Complaint / Review
Ashford University Online
Ashford University's Rude Enrollment Counselor Attitude = Buyer Beware Rude Enrollment Couselor balked at my degree of choice—told me my educational interest is "below their calibur"

I filled out an online form which doubled as a search engine for different online degrees. I typed in "web design and multimedia". Ashford University came up, among other results, such as DeVry University and Art Institute of Pittsburg. I proceeded to call Ashford U, and a recruiting officer answered my call. He asked how long I had considered getting a Masters Degree in the Arts. I told him I had been considering it for awhile now. I told him I was primarily interested in web design.

He said that Ashford U had no Masters program in web design because it was too specific and technical.

I then asked if Ashford U had any other programs dealing with web design or multimedia, such as an AS degree?

They said no, and he intoned that I would be hard pressed to find a BS or even an AS in web design or the like. They also added that it was below Ashford of U's calibur. He said their programs were broader, and offered a wider range of classes to promote the fullest educations.

I said thank you, and that I would try to find a school that offered maybe even a certificate program. He agreed haughtily. To top it off, they insincerely wished me a great day and told me he would send me the information anyway even though I clearly was not interested and he had not discussed anything of interest... Or anything at all for that matter.

Still, I probably shouldn't complain. This Ashford sales recruiter's attitude was worlds better than an Art Institute of LA recruiter I had spoken with 7 years earlier (I was in the process of deciding on a college for my BFA)... But that's another story. I didn't end up going there, either.

Morals of Story: Well, I am wary of any school that uses guilt, or belittles a student, no matter how mild! Why do they feel they need to? It speaks volumes of their CALIBUR as education providers. Of school they are running. Also, I know for a fact that the recruiter I mentioned is dead wrong about schools not offering degrees in Web Design and Multimedia. EG: Many schools even offer BS's in information technology (which is the same thing but diff. Name than web design). So, he either doesn't know anything about where Ashford stands in the world of academia, or he is feeding false info which is just as bad.