Westervelt College review: Beware! 79

"All they did was let their BBB accreditation expire, they're still an accredited school, unfortunately"

-Their accreditation is the same as the accreditation that every other private school has...National accreditation OR regional accr. by a private accreditation body(basically being accredited by themselves...utter crap!) They claim to be accredited to students but their credits will not transfer to real provincially accr. Universities and Colleges.

It is quite shocking considering how other private schools like Trios and Everest gets most of the bad reviews. My roommate signed up for the IT tech program for Sept and is now thinking of dropping out. The guy that teaches it seems to have really good credentials. Any IT tech grads have any comments to share?

I honestly don't understand where you're coming from. I've gotten a great education from Westervelt from amazing teachers. To me they care a great deal about their students and want nothing more then to help them reach their potential. I am thankful for the help and support in allowing me the chance to prove I am worth something. This school has given me back my self esteem and courage. It has brought out the best in me and for that I am thankful (and I'm working full-time in a great job).

Saw your postings. For the person looking at IT, I had a great teacher, knows his stuff, never regretted my decision for one minute. Without him...never would have made it through.

I was going to go to this school in September until I did some extensive research on the internet as well as calling some of the employers that they listed. Out of the 5 employers I called not ONE of them said a single nice thing about Westervelt and that the ONLY time they've hired a grad is through a 3rd party on a temporary basis. If you're reading this thread and thinking about going. Don't. It'll be a waste of time and precious money. It's sooo much money in fact, OSAP won't even cover the full amount of tuition. Let alone living expenses

Seriously, don't go here you'll just end up in debt with a useless piece of paper you made ten grand for. You're much better off going to Fanshawe or another publicly funded college. Do your research and you'll find the same information I did.

Also, when I tried to cancel my application I got the whole "used car salesman" attitude from one of there admission officers (I'm being nice and not saying his name) and he bashed me in his e-mail saying. "Isn't it great we live in Canada where you have a choice about your education"

Ya, a choice to get scammed or not. I choose not.

"But as for the employers that have their names listed as places who hired grads were they mad that their names were on there without asking?"

No, not really but it was kind of shocking for all of them. They almost expected it from a P.C.C. since they have hired grads through 3rd parties (like kelly services) on a temporary basis...

LHSC gave them the WORST review. The person I talked to at HP literally laughed at me when I told him about Westervelt, he asked if it was a P.C.C. I said yes then the laughter came out and he said go to an actual college and I'll get a job there.

Teletech went under just an FYI but that's like saying she could of worked at Stream too. A Call center job is NOT worth $10k in education costs

Okay "guy from London" it’s nice to see you spend all of your time complaining about school when you should obv be taking the time to either find a job or get a life. First of all if you didn’t like the looks of the college you shouldn’t even have enrolled! Funny how that is though, YOU make the choice to enrol not the college. Oh and another thing it’s not the colleges fault that you didn’t do so well on your tests LEARN how to study! Oh and by the way Mrs C is a well trained professional who cares about who she sends out to be a PSW, and I am so glad you ended up not being in the program because I wouldn’t want someone like you helping my grandmother. Funny though how Mrs C has been a nurse for many years yet YOU know more than her Ha that’s a laugh. Oh and by the way I know who you are, you were in my class I found you on face book through this name (PS have you ever heard of being charged with libel or slander? Oh wait because you’re such a genius!) And let me tell you about THIS so called “LONDON” guy on here, because obv he has had a sad effect on you people. I would NEVER want this person to be a PSW! He was rude, he belched in class, he treated our teacher so horribly! He is pretty much addicted to energy drinks before he started class the first day you were there you had one(NO WONDER YOU COULDNT SLEEP EVER) and I’m pretty sure does drugs, yup your own fault for basically yelling it out in class for everyone to here! How professional you say? You had ridiculously bad hygiene and looked like you hadn’t showered the whole time you were in class (total of what 3 months GROSS!) ! oh and by the way thestudents complained about yu yup we did! All you ever did was shake! He couldn’t even keep steady because he looked as though he was on something. Would you want someone like that to take care of you? Or a family member I DONT THINK SO! Although I’m pretty sure you were talked about personal hygiene you made the PERSONAL choice to not do it! SEE all of this is YOUR own FAULT! Take the consequence for your own actions buddy instead of blaming it on other people. I wonder how you can live with yourself for saying such nasty hurtful, mean things about these people! that goes for everyone who has said mean wrong hurtful things! you should be ahamed! You deserve all of this being said to you ! I want to let all of you know that I was successful in this course and will graduate with presidential honours, compared to your low life selves! I was so GLAD to have Mrs C who has had such a great impact on my life, and has made me this best PSW I can be! Westervelt has changed my life and I already have 5 interviews for jobs in the next 3 weeks! So you know what “London guy” Get off your welfare ### and do something with your meaningless life!
PS I will never look at this website again because it’s a waste of my time and I don’t care how you respond in any way because your selfless input is rather sad! To all the rest of you, there is always one bad apple out of what? Hundreds? See my point?

