Any luck with Penn Foster?
Posted By: ashley holden on 2008-05-18
In Reply to:
Has anyone graduated from Penn Foster and had any luck finding a job?
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Penn Foster?
Hi,
I just came across this wonderful site!
I'm planning a career in Medical Transcription & would like to know if anyone could recommend an accredited online/correspondence school. (if there is one out there)
I've received mailings from Penn Foster - formally Education Direct. Is anyone familiar with them?
Thanks for your time,
Christy
I have seen ads for Penn Foster as well..
but as far as "accredited and reputed" schools. There are 4 or 5, which you can see here:
http://forum.mtstars.com/schools
Penn Foster
Thanks for the info, I had a feeling she should look further. I had already given my recommendations, but she chose to go this way. Luckily she had not paid yet, and is now going to re-think this carefully before jumping in again.
Thanks again!
penn foster
what does everyone think of them? are they a good school for MT? i came across them but i am not finding anyone saying much about them..so was wondering what everyones opinions were on them! thanks
penn foster...
I took my training from there, it was actually Eduction Direct when I started. Am not impressed at all with what I recieved to try and get a job in the "real world." If at all possible, I would have my friend try to get into another training program even if it is more expensive. I've read a couple listed here..andrew's and another one-can't remember the name. I'm just happy I didn't foot the bill for the course as I got it through a job retraining situation. I'm doing general transcription while trying to get more training for MT.
Hope that helps.
Penn Foster
Hi,
Has anyone out there graduated from Penn Foster Career school and had any trouble getting work?
Thanks!
Penn Foster
Hi, I am also a soon to be grad of "Penn Foster". As we all know now, its subpar. I'm wondering if getting my RMT would help with future employment? Any thoughts?
Penn Foster
I, too, recently graduated Penn Foster and am having difficulties finding employment. It seems everyone wants 2+ years experience or graduation from a different school..I wish you luck in finding employment.
Unfortunately, Penn-Foster
will not prepare you for the demands and competition of today's MT world. I do not think many MTSOs take it seriously. You would be better off to take your loss and enroll in Andrews or M-TEC. You get what you pay for. There are too many well-trained MTs out there looking for jobs, many with decades of experience, competing for the little work available. Unfortunately, I do not think Penn-Foster is going to give you what you need to compete in the reality of today's MT world. It may not be a complete waste of time and money, but it surely leaves much to be desired.
Christy - Penn Foster
Hi Christy,
When deciding on what school to attend it is very important to do a lot of research. There is a list on this board under "schools". There is a lot of information out their and questions asked about almost every school there is. Read through the web sites, contact schools directly (several so you can compare), then get a list of employers and contact them to see what grads the will hire. There are other websites you can also get infromation on MT Chat and AAMT. It is important to do the research before you decide on what school to attend. In the long run it may cost you a lot more if you try to save in the first place. Choose wisely! Good luck.
Penn Foster transcription
Try Career Step, M-Tec,
or Andrews School for MT training. they are AAMT approved and will help with employment.
Penn Foster Grad
Hi :) I graduated from there this year. It is difficult to get a job in Med Transcription if you didn't graduate from the Med-tech, Career Step, or Andrews. Penn Foster has ads from MRTservices and MediVoxx on their website. You might want to try one of those. However, they didn't work out for me, and I tested with both.
I think MRT was having human resource problems because some new girl took over the position, made me resend all of my tests and then never got back to me. The first person I was in contact with said I had done well on them.
MediVoxx is a pain to apply for. I never got my interview, and I think that is partially why I "messed up" on my test. I didn't do that bad. For instance, she marked me off for putting "she's" instead of "she is." Then, she marked me off for putting "Marsha's" and then corrected it by putting "Marsha's" right next to it. I was wondering what was wrong what the correction was.
I think that the course was good except for the ACTUAL transcription part, which is obviously the most important. That part was very unorganized, and I didn't like most of the instructors, especially that one guy.
I think I found a good place to work. I'm doing more testing on Monday. Email me for details. I don't want to put it on here.
Also, you might want to try Focus Infomatics. I tested there last week, and they called me, but I'm more interested in this other place. Plus, the posts on here about Focus scared me.
