Southern Technical College Reviews

"I had minor issues in dealing with Southwest Florida College, especially receiving books late in two different semesters. All the instructors were perfectly happy to let me turn in my work late since I did not have my book, they were understanding of the situations. Going back to school is like a job. You must work hard and if you need any assistance, the instructors are there to help you. I mainly took online classes, which you actually have to do more work than you would in the classroom. The class that I took on campus was so incredibly easy compared to online. People are too quick to judge and demand everything their way since they are paying for their education. They chose this school, if they did not like it, then they should have quit. I'm proud to say that I worked my tail off to receive my degrees. I was also on the Dean's List for 5 semesters, graduated in June 2012 with the highest honors, and I am a member of Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society (I'm 38 yrs. old). I have no idea what any of you are talking about, I have had consistant E-mails with career positions mailed to me weekly from the Graduation Placement Coordinator. I am looking forward to my new career change and new lead on life!"

"This schools only objective is to get your money. From incredibly high tuition rates to nonsense fees there is no part of this school not designed to squeeze as much money out of you as possible. A quarter based school charging a minimum of $350 per credit hour is insane.The nursing program is even worse. They charge to take the entrance test, a $200 seat holding fee, $150 for a background check and have no organization what so ever. They evaluate your transfer credits based on how they can get the most money out of you. They have no idea what they're doing. Admissions handles all of the random paperwork and forces you to come in multiple times because they have no idea what they should be doing. They don't know how to change your major. Instead, they have to withdrawal you from school and re-enroll you. Clearly the school is used to just enrolling mass amounts of people, hoping enough stick around to keep their doors open.How this school has ANY accreditation is amazing. The fact that the Florida Board of Nursing has even approved their program is even more shocking.They tell you that any school that uses the Florida statewide course numbering system will accept courses that match. This couldn't be further from the truth. Most schools, even other nationally accredited institutions, look down on SWFC and the quality of it's education. Most of their courses don't match the state's numbering system, and if you have transfer credits to bring in to SWFC, chances are they have some excuse as to why they can't accept them.Do yourself a favor and find another school for your education. There are plenty of regionally accredited schools that have medical assisting, nursing and surgical technician programs. The ONLY saving grace was their medical lab tech program, but unfortunately they are overcharging for that program (somewhere close to $44k from start to finish) and have driven two highly qualified instructors to want to leave the school.On top of everything else, they NEVER have books ready for the start of the term, probably because they wait until the last minute to make course changes. Cancelling classes when they don't make enough profit to run the class, regardless of promising that nothing will interrupt your "path to success" except yourself.If you enjoy small classes with usually under qualified staff and instructors, who usually have to give out photocopied pages of texts books to even run a class, this is the school for you. If you like your money and want to actually learn something there are plenty of other schools."

"I always laugh when people say "$30,000 ... sucking poor people dry". Come on. When I signed up, they told me how much it cost. Didn't they tell you too?? That's a lot of money, yes, but that is what education costs!!! Go to any private college and ask and the tuition is that or HIGHER for all of them. The only "cheap" tuition is at community college which is all paid for by government money ANYWAY. So whether you go here, or there, you're still paying for it no matter what.What I can say for sure is that when I started school, I had no job. Now that I've graduated, I have a job that I love. It is an amazing experience for me to actually enjoy going to work. That's something I never thought I would have in my life. The teachers at STC really wanted me to succeed.I believe the key to finishing any school is to want to finish. Everyone has problems along the way -- you just have to want to finish. If the teachers see you strugling, they'll help you because they know you want to finish too. If you want it, you can earn your degree at STC. It's as simple as that."

"The tuition has raised three times in two years. The college is not reginally accredited. The managers are incompetent. They say it is a career college but do not give job placement assistance. Worst reputation in the state."

"Program manager for one program has changed 3 times in the past 3 years, the new director of education is about to be terminated, they do not follow the syllabus, have very inconsistent course load and expectations, want to charge 40$ for a uniform shirt that is required, have heard nothing good about this place and I go here!!!! raised tuition on me 3 times, books are overpriced and never in on time, i didnt get one of my books until the third to the last week of class."

"Think again if you want to join this school. I am a student having problem with transfer credits to different schools. SWFC is a non transferable credit. I am very disappointed in teaching."