I feel that Westervelt gives its students an advantage over other Colleges. It truly has a relationship with its students and by having a strong sense of what is needed to be successful, can provide the tools to students to make the right steps towards the career they have chosen.

I feel that it is appropriate at this time to say thanks to those who helped me achieve my dream of becoming a Police Constable, and i feel that you did just that for me. You have always been great to myself and if i can ever help you in return, please let me know. If you see me patrolling the streets of London, smile, as you had a part of me getting here. Thanks again for everything.

Jeremy K.

To all the admin staff and instructors at Westervelt College.

I was going to wait until i finished school until i wrote this, but, i figured why put off til tomorrow what i should do today. I wanted to thank each and everyone of you for your professional polite and respectful attitudes that have all helped to create a really positive experience for me here at Westervelt. While it isn't always easy for me, I'm doing my best and feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to be in school, to learn, to grown and to develop myself. Thank you all for contributing in your own way to this experience. I am very blessed.

Sincerely,

Angela S.

I was a student at Westervelt College for the [protected] school year. My chosen course was Executive Administration.

Although juggling school and a family full time I still found the time to study and finish homework. The workload was not overwhelming which I was very concerned about in the beginning. If ever I had a question my teachers were more than helpful.
This may sound odd but my favorite part of being at school was the new friends I had made in class and in the office. Getting to school a little early just so I could come and say good morning to the ladies in the office and a chat with my fellow classmates to see how their night was.

I was fortunate enough to have been offered a great job, and I was able to go right from school to work. The transition was made much easier due to the fact that everything I had recently learned was fresh in my mind, and ready to be applied to the workforce.
In all I had a great experience with Westervelt College in class and out. I would tell anyone if ever a need to go back to school Westervelt’s the place to go.

Sincerely,

Holly C.

Sometimes in life you have an opportunity to make a difference in the world. Sometimes you know it, most times you won’t.

I am leaving Westervelt College today not with a textbook understanding of the PSW profession, but with the understanding of how i will best meet the needs of the clients/ residents I’ll meet.

You have molded your students in workmanship, honesty and accountability. The information your students received could not have just been read in a text. Your delivery and deliberate attempts to make our learning imitate the real world is something students in your classroom can get.

You have made a difference Mrs. C in the lives of each person we face in our futures. Part of your passion for their rights and the words you have spoken will continue to guide the hands of your PSW’s.

Thank you Mrs. C for giving us the very best understanding available.

We’ll miss you.

2010 P.S.W's

I was about to start IT Tech in September until I too did some research and called around, asking if they ever hire Westervelt grads. I called one of Rogers' offices in Toronto only to be laughed at when I mentioned that Westervelt was a PCC. The guy I spoke to said if I had Fanshawe on my resume, it would look good. (I guess he finished at Fanshawe ?) He said that not very many places in the field take PCC's seriously, and that I'd probably end up just doing tech support at a call center. He'd never heard of Westervelt, and for what it's worth, he said the absolute worse was CDI College/Everest.

I'm glad I found this and was inspired to call around before spending over $10, 000 plus living expenses on what would be a useless piece of paper. I'll have to call Gardiner tomorrow and tell him I'm no longer interested.

Hello

I am also going to be a graduate of Westervelt College, I was also a part of he PSW program that will be graduating this fall. I am so proud to have had the opportuniy to be educated at Westervelt College. I was in Fanshawe for 3 months and withdrew from there program. I was baically handed several books and said "here goodluck". This made me so thankfulwhen Westervelt welomed me with open arms! I have learned 10 times more at Westervet then I ever could have at any other College especially Fanshawe. Thank you to all of the ladies in the front office for being so nice and always helping me with any questions. Thank you to Mrs T (the dean) for being so welcoming and having a fun personality. Thankou to Mrs K (director) who does so much work to make sure the college runs as smoothly as possible. Thank you to robert and drew for showing me around the college and being so positive about my future experience. Thank you to Mrs R who helped me through my placement and helped me with any issues I have had and teaching me new things you are a wonderful lady Lastly thank you to Mrs C, who has been one of the most inspirational teachers I have eever had. You have such a big heart and dont let ANYBODY else tell you otherwise. You should feel so good that you have passed on your brilliant kowledge onto other people who wil in turn only better the world. I too am going to be graduating with honours and I am truly excited to be hired as a PSW.

