I'm an Alumnus, and proud to be. I've scanned some of the negative reviews, and having attended a 4 year school after getting my associate's degree, I can address some the issues mentioned and relate them to another community college or university. I had a great time, made great friends, had amazing classes and teachers, and even participated in extracurriculars. I've gone back, post graduation, to take some continuing ed classes, as well as to meet with the career center. I would recommend this school to anyone.
TEACHERS
I attended Harper for 3 years, and took classes across a variety of subjects, disciplines, etc. Yes, I had some weird teachers (my sociology teacher wasn't a bad teacher, but he was super weird and I found his approach to be... weird. However, I still learned a lot and ultimately enjoyed the class), I had some bad teachers (my chemistry teacher was an adjunct, and not awesome). I also had some amazing teachers, including some who are still at Harper. Bad teachers (or teachers you don't get along with) are not unique to Harper, or any school. Adjuncts in general are underpaid, and the one adjunct I had was a high school teacher who drove to Harper to teach after school. Yeah, he was sometimes late, but then again, so was I - and for the same reason, traffic. One of the benefits of college is that you often have options for which teacher/section - do your research and talk to other students/teachers/consult online review websites.
COST/WITHDRAWING
Harper was far cheaper than the 4 year school I attended, which is one of the reasons I started at Harper (that and to find out what I wanted to major in). My average cost at Harper was, if I remember, roughly $2-$4k a semester for full time. University was $15 - $20k per semester for full time. In terms of policies related to dropping a class - every school has their own dropping/refund policies, and they are always clearly stated on the school's website/in their materials. I think when I attended, you were allowed to drop/switch sections with no penalty/a refund for the first week of semester/class. After that time, you could drop (but still had to pay) for another 8 weeks (example) and after that, you weren't allowed to withdrawal without it showing up on your transcript (so that you couldn't reach the last week, realize you weren't going to get the grade you wanted, and drop with no penalty).
Every college/university I have attended (at least 4), have had a similar structure. Drop with refund/not on your transcript by X. Drop with no refund, not on your transcript by Y. Drop with it on your transcript as a W by Z. No drops allowed after that. None of them allowed a partial refund, you either dropped in time for a refund, or you didn't. This is normal, and standard.
PARKING
Yes, certain buildings hold more classes/are more populated and trying to park in the lots closest to the building can be difficult. There is ALWAYS parking available, it just may not be the closest to your building. Lots on the backside campus, like Lots 12, 13, and 14 always had spots available. ALWAYS. If the complaint is that it's too long a walk to class, or between buildings, it is comparable or better than other community colleges I've been to, and a standard university. Most universities charge for parking, and the lots are often far away. Walking is good for you, it's exercise, and you're going to have to walk around no matter where you attend school. That is not a Harper issue. read more