"This school was everything they promised it would be. I was in school for 18 months, got my good grades, and got a job at the site i was placed on an externship.As with anything in life, you get out what you put in. I put in alot of hard work and got the reward.Now, of course, I have to pay back my student loans. In this economy, i'm just glad I have a job and a way to provide for my kids."

"Not sure what campus you attended, but I went to the Tampa campus and I personally had a great experience. SWFC was recommended to me by my cousin who graduated and is now working for a hospital as a department manager in the billing department... I studied crimminal justice and It was awesome! I found that the smaller classroom sizes helped me a lot..I had been out of school for a while and I received person attention as needed.The instructors are awesome! I am working in my field and loving it! I will return to SWFC to finish my bachelors degree soon! Hope this helps!"

"My husband attended this college, we spent over $30,000 in tuition. He graduated top of his class, Suma Cum Lada, was chosen to be a "school ambassador" and STILL cannot find a job. The job placement program is a total joke. All they do is give you a resume template and send you the same tired job leads over and over. They have some good professors but there is nothing for you once your graduate. Dont waste your money we have been very disappointed with the outcome...after 18 months...putting miles and miles on our car getting him to and from we are in no better position that we were before he started."

"Look, I don't know if this school really "changed my life" like everyone keeps saying. I can tell you for sure that I got a good job out of the deal, but I earned it.So many people want something for nothing now a days. I studied all the time ... came to school all the time ... I was on the perfect attendance list and showed the awards to my kids. It made me proud to show my family that I was rocking!I put on my resume that I had perfect attendance and the lady that hired me actually said that made a big difference in her decision. Someone who goes to school EVERY DAY will probably go to work every day too and that's what they needed.I would recommend STC. The people were friendly and the classes weren't too hard. It got me where I needed to be ... but they didn't do all the work for me. I had to do it myself unlike all of the lazy people out there."

"I go to the orlando campus. I admit i was really nervous when I signed up, ESPECIALLY after reading some of the negative comments here. I've been here for 3 months now and i can honestly say the negative people here are full of crap!!! Yes, there are some students who don't belong. Don't all schools have that? Professor Drye is AWESOME!!!! From the first day, you can just tell she cares for you and loves what she does. I'm sooooo happy to have met her and to have been a part of her class. My fellow classmates are great! There are some students that have serious issues. And they miss time, they miss the work, and then they badmouth the teacher, the school, and the dean when they don't get a good grade (it's all over there facebook, like they are innocent). They think because they are paying, that the school should walk backwards for them. I studied my ass off for my A&P class! And don't blame the school just because you're not serious about your degree!!!I earned my A. I felt great for earning it. I love STC. I'm soooo happy that i decided to attend school here. The staff and faculty really care for you. If your serious about your career, come to STC. Haters, stay home."

"First of all I cannot say that I was treated poorly at this school, there were many nice teachers and people that work at the sanford campus, that is the campus I went to and is the only one i can comment on. I read the reviews on this site and honestly the truth is that yes they will work with you regarding attendance and issues that come up, but lets not forget that they are a for profit school so it;s in their interest to work with you so that you can keeping attending and consequently they keep getting your money. It is also in their interest to make sure good reviews are circulating about them, think about it who really logs on because they are just so thrilled about a school, no people log on and complain when they feel wronged and mistreated and I wouldn't put it past them to create fake reviews that puff their school/business up. Notice how the good reviews sound like a sales pitch. The fact is that you spend 30,000 dollars for a subpar education, and subpar is giving it to much credit. I had a teacher actually try and convince me to leave so that I would not waste my money. In hindsight I wish I had listened. If you are interested in getting a degree that is easy to obtain because of the laxed standards than this is the place that you want to be at. But that piece of paper is about all that you will receive. Furthermore that degree is only able to transfer to one other local college called Mountain State University, which has a very limited curriculum. If you want a solid foundation to start a new career with than you better RUN!!!! In comparison I work with a gentleman that spent just over 5,000 dollars at a community colleges 18 month program and he is very knowledgeable and more certified than I am. For a fraction of the cost at his school he received the nationally recognized industry competency ICE exam. The fact is that Southern Tech does not even offer that test to you. All that you receive is an EPA certificate that you can get yourself without the school for a couple hundred dollars. I truly wish that I had done my research better and I hope this helps you come to a better decision. I personally would not be able to in good conscience work at an establishment such as this that tries to pin the lack of quality of its curriculum on a students bad attitude rather than just start providing it's students the quality education that the price tag dictates should be offered. I'm in all seriousness willing to trade them my degree for my money back, and STC if you actually read this review which I hope somebody at the Sanford campus does I put my name up there you have my number you know who I am I got nothing personal against anyone there I'm just speaking the truth I would love for you to do the right thing and refund me my money."

