The CBS station in San Francisco, KPIX,  profiled a Westwood student who complained to their Action Help Line about the school.  The 23-year-old student, Christian Duncan, says he currently owes close to $80,000, and still does not have a diploma.  They call his experience “one expensive lesson.”

The story also focuses on the huge boom in for-profit education in the past decade. They report that tuition is usually far more expensive than what public colleges charge, and the reporter says even some top-notch private universities are cheaper.  She warns that students of these schools can get stuck paying the bill for a long time.   Click on the video above to watch.   We’re sure many of you can relate, from all the stories you’ve shared with us.  If you haven’t already, you can click here to tell us your story.

We’ve learned that Westwood will be under scrutiny next week as the ACICS (Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools) visits its Denver North campus.  This is the body that has given some of Westwood’s campuses their national accreditation. That is not the same as the regional accreditation they are seeking, but have yet to be granted.

The school said in an email to some graduates that it is “gearing up” for the ACICS visit.  Part of that “gearing up” has included advising these graduates that ACICS might be calling them to verify their employment status. A Denver North Graduate Advisor explained it to students this way:

“You have been coded as working in field or in a related field, because you have used 30% of your degree in your post-graduation position, or you were hired based upon skills you learned within your degree (including general education courses).

We have heard from students who are trying to figure out what that means and how you quantify “having used 30% of your degree in your post-graduation position?” We contacted a representative from ACICS to ask how they student should apply this confusing and incredibly broad interpretation of “employed in their field.” The representative did not have any guidance for trying to make sense of this definition, so it will be up to each one of you to decide whether you are “employed in your field” or not.

However, the ACICS representative did tell us that if a student wants to make clear that they don’t believe they are  working in their field, he or she should do so. If you’re contacted, you should be completely honest about your employment position. You may also ask to speak to the ACICS representative rather than to the Westwood employee who will be making the phone call.

Westwood indicated in its email that “the accrediting team calls are only concerning employment,” but don’t be intimidated.  You have the right to tell the ACICS whatever you think is important for them to know about your Westwood experience.

Also, she encouraged any student with a complaint to file one with the ACICS by emailing complaints@acics.org.  Students can also file a complaint as a group.

Thanks for checking in.  Keep letting your voices be heard, and we will make a difference.

Warm Regards,

Jillian

The Denver Post published a front page, in-depth report this Sunday looking at for-profit colleges and how many are cashing in, while leaving students deep in debt and dissatisfied.  Click here to read the Denver Post story.

A former Westwood Admissions Rep was interviewed for the story and tells how they lured students to enroll with high-pressure sales pitches.  Also interviewed, were three former Westwood students who’ve also shared their complaints with the James Hoyer Law firm.

The article is filled with statistics that show just how the schools are profiting off of students who say they often don’t get what the pay for. The report also provides a public service to help educate students, parents and citizens that more questions must be asked when considering whether to attend these schools. Be sure to check it out and let the paper know what you think.

You can also read another story the Denver Post ran Monday, which looks at how for-profit schools may soon face tighter regulations.

Thanks, as always, for checking in.  More updates coming very soon.

Warm Regards,

Jillian

Hello Everyone,

Thought you would like to see another investigation into practices at Westwood College.  In this report, CBS4 in Denver exposes some of the same things so many of you have complained to us about. The station even went undercover showing that the school misled  students about the school’s loan program and the ability to transfer credits.

We’ve been swamped by emails from many more students and former employees.  Thank you for sharing your stories.  There is strength in numbers.

More information is coming out everyday.  We’ll post more updates soon.

Best,

Jillian