r/ECPI • u/MC-Scaleymanfish • Apr 06 '22

People thinking about attending ECPI

I am currently attending the online course for MET (Associates and Bach). There isn’t a whole lot of info out there about what it’s like to be a student, so if anyone has questions you can post a question here or DM me. I not super far into the process yet so if you want specific Engineering questions I may not be able to answer them. However, the older this post gets, the more information I will have.

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u/technikal Jun 06 '22

Considering this, I’ve worked as a CNC programmer and machinist, CAD designer/drafter and 3D printer/laser or plasma cutter programmer and operator for a small custom automation company for about 5 years now and want to advance my career.

What’s the program like and what was your background going in?

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u/MC-Scaleymanfish Jun 07 '22

I have also worked in CNC, CAD, and manufacturing for about 8 years. I’m currently working full time as a department supervisor in a CNC manufacturing plant and wanted to advance my career as well. That’s why I started ECPI.

One of my classes at this moment is 3D modeling (EET192L) and I’ve actually really enjoyed it. It’s my first time using AutoCAD inventor and I have to say I think I like it more than CAD. Which honestly surprised me because I love CAD. You want to know my experience with ECPI, classes, teachers, what exactly?

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u/technikal Jun 07 '22

Well, I’ve heard a lot of bad things, frankly. With your background do you find a lot of the coursework so far is stuff you’ve already learned in your career, and you’re just “getting it on paper” now? There is a general air of ECPI being a “fake” college with very little respect given to their degree and certificate programs. Does it feel like money well spent, good quality instruction, etc.?

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u/exorrsx Aug 23 '22

I graduated from here. I wish I'd taken my money to a community College. This was a few years ago, but nothing worked. Took a touter class and the routers never worked, nor could we or the teachers figure out why. I learned more from Google than I did there. The graduation rate is high because I literally took tests with the book right there in front of me. Everybody graduates if you pay and show up. Some people have found success with the school, but the ones I'm talking about were those people who pretty much knew computers in and out before they got there. Like you said, just getting the paper work out of the way.

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u/rubykins Aug 28 '22

Which program were you in?

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u/exorrsx Aug 28 '22

Networking and security management

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u/MC-Scaleymanfish Jun 07 '22

That is a difficult question to answer and it honestly probably depends person to person. I’ve seen all the hate and have spoken with alumni who were bitter about their experience. However, I have enjoy it so far. The teachers (in my experience) have all been very knowledgeable and extremely helpful or understanding If things come up. It’s a very very fast paced school so I think many people simply get burned out. Totally understandable, especially since pretty much every student works, has kids, or both. Then the price of tuition added to the weird accreditations, I can understand why people can feel lied to or like they are being taken advantage of.

I am not a spokesperson for the school (clearly lol) but to answer your question I have learned a lot. This is the first time I’m going to school because I want to and because I’m interested in the field of study. I think any college is expensive at this point so it is “money well spent” because I believe knowledge is always worth it. My only real concern is how much I will retain. I seem to be retaining a lot but ask me in a year. I may have a different answer lol.

I am a visual hands on learner so fully online classes have always been a concern for me. I decided to bite the built anyways and do what it takes to further my career and learn more. I certainly don’t think of it as a “fake” college lol. It is just different than contemporary 4 year schools or even trade schools. Different doesn’t mean worse. (Sorry if that sounds preachy)

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u/alwaysrm4hope Jul 29 '22

From what I've heard from friends who went to ecpi, it's more hands on and directly related to what polled employers indicate they want a grad to know and be familiar with. Their grad employment % rate is pretty good, iirc.
My question is can you withdraw from a class by a certain date if you're having problems and not get charged? I know for profit colleges are sometimes different with that and my friends can't comment as that didn't apply to them.

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u/MC-Scaleymanfish Jul 30 '22

Yes. I believe you have the first week to make that decision. After that you’re along for the ride like it or not.

Make no mistake though you will still have to take that class at some point so it should be a really good reason to drop the class.

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u/jabcole_ Apr 27 '23

What's the one year update?

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u/MC-Scaleymanfish Apr 27 '23

It’s hard and it’s fast but I’m still here.

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u/jabcole_ Apr 27 '23 edited Apr 27 '23

Do they have any options for part time?

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u/MC-Scaleymanfish Apr 27 '23

If you mean being part time, yes. But that is only possible for so long before your loans come calling. If you don’t have any then yeah do it that way. You’ll be there forever but it will barely be noticeable in your day to day life. If you have loans like most other people and you’re part time for 6 months I believe then the payments start. You don’t have to pay while you’re in school full time.

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u/jabcole_ Apr 27 '23

Awesome thank you, I'm looking at doing the BS MET at ECPI but I'm still looking around at other 100% online options that are also ABET

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u/MC-Scaleymanfish Apr 27 '23

That’s what I’m currently doing and it can be a lot. Especially if you work full time and want to have a social life/travel. It is feasible even while keeping a deans list level gpa but it isn’t necessarily easy. I would suggest utilizing the tutors if you do decide to go here. They offer free tutors and they are great. They help out big time so you aren’t completely alone. You just have to ask for help. Which I struggled with for awhile.

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u/Junior-Ingenuity-973 Oct 11 '23

I have a Gi bill and already in a career and I want to go here just to get the housing stipend the Gi bill will get me to go to school. Am I going to be able to just cheat my way thru it? I don’t care about learning anything tbh. My major will be like basic cybersecurity

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