Absolutely do not take Penn Foster.
You only have to have an 8th grade education to make you eligible for their courses, so that should tell you right off the bat it can't be that good of a program. My teen son took a course through them (not MT) and it was very poorly written and the information wasn't always accurate.
It is a cheap program, but you get what you pay for.
Trying to say this gently. Penn Foster is
probably one of the worst schools. I have not seen their MT program, by my 15-YO took one of their other courses. The only requirement needed to take any of their courses is to have an 8th grade education. From my son's books that I have seen they are not well written.
I would recommend trying to get an in-house position, taking another course, or find a legitimate menitoring program.
I did the Penn Foster route too!
I did the course and I found employment within 1 month of grad. You just have to apply, apply and apply!!! Good luck to you.
Penn Foster grad
I took the Penn Foster course and was hired by the first company I tested for...they knew what school I attended because I put it on my resume. I agree that some schools may be subpar, but that doesn't mean the students/graduates are subpar. If you work hard, you will reap the benefits- no matter what school you attend.
I graduated from Penn Foster sm
I recently started my first MT job after graduating in December 2008. Because of this course, I felt right at home with transcribing hospital reports, which seemed to surprise my new employer. Penn Foster taught me the basics, and I've been able to apply what I've learned to looking up unfamiliar words, etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
I'm a Penn Foster Graduate sm
I graduated from Penn Foster in December 2008 and found an MT job within two months after graduating. Before you consider your education from there a total waste, my suggestion would be to apply to some of the companies who don't require two years of experience and see how you do on their tests. If you aren't passing them, then you probably should consider additional education.
If you pass them and the only thing stopping you is lack of experience, you might want to give it a bit of time and continue to apply to every company you can find who will take on a newbie.
Good luck to you!
I would not recommend Penn Foster. In order
to take any of their courses you have to have completed 8th grade, and that is about where the courses are geared to. My teen son is taking an automotive course through them and he knows more than is in the books and he has found many errors in the books. They emphasize that the testing is open book and if you do poorly they allow you to test again. I don't feel like you learn much this way. While the school itself is an accredited school in most states, I feel like it would be a waste of time and money for MT.
Penn Foster Career School
I am asking on behalf of a potential new Transcriptionist student about Penn Foster Career School. Does anyone have any positives or negatives about them and their medical transcription training?
Thanks in advance!
penn foster - questionable practice
I did take a freelance writer's course from penn foster and I found the course not very balanced. There were mainly mutable choice open book questions (for a writer's course?) that were too easy and most of the relevant info I found in other sources.
The other problem with this course was lack of writing for it, lack of practical lessons in the course. The course was designed as a half hearted reporters course that assumed the writer has a college level writing ability. (I had high school level from 17 years ago)
The other problem was lack of professionalism with grading the manuscripts and fuzzy grading system. The Editor (mystery editor-would not disclose who, where or what qualifications the editor had.) was NOT a professional, missed basic mistakes and went out of her way to find mistakes that were not in the script. If she did not care for your story you a poor grade a failed it. (Only 4 manuscripts [test] were required out of 14 test total.
When I called for help, the man on the phone said he could only answer questions from the text book, he could not tell me who graded the manuscript, he said they were sent off campous but would not say where. He then stated, that I would not want to talk to the editor anyways.
I researched the accreditation--which means noithing but they filled out forms and paid a 1,000 dollar or less fee and garentee the MININIMAL standard.
They are a real school, that just moved to Scottsdale AZ by the way, but they operate at a min requirement.
The price is double what the course is really worth, save your money and go to a local college.
Penn Foster transcription program....sm
Has anyone been through this program and if so, how prepared were you for a career in this industry? I have a neighbor that just told me she has signed up for this and based off of what I've read on their website I'm concerned that she may be wasting her money as there's no mention of actual transcription time - it just talks about learning terminology stuff.
Is Penn Foster a good school?
I completed MT course at Penn Foster Career School and I'm having trouble finding my first job. Has anyone had experience with this school?
