If you need to take your OSHA 30, hope that you get Mr. Lopez as your instructor! I was expecting a long, boring week of lectures, but Mr. Lopez made the class incredibly engaging. He has a great energy and a unique way of explaining complex safety standards so that they actually make sense. He cares deeply about his students' success and safety, and it shows. He kept the energy up, kept us entertained with relevant stories, and made sure no one was left behind. I learned a ton and actually enjoyed the process. Highly recommend read more

I was having difficulties with admissions because I'm a returning student. Seems like I was getting the round around with everyone I spoke to until I went into the welcome center where TAMARA helped me out tremendously . She was very helpful and patience and showed that she cared...and she saved my day .. I give her assistance 100 STARS .. but everything else so far a negative zero.. But she was amazing I wish Laney hire more people like her ... read more

They charged me for a waitlisted class. When I try to resolve it, they gave me the round about going from admissions to the cashiers office with rude ass employees lying to me saying I was enrolled when it's clear from their records I was waitlisted and it doesn't show on my transcript. Emailing IT and dean of admissions didn't get anywhere. Corrupt ass school charging students fake fees. They should use their corrupt money to hire security, could've kept the coach alive. read more

The Laney Welcome Center has really good employees that are helpful and know their shit. The Admissions office however has lazy ass employees that don't want to help with anything. read more

No one is ever working in the Fafsa aid building nor does anyone answer the calls. Why hasn't there been anything done about this. I had to come to campus because the financial aid department input incorrect information regarding my loans after only being able to reach out to someone via Twitter. read more

Laney College - Empty Fafsa building on a Tuesday - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Oakland, California

Laney College has a gorgeous campus. I took the photo classes for my major. I met my college consular, Miriam. She was so nice and helpful for enrolling in the lessons. She was talking and sign language during the office meeting. My favorite photography teachers are Micheal, Franklin, and Joan. They were nice and supported me. I'm so happy with that. I still pass all the classes as well. I still love college. read more

This semester I came away with a deep understanding of some really tough concepts in programming. Just amazing semester. I'm so grateful and happy with Laney. read more

This review is for the Pow Wow festival that was held at this college. We were looking for something to do this weekend and heard about it from various sources. We were not disappointed. Although small in scale there were plenty of shopping to be had here and also the competition which was going on inside the Gym. Stayed a little bit to watch the competition, and then shopped a little bit. Ended up with a Fry bread which I tell you, if you have not had it before, prepare to be addicted. Yes I said Addicted. Everyone was so friendly and nice there. When they saw us standing they brought chairs for us. Lady was nice to do that. Parking was pretty easy. If you are wanting to go, today is the last day they are going to be at Laney according to the flyer online. Until perhaps next year? read more

See all

Laney Bistro which is run by the culinary program is really good and a great value. It set in a well designed modern space with a nice view of the park. The staff is delightful. read more

I am surprised about the negative reviews on this site. I guess people need to vent somewhere... I took classes at the Kinesiology Department and at the Graphic Arts Deaprtment at Laney College and I can say that my experience was extremely positive in both places. The graphic arts classes were fun and super informative. The teacher was amazing. In one semester there, I learned more than I learned in two years at another other in the Bay Area that was super expensive and overhyped. The yoga and the swimming classes I took at Laney were just for fun and I really enjoyed them. They have a great swimming pool and a gym and it is by far the best deal in the entire Bay Area. Unfortunately, due to Covid, they are closed now. :(. I can't wait for them to reopen to get back in shape. The best part was that I didn't pay a penny to take classes at Laney. Financial aid was easy to set up - just fill out a form online. Then, I got a tuition waiver for the classes. Seriously, what more could you want! They even give you extra money for books and supplies. Now, you can check out a Chromebook laptop and they have a free mails program. A lot of classes are online now, because of Covid. My only gripe is that classes fill up quickly and there aren't enough of them offered. I kind of waited too long to sign up and now I cannot enroll in some of the classes I wanted to take. Next semster! read more

I have a full time job and have been taking creative classes to fill my time and continue my learning. Laney has made it very easy and straightforward to join the program and I have really enjoyed the courses and professors I have had so far! read more

This college is attend is fantastic. It is super easy to navigate. There are signs everywhere. There are wonderful folks who volunteer in The Welcome Center who are available to answer any questions regarding the college and enrollment process. We've got some pretty great professors who care about their students passing the class. I'm glad I'm a student and would recommend others to enroll and attend Laney read more

Laney College - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Oakland, California

Great teachers. Great campus. One minute walk from Lake Merritt Bart Station.