"I am attending Southwest Florida College now for interior design. I transferred from another school due to my family moving across state and I was very unhappy about how they did not transfer a lot of classes that I had already taken. The whole office is very unorganized, not helpful, and unprofessional. The school is a joke. I feel like I'm in high school again. I take that back, junior high. I want a degree so that is why I'm sucking it up, and finishing up here for a few more months since there are no other schools within two hours for my major. But who knows if this degree will even help get a job. From reading the reviews it looks like the school won't be good from even that. What a waste of my time and money.... If you are thinking about going to this school, DON'T! If you want to actually learn something and get your moneys worth look into other schools. If you want an easy degree where you learn nothing and pay a fortune, this school is perfect for you!"

""We offer day, evening and weekend classes at all of our campuses so that your education fits with your busy schedule" This is their ad, which is also on TV but don't be naive enough to believe it. They will wait until your last semester to tell you it's either nights or online..their way or the highway. Even a willingness to travel to another campus to fit a class into your schedule doesn't work since they all are on the same scheduling frame.,/p>In my year of being a student I have never seen the administration care about whether a student has a working or family life outside. I am fortunate to have a perfect attendance record but I have seen students penalized for a sick child or a job shift change conflict. The school salesman do give terrific lip service and the old "Rah, Rah" but reality is a whole different ball game.Don't waste time, energy or money on this school, there are way better options out there for a good education at a better price."

"I know for a fact that as expensive as it may be, the classes are small and the teachers are good. They have a max of 15 per class for a reason. BETTER education. You must have went to a different campus. Surg techs are needed all over and as long as your learning and you do your clinicals... you will get a job. I have 2 friends who graduated from there. I will in 12'. Maybe it helpd because we already work in the hospital but, so many people get jobs. Sorry about your experience. You should have went to another campus!!"

"i'm currently in my 5th class at STC and LOVE this school. I haven't had any problems what so ever with any department. I'm on the presidents list and love the classes they offer. The schedule is flexible and the teachers are very student oriented. They are more than willing to work with you no matter what the problem or situation. Some people like to complain about everything but they usually don't stick around long. You can definatly tell who is attending the school to obtain a brighter future and who is there to goof off. They usually dont last long. The staff is wonderful clean down to the facilities manager. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!! We are like one big family. I would highly recommend this school. Check it out for yourself. Alot of people just can't cut it cause they don't want to do the work so when they drop out they want to bad mouth the school when in reality it's their fault for not applying theirselves."

"This school changed my life. At the beginning, I was a little nervous that I could do the work and stay in school for 18 months since I hadn't been in school for a LONG time. The teachers were nice and cared about whether I was in class. They even called to check up on me when I wasn't there. I met alot of great friends and I have a job that I really like now. I'm happy that I went to Southern Tech, and most of my friends are too."

"I loved everything about it. I got bunkers there. The teachers were all awesome and I'm already set up on my externship. I feel like I have a starting fortify for my career!!!!THANKS STC!!!"

"Hey - I am a student at this school and don't appreciate the lies I am reading!! The faculty are all qualified...I actually checked before I enrolled.....did you? I also looked into their placement rates before I enrolled ....did you? I graduate at the end of May...I already have a job, started at $12 an hour (a little lower than I hoped), but I went to $15 ater 60 day, and will go to $18 after i graduate. I put a LOT into my education...did you? You mention deadbeats...sounds like you're one of them. Don't complain about what you don't know about. STC is NOT blacklisted and has a great reputation in the industry...I work in it so I know. I don't appreciate you blaming them for your failures and hurting MY reputation."

"I went to this school for medical assisting. The teachers were great and I got a job right after school. There is a problem with some students having very bad attitudes but they don't last long and usually drop within a few classes.The good ones stay, graduate, and most of my class got jobs.A+"