Don't waste your money on Penn Foster.
go to M-TEC, Andrews, or Career Step. These grads regularly finding jobs right after graduating. Most online companies that allow you to work from home will not hire grads from Penn Foster. You may be able to find in-house work, but since you stated your goal is to work from home, you should check out the 3 schools listed above. Otherwise, you are just wasting you money.
Unfortunately there are NOT as many opportunities as impled by Penn Foster.
It is not a very good school, does not teach you all that you need to know, and most MT companies are aware of that. Sorry.
Penn Foster stinks to put it mildly - sm
Everyone recommends the 3 you mention, years ago (8) I did CAI, a little more affordable, not a bad program though a lot look down on it as well, a little more affordable than the others as well. You will be able to bring in some extra cash, and if all 6 kids in school, I would say $1-2K a month in the long run. Starting probably $600 or so if you work hard. It won't make you rich unless you have you own accounts and a lot of MTs working for you. I have a very busy schedule, only 2 kids and only bring in $1500-1800 a month, but I have a lot going on, I am sure I could get that up to $2500 if I didn't have life happening all the time. But avoid Penn Foster, AT-home professions, etc. Those programs are a joke. I worked with a lady who did Penn Foster, boy was she bad, she did not last long where I worked as she did not listen, made the same mistakes over and over again, etc. I looked over their course and could not believe how bad it was from the decription on the internet, total joke. But MT is a good job if you are looking to supplement an existing income, this what I do, no clue how I would live on $1800 a month, but I would if I had to I guess. As for finding work after, no it is not easy, you have to be persistent and apply everywhere basically. Took me 2-3 months to find a job after I was done my course, I just applied everywhere I could and eventually found 2 places (1 was clinic, the other acute care, the best of both worlds) that would take me and I ran with it, put in my 2 years and have since worked at about 5-6 other places, think I have my niche now, but will probably shoot to get my own accounts soon and get a few MTs working for me so I don't have to work so hard (I hope).
Penn Foster requires an 8th grade
education to take their course, which should tell you a lot. They are poorly written and your chances of getting a job are only slightly better than if you had not taken the course. Basically you've wasted your money - in this case you got what you paid for. I don't mean to sound so harsh, but if you did research before taking the course you would have been much better off. Your best option at this point is to see if you can get an in-house clinic position or either take a menitoring program.
I've never heard anything good about Penn Foster
The only time I hear about them is when someone who took that course is complaining they can't get hired.
Penn Foster isn't a good school/program. I would
suggest finding a mentoring program of find an in-house position.
This post is definitiely an advertisment for PENN FOSTER!..NM
NM
They changed their name from Education Direct to Penn Foster to mislead people ...
when too many people found out what a worthless course it was. She needs to get her money back, and save up enough to take the course at Andrews School or M-TEC.
Allied is no better than At Home Professions or Penn Foster. Not a good school. NM
x
Penn Foster & PCDI can't help with job placement because it's too hard to find jobs for their
Not being mean, just honest. There's a reason they won't help with placement. They take your money for their course and don't care if you can get a job afterwards or not. And most people can't, because they are not trained well enough by those courses.
I really do wish you the best of luck. SM
This is not a matter of being the grammar police, but I have to be honest in saying that your grammar skills are lacking to some degree. Many misuses of proper grammar in your post. As a former MTSO, I would be somewhat reluctant to hire you in a field that relies heavily on a firm grasp on command of the English language. Too many mistakes in my opinion. I really do not mean this to be vicious, but would like the industry to realize that there are too many in this profession who do not qualify to do this job. Our industry is in too much danger at present, and those who lack the basics of grammar before even beginning to tackle the more complicated aspect of the medical terminology and knowledge, are contributing to the problem.
Best of luck!
I will keep my fingers crossed that you get the job!
Any luck?
Hello,
I just started looking for work too. Have you had any luck yet? I was just looking at the Freedom Type website. Have you heard anything about them? Also, have you tried ETrans Plus they will let you test no matter what so you have a chance to prove your skills before they decide. Good luck. =0)
I wish you (and me) luck
I graduted last January, and still have no job in transcription. I have tried local offices as well as online companies. Nothing is working out for me. No one wants new grads right now. I guess that they can be extra picky in this economy. All I know is that my school has told me I will have a hard time finding work if I go more than six months without working in transcription. Well, that time is not so far away now. I feel like my school fibbed a bit, acting like this career was so "in demand" and keeping me thinking I would find work quickly. I'm starting to think I wasted my time and money on getting that certificate. I'm still trying, though, sending out resumes every week and usually hearing nothing, and nothing good when I do hear from a company.
