This review is for the two week accelerated Broker course…read more Bottom line, this course will prepare you for the state exam. It's my feeling this course is probably the best bet if you are serious about taking the state exam quickly and passing on your first attempt. The course is entirely worth the price point. You get all of the study and learning materials you need will need. No need for an additional class or study program. My course was taught by Oliver. I will admit Olivers teaching style and my learning style did not mesh at first. The longer you're in the course, the more you understand his direct and no BS approach. You have a huge amount of information to cover and you have to do it on schedule. Theres no time for off topic questions or hypotheticals. You are there to learn the rules and laws surrounding Illinois Broker licensing, not developing sales techniques, or understanding the operations of a real estate company. My personal thoughts on getting the most out of this course: 1. Listen to every word the instructor says - There is a reason they are explaining things they way they are. 2. Attend every class - About halfway through the first week you'll ask yourself why you put yourself through this - push through! 3. Review each days material every night. - Practice those quizzes and exams that come with your book.

The Real Estate Institute has been an excellent resource for my continuing education. The entire…read moreexperience was professional from start to finish -- clear course instructions, well-structured material, and an easy-to-navigate system. I also appreciated how responsive and helpful their team was whenever I needed assistance. It made the CE process smooth and stress-free. I would absolutely recommend them to any real estate professional looking for reliable and high-quality continuing education. FIVE STARS

horrible communication they never pickup the phone next to imposible to sign up! have been calling…read morefor a month and no answer

Wonderful opportunities for fast paced learning towards certification in HVAC and electrical…read more Success stories of students in previous semesters have advanced in their career or started a new trade because of their experience here.

Took MIG1 & 2 from Daniel and had a great time. Other people in the class were fun to hang out…read morewith, I felt completely safe all the time, I felt like got good 1 on 1 instruction. I will definitely book some shop time soon so I can practice and then finally weld that bumper I've been meaning to weld for a year!

This place is great. I needed to learn how to weld and what afternoon my instructor completely told…read moreme what to do and I've been doing it on my own ever since. I plan to go back for a refresher because they're so good. They also rent benches if you are a true welder, you can go in there and do your own work for a minimal fee.

I love making things with my hands; I love the sense of accomplishment it gives me. My grandmother…read moretook up upholstery in her 70's and made some beautiful pieces, one of which I inherited. The fabric on the piece isn't really my style and I decided that if it was going to be re-done, I wanted to be the one to do it. There aren't many places to learn upholstery. I am lucky to live a few blocks from the shop; my classmates weren't so lucky, they all lived at least 20 miles away. I wasn't sure what to expect with the beginner's class, so it's worth noting that in the beginner class you most likely won't work on an actual piece of furniture.* What you will do is complete four projects that give you the skills to move on to actual furniture. The class is very hands on, you will thread a machine and start sewing in your first class. There are no prerequisites for this class; half of us hadn't used a sewing machine before. Owning a garment machine, there were a few things that took getting used on upholstery machines. There are two instructors; Jeff, the owner, taught my class and one of his staff taught the other. I can't speak to the other teacher's style, but Jeff is very laid back and a firm believer of learning by doing. Jeff is very generous with his time, knowledge, tools and materials; many students don't finish all of the projects in the allotted class time, but you're welcome to come back and finish after your session is complete (provided there's room). You're always your harshest critic, but I was so flattered when the manfriend thought my final project was something I had bought. I really loved this class and can't wait to start the intermediate class. The intermediate is like an independent study, you bring the piece you want to work on. If you've meandered by and seen the work in the window on Lincoln, those are student pieces. * One project is a bar stool cover. If you've got a piece to work on, you can use it. TIP: There's a lot of close work in the class and it's easy to get into a groove. Wear comfortable clothes you wouldn't mind getting dirty and bring your glasses, water and a snack.

I just took the "Beginners' Upholstery Class" with Jeff Kraut and LOVED it!…read more The class covers upholstery techniques that can be applied to automotive upholstery, furniture upholstery, and bag making. It is taught on industrial sewing machines (no previous sewing experience necessary). I already knew basic sewing and I definitely picked up lots of new tricks/techniques. Some of the topics we covered: * setting up the machines and basic sewing. * quilted stitching on vinyl (like on the back of a car seat or stuffed chair) * adding piping trim * zipper installation and sewing a small case * stapling construction and making a panel (like recovering a chair seat or a car side panel) * beginning pattern making and making a seat cushion Projects might vary a little from class to class. I've posted photos of my work. The class was Mon & Wed, 7-9pm for 5 weeks. It's located just down the street from Trader Joe's on Lincoln. Easy parking & near the El. You can get more info from Jeff at canvasboss@yahoo.com. I'm looking forward to the advanced class!

