Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Executive Secretaries And Administrative Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Henry Ford Community College, Schoolcraft College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and Davenport.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Davenport, Lake Superior State, Kuyper, and Siena Heights University.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Henry Ford Community College, Mott Community College, Montcalm Community College, and Baker.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Kirtland Community College, Kellogg Community College, Glen Oaks Community College, and Southwestern Michigan College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Gogebic Community College, Kuyper, Northern Michigan University, and Siena Heights University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Kuyper, Lake Superior State, Northern Michigan University, and Siena Heights University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Kuyper.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Kuyper.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Kuyper, Lake Superior State, Siena Heights University, and Alpena.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI
Studying Communications (completion in 1988)
• 8/16/2011
"Despite its size, the University of Michigan does a wonderful job of helping all of its students get a personalized education. They have checks and balances to ensure everyone is able to make the most out of their education. Being alone and isolated at the university is something a student has to work at--it is not the norm."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend U of M to anyone. Going to that school was the greatest experience of my life. It didn't just teach me facts, it taught me how to find facts, understand the facts, interpret and weigh the facts, and how to disseminate them in a manner easily understood by others. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I honestly do not know how the reputation of my major is. When I was in school, it was not considered difficult or prestigious. Thankfully, I did not let the peer pressure change my mind. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The University of Michigan is known throughout the world for its academic excellence. Its second greatest offering is its diversity--in both its racial makeup and the variety of courses it offers. It taught me how to comfortably address new and unique situations quickly and decisively. |
| Instruction | 9 | The university recruits its members from the upper echelons of all fields of endeavor. Their training and experience gave me a field of reference I still use today. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The university's faculty were tough task masters. The work load was heavy--I often imagined that they had no idea that we students and had to study for more than their class. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Considering the multitude of libraries at U of M, I was sure that it would be a more book learning/theoretically based institution. I was wrong. The "hands on" experience was vast. From roof-mounted, domed telescopes, to fully functional television and film studios, the university provides its students with the best, up-to-date equipment to fulfill their training needs. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | The absolute worst part of going to the University of Michigan was scheduling each semester. Telling a fellow student that you were going off to scheduling was met with a sincere expression of sympathy. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The facilities at U of M are amazing. I often dream of spending the day in one of their libraries--I love books. In the laboratories, a student never has to worry that supplies would be missing |
| Social Life | 7 | The diversity of U of M's population means that the events offered are also mixed and numerous. Regardless of your likes and dislikes, you can almost always find an activity to stretch your mind, lighten your heart, or improve your physical well-being. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Job placement and career services at the University of Michigan can be very beneficial, if you're coming out of certain programs like engineering, medicine, or law. The more general--or less glamorous curricula, are not addressed as thoroughly. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I've attempted to take part in the alumni network three or four times. Each time, I was left feeling like they thought I was not worthy of their attention. I was "just a secretary" instead of being the CEO, COO, etc... |
Wayne State University • Detroit, MI
Studying Public Health Administration (completion in 1990)
• 8/17/2011
"It was a great learning experience in a unique urban environment. I like that I'm still close enough to ride by and see how the campus has grown."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Based on my personal experience, I'd say yes. I'd really have to look into how strong a curriculum they are currently offering in my field. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I would assume that their current reputation is still good. I was a student many years ago and have not kept up with their current programs. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Very accurate and up to date information was provided to me about this field. The administrative support aspect was also covered well. |
| Instruction | 7 | Aspects of the field that I had no expectation of actively working in were covered. Grant writing, for example, has become an ever more important part of my duties. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Wading through reams of what federal, state, and local entities require for a non-profit to function is a fairly heavy workload. The academic challenge lies in learning the technical requirements that must be met for each funding source. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | No information was provided on how to actually deal with a person who may need to access services. But, I didn't expect to have direct client contact as an Executive Assistant anyway. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Wayne State did offer the "College of Lifelong Learning" for those who needed evening and weekend classes. Summer courses were an option as well. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | There was an ample amount of all the things mentioned above, except for professor accessibility. The more text books a professor had written/was writing that were a part of his/her syllabus, the less time they seemed to have for one on ones. |
| Social Life | 5 | A full range of activities were available to the students. I really did not have the time to focus on much besides school and work. |
