Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Medical Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Casa Loma College, Pasadena City College, East Los Angeles College, and Riverside Community College.
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 Casa Loma College and MTI College.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Advanced, SBBC-Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Business College, and University of Antelope Valley.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider ICDC, Lincoln, University of Antelope Valley, and East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Lake Tahoe Community College, Monterey Peninsula College, Coastline Community College, and Cerro Coso Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Glendale Community College, Lake Tahoe Community College, Lincoln, and City College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of College of the Redwoods.
Excellence
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at SBBC-Santa Maria and Santa Barbara Business College.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia, San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield, and SJVC Modesto.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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California State University - East Bay • Hayward, CA
Studying Liberal Arts/Human Development (completion in 2010)
• 1/13/2012
"I thought college would be a time for me to learn a world of new things and expand my horizons. I did all of that on my own; school didn't really live up to what I envisioned it to be."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I was thrown into my current profession. If someone really wants to become a medical assistant, I would recommend that they just go to a technical school. It's faster, often cheaper, and you don't have to take years of irrelevant courses. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | CSU EB is a good value, but it is no Stanford. All of my classes were too easy. |
| Program Quality | 5 | CSU EB is a mediocre school at best. I found all of my coursework to be extremely easy and I was never challenged at that institution. |
| Instruction | 5 | Most of my professors were adjunct staff, so they weren't really invested in my education. I felt like they were just looking to earn a paycheck. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I can't recall one time when I actually felt like I was learning something new. Every class was dumbed down to the point where it was way too easy. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of my professors didn't take the time to use nonstandard methods of instruction. Practically all of my classes consisted of a lecturer reading off a PowerPoint presentation for 2 hours. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | This is why I decided to go to this school. It allowed students to go to school at night and work in the daytime. They provided evening and weekend classes for working adults. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | I never felt like supplies or technology was absent, even though I graduated in the middle of a budget crisis in California. The campus facilities were in good shape overall. |
| Social Life | 2 | CSU EB is a commuter school. I usually just went to classes and then came home. There was no real school spirit at all. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I graduated in the middle of the recession, so there wasn't really anything they could do. I tried attending the job fairs, but there weren't many jobs to choose from. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | Practically nonexistent. CSU EB is a commuter school with no real sense of campus life. I suppose this extends to post-graduate organizations as well. |
College Of The Redwoods • Eureka, CA
Studying Medical Assisting (completion in 2011)
• 1/18/2012
"I feel that although the school is underfunded, it offers necessary education that prepares people for careers. I would recommend College of the Redwoods to anyone."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think that CR is a fantastic school for medical assisting. The medical assisting program is affordable and teaches everything one would need to know to be successful in this career path. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Everyone I went to class with said that they were unaware this program existed. Apparently, the program has a great reputation among local employers. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The program was very helpful. I took classes specific to medical assisting, as well as computers, medical terminology, speech, English and psychology. I think all of the classes were helpful in preparing me for a career in medical assisting. |
| Instruction | 10 | The instructor was very experienced. I have already used most of what I learned at work. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It was not terribly difficult. I felt that the pace was appropriate and there was not too much work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The actual medical assisting class was very hands on; we took each other's vitals, role-played and even practiced injections on each other. All of the other classes in my program were almost 100% book learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | Not many alternate times for most classes, and only a few online classes. I have attended a summer class and didn't think it was worth the money, as it was rushed and informal. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Great library with new computers, private study rooms, and helpful librarians; could use more books, though. The tutor programs are well coordinated and easily available for any class. The classrooms were large and clean, and the labs were well stocked. |
| Social Life | 5 | Good sports program with lots of school spirit. Not many social events besides sports. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There weren't many career services available that I'm aware of. The internship was very helpful in getting my foot in the door. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I haven't really heard from the school since graduating. I don't mind, as it is a community college. |
San Joaquin Valley College • Hesperia, CA
Studying Clinical Medical Assisting (completion in 2010)
• 1/12/2012
"I had a great experience at SJVC. I still keep in touch with many instructors and staff members. I learned so much and the experience has changed my family's life for the better."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would want other people to have the opportunities that I did. SJVC really offered me a way to improve my life in so many ways. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Doctors seem to like the school. I am always hearing good reviews from them, and they continue to hire the graduates and accept the externs. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I learned everything that I needed to know at the time that I graduated. I wish that I had learned more with EMR, but that has been a more recent development, so it is understandable that I was not fully trained in this area. |