I studied improvisation with Steve Ivcich decades ago. I wasn't interested in becoming a…read moreprofessional actor (and lacked the talent even if I had wanted to become one). I took the class just to have an interesting life experience and possibly meet some new people, nothing more. And yet what I learned from Steve has stuck with me all these years later, and I still think about my experiences in his class from time to time. They were that meaningful -- even profound in some ways. That's the mark of a great teacher!

So... I realized something the other day... I actually dove…read moreinto acting because of this guy... I took several of his Professional Program classes and never looked back. Unfortunately I never finished the last class, but wow, as I thought about it, Steven taught method acting like none other. Pure genius. Pretty much in line with the teachings of Stanislavski and Chekhov, but with Stevens' own blend of artistry mixed in! Without a doubt, his classes gave me the drive and ambition to pursue my acting career. And thankfully, I've been involved in some really, really, awesome projects. Thanks Steven! Highly Recommended!!!!!!

Cherice Taylor is the Making It Sew Fun director and teaches sewing classes for adults and children…read morein her home sewing studio. She is very hands-on and patient with her students, but she does expect for students to learn her techniques and be open to building on them. I have had the pleasure of receiving her instruction since April and she has even taken time to help me with my personal, non-class related sewing projects. I recommend her class to anyone who has little to no sewing experience. Even if you sewed years ago and want to sharpen your skills, Cherice is for you!

From the owner: For over 20 years, Making It SewFun has been a creative education hub on Chicago's South Side,…read morewhere students walk in with zero sewing experience and walk out with skills they carry for life. We built our own trademarked curriculum, You Can Make It, around a simple conviction: quality sewing education should be accessible, hands-on, and taught with genuine expertise and care — and that's exactly what we've created here. Our seven-level program takes you from your very first stitch through advanced construction, with tissue fitting woven in at every stage — because the most valuable skill we teach isn't following a pattern, it's learning to adapt one to your own body. That's the difference between owning a skill and just completing a project. We teach both adults and youth. Our youth program runs as after-school during the school year (September–May), and a Saturday summer sewing camp for kids looking to keep building skills outside the school year. What sets our studio apart isn't just curriculum, it's culture. Students learn alongside instructors who've spent years mastering this craft, and alongside each other — sharing struggles, celebrating breakthroughs, and building genuine friendships around a shared interest. Many of our students started as strangers and became each other's biggest supporters. Visit makingitsewfun.com to explore our full program lineup and register for a class.

Been fighting myself either to take a CNA class or just take my nclex exam but taking the CNA class…read morewith our very humble Clinical Instructor Ms Candice has been the best decision I made in my nursing career. She's an experienced nurse and doesn't hesitate to share the good and bad side to mold us in this career. She teaches so much more than the text book and thats what makes her so unique.She also teaches us in a way that makes it easy to understand the material. I have gained so much knowledge within this short period of time. I'll definitely recommend the school and all. Thank you Ms Candice

I went through this top notch program a few years ago when my Dad suffered a debilitating stroke…read more Completely prepared me for the home health environment. Their holistic approach equips you with the know how as well enabling you with the professional compasion to provide exemplary patient care. Their program gave me the credentials needed to land a great job at a physical rehabilitation hospital even though I lacked clinical experience. The program also gave me a complete foundation to build toward an RN-BSN. I would highly recommend the program at Career Training Center of Chicago. It's afforadble - with flexible payment options. It's a concise, concentrated program that will get you quickly into the medical field. It's in depth, high quality, and comprehensive which will put you a cut above other CNAs. And it provides a great foundation to build from if you wish to pursue nursing or other allied health fields. They easily earn 5 stars.

I hope I can truly express how wonderful the O school is. When we were first starting our search…read morefor a TDS, I was hoping the O School was not going to be a good fit because it was the furthest away from our home. But after our visit, our then 10th grader, who first would not get out of the car, said that she liked that visit the best. We were also told O school would be a great fit for our child by someone at the Moran Center who was extremely perceptive and experienced and RIGHT! It took us a long time to get there and we had to jump through way too many hoops, but we made it! The entire staff, are all completely committed to their work. The teachers all find a way to connect with the students and truly meet them where they are, through thick and thin. Same is true with the parents. We were new to navigating this journey and I felt like everyone at the O School always had our best interests in mind. Even if a particular decision or situation was hard to hear, in the end, it was always the right one. We can't thank the O School enough for standing beside us, in front of us and behind us, every step of the way. A++++++

The O-School has been life-changing for my son and our family. My son is Autistic and gifted, and…read morethey do a wonderful job meeting both his social-emotional and academic needs. Public school was not working, but he has been successful at the O-School, and we are so thankful for that.