| Placement Services | 2 | They gave a standard list of possible opportunities. Much more emphasis was placed on education than on career assistance. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I personally did not access my school's alumni network and support very often. Once I began working in the field my sphere of comrades changed. |
University Of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI
Studying Anthropology (completion in 2010)
• 8/30/2011
"I love U of M. I love the city, people, and overall environment of the school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would say it was a great school and a great program. I just didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life when I majored in anthropology. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | It was once ranked as the best anthropology department. I'm not really sure where it's at now, and I don't know if I can attribute where I am now to U of M or to the program. It really has to do with the area of study. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The University of Michigan is a great school. The program is great, but I really should have chosen a different major. I never thought it would be this hard. |
| Instruction | 7 | They told us we could do anything. This was definitely a lie. I am working a terrible job. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I thought it was pretty difficult but all I had to do was write papers and take essay exams. I think anyone can do that. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a mix. I usually had large lectures and then supplementary classes with a grad student instructor. We got to go into more depth on subjects with the GSI. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | I never had the need to go to classes outside of the normal class time. I was fortunate enough to not have to work and to be able to enjoy my time and flexibility. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | They were great. We had the best libraries and I miss school very much. |
| Social Life | 7 | U of M offers a great mix between academics and socializing. I was able to have friends and go to parties and still do well in school. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They were too encouraging in saying we could do whatever we wanted. That was a lie. I am not doing what I want and I'm completely broke. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | To be honest, I haven't really looked into it. I probably should since I have such a terrible job. |
Eastern Michigan University • Ypsilanti, MI
Studying History, Middle Eastern Studies (completion in 2010)
• 9/19/2011
"I didn't find my liberal arts degree to really help me on my career path. Nor did I find the services offered at my institution particularly geared toward an older student."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would not recommend the school because my degree did not help me obtain my job. I wouldn't recommend my career either as there is no way one would be able to pay back student loans. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | I think the institute that I went to is better known for the teaching and business schools. Their liberal arts program isn't that great. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I enjoyed one of my professors immensely - he was able to keep the subject interesting and current. However, I do believe that the department could be focused more on research and less on rote memorization. |
| Instruction | 5 | Some of my professors were excellent, some were dull. I enjoyed the African and Middle Eastern classes much more than the Philosophy classes. |
| How Difficult | 3 | As an older student I found the work load relatively mundane - even though I also care for my children. The writing requirements came easy to me so I had no problem with it being difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I'm a history major, it would be difficult to teach that in a hands-on fashion. If they offered better research courses, they could perhaps alter the teaching style. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | As a commuter school, I think they offered a fairly substantial amount of flexibility. I took many online classes, and could have traveled as well. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | The institute I attended did not have a top-tier library. Thankfully I'm located in a city with a major state school with extensive resources that I was able to use. |
| Social Life | 2 | I was an older student and didn't have the time or inclination to fraternize with kids 20 years younger than myself. I have never attended a sporting or organized social event because of this age difference. |
| Placement Services | 1 | As an older student, I have had many jobs before. Unfortunately the career services assistance was bound and determined to put me into food service and/or retail. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I haven't been contacted by them, nor even received a newsletter. I am Facebook friends with the department I graduated from, but that is the sum total of interaction I have with my school. |
Baker College • Auburn Hills, MI
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2011)
• 9/17/2011
"I feel most of the courses offered were very useful and easily applied in my current position. The instructors and staff were usually very helpful and accommodating. The facility was easy to navigate and pleasant to be in."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would absolutely recommend my school for anything related to business, especially for people currently employed who have specific scheduling needs. Baker is a very career-focused college and strives to give students all of the information they will need to be successful. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I have heard nothing but good things from fellow graduates and current students of the program. Several colleagues have actually enrolled in the program after hearing about my experiences. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I feel Baker adequately prepared me for my future career. The courses have proven to be useful many times in my current position, by understanding client and organizational needs. |
| Instruction | 8 | It was clear that some instructors were there to collect a paycheck and did not care about the students and course content. I am still satisfied with the information I received, as I feel education is the responsibility of the student first. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I was working full-time while attending school full-time, so there were plenty of overwhelming moments. With a lighter class schedule or the ability to only be a student, I would rate it a 5. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Baker tries to provide students with hands-on activities in most of the programs. The business degrees tend to be more book-oriented. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Most classes provide several options during each quarter. This includes online, morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend schedules. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | My biggest complaint with the facilities is the classroom size. Many of the rooms are quite small and cramped when full of students. The rest of the school is quite nice. The learning center and library are pleasant and staff are very helpful. |
