Concorde Career College – Garden Grove

I just want to start off by saying I am not a student here. I am potential student. I attended many colleges, private and community, and I have never had such a god awful initial counseling appointment, ever. When they called me to set up an appointment to come in I mentioned I had class at 11:30 in Costa Mesa, so we made the appointment at 9:30. I was on time, and waited 15 minutes in the crappy waiting room. I would expect that if a college is asking for obscene amounts of money for Associates degrees they would have a descent set up. Regardless, 15 minutes later I heard the receptionist call and tell another counselor that the counselor I had made the appointment with called out sick (would have liked to have known and been informed of who I am meeting with from the get go), unprofessional to say the least since I’m sitting 4 ft away. The counselor, Miriam, greeted me. She was bubbly and nice but couldn’t really tell me much. Anytime I brought up transferable credits, start dates, health screenings — she knew nothing. She opted out of telling me the information I came in to find out in order for her to remain likable — either that or she really doesn’t know anything about the school, so what is her purpose exactly? She then proceeded to answer a phone call from another prospective student for TEN MINUTES. Rude. Very, very rude. Might I add that I was 10 minutes late to my class, so thank you for that. I’m annoyed to say the least that a school I came in ready to sign away $ 67,000+ for another AA under my belt can’t even step up for a prospective student. What a shit show.

Instructors are racists. Internship coordinators are lazy. High tuition and lazy faculty. Good luck to all new students. Wouldn’t recommend this school to my enemies.

This place is ok, there are a lot of instructors who are great and some that are not so great. The overall program is good. The positive side from coming here is that I met great friends.

The Concorde Career College in Garden Grove, California is FANTASTIC! ! I’m in the VN Program and a few months ago we got a new DON, and a new ADON.
They are truly the most brilliant, motivational, dedicated women I know!
Our program was greatly auffering, but they turned our program into the most EXCEPTIONAL VN Program I know! ! it’s amazing to go from nothing, and mass chaos, to structure, dedication, and working with such a wonderful Nursing Team of Directors, Assistant Directors, Theory Instructors, and Clinical Instructors!
Thank you so much Mrs. Lu Ping Gamble, and thank you Ms. Arene Sanders!

I chose this school because they had a high passing grades from the NCLEX. Some people say that there was drama with faculty but when I was there it everyone acted like adults and did what they had to do which was to pass the courses. I actually passed the NCLEX on my first try, I did the LVN course.

What a joke this place is!!! The lady «Maria» does not know how to communicate and sell the program; she definitely lacks communication skills and she is not every articulate. When i went there to inquire about the hygiene program I felt rushed and all I repeatedly kept hearing from all the staff is how desperate they are to finish up since they close at 1pm and she has «a lot of things to do» after work. I’m so disgusted by the service and treatment I’ve received. Definitely would never consider being a student here.

Let’s see, where do I start?
I came in to check out the school and I had high hopes but there’s something shady about this school.
I wanted to enroll for the Physical Therapy Assistant Program BUT I was informed that only 30 out of HUNDREDS get accepted.
You have to compete with people who have bachelor’s and master degrees. SO, they try to get you to spend 16k on their Medical Assistant program so you can «stand out.» Um, no.
Second of all, there’s a HUGE CHANCE, you may not even get picked. So 16k down the drain for something you didn’t want to pursue in the first place.
Third, IF and IF you do get chosen, that’s another 40k for the program. Can you say ridiculous?
If I’m going to pay 40k for a program, I expect everything to be included and not have to pay 16k to do the MA program AND the PT program.
So a little FYI, If you don’t have any sort of medical schooling background, don’t even bother.

I went here a few years back for medical assisting the program was ok I couldn’t complain because I was hired on with the place I did my internship with. I never got around to getting my certificate and now that I need it they are being so difficult, I’ve called, left voicemails and no one is getting back to me also just an FYI the person who answers their phones is so RUDE! And no help at all. They have horrible customer service!