I love Laney. I really do. But, now everything is virtual and so full of glitches that I finally gave up trying to enroll in one simple class that I was really looking forward to. The help lines for the websites and student email were useless. So, I hired private expert technical help, costing much more than the class itself! Worst of all - in the beginning I just wanted to find out a couple of quick things about the class, before deciding - before going through 20+ hours of struggle with enrolling, admittance, etc. This is backwards! I called several departments and also left emails for my simple 'starting question'. No one responded. read more

I've mainly taken online courses and those are fine. My main gripe is the financial aid office where it seems it doesn't exist at Laney. I sent my waiver form in three times and I never received a response from them. I know I qualified because I was also taking courses at another college and had zero issues receiving it there. Called and nobody EVER picked up the phone. I emailed and never received a response. If you don't need financial aid, Laney is good. If you need aid, choose somewhere else. read more

Laney College's location is closed to BART station. It is very convenient that I go to Laney by bus, BART , and walking. There is a beautiful landscape behind the swimming poor. All the teachers are great and nice, especially for Asian students. Most of the major programs are good for the students' that they can find their jobs in the future. read more

You know...this is the best place to take summer classes. There are actual counselors here not like the other colleges. See a counselor during summer at a UC...puuuhhhh leezzzz. I would highly suggest taking care of all your fall business during the summer because they are available to do so...take care of those nasty holds...those questions about classes...oh what the heck...map out the rest of your entire school career...they are HERE... However...I am quite annoyed that some counselors assume you only want your AA and nothing else. What about giving your students options to dream bigger than that...what about continuing onto a 4-year? I had to *ahem* and ask her for the updated requirements for transfer to a university...GEEZZZ... Oh yeah...DO NOT...I repeat...DO NOT...go to any other floor. I stepped into the elevator to feed the meter and realized a bastard lady pressed all the empty floors after level 3...then she slipped out and went to the other elevator...that was REALLY funny and mature lady (I did that...what...in middle school?)...I hope she had a nice giggle and fart over it. Anyways...after level 4 and 5...I was a little freaked out over the the dark creepy lobby and empty rooms...I had to get out. I ran out and desperately tapped the button for the other elevator. It seemed like forever till it came. The whole time I was praying the faceless woman from O'ahu did not follow me back to mainland. Whew...close one... read more

There are SO many things wrong with Laney, from the learning environment to the students to the services, or lack thereof, the staff provides. The only thing I appreciate about this campus is my counselor who helped me develop my TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee), the fact that it is a supposed learning institution, which is to be respected, and the Nespresso machine in the cafeteria. It really is ghetto. Attached is a placard I found in the library at Laney. Shameful! I bet you want to find it now, huh (if you attend Laney)? Can you say scavenger hunt?! read more

Laney College - Some student wrote this in the library in the FL section. Yes, it says what you think it says. - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Oakland, California