Thank you Wetervelt College

As someone who almost enrolled there, I'm glad I'm making the RIGHT choice not to. If they have to get office staff to post as students, that should be a HUUUUUGE red flag right there.

As for gossip and lies, that's ### that we did in grade 6 and 7. One would think that you'd be long past that if you're going to an institution that calls itself a "college". hmm...

But even if that wasn't enough to sway me from going there in September, the fact that an HR rep from Rogers laughed when I said a private school is where I'm considering, that should be enough to tell you something just ain't right about the place. I think I'll be looking at January enrollment for Fanshawe or that school in Sarnia now. I think it's called Lampton College? It might take me two years and an extra 5 or 6 grand, but it will be worth it in the end.

Also, lol @ libel and slander. I'm not an expert on law, but I'm pretty sure that whatever is said has to be false for it to be slander or libel.

Dear Mrs. C and Mrs. H,

Thanks for everything, you helped my dream come true. I never dreamed i could accomplish something so dear to me.

The two teachers were amazing. I have become a better person because of this experience. If i can do it-anyone can do it.

Thanks,

CM

"If i can do it-anyone can do it." - lol.. They use those same lines on the advert for CDI College to lure people in, or at least they try to.

I read some of the replies, and they come off as 'form letters' they'd use as part of their ads. Two of them are even from the same user calling himself (or herself) Graduate1 posting different people.

I started at Westervelt with the dream of becoming a police officer in Ontario. As my year at Westervelt past by I knew I had made the right choice. The support and direction that I received from all my instructors, as well as Mrs. Kalmikov, was amazing. It gave me the strength to believe in myself and my dream of becoming a Police Officer. Upon graduation, Westervelt directed me to a career at London Health Sciences Centre where I was employed for one year and gained firsthand knowledge of Law Enforcement. Then my life changed forever when I received a letter of employment from Oxford Community Police to request my services as a Police Constable.
I want to thank everyone at Westervelt College for believing in me and supporting my dream of becoming a Police Officer. I will always remember my time at Westervelt College as a positive one.

Eric D.

Wow. I leave for a day and there's another 10 posts. This is funny stuff. Glad this PCC finally got exposed for what it's worth...

lol. Wow, I'm only in high school, but I'm glad I saw this thread about Westervelt College on the side bar there. I did consider going there after I'm done at Beal next year, but now I think I'll go to Fanshawe instead for an IT course like network tech.

I'm wondering this, if this school is so legit, why not face the critisisim(sp?) head on and try to fix the problem and the OP's complaint? Instead a bunch of lies are being posted by people posing as students. I've worked at a few customer service jobs in the last few years and the manager would always try to make a not so happy customer happy. If they got a lousy pizza or something they didn't order, or something was missing, it would be fixed as soon as possible. In the end, everyone was happy.

Since these "schools" are PRIVATE institutions and therefore BUSINESSES then they should be ready for the repercussions that result from shady BUSINESS practices. These angry students are, in fact, angry CUSTOMERS and they have a right to complain and ### about a BUSINESS that didn't fulfill their end of the bargain, so to speak. We, as customers, have the right to complain about faulty goods purchased and shoddy services such as these. We are being responsible and are warning other potential victims about the waste of time and money that will result from attending a private college. Remember, private schools are business and we are thier customers/victims THEREFORE we can complain and expose their ### products and practices so as to warn the general public!

Sorry I didn't respond to your question. As far as where I ended up working after CDI. Hm, the first place was purolator as a truck loader(labour at 4 in the morning and part-time hours) After my stint there, just typical dead-end jobs all involving some form of manual labour. Absolutely NOTHING to do with what I took at CDI. Their stupid, useless, "career services" dept. always talked about job"leads" coming in and "leads" this, "leads" that but no one in my class got any form of adequate employment. I think one woman ended up as a secretary...as close to business administration as a CDI grad will EVER get!