| Social Life | 5 | I didn't participate in many activities or groups. There were constantly fundraisers, many aimed at helping needy families or children with academic studies. |
| Placement Services | 8 | I haven't had to use these services yet. I have heard from several people that the college will spend a great deal of time trying to find employment for graduates. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have been told that the alumni support at Baker is great, as they will help find jobs for unemployed graduates. However, I haven't needed to use these services, so I can't speak from experience. |
Calvin College • Grand Rapids, MI
Studying Spanish, Secondary Education (completion in 2004)
• 9/19/2011
"I wouldn't trade my education for anything. I know that I am incredibly fortunate to have gone to this top-notch school. The flip side of the coin is that I am TOO educated for the position I am currently in (not unusual in this job market)."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I did not go to Calvin to become an administrative assistant. However, the excellent education I received enables me to be above average in this field and will open new doors for me down the road. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Calvin has excellent foreign language programs. These programs are academically rigorous and include an array of overseas semester opportunities. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Calvin College is one of the best private Christian colleges in the nation. I had many wonderful opportunities there and treasure those learning experiences. |
| Instruction | 10 | All of my professors were outstanding, both intellectual and personable. Calvin instructors are known internationally as being among the best in their fields. |
| How Difficult | 10 | Calvin is a rigorous institution. I worked hard to excel, though admittedly I was not accustomed to working hard for good grades. Rarely does anyone graduate from Calvin with a 4.0 GPA. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Calvin is by and large an academic institution. Still, I had a number of hands-on experiences that were eye-opening. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Calvin's class schedule could be more flexible; evening and summer classes are somewhat limited. On the other hand, Calvin caters to students who live on campus and take daytime classes, so this is acceptable for the student population. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Professors are accessible and extraordinarily concerned with student success. The library is phenomenal and the tech labs are always up to date. |
| Social Life | 10 | Calvin students are proud of their school and its achievements, academic, athletic and otherwise. There are tons of activities available to students on campus. My social life there was busy and rich, and I maintain many of those friendships to this day. |
| Placement Services | 10 | Calvin's career services department was there to guide me from start to finish. I was even able to seek help here months after I graduated. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Calvin's alumni association is heavily involved in graduate life. There are constantly activities for graduates worldwide and on campus. The association stays in touch through newsletters, magazines, phone calls, etc. |
Job Corps • Detroit, MI
Studying Office Administration (completion in 2011)
• 9/25/2011
"The teaching was very good, but we didn't have enough resources. I didn't feel like I got enough experience before heading out into the work world."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would say there are a lot of better schools. The teachers there are wonderful, But every thing else is kind of lacking. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I think the reputation it has is alright. Considering we don't have the materials we need, the teaching is still great. |
| Program Quality | 4 | I don't feel that the school I went to prepared me very well for a job in the office. They didn't teach me anything about it, except filing and working with Microsoft. |
| Instruction | 8 | The teacher I had was amazing. She taught the curriculum well, I just felt there was more she needed to teach. That said, she did a great job instructing us in the MSOffice suite. |
| How Difficult | 2 | The work was extremely easy, but it taught us everything we needed to know. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was more a mix of each learning style. A lot of it was book work. We got a feel for office settings a couple of times, but not as much as I would have liked. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | We had one schedule option. We had to attend Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There were no other options. |
| Academic Facilities | 2 | As I said earlier, we had very minimal resources. We didn't have enough computers or books and a lot of the time we had to share resources. It was quite a hassle. |
| Social Life | 6 | We had a lot of pep rallies. We also had spirit days, dress downs, dances, etc. |
| Placement Services | 1 | They didn't do anything to help me find a job. I requested help several times but had to find a job on my own. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I felt like we didn't get very much support as either students or alumni. |
Wayne State University • Detroit, MI
Studying Theatre And International Studies (completion in 2006)
• 10/16/2011
"I was not happy with the Theatre program. I did like their International Studies program."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | No for Theatre unless they begin there as a freshman -- freshmen had better opportunities to establish relationships with teachers as oppose to transfers. International Studies - yes. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | They have a great reputation for both Theatre and International Studies. |
| Program Quality | 5 | Theatre program was very political and didn't offer any helpful knowledge for outside college jobs. International Studies Program was good but would have like a required internship. |
| Instruction | 5 | Needed more focus on students and discussion. |
| How Difficult | 8 | International Studies had several difficult aspects, Theatre was difficult in respect to getting around the politics of the department. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Theatre was both, International Studies was very much book. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | There were various class schedule options. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | Needed improvement and updates across the board. |