I've been pleasantly surprised with my experience with Laney. I've graduated previously with post grad degrees from university and I felt a little unsure about what starting classes back up would feel like--especially the bureaucratic parts. I'm a couple weeks into taking 6 units while working full time. Every staff person I've interacted with has been really kind and extremely helpful. It's right next to BART and near major bus lines so it's really easy to get to. They offer a large amount of resources--free printing from the library, free lunch (!), produce and pantry pick-ups...probably many more to explore. The two professors I have have been approachable, kind and supportive. I also appreciate them prioritizing safety on campus with regard to covid. Figuring out when to sign up for classes was a bit confusing for me because it wasn't on the calendar as I was trying to plan, in case the classes filled up/were in high demand. Once signed up though, getting started has been exceedingly smooth. Also, seems like the website could use some updating--came across some broken links when trying to figure out if they still offered certain resources like the bus easy pass that used to be. I have kinda skipped the welcome events, but have been able to find answers to all my questions. Overall, I'm grateful for the quality of course that I've seen so far, and I feel empowered and supported. Granted, my experience coming in is a little different than first-time college students, but it got me wondering how much money I would've saved had I really known the possibilities/accessibility through the community college system--overreaching a little there with the retrospect, but the point about having a resource like this, so close (I live in fruitvale) still rings true. I've gone from full-time working and taking classes on the side to pick up extra skills, explore different interests--to now considering maybe going deeper, maybe exploring a associate's degree in fields I've wondered about--maybe more. Bigger picture than just me, I feel grateful we have a place like this here in Oakland, trying to offer an access point for peoples' education and just trying to make it easy/supportive--getting started is always the hardest part, so BIG time recommend to anyone out there considering to check it out. never too late. read more

Great campus and amazing staff! A lot of services are provided to the students such as produce Tuesday at 1pm. Students can use the writing lab, the computer lab and other labs near eagle village to study and print off work for class! Great open door policy and helps set you up to succeed! The lake is right by the campus in the back of the E building! It's a very pretty campus and easy to get around! I love Laney College! read more

Update: I ended up at UC Berkeley for my undergrad and UCLA for grad school!! Screw you Laney counselor!!

This is another one of my 'Oakland is so broke' reviews.....except, it's not just the city, it's the state, the community college district, and our educational system, that's BROKE, and BROKEN. Laney is ridiculous to deal with on the administrative end. They are soooooo unprofessional and unhelpful. They really need to take some time to realize the people they are dealing with are sort of....customers. And were it not for the students, they wouldn't have jobs. It's always a nightmare to deal with the offices of enrollment, registration, cashier, etc. You can't even get a refund on line. Check this out: To request for an enrollment fee refund, submit a Refund Request Form at the Cashiers Office on campus. Once the request is submitted, the refund processing time is 4 to 6 weeks (after the last day to add classes) during peak periods and 2 to 3 weeks during off peak periods. 4-6 weeks, really? And you take a $10 fee to drop the class for your tortuously bad service and time frame? Ugh. As many a frustrating experience as I've had here, there are *some* teachers and faculty that really do care, and bless them for hanging in there and trying to do a good job. It's a bit of a community hub for me, and I have many a good thing to say about their resources and certain teachers, but it's been painful to see the community college system go so quickly downhill in the last few years. read more

I'm really addicted to community college. I already went to a four-year and did the whole degree thing, but often in a B.A. program, you don't get to take all the fun classes, which is where Laney comes into the picture. For pretty reasonable prices you can learn the art of darkroom photography or afro-brazilian dancing or badminton or lapswimming or sea kayaking or spanish. I especially like that Laney and the rest of the Peralta Community College district offers a variety of evening and weekend courses to accomodate the schedules of us working folk. And if you aren't a fulltime student and are just a community member going to school for fun, you can just pass/not pass your grade. I like the evening lap swimming (I always knew how to dog paddle, but now i can butterfly, backstroke and freestyle!) with Chapelle- he's a very laid-back instructor and it's a nice after-work workout on my way home. Also, the summer kayaking course is an amazing deal. You get right out there in the water a few times a week for less than the cost of one regular kayak rental. The campus is a little rundown but with all the higher-ed cost cutting, I'm impressed at the range of classes and quality of instructors this school is able to maintain. Right next to Lake Merritt BART too. **I did try to take a yoga class here once that ended up being way too crowded with a really bitchy instructor who yelled at us a lot - not very yogi-ish, if you ask me. but like any school, classes are hit and miss. you can always sign up for more than one class and drop the one(s) you don't like after the first day anyways. **SAFETY NOTE: I'm a girl and I walk home by myself from here or walk from here thru Chinatown to Pacific Coast Brewery in Old Oakland often. it's not the ghetto. your chances of getting mugged here are about the same as anywhere else. get over it. read more

