Pickens Technical College 500 Airport Boulevard, Aurora, CO 80011

"As a disclaimer, the following review is strictly my personal opinion as a parent of someone attending Pickens Culinary Arts Program. It seems to me that this program may be great for some people and not so great for others, depending on what you are looking for. This may NOT be the best program for you if: 1. You are already proficient in basic cooking and can follow a recipe or a YouTube video on your own. 2. You are looking to dive deep and learn intermediate or advanced level techniques and recipes. 3. It's important for you to get your money's worth and learn something new every class. 4. You hate the feeling of wasting time. 5. You want to have a chance to practice every step of the recipe yourself, as opposed to working in a group, where two or more people work together on the same dish - thus you only practice part of the process. On the other hand, this may be a great fit for you if: 1. You are just starting out in the kitchen and want to learn basic cooking skills. 2. You are not really interested in acquiring extensive culinary knowledge and skill. Maybe you just need credit hours or a certificate and this program seems like a good option. 3. Your education is paid for by someone else and you are not worried about getting your money's worth. 4. You are not the type who feels like your time was "wasted" if your 3 hours of class did not feel productive on some days. 5. You don't mind taking two semesters going through material that theoretically could be mastered in a semester. 6. You don't mind working in a group with people of different skill levels, and your brain can handle not having ownership of anything because other people's mistakes affect your outcome. In general, there seems to be a positive environment, with the challenge being that there are students of different skill levels who are in this program for different reasons. People who are interested in learning more and moving faster are not able to do so because the program is not designed to account for differences in strengths or interest levels, so everyone is kept together at the lowest common denominator. This is unfortunate, but probably not unique to this program. I would imagine that this program would be a great High School class, but as a post secondary level program, it would be great to have a more rigorous option.."

"I would not recommend the Cosmo/ Esthetician program to anyone! They DO NOT take COVID as a serious problem! There were like 5 girls in my class that had it before I dropped that had it in a matter of weeks! Yet they were allowed to come back the following Monday after saying they had a positive covid test Thursday. No mask were made mandatory it was just like oh they better not get me sick. They still allowed them to take clients with no restrictions or masks. It was treated like it was some kind of cold and was laughed off. I have been passing out for over a year, I told my teacher at the time I did not think I was going to make it. Her words your a grown woman you don't have to ask to leave. When I left I didn't even make it down the hall before I passed out and had to spend 4 days in the hospital. When I tried to keep her informed she was very short and made it clear she didn't care."

"Why doesn't anyone answer the phone? I tried extension 0 (main office), 1 (registration), 2 (financial aid), and 3 (cosmetology, because it was the only option left). This was 2pm on a Monday. No one answers and we need information about program start dates. Maybe use an answering service if no one is going to answer the phone?"

"I went to the Salon at PTC last Thursday evening. I have to tell you what a great haircut I received!! Probably my favorite in over 10 years!! Leticia did an outstanding job, and Miss Vickie, her instructor, kept an eye out and reviewed the cut, went over the tools and methods she used and was extremely diligent, professional and full of praise for Leticia. I wish there had been an instructor like her back in my day!! All the girls seem to really respect her. This night session needs high praise."

"Awesome place to learn, I never thought I would come back to study after 14 years being away from school. In my age of school there were not much educational opportunities with easy access. The instructors and support members are there to show you the path, it's up to you how you go on your journey whether learning or just chilling. I hope I get through this and achieve what I have come for. Thanks to everyone at Pickens"