| Social Life | 7 | I participated in numerous extra curricular activities. |
| Placement Services | 1 | No help or assistance whatsoever. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | They have some Alumni groups, but there is not much help. |
University Of Michigan • Dearborn, MI
Studying International Business (completion in 2004)
• 10/19/2011
"It challenged me and prepared me for real life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend my school. The school's accreditation speaks for itself |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I said average because I am not aware of the current program and instructors. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I had real life experience. The program was able to prepare me for jobs in the future. |
| Instruction | 8 | All the instructors were very knowledgeable and qualified. Each instructor were ready and available for tutoring. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The prerequisites in math were extremely difficult since I was not the best math student. The language courses were difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I had a book for everything. The only thing hands on was the language classes. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I made my own schedule. I also took classes at my own pace. There were plenty of evening and online studies available. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Tutoring is always available. Also plenty of library and multi media help. |
| Social Life | 4 | I dealt with racism. Making friends was not easy. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There's no assistance in job placement. The school did have job fairs. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I am not sure about alumni support. I did not participate in alumni activities. |
University Of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI
Studying Anthropology (completion in 2010)
• 10/19/2011
"I loved Ann Arbor and loved going to classes there. The teaching was high quality and the assignments were inspiring. I loved my school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | U of M is one of the best universities. It is so diverse and everyone can find something they love there. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | It's still a highly accredited college so the program is still considered to be great. People love anthropology and that's why people choose it. |
| Program Quality | 8 | It was a great program. All students wanted to learn because the topics were interesting and the teachers were great. |
| Instruction | 5 | I did not get a job in anthropology. They could have explained how the real world works more. |
| How Difficult | 8 | It was fairly challenging. I had many papers that required effort to write. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was a good mix. There was a great deal of reading that I had to do but the teachers took time to explain what difficult ideas actually meant. It was a good mix of the two. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I believe it has to be pretty flexible since it is such a huge university. I never needed to take night classes because I didn't work during school. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | We had the Big House! It's an amazing stadium. Also the libraries were wonderful old buildings. Great to study in. |
| Social Life | 8 | I loved it. I just wish I had been better prepared to go out into the real world after I graduated. |
| Placement Services | 3 | They could have prepared us more for the real world. I never expected to be working for such a low wage after graduating from college. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | The U of M network is great. Everyone who went to U of M would say there are a ton of resources for alums. |
University Of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI
Studying Political Science (completion in 2008)
• 10/20/2011
"It was an excellent learning experience. I wish I would have taken advantage of all there was to offer."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would recommend UM to self-motivated students with a wide range of interests. Students who need more personal guidance would be better served by a smaller school. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The general political science program doesn't carry the prestige of the more specialized Ford school at UM or fancier East Coast schools, but it's easily one of the best in the nation. Madison at MSU might carry more prestige amongst insiders. |
| Program Quality | 7 | UM is a world-class school with top professors and students. The political science department seems to have taken a backseat to the more specialized public policy undergraduate program; and undergrad education in general is secondary to graduate studies/research. |
| Instruction | 7 | The instruction provided an excellent background in political science. There was, however, little preparation for working in the real world. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The regular political science course load was quite easy. There were plenty of opportunities to create a more challenging path (honors, research, etc.). |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Formal instruction is almost totally book learning, but there are tons of hands-on opportunities. Lots of research. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | UM caters to traditional students. There are very few evening or weekend options. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | You will find all that you'd expect from a top university. Access is available anywhere on the network to sites like JSTOR, etc. |
| Social Life | 10 | There is nothing that compares to a football game at the Big House. An organization for almost every interest exists at UM; if you can think of a new one, the student activities board will provide funding for almost any student organization. |
| Placement Services | 5 | All of the standard assistance abounds. At a larger school like UM, it is up to the student to seek it out. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | UM provides the largest engaged alumni network of any school on the planet. I have been lucky to forge relationships with local alums and serve on the alumni board in my town. |
Oakland Community College • Auburn Hills, MI
Studying Business Administration (completion in 1985)
• 11/2/2011