1 star just because my favorite hot dog stand sits across from here, the one just outside the Lake Merritt Bart. But as for Laney College itself, I'd give it no stars if I could. Aside from the subpar and lackluster quality of the classes and the professors here, the biggest issue I have with Laney (and College of Alameda and probably all of the Peralta campuses, actually) is the abominable abundance of rude and downright insolent staff. One day I came into Admissions and Records and told the man at the window I had a quick question: Me: "Okay so I have a hold on my record--" Man: "Uh, hold up. That is not no 'quick question.' A quick question would be something like, 'Where's the bathroom?' Or 'Where's the financial aid office?' Get yourself to the back of the line!" ...if you hadn't so rudely interrupted me and embarrassed me in front of the crowd of people, you would've found out my question was, "Okay, so I have a hold on my record. Where do I go to clear it?" In the time you used to presumptuously admonish me, you would've realized my question was, in fact, quickly answerable. Asshole. read more

Laney has always been close to my heart. Every staff there is helpful and they make it feel like home.

This review is for the financial aid office. To be fair my professor here was wonderful, and just as exasperated with the administration at Laney as the students. The WORST. If I could give zero stars I would. I think it's funny and sad that the only other review I saw here that name-checked the financial aid office supervisor was taken down. If the supervisor of the financial aid office is a real person who shows up in the financial aid office to do anything other than collect a paycheck I will eat my hat. The RUNDOWN: if you are looking for anything other than a fee waiver, good luck. I have my undergrad but was attending Laney for med school pre-reqs before entering a formal post-bac program. I wasn't looking for free money, just the federal student loan that I had no problem securing the previous semester at Skyline College. Strangely, at Laney if you already have an undergrad you have to fill out a formal petition for federal aid, which I did gamely within the first couple weeks of the semester. I was somewhat shocked that upon handing it in nothing was entered into a computer, and I was advised to check in in SIX WEEKS (um this would be halfway through the semester) to see if anybody had looked at my petition. I checked in the next week,and once a week every week until 3/4 the way through the semester. I called the financial aid supervisor and left messages and emailed him several times. No response. Nothing in the computer after months of pestering the office. At one point a person working there told me the head of the aid office was definitely there and could speak to me in person (I must have looked especially exasperated) and after waiting for him to come out, was told by this person who appeared pretty uncomfortable, that no, in fact the supervisor is in a meeting. I am pretty sure this was a lie. I was told to speak to a Dean if I was having trouble. The worst decision I made last semester was to apply for financial aid at Laney and not BCC, where I was also taking classes. Who knows if it would have been better, but at least BCC is not notoriously corrupt like Laney. It's sad that a school that could provide so much for a large population of the East Bay is so grossly mismanaged. I had similar experiences with pretty much all administration this semester, although I have a ton of respect for my prof who was great. I also would not be surprised if Laney's accreditation came under review -- it's about time. read more

Well, at least they didn't pelt me with rocks screaming "White Girl GET OUT" but the way they treated me at the Information Session, I could tell they wanted to. Blatantly rude to, and dismissive of, me b/c of my skin color. Also, I knew more about the enrollment process than the so-called teacher/Information Presenter did. Oh, and by the way, it was really professional how she stopped the information session to scream "hey!" at students and run out to hug a baby of a former student that was in the hallway. *sarcasm duly noted, I hope* No way in hell would I go here, which is more than fine with this school, I would imagine. And for the record, Laney, I'm a fair-skinned Latina. Jackasses. read more

I want to like Laney more than I do. Really. I've decided to go back to school and totally change the trajectory of the career me. So Laney is where I've headed to get my science prerequisite groove on. I'm all about rocking the community college action and at 26 dollars a credit, what is not to love? Well, quite a bit actually. The resources in the sciences (chemistry and biology) leave a bit to be desired and need the attention of a generous restricted donation. The labs are okay, but would be way better with updated materials and better schedule coordination. Some instructors know their stuff and take pride in sharing their knowledge and others leave you wondering how they got their jobs. Major inconsistence. On the one hand the computer labs are state of the art and clearly had some specialized funds for its development. I was shocked. But then the bathrooms are often gross and have toilet paper and other questionable stuff strewn about. One out of three trips to the bathroom will be met with the obstacle of no soap and/or toilet paper. When I am trying to learn, I don't want to stress about relieving myself. That is just basic. Still, I am happy to have the college as a resource and it certainly fills a need in the community. And that is exactly why the city needs to throw some cash at this Peralta School to make it better and brighter so that we can grow the leaders of our community's future. read more

