want to receive transfer credit for a statistics course, it must be less than five years old at the time of the transcript evaluation. In addition, nobody receives transfer credit for previously earned nutrition coursework, even if they were a nutrition major in the recent past.
My "fantastic EC" took a new position after just 2 conversations and I was assigned yet a another EC. While he seems like a very nice person, I am having a lot of delays and not getting all accurate information. Its soooooooo frustrating. I know he is trying to help. He's a very nice person. But my start date keeps getting later and later. Can anyone tell me how long it took to start? How many months out were you? I am concerned because my employers tuition assistance is on a timeline that would be associated with normal school semesters and each delay is eating into new semesters. Since it is a 6 month term instead of semesters, I am already losing about 1200 a term in reimbursement. I know over all this degree will be a lot less out of pocket, but I am concerned that you get what you pay for at this point. I am wondering if I should just fork over the cost for a regular school in hopes of having a smoother experience. When you become a student, does it get better?
Sorry to hear that! I am currently enrolling as well, and I have also been delayed for several months to start. I agree, it is pretty frustrating. Is it record amounts of people signing up? Or do they just tell you what you want to hear to get you in the door? I am not sure which it is. Either way, I feel your frustration. Trying to truck along and go with the flow. I am currently looking at starting in November, how about you?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Can anyone tell me how long it took to start? How many months out were you?
I applied during the first week of March 2014 and started in May of that year. Since I was a self-pay case, my enrollment was uncomplicated.
When you become a student, does it get better?
I totally enjoyed my experience as a WGU student. However, I had the decent fortune of being assigned to a program mentor who allowed me to take the driver's seat as far as the speed in which I completed my coursework.
My EC is amazing, so I do not share the same struggles. She's been prompt at responding to emails, even if she just responds to say "thanks!" When I send her an email telling her my transcripts are on the way. She's really nice and patient with my hundreds of questions I've been asking her. I'm actually disappointed she won't be my program mentor
DougSmeath
6 Posts
Daren was in meetings all day yesterday, but he plans to call you this morning.