"I got what I went there for. I got a business background, and had time to take some electives (which I didn't need, because I had credits from a previous degree.)"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I really think that someone starting out in the field today needs the degree to get a job, even more than I did. And you can't do without the computer classes today. (I think the school was just fine, I just have issues with whether I needed the degree at all.) |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I'm not sure I really need a degree for this job. I guess the accounting helps a little. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I learned to type in high school, and I have common sense. Except for accounting-type classes (which I don't use very often) my college work doesn't really contribute, except that I can say I have a degree. |
| Instruction | 7 | I don't really know what else they could teach me. Most of my job is just common sense. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I also have a Master's Degree in English (which I got before the ABA degree) so I didn't need to take anything except the business classes. The classes were pretty easy. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Pretty much half and half, depending on the subject. (Computer classes were more hands-on, management classes were more textbook.) | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Very good. I was able to take weekend and evening classes. Now, I suppose they have online classes as well, but they didn't when I was there. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Excellent library. Much better than the one I had when I went to school for liberal arts. The computer resources were good for their time. I didn't do much work with academic advisors or tutors, but I did take a speed reading class for my personal use, and I took a "changing your life" type seminar. Everything was free, and the seminar was when I was an alumna. |
| Social Life | 4 | I was an adult student, working during the day, so I didn't really get involved much with extra-curricular activities. I was just going to school for the classes. |
| Placement Services | I've never used it so I don't know. I understand that it's okay. | |
| Alumni Network | I don't really use the alumni program, so I don't know. I assume it's okay. |
Bay De Noc Community College • Escanaba, MI
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2006)
• 11/17/2011
"I love Bay de Noc Community College. This college allowed me to continue my education, even though I had to work. It provided both convenience and quality."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I don't think anyone could find a more one-on-one college experience like Bay de Noc College provides. The staff cares about the students and wants them all to succeed. You can't go wrong when you have the backing of staff that is provided. It is a quality college that cares. |
| Program Reputation | I had a positive experience, but I am unaware of the reputation of the school according to anyone else. However, Bay de Noc Community College seems to have a positive reputation in general. | |
| Program Quality | 9 | The college provided a lot of support from not only teachers, but all the staff. The small classes allowed for a better learning environment. |
| Instruction | 9 | The college provided me with all the tools to go out and succeed in my work career. The small class size allowed for a quality that I don't believe you can get in a larger college. The teachers and staff cared about the success of all students. |
| How Difficult | 4 | My program of study is something I really enjoy, so I didn't consider any of it too difficult. The workload was enough to help enhance our learning. There wasn't busywork; it was all beneficial. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was a lot of bookwork, which I enjoy more than hands on. I learn better with book-oriented learning, and I think the field I was pursuing falls more in that category. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was able to take many online classes, which allowed me to work while going to college. There were also night classes I took while going to college. Without online and night classes, I don't know if I could have finished my degree requirements. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Anything a student needs to succeed, Bay de Noc College will try to provide. Teachers would set up times to help their students one on one, if needed. The class size was small enough to allow for personal attention. I couldn't be happier with everything this college had to offer in support of learning. |
| Social Life | I did not participate in social events at the college. I had work and school, so I didn't have time for socializing at school. | |
| Placement Services | I never used the job placement service, so I don't know how to rate it. However, I do know that they do have services to help in job placement. | |
| Alumni Network | I am not familiar with the alumni network and support. I didn't have a desire to belong to an alumni network or need alumni support. |
Lansing Community College • Lansing, Mi, MI
Studying Administrative Assistant (completion in 1997)
• 11/28/2011
"The tuition was reasonable and the class sizes were good."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It was a small group environment, better for one-on-one time. The instructors were also employed in the field they taught. |
| Program Reputation | I am not in contact with the school. I highly doubt they even still offer this exact curriculum. | |
| Program Quality | 5 | The curriculum is now dated. The positions/jobs are different than they were in the 90's. |
| Instruction | 8 | The instruction was good, and I learned a lot but much of what I learned then is not applicable in today's work place. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I am and always have been a good student. The area/subject was comfortable to me. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I liked the lab work available in some classes. I was happy there were independent study classes that allowed me to complete work as I could, without classroom time. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I was able to get classes around my work schedule. The classes usually did not run too late in the evening. |
| Academic Facilities | I am not in touch with this school anymore. I have moved out of the area. | |
| Social Life | I was not involved and I'm not sure if there are school sport teams, etc. | |
| Placement Services | 1 | I don't believe there was any job placement assistance available. It has been over 10 years since I completed this program. |
| Alumni Network | It has been years. I have not kept in contact as an alumni. |
Middleton Real Estate School And Michigan Institute Of Real Estate • Southfield And Livonia, MI
Studying Real Estate Assistant Broker (completion in 1998)
• 11/30/2011