This review is on Professor Douglas Bruce's biomanufacturing program. To start off, he is a great instructor! His lectures are well organized, and does a great job at teaching science to newbies. He is also great with networking, and really giving 110% to his students that are looking for work within the Biotech field. I can't thank him enough for all that he's done for his students. He's a great instructor teaching at a great school. Thumbs up for Laney! read more

Great if you want to take bullshit classes - good luck if you want to take matriculation courses. Classes are great at Laney until you get serious. Any class that you NEED to move on towards going to a regular college will offer you this: BIASED teachers: Teachers who have lost all objectionality, and will only reward the narrow sector of students who fit their "ideal" Teachers with AGENDAS: They want certain groups, genders, types, etcetera to move on and the rest get bad grades no matter what they do. Teachers with MENTAL PROBLEMS: Like the photography teacher who stinks at life, so he decides that nobody will pass his class. Or the Graphic Design teacher who so self deprecated that he takes it out on certain groups of people. most of these types fall in the category "Those who can't do, teach..." But nobody said they teach well. Teachers who make more out of their course than they really should: You know - like the history teacher who is acting like he doesn't know you have 14 other units - and is making thing even harder by grading your every jot and tittle... If you have a problem with a teacher screwing you over, you can go to the tower and let them pretend that they will help you while they laugh at you behind the glass. If you are a certain type of person, that appeals to everyone, you can make it - but at Laney it's not about good grades, it's about finding a "match" as if you are on Match.com... These teachers and the Peralta system is designed to filter out just about any student that doesn't fit a particular profile, no matter how intelligent you are. I've seen idiot airheads get A's and meticulous genius' receive D's. I've seen games - like outright lying about things like final exam dates. This one Haitian English teacher told her class that she only wanted Black females to move on to UC Berkeley, where her ancient ass also worked, and proceeded to screw everyone else who didn't fit her 'program" - overtly and openly. Complaints fell on deaf ears, as always at Laney. So if you want to go here and goof off, it's the perfect place - the more classes you take, the more money they make. but if you want to get into a University - good luck starting at Laney. Dont say you weren't warned... read more

As a graduate of Laney College, I have some deep reservations about California System of Education. Community colleges have four objectives: Transfer Classes to Four Year Schools: Technical Education and Workforce Preparation; Lifelong Continuing Education; Senior Classes. Laney has maintained accreditation, which is an improvement over other community colleges. As a transfer student to UC Berkeley, I took all the general education classes for Cal Berkeley. I completed two years at Laney and transferred to Berkley. The first quarter at Cal I took three upper division classes. Berkeley grades on a curve. I was competing for grades with students that had attended prep high schools and completed their first two years at Berkeley. I did not have the writing skills or the background required of a Berkeley student. As an example, there was no reference to the 100 Reading Requirement, and upper division students were expected to integrate the entire reading list into coursework. Laney has few transferable classes like Computer Science One. There is little offering in the way of Workforce Preparation in fields like AutoCAD, HTML 5 Programming, and current technologies in Web Development. There is limited opportunities for trade training like CNA, nursing, dental assistance, and business professions. All citizens of community should take CPR and Advanced First Aid at Laney. Be ready for the next earthquake. You will be on your own. Lifelong Learning courses are limited and there are such rich resources such as the Oakland Museum for Lifelong Continuing Education. Offerings for Seniors is limited. There should be four to five levels of classes Laney is a good school. The ADA model employed by the state translates to about $1.35 per student contact hour between student's and faculty. The failures of the education system is the result of decades of spending cuts. Everyone should enroll in at least one class at Laney. The best class I enrolled in at Laney was basic Mandarin. read more

