ATA College Reviews

"I made the decision to go back to college when I knew I had to change my life. I was laid off from my factory job and had not been to school in over 15 years. I needed help and I had no idea where to start. I just picked up the phone and started calling schools. ATA was the best decision for me- nothing says that it will be the best decision for you. I think it is a very personal choice. What has worked for others has not always worked for me..... While I was there, I did see things that I didn't always agree with, as far as policies and teachers- but my overall experience changed my life. I had to work hard the entire time I was there, I didn't expect people to hand things to me. I was taught that from my parents at an early age. And when I read these reviews I see exactly what my parents told me not to be- these people clearly expect everyone to so something for them.I graduated from the Medical Assisting program and am now working for a doctors office in my hometown. I have never been so happy, and I know that it is because I went back to school. I hope people don't just read these reviews and believe them- and I also hope people remember bad news travels 5 times faster and further than good news. It seems to me these people had a bad experience and instead of trying to understand it or fix it themselves like adults, they wrote a bad review to feel better."

"Very nice school. Professors are having excellent talent. I recommend this college to everyone."

"I just finished the Medical Office Assistant program and thought about continuing with the Coding degree but once I talked to financial aid I said forget it. I already have a student loan for $17,000 for the MOA program and then needing like 6 more classes and an externship they want to charge me $14,000 dollars more. The two degrees together cost more than just the Coding degree alone. They said it would be cheaper. The financial department doesn't know their butts from a hole in the ground. They first tried to tell me I would have to pay $4,000 out of my own pocket if I were to continue on with the coding degree and I told them absolutely not. After I looked at what they were charging me for they included classes they I was currently taking and I brought it to their attention and then they come back and say well you have a balance of $396.00 from your MOA program and to continue that has to be paid and the the coding program will cost you $775 out of your own pocket. What??? When I did my FASFA for this year it said I'm eligible for $20500 so why do I owe anything at this point? Their response well you can only get so much money per semester and its hard to explain. Well why would FASFA give me more than I can have?? Since all of this went down they've been paid $5000 through Stafford loans and my state unemployment program. Have I received a refund? Hell No!!! This school is a rip off. Most credits will not transfer and their degrees are useless. Don't waste your money because at the end you will still be unemployed!!!!"

"I just have to say I sadly agree with almost all of the negative comments about this school. Not only did I go through on some cases 2 and even 3 instructors for the same course, the Career Services Dept did NOT help me at all in finding a position after graduation. They never return emails and now that they have my money they don't seem to care."

"In the spring of 2009 during the peak of our economic downfall I found myself searching for a new beginning so to speak. It was difficult to find a good job and I was wondering what I should do to help myself get through this. There had been a lot of advertisements and news articles related to the medical field and how popular and demanding of an industry it really is. I had started looking around in the area and the one school that I kept hearing about was ATA. I decided to give the school a call and get some information. I was very impressed with how quickly the admissions office got back with me. I was nervous being 35 years old and possibly going back to school but my anxiety was soon relieved. The financial aid staff at ATA did what they could to help me receive financial aid and to resolve a defaulted student loan from many years ago. I’m glad I chose ATA and I completed the Medical Office Assistant Program in May 2010 and am actually within weeks of completing the Professional Coding Associates Degree Program at ATA as well.I am not sure what would have happened if I had not made that call inquiring about what going back to school could offer me. Without the dedicated teachers and staff of ATA this could not have been possible. I am now on track for a long and rewarding career in the Healthcare Industry. I would not hesitate at all to let anyone know how exciting and meaningful of a journey this has been and it is possible for anyone to achieve the same."

"Been at this school for a while now and haven't learned shit...if they would give me back my 18000 that I've already put into the nursing program I would run to Galen for half the price and a better education. They could care less about how the students feel even the damn teachers are a joke besides maybe 1 or 2. I say RUN and take your money and time somewhere else"

"Do not go to this school. They will tell you anything to get you to sign up and seems difficult to get a straight answer from the financial department.It seems this school has trouble finding good instructors, or the good instructors are ran off from there. They do advertise a lot and try to talk a good game, but don't listen as they are far and away overpriced for what a student get's in return."

"I was in school for Dental Assisting when I was thrown out of school, they had no proof of the situation and didn't even take into consideration my side of the story. I am currently suing and yet am still being harassed for unpaid tuition, because I "withdrew" from my classes. The financial team is completely oblivious to what they are doing and the dean is a complete well you fill in the blank. I have tried to reason with all of the administration and all they are out for is money I will be going publicly on a local news station very soon just as soon as my lawyer is ready. I had a 4.0 the whole time and at the drop of the dime when they didn't feel like dealing with me and more they shut the door in my face and quit talking to me. I would diffidently look around some more before choosing this school where the classes don't even transfer."

"Ata College is nothing but a scam. I am 18 years old and nothing was explained to me correctly. My finanical advisor mislead me. Im young and naive and didn't understand the papers that I signed I wish I would have paid more attention.I withdrawn from my second quarter because I couldn't afford 220 dollars a month plus everything else I needed to pay for. Im in debt 9,000 dollars for 2 quarters. I have nothing to show for it. If I stayed in the program I would be 17,000 in debt. I would never recommend this school to anyone. They promise you one thing and you get the complete opposite. I haven't talked to one student that goes there that actually likes it."

"Well to start this I totally agree with the complaints about the financial aid dept. Keep Track of your loan payments to the school every term.....and what money is extra that is owed to you ...keep track carefully or you will not get it!!! MY BIGGEST Concern is accreditation... KNOW ALL THIS BEFORE YOU SIGN PAPERS.... as a first time college student I asked the famous question is the college accredited. OH YES they said, I could transfer my credits ANYWHERE ...LIE !!!! You will not be able to transfer your credits. I finished my associates for medical coding and was enrolled in Ottawa University for Healthcare Management for my bachelors...HAHA to my surprise ...my 55 credit hours..over half of my credits needed to get my bachelors..will not transfer...so my dreams ...GONE in a matter of a second! Now I am looking at having to go to a truly accredited school to START OVER With a REAL Associates degree so I can move on to my bachelors! My only choice in the matter is to wash my hands of it and start completely over! My advice ...the medical coding degree is a farce ...you will not get a job in this field ..unless you start out on the bottom and hopefully work your way up! The Associates Degree I have earned for the last 2 yrs and upwards of $20,000 is garbage! Also be aware if you are looking to move ahead and get your bachelors..... you will only have so much from student loans. You will cap off and will not be loaned anymore monies toward your education ....therefore, your left to pay out of pocket! Oh and try to get an answer from someone on the staff about all this..haha again ..I called and was told they would talk to Ottawa...they never called them...Another lie, what a surprise...horrible experience!!!! Sad to take advantage of people! Karma!!!!"

"I am in the Associate degree program for Medical Assistant. This is my first experience with college and it has not been great. I am a straight A student, come to class all the time and participate. The teachers are great but the financial aid department is horrible. They point fingers at everyone but themselves when things are not done right. It took my two months to get it straightened out when they disenrolled me for six months even though I was at school every day. I only found out when my student loans came due! They bill me every month even though financial aid has paid for all my school. Now they are delaying paying a grant I was supposed to recieve. I have been told several different stories as to why this is but its always the same "Its not our fault". No one wants to take ownership of the problem.Also, I have been in several classes that have gone through more than one teacher in a simple ten week quarter. I would NEVER recommend this school to anyone."