Communications between my rep and I.

[redcivic93]

The following are emails exchanged between my representative who attempted to recruit me and myself. Enjoy!

Hi Devon:

It was really nice meeting you yesterday and finding out that you are ready to pursue your education to help you get into a stable career. I’m sorry to hear you feel you need to cancel starting the Computer Network Systems Associate of Applied Science Degree in March. What we did complete yesterday was just part of the application for admission process which granted you acceptance at ITT Tech. You didn’t complete or sign an enrollment agreement so there isn’t anything to cancel at this point. Even when a student completes the financial aid process and does sign the enrollment agreement, until the student sits in class, the enrollment agreement is not binding.

I left a phone message for you as I would like to speak with you again. Please let me know if you are still considering ITT, but just not ready this week to come in to check out how the financial aid portion works out. Would your parents be interested in talking to me on the phone so I could answer any questions they have? You are under no obligation to start, but we would like to be sure you get all the information you and your parents need before making a definite decision on whether ITT is what you are looking for or not.
I look forward to your call.

Sharon Batchelor
ITT Technical Institute
9500 N.E. Cascades Parkway
Portland, OR 97220
(503) 255-6500 Extension 1762
Toll Free: 1-800-234-6500
Direct Line: (503) 335-1762
Email: sbatchelor@itt-tech.edu

My response:

Dear Sharon,

I am definitely interested pursuing higher education, just not with your company. Note that I said company, as that is all you are. A for-profit business that is publicly traded on the New York stock exchange. At $514 per credit-hour, ITT is more than double what Portland State University (which is nationally and regionally accredited, with full transfer of credits, and a diploma that's worth more than the paper It's printed on) charges for its Bachelor program.
I firmly believe that a for-profit company has only one priority: remain profitable at any cost. This would include grade inflation so "students" qualify for more financial aid (which ITT then keeps for themselves), charging exorbitant interest rates on your student loans, as well as many other questionable business practices. I took the opportunity to call some of the companies you claim employ graduates of ITT. When asked whether they would hire anyone with a degree from ITT, I promptly received laughter and a "no". I just feel sorry for all the people at your "Institution" that are paying $45,000 for a worthless Associate's degree when they could have recieved a Bachelor's degree from any of the Oregon Universities for that same price. I will be sure and warn any and all prospective students of your company to steer clear.

Devon
Her reply:

Hi Devon:

Thanks for getting back to me. The information you have is not accurate, but it appears you have made a decision that ITT is not what you are looking for anyway.

I wish you the very best !

Sharon Batchelor

And finally my final question to her (sorry for long post!):

Just curious as to what information is inaccurate, the per credit-hour costs are lifted directly from PSU's website, I did in fact get in touch with numerous employers, and the inflation information I attained was from former instructors and admissions reps from ITT....not sure how I'm mistaken. I'd invite you to prove me wrong on this.

[sevenalive]

LOL Classic!