"I passed the State Board, so I was very excited. The instructors were top-notch professionals who worked in the business."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The proof is in the pudding. They assisted me in passing the State Board, which was on par with a CPA standard of testing. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | When you went to these institutions, you passed your exam! That means you can start work and earn a living. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The program achieved its purpose. Learn ins and outs of the business, so as to assist the brokers and attorneys. Great curriculum. |
| Instruction | 10 | The curriculum was taught by seasoned brokers and attorneys. They had many years of experience and prepared us for what we needed to know to pass our state exam. |
| How Difficult | 6 | There was a lot to learn. If you are not familiar with real estate law, contract preparation, marketing real property, and the terminology and timeline for a sale or lease, it can be intimidating. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Lots of role play, memorization, practical hands-on experience, and multiple exams leading up to the big state exam. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Because most of the students were working part time or full time, there was lots of flexibility to include Saturdays and evenings. |
| Academic Facilities | 2 | They were not set up for that kind of experience. They were designed to give you the nuts and bolts of what you needed to know to become certified and pass your state exam. |
| Social Life | 5 | Those of us who attended at the same time were social and went to lunch and after-class events from time to time. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Most graduates from the program were already working or just starting as receptionists or interns, and needed the licensing to move forward in their careers. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | This school was not equipped like a major college or university. It was technical/career oriented. |
Washtenaw Community College • Ann Arbor, MI
Studying Administrative Assistant (completion in 2011)
• 12/10/2011
"It is a wonderful place to be. The campus is beautiful and the people are friendly. And it's small!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you're okay with a community college, Washtenaw is the place to go. Not only is it very good for this program, but their general education courses are also wonderful. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | There isn't much talk about this program. The people in the program, however, all love it. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The courses were extremely good. The teachers are awesome. |
| Instruction | 7 | The actual instruction was very good. Career preparation is not so great. |
| How Difficult | 3 | The courses are nearly all from the Office Suite. The one class that stuck out was Office Administration, but if you can alphabetize, you can get an A. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This program was all hands-on lab work. You always had to read the chapter before class, but once you got to class, you were given a lot of time to actually do the work. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | These courses are very flexible. They are usually offered in the evenings, as most of their student body are already in the workforce. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | This is one thing Washtenaw really has going for it! They have about a million computers and a million programs, so it's really good. |
| Social Life | 3 | WCC isn't really for being social; that would be more for a 4-year university. At WCC, people just want to get in, get out, and go home with their degree. |
| Placement Services | I never used these services. | |
| Alumni Network | I have not dealt with them, so I do not know. |
Calvin College • Grand Rapids, MI
Studying Mass Media (completion in 2009)
• 12/13/2011
"The education I received was exemplary, and the relationships I forged with professors and fellow students continue to today. The only thing stopping me from giving a rating of 10 was the high cost of the education, and the rather conservative nature of the administration at the school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Not only do you get an education focused in one particular area of career, but also a broader education that provides you the groundwork to pursue other careers, if your current path doesn't turn out. I emphasize the value of a good liberal arts education. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | For those who have heard of the university, the reputation is extremely good. However, because it is a small liberal arts university, many haven't heard of it, and thus the reputation is neutral. Any small amount of research would indicate the school's recent investment in infrastructure for my particular major. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I received a great liberal arts education and was able to take a variety of courses that I might not have been able to take at another institution. The small class sizes of my school allowed me to develop close relationships with my professors, almost all of whom were excellent in their field. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors were, by and large, very committed instructors. The course curriculum was well thought out and challenging, though they varied considerably in content, depending on the professor. Small class sizes and professors that encouraged class participation, partnered with relevant materials, provided me with great learning opportunities. |
| How Difficult | 9 | Surveying the syllabus of classes similar to those I took at my college with those of other universities, I realized my professors asked quite a bit more of their students than others. The school has a reputation for being tough, and after interacting with other individuals straight out of university, and asking about their experience, it was tough. I considered myself well prepared comparatively. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Compared to a technical university, my school, by nature of its liberal arts focus, is extremely tilted toward book learning. For my education, it was extremely useful, and I was provided a wealth of hands-on training as well. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Despite being a liberal arts university that encouraged students to take classes outside of their major, the core curriculum required to graduate was fairly tight. One had to take a great deal of classes, and in many cases, those classes were only provided at one given time during the week. If a student had a technical major like engineering, or a double major, their class schedule was very nearly prescribed. However, with a little work in dealing directly with the registrar, one could find enough wiggle room. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Brand-new facilities were in place for the communications department when I enrolled in the school, and the latest technologies and software platforms were implemented. Being a smaller school, some of the high-level equipment wasn't at a graduate school level, but that could hardly be expected. The library, media, and other resources were great. Tutors were readily available, and professors made themselves available. |
