I have been struggling for help for several years regarding my dealings with The Computer Learning Center of Philadelphia (Market Street location to be precise) to no avail.
It all began in May of 1995 I was working two jobs and desperate to get my family a decent way of life. I saw/heard the commercials for CLC and decided to check it out.
I called and set an appointment. Upon arriving I was greeted by my counselor Greg Person who proceeded to tell me that I could be starting out in a new field with a new salary of $45-50,000 a year.
I told him that I have NO computer background; in fact, I have never even taken a computer class! That was No problem Greg said, We give you all the experience you need I was then told that the tuition was going to be about $12,500 but they would make it affordable through student loans. Mr. Person said everything was covered with the $12,500 even testing for certification! He said that was how they ensured their program was the best because if their instructors were inferior the school would pay far too much in testing fees to stay in business.
I then asked about the type of class I should take Mr. Person had only one answer, of course, the most expensive class in the school LAN, when I asked how a person with such limited experience would do in such a course he said that most of the students in the class had little or no computer training and that if I had any problems the teachers would make themselves available and the school had an extensive tutoring program.
I began classes on August 8th 1995 and the start went well I seemed to be doing satisfactorily but at the end of the first section the instructor started to review the course in general including the idea we should start saving our money for the first battery of tests for certification.
When in absolute dismay I approached Mr. Barlow and told him what Greg Person had told me that those costs were included he said You too huh, Maybe you should go speak to your counselor I stormed off only to find out that my counselor mysteriously left the day I started classes. I then sought to make an appointment With the Dean but was told it would be at least a week before I could speak to him.
When I finally was able to speak to him he told me it was my word against the schools and that if I wished to sign a non-disclosure waiver absolving the school of any wrongdoing he could arrange to have a third of my student loans discharged leaving me to pay the last two-thirds!
I said that was absurd but knowing I was stuck one way or the other I continued to try. As the material turned to the hard-core networking I fell behind quickly not understanding much of what was taught.
I approached the teacher but was told he was far too busy helping the other students. I then sought a tutor well I tried to anyway. I was told the extensive tutoring program was full but put my name on a list, after several weeks I was given a tutor from the programming class who had no networking experience and in fact had never passed a single certification test (all of this for $12,500).
I returned to the Dean who, after offering me the gag order deal again thought a different teacher might help. I was just as lost there and thereafter had a nervous breakdown leading to my divorce and six months of Prozac rehabilitation.
I then tried over the next few years to work out something with CLC but was stonewalled at every turn. At one point they would not even acknowledge that Greg person ever even worked there! I now have physical evidence that he in fact signed off on paperwork that was in my folder! I have yet to find one agency that can help me with this situation. I attend a school for 4 months and now owe $16,000 with interest!
I hope these CLC scum bags die a slow and painful death.
Chris
Turnersville, New Jersey
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