| Instruction | 10 | The training was hands on, which made it easier for me to retain the information. I also felt that I had plenty of time to review and had my teacher's assistance whenever I needed it. |
| How Difficult | 9 | I had to work really hard in my classes. This was an accelerated program and the classes passed by really quickly. If you did not pay attention and complete your readings, you were lost. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The portions that needed to be hands on were hands on. The portions that were for the general ed part were more in the book. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I never needed to change schedules. When I saw people who did need to change classes, it was pretty easy for them. There was only one person I knew who had to take a break, because the class that she needed was not offered at the time that she needed it. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school had everything I needed. They had up-to-date medical equipment for me to learn on. I was given a laptop, and they even installed the applications that I needed. I was able to go in for tutoring anytime I needed to. |
| Social Life | 8 | There was good school spirit. There were not too many parties for the students. They did have a really nice graduation ceremony and great award ceremonies to celebrate student success. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I get a call from my advisor every month to see how I am doing and to ask if I need assistance. I also received a lot of guidance with my resume writing and interview skills. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | There is a Facebook page, which updates me all the time. Also, my career service advisor calls me every month to check in with me. |
Bryman College • Anaheim, CA
Studying General (For Becoming A Medical Assistant) (completion in 2004)
• 3/8/2012
"The school's curriculum was thorough, the instructors were supportive and helpful, and the course was intense but enjoyable. I would recommend it to any young person interested in medicine."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would, but only to those who are young, single, and living at home without children of their own. I went to school when I had three kids and was a single mom. The starting wage just cannot support such a family and I had to tend bar on the side. |
| Program Reputation | The school has since been sold to another academic company. Bryman had a great rep, but I can't speak for the new name/curriculum etc. because I don't follow it. | |
| Program Quality | 10 | The education I received was top notch. My instructor was tough but fair and she had experience in law enforcement as well, so she had some great stories. |
| Instruction | 10 | The curriculum was up to date. The school helped graduates find externships and employment. |
| How Difficult | 1 | I had been studying medicine on my own most of my life, so I found the courses to be easy. I did well on tests and got the highest score on the final of anyone who had taken it at the time. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We had a lot of school work but we also did a lot of hands-on training. We gave one another shots (using saline solution, of course) and were graded on our technique, etc. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I don't remember that weekends were an option and at the time neither were online courses. However, we could take classes as early as 6 AM or as late as 8 PM. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | We didn't have or need tutors. If we wanted to practice phlebotomy, we could come in during a different group's schedule and draw blood from the newbies. Support for students having trouble making classes due to work pressures, etc. were handled with sensitivity and care. |
| Social Life | 9 | Everyone got along well. We had to for the most part because we practiced our skills on one another. It's not wise to anger the person who will later be sticking a needle into your arm. |
| Placement Services | 10 | At the time it was fantastic. They did everything they could to place us where we wanted to be based on our particular field interest. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I haven't been back to the school so I have no real idea. And since it was an accredited "trade school" type of college, there really isn't an alumni support system. |
Job Corps Center • Sacramento, CA
Studying Medical Assisting Program (completion in 2012)
• 4/11/2012
"Job Corps Center helped me experience independence for the first time and meet people from different walks of life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I'd recommend it because of the great opportunities at no cost and it has a safe and secure environment. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Job Corps gave me an opportunity to get into the medical field with no extra obligations and gain experience to higher education. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I was very satisfied because I finished the program and got a job right away and everything I've learn it was all worth it. |
| Instruction | 9 | I have learned a lot in a few months and the program had more useful career development center. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It was really easy to understand, it might that be my instructor did a great job but I really don't have to study all night long. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I learn very quickly through hands-on rather than book work because I hate reading. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I only go to school Monday through Friday. I get holiday and summer vacations, so I still have plenty of time left for my family. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Our laboratory room wasn't that huge and there was not enough equipment but the classroom space was great. I can really study in the classroom because it was very quiet. |
| Social Life | 5 | I really don't care about athletics, parties or any events because I have a baby to spend my time with. But I attend some ceremonies like meetings, and important occasions. |
| Placement Services | 10 | When I was doing my internship I just did my best and showed my employer that I was very interested and my career transition specialist helped me to get the job. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The Job Corps center has a powerful tool for providing mentoring, professional guidance and employment opportunities. |
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