| Social Life | 7 | The first two years of enrollment require students to live on campus, and this can either hinder or enrich your social experience, depending on your personality. For me, I would've preferred more freedom and interaction with the larger community, so my experience was greatly enriched once I moved off campus. On-campus life, though there were numerous planned group activities, was a little constrained, suffocating, and strict for me. |
| Placement Services | 9 | The career services department helped me get two of my jobs, one during school and one immediately after. In both instances, the career services advisor, who happened to be the director in my experience, was extremely helpful, supportive and dedicated. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | There's an online portal hosted by the university, where users can log in to connect with other alumni. There's also a quarterly alumni magazine. These two things, along with a development team that's particularly driven, contribute to my good rating. |
Macomb Community College • Roseville, MI
Studying Liberal Arts (completion in 2011)
• 1/6/2012
"I felt I acquired a solid general education there. The prices for classes were reasonable. I would recommend the college to a friend."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | My current career doesn't require any education. I would recommend gaining experience vs. schooling for administrative work. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The local community college is well respected. I can't say for sure how it's reputation is nationally, if it has any. |
| Program Quality | 5 | Liberal Arts programs don't have much direction. I really enjoyed all the classes I took, but don't feel it was a result of how the college structured the program. |
| Instruction | 8 | It was a community college. So, I had some professors who were incredible and others who didn't really care much. The ones who cared provided the best quality instruction. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The only classes I found difficult were the ones in subjects I have struggled with my whole life. For instance, every math class I took was extremely difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of the classes I took were more book learning oriented. Although, the art and illustration classes I took were obviously more hands-on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I was almost always able to find a class I needed at the time I needed to take it. They also offer an extensive selection of courses online, which helps with flexibility. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | All the academic facilities on campus were great. Perhaps some of the buildings could use some modern updates. |
| Social Life | 3 | The social experience at a commuter college can only be what the student makes of it. I didn't have the need to make friends at school or participate in clubs because I already had friends and activities which I participated in regularly. |
| Placement Services | I didn't need to use any of the school's services after graduation because I already had a good job. | |
| Alumni Network | I'm not sure about alumni support. I haven't needed to use it because I was already employed when I graduated. |
Western Michigan University • Kalamazoo, MI
Studying Education (completion in 2002)
• 1/17/2012
"I think my school did a good job of preparing me for the career I wanted. I think that given the chance, I would choose to take further classes there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I think my school is better geared towards people who are interested in pursuing arts or business. I'm not convinced that most administrative assistants actually need a bachelor's. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The school has been ranked in different publications as a good school for education. Many students complete the education program every year. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I felt that I was given the tools to do the job that I wanted. However, I wasn't prepared for the difficulties in the job market. I felt that the school gave me a good background for other careers besides teaching. |
| Instruction | 10 | My teachers were exceptionally well versed in their fields. I feel like I received a diverse education that was creative and memorable. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I feel that my program was difficult especially early on, in order to weed out students who were not capable of finishing. I think the internships provided were difficult, but created the tension necessary to be successful in the field. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I think there was a healthy mix of book and classroom learning. I also had 4 pre-internships and 3 internships towards the end of my school career. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | When I attended, there was very little in the way of online offerings. I did attend school year-round. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The facilities were rundown and have been around for many years. The school is working on building new facilities. |
| Social Life | 7 | School spirit is especially strong, and not only where sports are involved. The school actively promotes arts and scholarships, as well as student-run and student-led organizations. |
| Placement Services | 6 | Services are offered while you are in school. Services can be used to determine your major and as a reference in job applications. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I think the alumni group for the school is very expensive and very much based on fraternity and sorority participation. |
Mott Community College • Flint, MI
Studying Business (completion in 2005)
• 1/9/2012
"It was a good experience. The teachers were positive. The counselors were excellent."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It's a small school. You can get a lot of personal attention. The curriculum includes transferable as well as certificate programs, and much of it is interrelated. No matter what you decide to do, you will be able to use the knowledge gained. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Most of the classes prepared me for my job. Some classes I have yet to find a practical application for on my job. Seems like a waste of time and money. |
| Instruction | 7 | The classes were focused and on topic. The instructors were knowledgeable. For the most part, the classes were relevant to my field of study. |