It says "Meh, I've experience better" for 2 stars. Well, unfortunately that isn't the case. I…read moredidn't go anywhere else for portfolio school. I chose Chicago Portfolio School. The promises they made up front and what they delivered are in stark contrast to one another. The 'classes,' while informative, felt stuck in an ad time far removed from today's ad market. This school focuses on tradition print advertising. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but currently traditional print advertising is about as relevant as MySpace. We never even looked into developing fully integrated campaigns until over halfway through this program. As anyone who is looking for jobs in today's market can tell you, employers aren't looking for 3 really great print ads. Today's agencies want fully fleshed out, integrated, web-based campaigns in your books. That isn't what you get from CPS unless you go rogue and decide to do that yourself. Follow exactly what this school tells you and you'll find a great job. Baristas at Starbucks get full benefits and stock options don't they? I was told I would come out of this school with a portfolio that would be competitive and strong enough to get a job or interview most anywhere. This couldn't be further from the truth. One person out of my entire class had a book when this program was over. Most of the ads the students put in their books were created well after this program ended as they were rushing to get a book together so they could start looking for jobs. I would have been better off taking a year and the money I spent on this school and traveling Europe or southeast Asia for a year, then returning and trying to throw a book together in 3 weeks. If you are looking for a really social school however, this school is for you. In fact, the only reason I gave this school 2 stars is because of the friends I made while I was there. Even still, If this school focused half as much time on going out and drinking, perhaps the students could focus more on their work rather than discovering new and inventive ways to nurse their hangovers. Don't expect to be motivated to do anything at this school other than to get to the front of the line so you can get at least two or three more drinks before the school closes its tab at the disgusting bar up the street. If you're contemplating this school, I have a word of advice - reevaluate your options. Hey, I hear Wal-Mart might be hiring.

A great school that helped me put together a great portfolio, which helped me land a great job. Not…read moremuch more I can really say, except thank you.

I've been taking woodworking lessons from Neal for a couple years now. I initially took the…read morebeginner's course (where we built a modular shelving unit, a tool box and a small end table/box--I think in that order). I thought the beginner's class was great and really enjoyed spending a couple hours on the weekends learning a new skill, so I signed up for one of the advanced courses. Since then I've built a coffee table and a bench, and am just about done making a cabinet. I really look forward to heading to the shop on Saturday mornings. I think Neal's great. He really knows what he's doing since he's been building furniture for a living his whole life and has been teaching classes for years. He's funny and seems to enjoy teaching his classes--especially the advanced courses. I actually created a yelp account specifically to review Neal's business after reading the negative reviews a few people posted about him and his classes. I think that the people who have an issue with him are the ones who walk into the class and act like know-it-alls and think they're experts. If that's how you approach things, this isn't the right class for you. One thing I definitely want to address is the comment that Neal harasses women in his classes. I've taken four classes with the guy--that puts me at somewhere between 100 and 150 hours in the shop with him. All of the classes have had women in them--sometimes more women than men--and I've never seen anything verging on harassment or inappropriate behavior. So I really don't know where that's coming from. Neal's pretty no-nonsense and talks to the women in his classes like he talks to the guys, which seems to me to be the way it should be. I'd also note that no women seem to be complaining here about this "harassment", so that leads me to believe they either really enjoy it or it doesn't exist, and I'm guessing it's the latter. I've recommended the classes to friends and will continue to do so. Since starting I went from not knowing anything at all about woodworking and how to build stuff to feeling confident about buying some real woodworking tools and trying to start my own projects.

My uncle lives in a house that he nearly single handedly built himself in the woods of Vermont…read more It's sturdy, beautiful, and expertly crafted. So I thought, "surely I must have some of this handiness in my previously totally non-handy self." But before I plunked down thousands of dollars for lathes, circular saws and other manly machines you can buy at Home Depot, I thought I'd test the waters with a woodworking class. Finding one in Chicago proved harder than expected until one say I saw a flyer at a local coffee shop advertising Woodsmyths. It sounded like exactly what I'd been looking for: hands on, experience with a variety of common woodworking tools, and a mix of instruction and projects. The class started out fine enough: there were about 10 people, we read some handouts, received some brief instructions, then got down to business. I liked that we'd get to work on things ourselves that we'd then take home to keep, but the instruction left a lot to be desired. The teacher is a bit eccentric and seemed more concerned that everyone finished their projects than whether they actually learned anything. I felt rushed, didn't feel encouraged to ask questions and when I did, the instructor often just fixed my problem for me instead of showing me how to do it. After 10 weeks and $350, I had three items I'd crafted mostly myself: a toolbox, a simple bookshelf and a storage box-style end table. The last of these I really liked and still have, the others didn't survive my most recent apartment move. And disappointingly, I don't feel like I really learned all that much. The teacher was a stickler for safety (a good thing), so I feel mostly comfortable operating woodworking machines. But I don't feel like I know better now than I did before the class what to do with them. I know Woodsmyths also offers a more advanced class that people seem to take, so maybe others had better experiences that I. So if you can't find any other woodworking class options, it may be worth giving this one a go. But don't expect to be anywhere but a tiny step closer to building your own cozy bungalow in the New England woods.