Angie P.

As much as I wanted to love this University, I was unfortunately let down. I applied to two universities (ODU and Hampton) prior to ECPI and thought ECPI would be quicker for me to get a degree. Well, after talking to the admissions and counselors, I was advised that they would take care of everything on their end. I was transferring from TCC (Tidewater Community College) with 67 credits. I was a little skeptical when I was told I would not receive my schedule until orientation (4 days prior to the start of the semester). So, I was unaware how long it would take for me to receive my aspiring degree, unlike the other Universities who showed me a list of classes that I would need to attend to receive it. I put my trust in them anyway and thought to wait until orientation. Not to mention the cost of a semester would be triple than the cost of one semester at ODU. But, I thought it would be the cost of having a degree in my hand quicker. At orientation, I was handed my schedule which only showed 2 classes because those are how many I would be taking at a time. That's fine, but I don't like being in the dark about what other classes I would be attending and how long my degree would take. They enrolled me in classes that I already took previously TCC. I thought it was a mistake and they didn't recieve my transcripts. After speaking to them, it wasn't a mistake and they would only accept 18 credits out of 67. Their explanation is that their Pre-calc is towards the degree, coincidentally the same focus I had at TCC. None of the logic made sense when ODU and Hampton accepted every class from TCC. Afterall, TCC is a transfer college for that reason. Then they went on to tell me that their college success skills, which would be a 10 hour a week class for me, is required at their university because the one I took at TCC would not count either. I informed them that ODU (and Hampton) accepted both the Pre-Calc and the College Success Skills, and 67 credits, seamlessly. They proceeded to tell me that was not true. Needless to say, I am currently enrolled at ODU, with 67 credits, more than halfway to a bachelor's because they accepted every credit. I am more upset about being blindsided so quick to the start of the semester, and not being able to see the list of classes and credits I would be attaining during my duration there. I am also upset that they cherry picked what classes they decided I would need to retake even though I got A's in them, and it would mean more money for them and more time from me. It seemed so unprofessional and unethical. I never heard of a board reviewing what classes they would accept. During the time they sent me in circles, I could have already reserved my seat at an accredited University, instead I was left confused and told my credits do not count at their University and that their classes are different. I am lucky that I already had information prior to enrolling from the two universities to know how my credits rolled over and that would not be the case for any other university. ECPI is not honest with their students. Their students should have a list of their classes prior to orientation. They were quick to get the financial aid and loan information prior to orientation but still never showed me a full list of classes that I would be attending throughout my time there.