Penn
Thanks for the advice. Has anyone heard anything about Penn Foster? I have also been checking on this one.
Thanks Donna
Good luck!
Appy anywhere and everywhere. There are a lot of companies who say they require at least 2 years experience, but you would be surprised at how many will give someone who has just graduated a chance. If you pass their test they will hire you, 2 years or not. I know from experience. I graduated last year and I applied to every ad that had a 2 year minimum, before I graduated. I got hired 1 week before I graduated, and I have been working ever since. Good Luck!
Good luck!
You can't give up hope if this is the field you want to work in. I had been doing my job for 17 years and needed something new. I did a lot of research and liked the opportunites that being an MT provided. I'm sure it would not be for everybody, but I love what I do and have great docs to transcribe for. Plus, perhaps more important, it is an ongoing learning process. I like to stay challenged and this job certainly does that. Good luck to you!!
A stroke of luck!
This was a stroke of luck! You managed to avoid a PROBLEM EMPLOYEE!
Nobody ever believes how much your "email appearance" says about you.
Good luck
I am sorry they are attacking you too. I too got a "tip" about my grammar. I misspelled on word. I would normally spellcheck everything I post unfortunately this forum doesn't offer that option. I worked for a few year with any MT training. I had gone to premed school. I have moved and haven't found a local company yet, I have to say for a new MT that is the way to go. Don't get too down on yourself.
GOOD LUCK
in your pursuit in this. Just a thought but are there any physical therapy groups in your area? I have a private account where the physical therapists dictate on microcasette tapes, I pickup, type them on my machine at home and print them on their letterhead and sticky paper and then return them and pick up the next batch. PT is not really hard and just added their terms to my Expander and even made my own templates. Charge enough (like 10-11 centes a line) but you can deduct your mileage and supplies.
Good Luck!
Hope it goes great for you :)
Good luck to you
I also sent you an email!
Good Luck.
It's tough getting a job even with experience. I have over 10 years experience but unfortunately it's not recent. I took time off to raise my kids and wanted to get back into the fiel but found it difficult to even have the opportunity to test. I enrolled in M-Tec and it has been well worth the investment. Good luck!
Good luck
make sure this is the field you want to work. It is not all the "schools" say it will be, unfortunately. If you have had NO prior medical experience, all the schools will do is give you a basic course. They will not tell you that when you apply for a job you will be starting out at 7 to 8 cents per line (and that is being generous). You will be assigned accounts where you may have to spend 30 min per report before you learn it thereby reducing your pay to less than minimum wage. Just make sure that this is what you WANT to do.. and do not believe anyone who tells you that this is GREAT money and a GREAT job. I know, I've been doing this for many years and over the years have lost money because of corporate b.s.
Good luck!
I am taking the longer route because I don't have any other experience in the med field (nursing, etc.) I figured that a bit more upfront (a budget breaker for me too) would pay off in the long run with me able to get up to speed in the real transcription world faster, thus making more money sooner. That's why I chose to go with the longer program :)
Good luck in your studies!
Good luck...
I just got hired on. It seems like it took them about a week to get back with me on the transcription part, another week or so to get back with me on the written part, and another week or so to do the online interview. I am not sure if they are still hiring or not, but usually if you don't pass you hear back pretty quickly (or so I have found)! :) Good luck! I am pretty excited to start, I train on Wednesday!
Good luck to you...
experience! Glad you found a company! 
Good Luck
Good luck finding a job. I took a course that was not through one of the top 3 schools and finally found a job at home, online, and I got ripped off after working there for 8 months as their checks started bouncing. Needless to say I could not find another job because I did not have enough experience and I did not take the right course. I was forced to go back to work in the field that I was in before I quit to work at home. You have to be careful. I wasted thousands of dollars and really got nowhere. If it looks too good to be true, it is.
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