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Attention to all those interested in attending an Ultrasound school. I am a former student of an Ultrasound school called United Medical Institute located in Sacramento, California. I signed up for their 18 month program and just recently completed their program the beginning of this year to only find out that the school has mislead me, as well as all the other students, that we are unable to sit in for our specialty exam (ARDMS) until working for one full year. UMI first told me that they were indeed certified and that I will be able to sit in for my exams upon completion of their program, however, they "forgot" to inform me that the certification that they have does not allow me to take my exams as well as find employment. So far all the hospitals and clinics that I have applied for does not recognize my schooling and will not hire me. I am not the only student from this school; there are many other unhappy students! Please, whatever you do, do not attend this school. They have no problem taking your $30, 000 and looking you into the face and promising you that you will not have a problem finding a job once graduated. If you want to become an Ultrasound Tech, great for you! It's a great career if you went to a school that has proper accreditations. Do not waste your time and money (Ahem! $30, 000! And I hear they have increased the intuition!) on this school. I wish someone would have informed me about this deceiving school. All they care about is getting your money. Do your research and go to a well known school. I know that Kaiser has a good program so check them out. Anyways, the moral of the story: Research, Research, and Research! Oh well, too late for me now. I only hope no one else gets sucked into United Medical Institute’s trap. Be careful out there people!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
This is SPAM. The program was NEVER 18 month and it does not cost this much.
I am currently looking into this school and have really heard nothing but bad about them. The problem with the accredited schools is you already need an associates degree to attend them. Aren't there any employers that will hire someone for that first 12 months? This school doesn't have connections or anything with certain hospitals? I'm afraid to take their word for it, so if anyone else has graduated from there and has a success story please let me know. Thanks
In order to take the ADRMS TEST you have to take and pass the test from Cardiovascular Credentialing International then take the ARDMS test. This is for ECHO Only
FOR DMS you need to take the test for ARRT and pass then take the ARDMS Test and pass. This is how you avoid the 1 year wait time
I'm not shure what school you graduated from but for sure it's not United Medical Institute. Cuz I graduated from the program this year and this program is not 18 month it's longer. If you are mad about something, then at least get you facts right. The school gave me externship at the great Hospital in the area. So, you info is not true. Currently working at Yuba City Cadiovascular Imaging.
Good luck to everyone.
hi there people, .
i don't know what is true and wat is not?
i was so happy that i found the school cuz i been looking for ultrasound school in sac for so long, when i finally found it i made appointment right away...i talked to the lady with the thick action but she is nice and friendly
i am so down to go for it, but after reading the bad review i am now not sure. so whoever grad from this school and have a job and believe and sure that it is not true student have to work for one year in order to take the exam please let me know please
cuz i dont have much money if i wastes all the last money i have in school and have no job afterward it would be suck.
i believe that the internship only 8months, and yes that ofcourse without the license. but one year of work w/o license after the internship is horrible.
I attended Sacramento Ultrasound Institute.. I am so glad I did.. I looked into United Medical Institute before I did as well as Western Career College. Both were rip offs. We've had many students transfer over to us. Western was sued by students in a class action lawsuit and United has complaints by students with the Better Business Bureau. I recently graduated and I am taking my ARDMS physics in a few weeks as soon as I finish studying. Great school. Great people. Great training. Money well spent and I am on my way with TWO job offers before graduation. Too often I hear bad stories like this though. I have friends who attended those schools only to leave and come over to Sacramento Ultrasound Institute to get a real education. They're all working now. Good luck though. Despite your set back.. pick yourself up.. dust yourself off.. and keep going... you'll get there. My seat is still warm if anyone wants it. :oD I'm outta here! Tam~
You should call these guys. Apparently they have helped others defrauded by ultrasound schools. http://www.kcrlegal.com/helping-victims-of-trade-school-scams.aspx
I'm a student here and this is completely FALSE and baseless. You should do your research before posting this slander. You seem to only want to blame other people for your failure. Those who want to do well will WORK for it and get ahead.