My review is for the DA program. Wanted to apply for the RDH program but they go by a point system so my admin suggested to take the DA program so it will help me gain more points. The DA program was 15k for 9 months. We had two main facilities we used. Lecture room and Lab. We didn’t even get our own instruments. We were assigned used ones. The instructors were barely knowledgable and the requirements to become an instructor is not hard. You seriously had be an idiot not to pass the class. The program is not one bit organized. The lunchroom is sad and so is the library. The only positive thing think was being able to land a good job and that’s when I actually learned «dental assisting». Oh and btw getting to the RDH program is nearly impossible if are starting fresh. It’s by a point system and has a very long waiting list. Oh and also the front office is useless so are the admin reps. They never get back to you ever! I’m currently attending a different Dental Hygiene school. Best choice I made. Wish I would have done it from the start. It’s expensive but you get what you paid for. Concorde? I don’t think it was worth 15k more like 5k or less.

We tried to join the school for dental assistant and we were told we can’t go there because we were paying cash. The only way you can go here is if they approve you for financial aid. Seems a little weird that a school won’t accept cash as payment, and only wants «government aid payments». I don’t know if they are trying to overcharge just to get government aid money. Where are the times where good old hard earned cash was sufficient for payment? We will not be going to this school nor will we be referring anyone to go here.

5 stars for the dental hygiene program. All the teacher are very professional and know their stuffs. They also do their best to help us succeed. It is not an easy program so don’t think you can just pass through it without hard work and dedication. But it is possible.
1 star for admission staffs. All they want is to get you to sign up n doesn’t care about your success or concern. Never return call n gotta email a few time to get a response from them. Had problem with the tuition since I signed up for the program early n was quoted 65k. My classmates who signed up a month later got tuition reduced BC the school decides to lower it. However, they wouldn’t refund the students who signed up early BC we already signed a contract. Really? We were in the same cohort, same teachers, same program. Why?
1 star for Brian T. Doesn’t solve anything. He always said you can come to see him if there is problem n he can help you. Not really. I went to him twice asking for help. All he said is to wait for him to get back to me n it never happened. Not sure what his role is at school but he feels fake n pretty useless. Stop pretending to be helpful if you are not going to help. Or at least let the student know so they don’t waste their time coming to you.

I visited this school to get info on VN program and admissions lady was nice however I expected her to give me a call back and never did. During my visit she kept pointing out how I needed to make sure how to pay tuition not even explaining there was Financial aid available… She also kept saying if I was sure I wanted VN program after I told her my reasons n insisted on another program …

I started April 2014. I went into the Medical Office Administration. I was looking for something fast just to start working to save to go back to school. I enjoyed the experience my teacher was nice I met really great friends till this day still keep in touch. But I dislike the school staff. I went to the night program because I have a daughter and no one to watch her mornings. I was looking for a site that I can go in the evenings but they put me one in mornings. Which sucked because I only went for 2 days since no one could watch my daughter. They found me another one which I’m still currently attending. I just hate that they made me go to school just to tell me that I had to find my own site if not I was going to get dropped, and they couldn’t help. And they tell you they are going to help you. Don’t waste your time here… it’s to expensive and really unprofessional.

I recommend the D. A program, 10−2pm with Ms. Raaff and Ms. Costa! As long as you show up, work hard, rid yourself of excuses, and set your mind correctly to attain your goals, you can easily be successful in your time here. They practically spoon feed you everything you need to succeed and MORE! I can’t say enough about Ms. Raaff in the fact that she really goes out of her way for her students. And Ms. Costa is very efficient and thorough in her teaching during lab hours. The school staff has a few organizational kinks to iron out, and that will come, however, I feel more than prepared for my (short) career as a D. A and have every intention of applying for the Dental Hygiene program :)

August 2015 update:
still a school I would NEVER Recommend. Term 2,3,4 theory teachers are awesome. There’s only been 1 good clinical site out of 4. The school may be LOSING there Accreditation we find out September 29 – 30.
Sometime they don’t have clinical teachers at the site. VERY unorganized. We never no what’s going on. We’ve had 3 DON’s since I’ve been here and at one point there wasn’t even a DON for a month. This school it low key corrupt. When u ask why it’s so u organized I’ve been told «because we are preparing u for the nursing world?» They change the rules ALL the time example: they had a rule where u cod remediate twice throughout program. Today on ⁸⁄₂₇ they said no more for anyone starting today. And it’s just things like that, that annoy me can we just have a stable school environment
October 2014:
If u want to pay 30k to be treated like a kid. Then I would go here. .VERY unprofessional people that work here. This school is a Joke. I promise u will regret this decision to go here (I’m speaking for LVN program only)
Here’s just a few examples .
–I’ve had teacher get mad at me and throw books at my table
— Yell at me, call me names
— say they will keep something confidential and don’t
–The president, dean, and director got fired Because this school is so corrupt and I’m embarrassed to say I go here. And this is only in the first month or two I’ve been here
I’ve thought about quitting but I’m not going to let the teachers get the best of me and what I want to do
I really wouldn’t go to this school if your looking for an LVN program. I feel like I’m wasting so much money