I AM A FAN OF LANEY COLLEGE! I've attended other Peralta colleges and Chabot (ugh.. to this school). I honestly adore the counselors and professors. I can't even complain about the location. Right next to bart and there IS a parking if you must drive? I love options. The financial aid line was really long, DMV long. So plan with the intent of being there for awhile, bring a healthy snack and music kind of long, lol. Education: I took a math course specifically with Carl Mampaey. That man is a godsend! One of the few teachers who explain their lessons very carefully and in a humorous way (I totally use his jokes 'til this day). I think what I like most about this course was the students in the class were awesome and were there to learn. We also helped each other out. Dr. Mampaey always boosted your self esteem with that "wow! you got it right!" attitude or if you didn't, "you will get a wow soon! Just try and don't give up!" attitude. It's silly to say but really important to have in a MATH class. I learned a lot and also referred all of friends to take his course. Laney, you've got yourself a gem here! Don't lose this instructor because our class agreed that he has got the skills to teach, for sure! I started at Chabot and due to a LACK of support of ADMIN., safety reasons, certain instructor mishaps AND impacted classes I decided it was time to get out! LANEY was kind of my last hope, I met with the counselor and explained to her my experience at Chabot and why I needed her help. She was very understanding and helped me get into the classes I needed. She basically fixed Chabots mishap for me and she didn't even work there! She wasn't bias, rude or anything. So grateful for her and she doesn't even know it! Environment, it's really a nice and to the point college. I feel like most community colleges in the Bay Area have your fair share of people who are there to: just get the $$$, who have the intention of wanting to learn but aren't ready and those who ARE. But it's up to you to figure out what type of student you want to be in a "limited" setting. I preferred the Saturday classes because the classes had more driven students that were there to learn and also happy to discuss the classwork given. It was great! Peralta education system (all staff), thank you for being the gateway for me to moving up to a state/uni. You have not failed me and therefore, you have made not only I, but my parents so damn proud of me!!!!!! Someday, I hope you reimburse me for my commute though! ;) Lastly, school is difficult and a journey of its own. You are already making the right decision by reading this because it says that YOU have a purpose and drive to learn. Best of luck in whatever you choose to do, yelpers! read more

The Bookstore is very unorganized. Came in on Saturday to purchase a book and even though I was the fourth person in line it took over 20 minutes. First I stood in line and one of the employees asked what book I needed and I told her and she brought it to counter and said one of the girls at the register will call me up when they're done with their transaction. I'm guessing by asking what book I need ahead of time is trying to make things more "efficient" when in reality it doesn't. So after waiting in line and telling the girl what book I needed, I had to wait 15-20 minutes just for one of the cashiers to call my name. Why are there 2 people working the register and 4 people working in the back? The cashiers are so SLOW. They spend over 10 minutes just to ring one person up. Not only are they slow but they try to rip students off. When you tell the girl what book you want they give you a new one then ask, "Oh did you want a used one or to rent one?" So inefficient because they have to put back the new book and go and grab a used one or a rental. Even on a slow day the service is slow, I can only imagine how slow the service must be during peek hours. read more

Laney has the best ceramic studio! it is the only place undergrads can fire their own stuff! I already did the four year college and got my degree but the studio at Laney can give any 4 year college a run for it's money! The people who take ceramics at Laney are as diverse as what people make there! you have the college students who need an art credits. you have the senior citizens that are killing time with an art class. then you have the "artists" who know how to take full advantage of the new building and all new equipment. The teachers who teach at Laney are so amazing and so supportive. Larry and Suzannah are great! The only drawback about the Laney ceramic classes are the so called self proclaimed "artist"! First let me say that 95% of all the people are so nice and friendly but then you get the one who are extremely anal and just full of themselves! watch out for the self proclaimed artist they will bite your head off over space, over glaze territory, over wheels, doesn't matter, they are just full of shit and anal! read more

