Apprentice University

"I attended Apprentice University from the Fall of 2021 to the Spring of 2023. While I did learn some good skills and ideas, the place ended up being an organization filled with false promises, exaggerated claims, manipulative behavior, incompetency, and extreme toxicity that led me to quit. I started with the "Jumpstart" program, similar to attending a few individual college courses. This was promised to be soon followed by a program called the "Discovery Cohort" that would help launch me to an apprenticeship within a few months or so. Unfortunately, by September, when I was promised to begin my "Discovery Cohort" program... nothing happened. I had to contact AU staff at least three times to receive an update that their recent move caused issues and had to be pushed back for a time. By the summer of 2022, I was given a sales pitch for a new and upcoming program to replace the "Discovery Cohort," now called "Orienteering." I ultimately chose to join it despite my worries, having already invested plenty of time and money. Regrettably, I and many other students in this program slowly began to realize we were more akin to guinea pigs in an incomplete experiment. We had to endure poor communication when it came to scheduling. We were subjected to having events abruptly planned for us with little to no warning, which happened to us quite a few times. When we weren't overwhelmed or jolted with events, so little would be happening that we would question why we were there. Even with the consistent Friday classes, they were a mixed bag with some teaching questionable things. To make matters worse, during one of my Jumpstart classes, one of the teachers acted very inappropriately towards me. He slammed his hands on the table right in front of me, stared me dead in the eyes with his face so close to me that I could smell his breath as he confronted me angrily about my lack of effort put into a presentation that left me shaken for the rest of the day. The overall atmosphere of the place made many of us fearful to voice our concerns, especially of how the founder of AU, who will not be named, could react. We also had to deal with very manipulative, condescending, or dismissive behavior from the staff of AU when voicing concerns. Others would plainly say that their hands were tied. By the time 2023 arrived, the cracks would truly show with the sudden resignation of a staff worker and a long-time student. This would be brought to a boil when troubling accusations against the founder began to surface soon after, which brought forth chaos. As more students and staff workers dropped out left and right, dubious and defamatory rumors spread like wildfire. Eventually, the program's owner made other students sign suspicious penalty forms that likely function as a non-disclosure agreement based on what I've seen. As my stress and anxiety built up, it came to a tipping point once I attended a meeting with my parents and the owner. Sweet-talking my parents while speaking half-truths, deceptively designed lies, and victim-playing to us, I had to accept once and for all that I wasted my time and money. I dropped out a day later. By the end of the program's duration, I learned that, including myself, 10 out of 15 students had left (that's approx. 67% of the cohort gone!). Furthermore, just during my time there before resigning, half of the staff members workers quit. Imagine a larger, accredited college doing this - the red flags would have been even more glaring. While I acknowledge AU's appeal, as well as the fact that some students seemed to achieve massive success out of this organization, I can't help but feel I was somewhat scammed. I am aware AU was sold to someone else recently. I hope for the best with the new ownership. However, I, for one, cannot, in all good honesty, recommend Apprentice University to anyone for any reason. As another review has said, I would also advise seeking out companies/organizations you would like to work with instead. I can personally say I was able to find a paid internship much quicker that way."

"I was an apprentice from Summer 2021- Winter 2023. I came into apprentice after spending two years at the traditional college where I struggled. I struggled to go to class, study for tests and do homework. I thought constantly that there was no point in spending my time memorizing things that I would never use in my life post-college. After my sophomore year in college, I dropped out and moved to Indiana to attend an apprentice university. While there, I gained experience in everything from pricing jobs for a commercial asphalt company to selling software. I learned what it takes to create and run a business, how to code computer programs, how to design one-pager brochures, and much much more. This on-the-job experience was very influential in the professional success I have found today. I matured in my professional life almost as much as in my personal life. The life skills I learned were priceless."

"I was a student at Apprentice University from the fall of 2018 to the spring of 2022, the first two years spent in their high school-oriented program, before becoming a full-time apprentice in the spring of 2020. Apprentice University, is a solid concept. As I was finishing up high school, I had no idea what career path I wanted to take. I had ideas, I had dreams, but I had no clue how to take action and make those a reality. Apprentice University helped me find that path! Due to the mismanagement from former leaders of the school, I was initially negative in my review. Frustrations and questionable conduct abounded from the president and founder of the school during my time there. Many, MANY students left with a bad taste in their mouths, as is reflected in several of the negative reviews posted here. All of these issues stemmed solely from the previous management. I was excited to hear that Apprentice is now under new leadership, and I can't wait to see what he does with this amazing program! I would not be where I am today without AU, personally or professionally. I learned a great deal during my apprenticeships and maintain very good relationships with my mentors. I am very grateful for several of the instructors I had in class. I learned so much from them; two instructors have become personal friends since my time there. I truly am thankful for the friends I made along the way. I can not recommend Apprentice University enough! Now under proper leadership, this school is incredible. I look forward to the bright future this school has in store!"

"I attended Apprentice University from Spring 2017 to Summer 2019. It was...not a great experience overall. Here is a brief summary of the pros and cons of my time. Pros included experience of genuine workplace environments from wonderful to exceptionally toxic, a solid understanding of just what office politics include in real life and some great friends. Unfortunately, the communications between staff and students fluctuated and changed wildly as standards, payment plans, and expectations all became unclear. The founder and headmaster, (name deleted), considers himself the sole authority on what will and won't work in his personal system of education despite having no teaching credentials of any sort to the best of my knowledge. This led to spotty "courses" that took the students away from their internships. These courses were highly dependent on the teachers with very random results. As a result of the breakdown in communication, I decided to leave the program. I was then subjected to an incredibly manipulative exit interview and was not allowed to inform the other students of my departure. Shortly afterward, all of my connections through Apprentice University were treated to negative messages about my personal reliability, work ethnic, and my ability to work well at the companies I had been an intern with during my time with Apprentice University. Slanderous rumors were also spread about the student body about myself and another student. I deeply appreciate the actual apprenticeships/intern positions I had through the program. However, I believe that I would have been much better served by reaching out directly to companies. (I obtained two paid internships that way with much less stress and paperwork!) I don't recommend this program to anyone. I advise anyone interested in such a program as a student to reach out instead to companies you would like to work with and request internships instead."