Where do I start with this horrible attempt of an educational institution. To start, I think people (and those who wish to go to these vocational schools, i.e. ITT Tech, Anthem, Kaplan) must remember that these institutions are not educational in anyway, shape, or form. They are designed for you to "graduate" with basic skills in your choice of field, where you will then hopefully (and I mean hopefully) get employment in that field an introductory, basic level. There is nothing academic about Anthem at all. Getting that out of the way, potential signee's must remember this: for those that are contemplating signing up to this institution, you will basically be about 15-20K in debt once you have completed whatever program, for you to then hopefully find at job and be paid between $9.00-12.00 an hour. So off bat, you will be a graduate of a so called "college", but at the bottom of pyramid wherever you find employment at. That's fuckin great, right Anthem?
But wait, there's more. The administration at Anthem College (those working in the front office, financial aid, etc.) are worse than the institution as a whole itself. I have a friend (who's name will remain anonymous of course) who worked there for a period of time and witnessed gross mismanagement and office politics that once told to me, were laughable in every way. the list of everything is big, and fucking beautiful: The hiring of inefficient and severely inexperienced individuals, secretaries calling in for days at a time or not calling in saying they will not be at work, the chain of command being broken in every way possible, employees lower in the command bypassing authorized instructions and making decisions for themselves, creating conflict within the workplace. Shitty, right? Financial aid officers at Anthem are paid commission for signing up people; if they have your phone number, expect your cell phone or house phone to be blown the fuck up. They won't stop harassing you until you make that mistake and sign on that dotted line, or you tell them to fuck all the way off.
Overall, Anthem College should not call themselves a "college". Anthem Vocational School sounds best; its a school where you can learn basic, entry (to maybe mid) level trades in different fields. That being said, you can "learn" here, but at a great cost. Either way, the downsides of Anthem College are too great to be ignored:
1. Programs offered at Anthem are designed for entry level positions in the outside world. Don't expect to be making big money, or comfortable money at that. You WILL end up at a low paying job with your "certificate", not degree. If your goal in life is to have a career which you make a lot of money in, Anthem College is not the institution for you to make that a reality in.
2. If you think in any way, shape, or form that credits at this school will magically transfer to a community college or a university, think again. They will not. At all.
3. Incurring 15-20K in debt after an 18 month program will not guarantee you a job in your field anywhere. Job placement is non-existent.
4. A 18-month program that leads to a certificate Vs. a certified (and accredited) Bachelor's degree from a University with many opportunities for paid internships, externships, networking, etc...........which one do you think an employer will take for a vacant position? I'm not saying that an employer will completely exclude a Anthem graduate from the position, but I would take an individual who has a legitimate degree with real internship/externship experience anyday.
5. You have to realize what you are/will be paying for. You won't be getting a degree. Of any type. Certification is the specialty at Anthem. Certificates. Your certified. As a Dental Assistant. Or Medical Assistant. Or some other shit you paid 15-20K in 18 months to become. If your life's ambition is to be a medical assistant or dental assistant, then by all means, sign up for Anthem. But do not complain when your medical or dental assistant job is only paying you 10.50 an hour and you have 14,000 dollars owed to Anthem College.
That being said, if your thinking of going to school/back to school, don't take the lazy way out and go to Anthem College. Start at a community college and work your way up to a university. Might it cost more? Perhaps. Will it take longer to complete? Without a doubt. Are the benefits of getting a degree at a University greater than a Certificate at Anthem College? You bet your fucking ass. You will have a greater range for job opportunities, and better pay in the long run. read more