I came back to take their Graphic Design program and so far I am loving it. I have learned the entire Adobe Creative Suite in a semester and all the professors I have taken so far have done a great job covering these subjects. I believe this program has evolved over the years and keeps evolving so that it stays current with the industry needs. I had no idea they offered this program but I got lucky when I was looking over my sister's catalogue. I've also met a lot of incredible people here, its been a good atmosphere to learn. The campus itself does seem a bit outdated. I feel with the fab lab there and the many different art classes that are offered at this school, there are so many opportunities to display art all over the campus to brighten it up. I believe this school deserves 4 stars with room for improvement. Since they are at a 3, I hope this can even it out. read more

$20 a credit. You get what you pay for -- but it's still college credit if you need it. The facilities aren't all that great, the teachers could be a little more organized and enthusiastic, but if you're broke and trying to go back to school, then why not? I just wanted to take some classes for fun, but sometimes I find them to be on par with high school classes. By the way, I didn't enjoy high school. The best thing about Laney (besides price) is that it's across the street from the BART and handy if you find something you want to take there. (Get a grip if that area scares you. It's tame. Homeless people are not criminals out to get you. Sheesh) I wish they did more community events like the Environmental Film Festival and the Powwow that they do on campus. They could do more to advertise those events to the community. read more

The instructors at Laney are top notch! Laney receives a fraction of the state and federal funding that DVC receives. That said, the facilities are not in great repair. Some of the students have crap attitudes, which is not the fault of the staff or instructors. I don't go to Laney, however, to hang out in the public bathroom. I go because I want to better my career prospects. Also, unlike when I was a teenager, I actually enjoy school! Every instructor I have had actually CARES about the outcome of the students. Also, Laney's electrician program has an excellent reputation. If you want to get ripped off by a for profit school and pay 10x more per unit, go ahead. Laney accomplishes what it sets out to do, which is to prepare you for a quality career. Did I mention it's free (thanks to the BOG waiver)? I work in the Financial District and I able to get to my night classes within 15 minutes sometimes. The Lake Merritt Bart station is a few feet from the campus. read more

I really wanted to love you Laney College. First 2 visits for a parking permit. But wait you can't just buy one if you are taking 3 units of less. You have to buy a permit daily. And there aren't machines in all of the lots. 5 calls later and I got permission to get one if I promised to only park there when I had a class (not sure why I would park there otherwise) but the staff member who promised to call the cashier with authorization didn't and wasn't available for several days. So, total of 4 visits for a parking permit. And the campus is not very well lit so walking from my night class does not feel very safe. And the roof is leaking into my classroom. The class itself is a bargain, hence the 3 stars. read more

I give a two star rating, instead of a one star, because of my photography instructor Steve Lamba (who deserves a million stars). Aside from him, Laney had nothing holding me to it. Financial aide is a horrible, horrible experience. Not once, but two times (completely different semesters) I get straight up yelled at by the Indian guy who works there behind the counter. Look man, I'm sorry you hate your job, but don't be yelling at students because the cluster fuck that is Laney financial aide has students confused about where they're supposed to go and what they're supposed to do. There's also a really pretentious asshole, in a suit, who stands around and barks at students standing in the wrong line. All this shit you make me go through, just so you can finally send me a financial aide check in February? You know, after I've had to drop out of school because I can't afford to pay rent, work part time, and pay for full time school out of my own pocket. On top of that, the entire building is DISGUSTING. People leaving their kid's messy diapers in the stairwell. Seriously? You can't walk ten fucking feet to a trash can? I know you don't just leave your kids shit sitting in the middle of your living room floor. Yeah, so happy I left you for CCSF. A half hour BART ride is so worth getting the hell away from you. read more

I am taking yoga at Laney. Plus plus plus a lot of stars for offering a weekly yoga course for $15 (in-state tuition for half a credit)! How great! My instructor is capable and knows her Hatha Yoga! The campus is clean and easy to get to. The dance studio is really amazing with springy hardwood floors and mirrors to make sure you are posing correctly. Yay for Laney! Minus one star for not enough after-work Chinese classes (Fall term was filled up in July!). read more