People, don't base your decision on this obviously false "review". Call the school, go in there and talk to the students/teachers/staff!
SPAM< SPAM< SPAM
ORIGINAL POST IS A SPAM
I attend united institute and I know the person who transferred to your school her name is Kim. She had some issues and that was the reason. So don't post this slander it is very misleading. I'm half way through the program and LOVE IT! Our teachers registered with full credentials, very knowledgeable and teach us well. Program is all about hands on with a lot of scanning. School is recognized by the department of education and is accredited. I am very happy with my choice! It was based on my research not on someones misguided opinion.
We just had a 2009 class reunion and 90% of the graduates work. How is that for a change?
Don't make your decisions about the schools just because someone is an unhappy individual. Call the place, talk to students, teachers and staff and see for yourself.
I work at a similar school in Bay Area, and people really need to do their research before going for it andthen complain. The reason you have to work for a year before taking RDMS exams is because you have an AS in allied health. Students who have BS in any major can sit for exams right away after they graduate. I am relocating to Sac and interested in taking UTP, definitely will be talking to admissions, checking instructor credentials, placement statistics, and student satisfactory rates of the program.
I graduated from Umi and also ran into the same horrible problems they do not have the appropriate accreditation for you to get a job or sit for the specialty exams! They will lie and take your money. Do your research. Go to the ARDMS website and you will find that unless you work for a year or have a bachelors, you will not be able to sit for exams. It is impossible to find someone who will allow you to work for them for a year without your ARDMS, not to mention with the schools Crapy accreditation. Do not waste your money please. I was in a class of 10 students. None of us have found employment!
I am so thankful to have come across all the feed back about this school, like many of the people here I've been looking and looking to find a school here in Sacramento with no luck what so ever, I just called the school yesterday to hear that the program is 20 months long and is 25, 300.00 all out of pocket because they don't offer financial aid_ however I had NO IDEA I would not leave the school with all that I would need to get a job in the field, nothing was mentioned about working for 1 yr before getting my license_ I totally agree that should be said upfront whenever someone is calling. 25k is a lot of money and I defiantly wont be going to this school after hearing all the stories_ so to those of you who got ripped off sorry but thank you so much for sharing your story.
United Medical Institute is a horrible program, and I can't believe they are still open and running. Me and a group of students tried to sue them but on "books " they are not worth anything so no law firm felt it valuable to go after them. The employees post SPAM about how good the program is, and there are some good examples on this very forum. I have moved on and am in another accredited program in the bay because this is what I want to do. I feel for the people that work for this program only because in my opinion they are crooks and this is obviously the only way they can make it in this country! People who have met "them" know what I mean! Fraud Fraud Fraud. White collar fraud! Don't think the BBB will help as well, they were no good in listening to complaints from students. I filed a petition with sallie mae as well, and that did no good, they keep bringing them loans so what do they care? Very sad state of affairs that this "company" gets away with robbery every day and nothing can be done about it...
I graduated UMI in November 2011. Ultrasound program I attended was fabulous! All instructors were either M.D. or RDMS Sonographers. Since graduation I passed my SPI and OB/GYN exam. It is a WASC Accredited school. You can check it out online. In the beginning of this year I got a job at Sutter Hospital in S.F. making $55.00 per hour! It was hard, lot's of sacrifices on my part but it was all worth it. I recommend this school. I was very happy with it. Some students from my class though were not cuz they wanted to do their own thing and not follow the rules. Well, maybe previous post was from one of them... :-)
I can totally tell that the good posts about the school are either from employees or from students who haven't completed the progra yet so they simply have no idea they are getting screwed, until the end... this is so sad...
this school is waste of ur time and money. fraud fraud, , trust me...good luck for those who still going to this school
Hey guys, I'm trying to find some recent info about this program. Everything is at least a year and a half old. Has anyone had luck with this program? Is it still as horrible as it sounds?