| How Difficult | 3 | Many of the classes were extensions of things learned in high school, if you were on a college track. The classes were relevant to the field of study, so they were interesting. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Many books had supplemental tapes and/or exercises. In addition, there were many labs. There were also internships and work-study opportunities. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | There were classes available at all times. There were also satellite classes throughout the city. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | There were always resources available for student use. You did not need to have your own personal equipment or use public facilities to complete your assignments. |
| Social Life | 7 | There were many opportunities for socializing. There were a lot of cultural activities, so finding a group to identify with was not a problem. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The school is in an economically depressed area. Many people have moved away and programs have been cut. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I have only been contacted once regarding alumni activities. That was to ask for money. |
University Of Michigan • Dearborn, MI
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2007)
• 1/22/2012
"I truly enjoyed my learning experience. I am happy that I chose to attend this university for my learning environment."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel they have wonderful learning environments and provide opportunities for growth and advancement. Students will learn a great deal of information. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The school has a large turnout for this particular area of study. The teachers and administrative staff are committed to ensuring your success and helping you obtain a job. |
| Program Quality | I did not take any business or administrative classes at my school for this degree. I cannot really rate them on their programs of study for this particular job. | |
| Instruction | 5 | The instruction for my classes that I took for my degree were acceptable. I feel that it prepared me for the working environment in which I work in. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Instruction was challenging at times. Overall, it was manageable and the workload was not too difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Hands-on learning is very important at this school. Whether it is interactive learning or hands-on learning through a lab setting, there are many opportunities for students to learn in various ways. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | The school offers many variations of class schedules to accommodate working and non-working student schedules. They also offer Saturday and online classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The school has excellent academic resources. You can chat with your professors online, obtain information from the library from home, and interact with other students via the internet. The labs are very hands on and have up-to-date equipment to work with. |
| Social Life | 7 | There are many opportunities for involvement at the school. They have many clubs and social groups; some involve students based on their area of study and some are just for fun. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Most students are successful in finding employment after they graduate. The school works closely with companies to provide students with internships, work programs, and permanent job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | The alumni association provides a great deal of support to its students and alumni. They keep up on the success of the alumni and provide opportunities to network yourself throughout the school. |
KVCC • Kalamazoo, MI
Studying Secretarial (completion in 2003)
• 1/26/2012
"Obtained my certificate. Had the knowledge I needed to do my job."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The teachers and counseling staff are helpful. |
| Program Reputation | I don't know the school's reputation. | |
| Program Quality | 5 | Good, instructional classes. Cost-effective. |
| Instruction | 5 | I could use relevant programs. Did not have enough instruction in supplemental programs. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I already had most computer skills. My typing and data entry was already at 75 WPM. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Lots of time in the computer lab. Several lecture classes. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Not many weekend classes, but able to live a first- or second-shift lifestyle. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | Good computer lab. Modest library. |
| Social Life | 1 | This is a continuing education school. Not much for social efforts. No networks for this major. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They helped me form a resume, but I located work without assistance. |
| Alumni Network | I do not participate in the alumni network. |
Michigan State University • East Lansing, MI
Studying Communication (completion in 2011)
• 2/2/2012
"I love MSU. I feel happy and productive here and really can see myself developing as a professional."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The CAS school is great. The faculty are awesome, the classes are interesting, and they offer a lot of career support and services. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | MSU's CAS school is regarded as one of the best in the country. It is a highly rated institution. |
| Program Quality | 8 | MSU has the best Communication Arts school in the country. There's a lot going on there - lots of internships, talks, events, etc. |
| Instruction | 8 | I love it and enjoy it. They also try really hard to help you network and get jobs. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Not too difficult, but very challenging. I love to read and write so I didn't see the work as hard or boring. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Mostly book-oriented. Had a lot of lecture classes without lots of hands-on, real world experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | I would have liked to see more classes available online. It would have made my schedule easier. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Not enough academic advisors to handle all the students, very hard to get an appointment. No CAS library that I am aware of, but excellent resources for people who are video/graphic majors - computers, printers, video equipment, etc. |
| Social Life | 7 | Pretty good. I met people I enjoyed and was involved in many extra curriculars. As a Big Ten school, we have lots of social athletic events that are fun. |
| Placement Services | 9 | There's a specific department for career services that connects students to jobs, internships, and professional development. It's really helpful. They do speed networking, career fairs, etc. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | Awesome! They have alumni events all the time. They connect students to alumni for career advice and opportunities. |
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