California Institute of Applied Technology - National City, California

William Clevenger

Imagine zero accountability and blame-shifting personified. Picture this: you’re in your final class before earning your associate's degree. I reached out to the school  to continue into the bachelor’s program, which was my original plan. However, they required me to enroll in the associate’s degree first. After 16 months of classes and paying with my G.I. Bill I’m told I won’t graduate because they don’t have my transcripts from Palomar Community College. The school had no issue taking my money but now refuses to explain how this oversight happened or provide the name of someone I can contact to address my concerns. Zero accountability, Zero recourse. I perform the school's job and transfer my records to them with three weeks to spare.

Fast forward three weeks to the start of the new semester: I find out I don’t have any classes and received zero communication from the school. When I reach out, I’m told I’m missing a "crucial" registration document. How does this even happen? Why did no one reach out to me? Do you have standard operating procedures or a checklist? Only after I get irate on the phone does someone finally help me, allowing me to get into my class. However, I remain doubtful that the school will actually grant me a degree at the end.

Warning don’t rely on the BAH stipend for necessities. Have a backup plan. You have to hold the administration's feet to the fire at every single step.

Shawn O'Brien

Laziest college I have seen. Instead of instructors creating their own course work it’s mostly just links to Microsoft or some other kind of freely available lab. Most my classes have been poorly structured, some of the instructors don’t seem to know the material they are teaching. Most answers to questions involve an answer similar to “Google it.” You can get the same education as here for free on YouTube and other sites since that is what they point you towards anyways.

Outside of the poor instruction, requesting any kind of assistance for accounting or benefits is a nightmare. They will tell you anything to keep you attending and keep the VA check coming in. This school is nothing but a scam, they don’t care about your education and they don’t care to help you. If you’re looking for an actual education and help getting into the job market look elsewhere.

Imir Adams

I'm currently enrolled here for one of their certification program and I can say it’s a waste of money. I'm taking courses that won't help prepare for any of the certification tests. Plus you have to
prepare for the test on your while still having to complete the mandatory work that has to be done every week. Stay away from this joke of a program they are just money-hungry.

J

I’m so sick of dealing with this school and the financial aid department. It’s literally a problem EVERY SINGLE TIME it comes time for them to give me my disbursement. No one can communicate effectively it’s as though they just make something up off the top of their head because every time I speak to someone even if it’s the same person, it’s a different answer. I’m done being
Nice about it I’m just going to report them everywhere a place can be reported. Department of Education, Fasfa, Better business bureau and wherever else I can think of I’m over it. Maybe if enough of us veterans complain to the VA then they will take them off the approved list

Silent253

Great experience. One of the best IT oriented Colleges you can find. Don't believe the people with negative reviews. The courses are designed for you to do a lot of research on your own and a lot of studying on your own. In the end you learn a lot if you put the time and effort. If you don't know anything about IT then start with a beginner course then work your way up from there. They offer many programs for varying levels of IT knowledge or experience. Choose the right program for you and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. This is the best way to get those IT Certifications every employer is looking for and it is also a good stepping stone if you want to get into the IT field.

Johnny Trappist

CIAT courses are definitely challenging; however, it is geared for anyone with desire to learn from beginner to more experienced IT person. The discussions provide an opportunity to research IT related topics and interchange ideas with instructors and students. The courses in the associate degree Information Technology with concentration in Networking program are geared to help students prepare and successfully pass certification exams. Thus, opportunities are provided to make contacts within the school and use resources to gain experience needed for employment in IT field. I think that CIAT courses are definitely excellent both for content and delivery of materials to be learned. The CIAT School experience was great. I definitely think it was worthwhile even though it was challenging and required student to do a lot of independent research in the discussions and labs were very detailed with written instructions. There are opportunities for video face-to-face instructions or telephonic instructions provided by instructors. Student services is also available to assist with course work or any issues involving accessing course materials. As with most endeavors, communication is important; thus, communicating with instructors or student services is important to overcome any challenges experienced during the course of studies. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone trying to start a career in IT.

Video Mash

My 1 year is great but after that , I don’t know where there getting the other professors. It was so frustrating that my teacher did not how to do the lab. It was another student teaching us not the teacher We anre all trying to figure out how to do lab while the teacher looking $tupid. I mean , like it was like his first time teaching the class but it’s not. I feel bad about the people on my AWS practitioner class . OMG. We had to figure out how to the lab by our self .

Jehrall Jackson

I had a great experience with CIAT. I was enrolled ina 10 month program that included 8 classes in the IT field. Each instructor was very helpful and the Student Services staff were also very attentive. I feel confident in going forward and acquiring the certifications associated with each course.