I am interested in the Ultrasound Program with United Medical Institute. I have one question. Is the ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY
Program, Code [protected] accredited? Not the SCHOOL, but the PROGRAM. If YES, than what organization is accrediting it?
To all that said UMI was great... Do you or do you not have to work for a year in that field before you can take the test? if so, is there any employer willing to do so...
This is the main complaint, and no one bragging on UMI seems to be addressing it. I called and was also told for $25, 000 and 18-20 months I would be done? Simple question... Do I have to work in the field for another year to take the test or not?
I am a current UMI student, in my clinical rotation. I love this school! I am completely against all the negative comments posted here or anywhere else. All the information pertaining to how the school operates, what students need to do, what happens after graduation, and how to get ARDMS certified is provided during orientation. Moreover, my classmates and I, are still occasionally reminded of the above points. The Ultrasound Technology Program Handbook explains a lot and can answer many of your questions. Yes, the program cost more than $25, 000, but the school provides a detailed breakdown of all the charges. They even have monthly pay plans. There are no surprises as to what they charge for. Granted I have a Bachelor's degree and I can sit in for a specialty exam right after graduation, but many of my classmates don't have Bachelor's degrees, so they can not take a specialty exam right after graduation. But, every single graduate of UMI can sit in for the SPI exam. More over, you don't even have to graduate to take the SPI, all you have to do is to complete Ultrasound Physics course with a grade of "C" or higher and take SPI right away. Now here is the good news for those of you who do not have Bachelor's degree: Many hospitals are not accredited; therefore, they can hire non-certified sonographers. I am currently commuting 2 hours one way to a non-accredited hospital for my externship. This hospital has Ultrasound Techs, who are not ARDMS certified and they have been working there for years! In fact, two of the US techs who work there are UMI graduates! Many doctor offices do not require ARDMS certification. In other words, there are lots and lots of places that hire non-certified ultrasound techs. Just get hired, work for a year, and then take the specialty exams. Again, yes, it is true, you CAN get hired even if you are not ARDMS specialty certified. Check out ARDMS website, SPI Requirements and General Prerequisites for more information at ARDMS.
Hi HappyDMS! I am looking to go to UMI and also have a BA already in a different field. I would love to know 6 years later how it all turned out for you. Were you able to become ARDMS certified, did you have any difficulty finding jobs since the school isn't CAAHEP accredited?
Thanks!
UMI is a great school. I am currently attending this school and I have not been misled in any ways. I have received all the information I needed to know and if I need to know more, the administration is always willing to answer my questions. I have a Bachelor's degree and will be able to sit in for an ARMDS specialty exam right after graduation. Many of my classmates don't have Bachelor's degrees, but that is NOT a problem at all. Here is why: only accredited hospitals have to hire certified sonographers. There are many hospitals that are NOT accredited; therefore, can hire non-certified sonographers (i.e. new graduates). Many doctor offices, that utilize ultrasound, and Imaging Centers hire non-certified sonographers. After graduating from an US program and working for a year, one becomes eligible to take an ARDMS specialty exam, and that is a fact not made up by the UMI but created by the ARDMS. I am currently commuting 2 hours one way to a non-accredited hospital. There are sonographers, who are not ARDMS certified. Moreover, two of the sonographers have been hired by the hospital after graduating from the UMI.
This school help
I am UMI graduate. I recommend UMI 100%. I took my Physics exam during my externship. I was hired two months following my graduation from UMI as ARDMS eligible. I took ARDMS Abdomen exam twice and passed it the second time, all while working in a hospital. I am now interviewing for other Ultrasound positions and studying for my next ARDMS specialty. Yes, do your research. I did. And I learned that UMI was far better than other Ultrasound Schools. There are jobs out there. Visit UMI information sessions. Get their booklet. Visit ARDMS. UMI is accredited and follows ARDMS guidelines.
