Opinions on Private Rad School(s) (ex: Keiser)

mzaidel · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 7

Most schools that are accredited (Comm Colleges) have a 1 year (or more) wait to get in, but schools like Keiser or Medvance in Florida allow you to enter immediately?!!! (they cost around $40,000 to complete a 2 yr program)

Does anyone know how they are viewed by employers? Are these type of schools a costly mistake or are they considered equally by HR depts of hospitals, etc.?

Please help - don't want to make the wrong decision! The counselors seem like they get paid to get you to sign up... also highly suspicious...

Thanks in advance for ANY input

flmiata · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Hi there-

Be sure to check out Florida Hospital's online Imaging programs. http://onlineimaging.fhchs.edu/ You can earn your Radiology or Sonography degree without ever having to go oncampus. My sister did it and loved it!

hope this helps.

Erinlyn80 · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Minnesota

Having graduated from a private school in Minnesota I would highly, highly encourage you to wait and go to another school. If for no other reason than in this economy its hard enough to make due on this income without $500 student loan payments when you graduate!

I graduated with 37K in student loan debt, if I pay the minimum every month for 15 years (250/5yrs, 350/5yrs, 4xx/5yrs) i will pay a whopping 78k for my lousy education!

Mine was a double burn because it turned out to be not a good program. They had you learning 100% of your education in the classroom for a year and a half and then hands on clinicals the last 6mos before you graduate. THis is a HORRIBLE way to learn to be an xray tech. I was in school with many well educated people; teachers, engineers, all struggling with this format. Had I paid a little bit more and gone to St Catherines private college, the only other private college in Minnesota at least I'd have enormous debt and a quality education instead of a lousy one that's hindered my career.

My main point: unless you have access to tons of scholarships or federal aid the debt isnt worth what we earn at the end of the schooling.

Most importantly research your school before signing up. Call around to local employers and ask the department managers what do they think of this school, do they hire graduates from this school (some facilities only hire their own graduates) etc.

Best wishes to you.
_________________
ARRT registered since 2006
Mammographer, working on "M"

jcmiami · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

I am in the same dilemma but I unfortunately attended Keiser University(Kendall(Miami) College) and I dropped out when I finished the general intro. courses ( I had a 4.0 GPA). The main reason I dropped out from this school was the extremely expensive tuition and I felt I was getting a subpar education for such a high tuition. This school is so expensive that you will have to take out a private student loan to make up for what the government loans will not cover.
Keiser left me very suspicious because the general courses (before the core R/T classes) were nothing more than high school classes not college level. Classes were very basic math, biology, English, etc. The teachers were excellent and the faculty was accessible but the students were another story. I am not an arrogant a**hole nor am I a rocket scientist but the majority of students in this school are simply incompetent, disrespectful and will never be accepted in any other college. I constantly questioned how these kids got in this school. I suspect they were pressured by an "advisor" who got them to sign up then immediately into the financial aid office. Some of these students barely spoke English and read English and, worst, was they didn't care (why are you in school then????). I suspect they were allowed to slide in because Keiser wanted their money - there is no other explanation.
The entry exam is nothing more than a 15 minute on-line series of questions re: simple logic, math, etc. The general classes were rather easy not too challenging and still most students repeatedly kept failing AND still were allowed to remain in school. It was obvious the teachers were under pressure by the administration to pass as many students as possible - believe me - they allowed you to take repeat exams, make up exams, make up assignments, etc. Teachers did everything but give you test answers and they still failed. This school obviously is doing an injustice to these students because it is not preparing them for the difficult and challenging core classes. They are allowing subpar students to go as far as possible, take their money until they drop out or get expelled or not make core requirement (GPA B or higher for most) and leave. I had a sick feeling that Keiser was another "diploma mill" school so I left. I am now shopping for a new school.

Doclat · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 6

Let me tell you up front that I am an educator at a Community College based program, so my oppinion might sound a little biased.

If you are going to spend $30-40k on an education, go to Harvard.
Yes it is easy to get into a private school, but you need to do some homework before signing on the dotted line.

1. Is the program accredited? www.jrcert.org
2. Will the credits transfer?
3. What is their ARRT registry success rate? www.arrt.org
4. What is the rate of successful job placement following graduation?

After doing your homework, you might find out that the easy path is not always the best.
_________________
Trying is the first step towards failure........
Homer J Simpson Esq.

jcmiami · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

Doclat, is absolutely correct on his remarks. Keiser's RT program is what they call a "terminal degree" meaning credits are NOT transferable. In addition, you must also check out who the school allies with regarding clinicals...is it a rinky dink RT office or clinic or poorly rated hospital ...or is it a well established highly rated hospital/clinic.
I made a very expensive mistake Sad

by starting this private school without doing the research first. As I do the research now, I find my local community college offers a much better program and are allied with the top hospitals in Miami. Yes, there is a waiting list but I rather wait then find myself $40,000 in the hole with a laughable degree. Hey we learn from our mistakes!

jcribb · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Tamp, fl

Some of the Keiser rad tech programs are accredited(JRCERT) and the ones that aren't are in the process of becoming accredited. The Keiser rad tech program is a difficult and accelerated program (rad tech is 16 months). While it is expensive, I think you get a good, well rounded experience at Keiser. I have been involved in Comm. college as well as private rad tech programs and there are pros and cons for both. Its a matter of what works best for the individual.

miart · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1

I agree...always research on whatever school you are considering before commiting to such a debt. My situation is a little different. I attended FLORIDA NATIONAL COLLEGE, in Miami... by the way would not recommend it to anyone. I exceeded my times to take the ARRT and now i have to attend an Advanced Placement Program, to requalify. I cannot find any schools that offer this program except for the one i graduated from. There is one online but too expensive and require too much requisites. I've left messages,emailed and when i get thru they just say they don't know when the next class is going to start. There is no professionalism,customer service,consideration, nor do they care for former/current students. I am appalled by all of this... If anyone out there can give me any advise, i would appreciate it. Thxs.