A Little Turned Off by Patten University

[sanantone]

I thought I could possibly finish a bachelor's in business at Patten in 4 months and maybe a little less than TESC, so I contacted them for more information. They called me multiple times while I was either at work or doing something else, but I was finally able to answer the phone. They told me to email them copies of my unofficial transcripts and CLEP/DSST scores. They also sent me a link to fill out the application. I didn't finish filling out the application because they make you choose a payment method and enrollment date right at the beginning. My enrollment counselor was nice. She wasn't overly pushy, but still a little pushy. She kept asking me when I was going to finish the application, and I told her I wanted to see the preliminary evaluation first. I finally received it and saw that I would need almost 60 credits to finish. Immediately after I received the preliminary evaluation, they ordered my transcripts for me. That's nice and all, but I hadn't even made a decision to enroll nor did I finish the application. I received multiple emails and phone calls to sign off on the transcript requests. I finally told the enrollment counselor that I didn't think they would request my transcripts until I finished the application and that I decided to go with TESC since I needed less credits and could test out of them for less than a term at Patten. She wished me luck and didn't bother me again, but I was still a little turned off by their enrollment tactics.

[koenigtv]

I have to say my experience was completely different. I started off chatting with them on the web page and then I contacted them by phone. I spoke with an enrollment advisor and she answered all my questions, wasn't pushy or aggressive. In 1 month they have contacted me by email 3 times, all follow up to unanswered questions. I also filled out the application and then stopped when I got to the payment info and start date. I told my advisor that I was planning to start in a month or 2 and she was cordial and accepting. Had 1 more email asking for transcripts and that was it. I'm still nervous and cautious because some others have mentioned difficulties or disappointment with Patten but I'm scheduled to start the MBA program in late September and hoping for the best.

[laughter]

According to my advisor, you'd have to pay a fee if you completed the "free" application but then dropped out. That made me put off applying till I'm really, really sure I want to complete a degree with them. But other than that, my advisor was pretty cordial.

[sanantone]

No one told me that. Thank goodness I didn't finish it.

[laughter]

You just have to probe deeper when chatting with them. :p