Hi.
If it is okay to ask; where did you get sent to complete your externship ? Was it Bay Area? Did you get hired there?
Also do you keep in contact with your classmates? How are those without BA degrees doing?
Thank you so much.
My externship place was two hours driving time one way from my house. Yes, I did get hired with them. I have already said that majority of my classmates did get jobs without Bachelors degrees.
Then how were they able to take their ARDMS specialty test; which prerequisite did they apply under?
Thanks !
The United Medical Institute continues to outperform ultrasound schools within the greater Sacramento Area. I have yet to meet graduates of other Sacramento ultrasound schools. There are plenty of ultrasound jobs in California. In 2016, I worked for three different hospitals. FYI - Kaiser Permanente DOES recognize UMI ultrasound program. Recently, I have heard of one recent UMI graduate, who does not have a Bachelor's degree, being hired as ARDMS eligible with a hospital. This graduate will be trained on the job and will be able to take ARDMS specialty exam after a year of working. The negative comments come from "lazy" students, who expect things just to happen for them. UMI is accredited. UMI is not a community college or a university; therefore, it does not require that type of accreditation. UMI is accredited by other agencies and is recognized by ARDMS. The hiring agencies recognize UMI ultrasound program. Do your leg work after graduation. Don't assume someone will come and offer you a job. Competition is huge. There are a lot of successful UMI graduates. What have you done to be successful?
The following has been posted by another board user:
"In order to take the ADRMS TEST you have to take and pass the test from Cardiovascular Credentialing International then take the ARDMS test. This is for ECHO Only. FOR DMS you need to take the test for ARRT and pass then take the ARDMS Test and pass. This is how you avoid the 1 year wait time."
Things are so confusing, you read the negative things and I actually went the school the other day and the lady kept repeating herself I do not lie, it struck me as weird then I began to dig and found all the negative stuff, not sure what to believe and how to proceed. Very afraid to waste time and money, I do not have a Bachelors but would like to one day but would like to go to school and get a good job and proceed. Any resent input would be appreciated
I am not the student but the wife of the student. I think my husband likes the school and the teachers. Yes they are accredited as my husband mentioned WASC was coming to the school again. It is expensive I tell you but if you want to not wait for a long time it is worth the money. I did my research on this school and I knew beforehand that one can not sit for the ARMDS without a bachelor's degree. You can go ahead and do your schooling, make sure that you get the grade that they want you to meet and you will be fine. My only comment is that how I wish they have the hospitals ready for externship not students looking for one because it is hard to find one. They have been there for years, they should have affiliations ready given the number of years they are in business. I need my husband to help me raise our kids and so I need him to get done right away. I pray that they will help their students till the end because their students' success is their success.
And for those who do not have bachelor's degree, the requirement is to get a job for a year or two then you can sit for the ARMDS exam. It's one of those education versus experience kind of deal.
I agree that the school is misleading about the pathway to the RDMS Exam. Because I had read so many different ways of becoming an RDMS I was confused about some things even after all the research I did. When I visited the school and met with the director I asked specific questions and I was definitely mislead about 2 things. I was told very specifically that you DO NOT need to take any specialty Exams...This is not true and is clearly stated you do need to take a specialty exam on ARDMS website. I also asked about the requirement of a degree, and was told you do not need a degree of any kind; once you finish your internship, you take the RDMS. In fact the UMI website states that after your internship, your eligible for the RDMS exam...this is untrue, as there are other requirements as listed on the ARDMS list of RDMS Exam Prerequisites. You have to work 1 year (paid) prior to taking the exam...regardless of having a degree or not. And with regard to the ARRT exam to avoid that 1 year work requirement...it only applies to those with an AA, but UMI is not an approved school on the ARRTs list of Sonography schools, so those who attend UMI do not qualify for the ARRT unless they have some other approved sonography schooling. While I did do my research and I am aware of these requirements, I was in fact given false information by the school director.