1 Star because I did enjoy the program while I was in it.
My complaint is because since i’ve graduated it’s been 3 years. I tried re enrolling for their dental hygiene program… I called and called and called and NEVER do I get a call back.
I ended up getting a job as a DA and I tried calling and contacting the school to get copies of my certificates… and have tried calling and leaving voicemails numerous times… AND NO CALL BACK.
They give you this whole story how since we were students there they would be helping us throughout the rest of our careers and how they give a crap blah blah… well funny cause I can’t even someone besides front desk…
This school needs to do whatever it is and get it together.

Admin needs to get it together but i joined for the MA program and the instructors were awesome i know that non of them are there now but it was an awesome experienced and im glad i did join.
Career services did help and i found my own job but they did help with my resume.
but it was a great way to start in the Medical field

im giving this a 5 star becuz I graduate from the VN program here. honestly iys a accerlated program and goes by fast, so if people think its easy, its not! gott la put our whole heart and dedication into this and the outcome is well worth it. The instructors knows their stuff and teaches you from the bottom up. my experience here with the instructor on campus and at the clinical site was crazy I say. but well worth every blood, sweats and tears. you won’t regret this, the best instructor every, they are there to help and have u succeed in what your doing beside going out into the feild and killing someone because you dnt knw what to do.

PLEASE DO NOT ATEND THIS SCHOOL!!!
There are other Better options in OC! I attended the LVN program for 1 year at Concorde, and just before I went into the last Term, I failed 1 exam, they told me to study and go to tutoring so I can take the remediation exam… Then they called me a few days later and told me that I would not be allowed to take the exam because I did not fail «within a certain percentage». So, I would have to retake the LVN course practically from the beginning in order to continue in the school, after I had already invested 1 year and thousands of dollars. I was extremely disappointed. There was also a lot of favoritism, there were students cheating in class, and would be given a second chance to retake exams just because the Director of Nursing was partial to them…
Needless to say I was devastated and I never returned to Concorde… a few years later I ended up attending STANBRIDGE COLLEGE in IRVINE, CA. WOW! =) it was a difference of night and day from the curriculum to all of the wonderful tools they give you to succeed! They actually want you to succeed! =) I would retake the STANBRIDGE course in a heartbeat! When I was at Concorde, i felt like all they really cared about was the Money, and not about the student’s success. Now, I am Stuck paying almost the entire amount of tuition for the Concorde course Plus the tuition at Stanbridge… Save yourself the trouble and go to STANBRIDGE and check it out! You will not regret it! They are worth every penny you invest in their school! And You are worth it!

I applied here in March because its one of the few schools that has an Physical Therapy program. I met with Angella Walters. She tried to discourage me from applying and instead tried to direct me to the nursing program. I vetoed that because that is not what I’m interested. I got accepted and did all the paper work etc etc. She told me to hang tight till August or September when they will start accepting students. I was fine with that.
Come August, I get a phone call from Angella on Wednesday and I need to come in and do my paperwork all over again because it was dated March. Also orientation is Saturday and to bring 500 dollars for a deposit. Im like WTF? That was never mentioned to me at all back in March. I dont have 500 dollars for a deposit. I’m about to pay my rent and cant possibly fork over that kind of money. I was pissed. Why wasn’t this mentioned to me before? i could have saved a 100 dollars a month for it. Instead, she springs this on me at the last minute. Very unprofessional.
I ended up enrolling at a another school and didn’t have any problems like CCC. Do your research, don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, its your education and money. Make sure its the right school for you. The professionalism will reflect the type of school you will be in.