I have heard some bad things about Everest College, and the pathetic, anti-semetic, government-owned University of Toronto is definitely pretty bad, but School administrators registering accounts and posing as students posting bogus reviews to even out the abysmal reviews really takes "deceptive business practices" to a level that is usually only surpassed by those "Get Rich Quick" Schemes. Any legitimate institution would have no reason to do that.

To "dontforgetme", I agree with you, It is sad and disturbing that those school administrators had to resort to posting bogus reviews from fictitious students to cover up their misconduct.

Thought I'd share a few words here about my time there.

A few years ago, I finished with great marks, only to end up back on the dole. I'd been handing out resumes all over and haven't gotten anywhere. I thought my luck would change in a new city but it's even worse. I finally got ahold of a person in HR that hires in the field that I studied for and was told "we never hire anyone from private career schools because the graduates from them aren't trained as well as one from a public funded school is. " He said he wished that he could give me good news, but they've hired CDI grads in the past, only for them to be given a pink slip a few weeks later because they weren't qualified enough.

So now I'm back slugging my ### off at a labour intensive type job and 15 grand in debt. I'm making alright money now, but am definitely regretting having chosen to go to Westervelt. My advice, you are better off going to a publicly funded school. It may take twice as long, but in the end it will be worth it.

BTW, the closest I've come, or ever will come to working in my field of study was working for Kelly Services at a short term week long contract position. I won't say where it was, or what I studied because I don't want them to add me to their wall of success. - I would hardly call a short term contract to be a 'success'.

And for the school administrators posting fake reviews - Not even CDI College or the Academy of Learning would stoop to that level. Congrats guys, you've reached a level to match that of others that post fake testimonials for pyramid schemes.

And look at that, another user's account disappears after they complain about this school. As said before, Westervelt is private and therefore a BUSINESS. They are going to be open for critisism just like Wal-Mart, Future Shop or any place that provides a service. This is starting to look like that CDI College fiasco from a few years back.

I guess the /removed/ that run the place really hate when people say anything negative. If a business can't take critisism, how are they ever to improve? But I guess they don't want to, and are content at being the school that they are.

Westervelt College is the oldest private or public college providing career education in Canada. Over its 125 year history, Westervelt College has graduated 48, 000 students. This has been accomplished by providing quality education while respecting our students and the employers of our graduates.

The Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities regulates all post-secondary education in the Province including Westervelt College. We also utilize provincial, national and international organizations responsible for education in their particular careers; through accreditation, approved curriculum, and/or certification exams. This process can take up to two years to earn the accreditation. This provides assurance of the quality of our programs to our students and employers.

These organizations include, but are not limited to: the Law Society of Upper Canada (Paralegal), the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs, the Ontario Society of Medical Technologists (Medical Lab), the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, COMPTIA and Microsoft (ITT), the Ontario Medical Secretaries Association (Medical Admin), the Ontario Ministry of Health and NACC (PSW) and many more.

Success at Westervelt College, as well as in life, is dependent on attitude and effort.

Dr. L.A. Doerr, B.E.Sc., P.Eng., Ph.D., D.I.C., M.B.A.
Chairman, Westervelt College

Yet again, you post a response there Linda Doerr. You come off with your obvious form letter reponse(which is an obvious advertisement), and adding all your fancy titles to the end of your name. Obviuosly you didn't attend your own school, otherwise would wouldn't have an M.B.A or a Ph.D.

How about that one guy that attended for the Law Clerk program, only to end up WITHOUT a job for what he studied for? You had him silenced with your threats, all because he agreed with two posters on here. Then there's the one who originally posted this thread, he too was silenced by your goon lawyers. You ever hear of freedom of speach?

And then there's myself as well, and being told by an HR person that they don't hire anyone from a private school because they're not trained nearly as well as someone from a publically funded college like St. Claire or Fanshawe. Only the very basics are taught, sometimes at a level less than remedial (Basic)high school level! I tried my best and couldn't get a job, sent off probably 500 resumes, all rejected. I ended up going back into what I was doing before because I was just so fed up with the rejection.

You don't want to take critisism because you refuse to improve your school. You couldn't give a ### about the students, only the money they bring in from their OSAP or second careers. You silence your critics in a very creepy way. You post bogus reviews from ficticious students. These are all serious red flags. Any legit institution would not have to stoop to such levels and would be genuinely concerned with any complaints posted here about the school, and want to help the student.

