I came to this country in 1998 with over 157 credits from a top foreign business school that has reciprocity programs with Harvard, UPenn, etc. I was short one semester because I was turning 21 years old and the U.S. would disqualify me from migrating if I missed that age limit.
Having studied abroad, my credits were assessed & I got the most equivalency & transfer credits at Empire State College - a State University of New York (they took 2.5 credits for each 3 credits I completed), so my 157 became 128.5, and I only had to take a few more major subjects.
Some top schools in NY and NJ only converted 2 out of every 3 credits I already studied, which is too commercialized and irrational! I have no regrets pursuing my degree at SUNY-ESC. I worked my way up the corporate ladder from being a fresh immigrant working at the hotel front desk to accounting clerk, then accounting manager, staff accountant to chief accountant for 8 years, and now cost controller, and seasonal financial controller level in five star hotels. I have traveled assisting our sister hotels from New Mexico, Miami, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Buckhead-GA, and New York City and I have contributed to their successes, one way or another. None of them would have been possible if I was too busy negotiating my learning from a top foreign business school through highly expensive universities that were shortchanging me. I hold a 97% SAT percentile from my country and I make hotels & restaurant management companies grow, and I know I will be a CPA someday.
I Graduated from ESC a year ago. My experience there was pretty positive. there was one or two professors that I had issues with not being very helpful or took forever to grade papers. Despite that I have nothing to complain about. My mentor was there when I needed him, after the second semester when I get into the swing of things I only talked to him once or twice just to say hi and to make sure I didn't need anything. I also had no problems with the administration people either, and most problems were solved with an e-mail. I had a great experience, I learned a lot and I would recommend this school to anyone, but always warn them be prepared to do a lot of writing.
The SUNY system should be ashamed to have Empire State College under their umbrella of schools. This "institution" is a joke! I am an older student and I have been around the block when it comes to transitional and SUNY schools. I can only beg you for yourself, your career and your education to find another institution. ESC falsely markets themselves as a students school. They are not there for the student. I have never come across a more non traditional, non flexible school. I have attended and graduated another SUNY school who made it their business to make sure that they were able to get me my degree. The administration here is God awful! I think this is their biggest downfall. The mentors are bound by these people and have little to no say in anything. Their biggest concern should be to have their students graduate, but sadly it is not. This is why their graduation rate is at 7% overall. Very sad. I wish I could say more but I may have to take my case further. I am here because I do not want what happened to me happen to others. No one knows what they are doing at this school. You can ask 100 people the same question and get 100 different answers. That is when you can actually get them to answer you. So please if you read this, rethink your decision. There are amazing schools out there that you will be proud to attend. Don't make the same mistake I have.
Name: Mike B.
Post On: September 27, 2009
Grade: A
Empire State College has been the best for me. I have gone to school full time while working full time. I have had a great experience on the web learning at my own pace. The facility is very understanding of my busy life and grant extensions without any reduction in grades. The communication interface for class discussions are very well organized and relevant to the courses. Overall I would recommend this school to anyone looking for an online program.