"Obviuosly you didn't attend your own school, otherwise would wouldn't have an M.B.A or a Ph.D"

LOL. So true. If these places(meaning any and all PRIVATE schools) were worth their salt then all of the people who run them, with their Masters degrees and PHd's from public Universities, would have no problem having their own children attend the school they work at. I mean, they believe in the services the school offers so much right?!

Ask any one of the "directors" and "deans" at ANY private school if they would have their own children or family members attend a private school. All you will get for a response is a bunch of stuttering and bumbling for a half-answer reason why they would not.

I can't believe what I have just read, enough of the four letter words already. If, Ken Masters you paid some attenion during your tenure at Westervelt(if you did indeed attend) you would know that Dr.L.A.Doerr is a very well educated, hard working, dedicated GENTLEMAN.

I taught at Westervelt for over 10yrs and took great pride in what I did. The personnel were constantly reminded of our first priority...the student. There were 2 types of students.Those who showed up every day with their homework done, a positive attitude and ready to learn the next lesson...then there were those who didn't give a ###, showed up when they felt like it and generally disrupted the class whenever they could. Which one were you?
To those of you who were not hired to a suitable position...whose fault is that? did you go into the interview reeking of cigarette smoke? did you forget to iron your shirt? did you chew gum? did you shower? did you display the same flippant attitude that you had in school?

Personally, I am very proud of the success stories from my graduate students and amazingly enough they were the ones with the great attitude, and put in the effort, not necessarily the A+ students and certainly not the ones who had the attitudes most of you are displaying.

And by the way Dr. Doerr's children DID attend Westervelt and are very successful, and I can think of at least 5 teachers whose children attended and are successful in their fields... and TRUST me, they did not receive special treatment.

"And by the way Dr. Doerr's children DID attend Westervelt and are very successful, "

Would one of them happen to be the son that was FIRED because he wanted to buy the school from his mom, and set things right around the place? As Arsenio Hall used to say, it's one of those things that makes you go "Hmmm...".

I can certainly vouch for Ken.

A friend of mine was given a letter from a Carol LaPlante. It had an a threat associated with it. I will post her phone number which he called and she denied it, but the number was on the page she printed. DUH.

He deleted his account in fear, but a good friend deserves to get this out so I will go see him and take pictures of the proof. I am sick of this fake school myself.

Jp: Those that didn't give a ###. Spoken like a true teacher.

I spoken with my past classmates. They are either unemployed or working at McDonald's. What a worthless school ... giving hope to the desperate and taking their money.

One of the printouts of the threat were from a st. Thomas newspaper, and another from london free press, same article.

Apparently hs girlfriend threw them out, but he has the phone number on his phone.

WOW I feel that admitrative staffs at Westernvelt are posting comments pertending to be students...stutents PLEASE CALL local agencies/organizations prior to attending Westervelt or CDI. "Guy from London" I agree with you as you are 100% right about Westervelt being a joke. It is just unreal how the college does not even have any prequiets and just let anything attend the college without any qualifications. I hope that you have help people with your advise. Wish you the best in the future.

hahah...

So I'm at work and a co-worker notices my old "London Knights" tshirt I have on (I work on a production line, no sense in wearing nice new clothes right?)and we get talking. Turns out, he's from London as well. He told me that his ex-girlfriend moved back home for financial reasons, and ended up enrolling at Westervelt just in September for the Accounting program. One teacher in particular this poor girl is having a problem with. When she bombed a test, she asked for help because she didn't understand the unit they were on. What was his response a basica "I don't give a ###".

This is so true with Westervelt. They roll out that red carpet for youwhen you come into the place to inquire about their programs or to register, but after they get your OSAP money, government funding, or whatever you pay out of your own pocket, they couldn't give a ### about you. If this weren't true, there wouldn't be so many unhappy customers.

My Wife attended Westervelt 7 years ago, looking for a career change. She took the Medical Administration course and she had a job lined up before she even graduated. She is very well paid as well.

I am now considering a career change and thinking about attending Westervelt for either Travel & Tourism, Accounting or Hotem Management

Yet another advertisement for Westervelt appears in the form of a reply. Nobody in their right minds would "consider a career change" and go into either Travel & Tourism or 'Hotem Management' in this brutal economy. And then there's having to only get by on one paycheque for the next year as well. I hardly doubt your wife (that is if she even exists) would be happy with that.