James Madison High School PCDI ripoff Norcross Georgia

So many people get upset when they don't finish something they started, example, signing up for a high school diploma program with PCDI. When they don't complete or try to finish, they are still expected to pay all monies owed, as said in all paper work. Some people want to think its a quick diploma or degree. It is not. It is all the coursework you would receive in a traditional environment, but the convience of doing it at home on your own time. Some people just slack off and blame something, and then when collections hit they feel they are targeted for some unjust cause. You sign the paper, you put yourself in that situation. Read the contracts. PCDI high school program is Nationally and Regionally Accredited. It is accepted everywhere, so no excuse there for quitting cause you or someone told you its fake. PCDI/Ashworth college program is Nationally accredited only. It is very annoying when everyone wants to play victim, also put there kids in a story. You did not complete the coursework. You would have been better off completing it and you would have diploma, better than a G.E.D. I have graduated from PCDI/ James Madison High from 1999 to 2003, 4 years of my life. I dropped out in tenth grade. I decided to just do all 4 years over. I was credited for coursework already completed from high school. I was accepted to a a major colleges I applied for, University of North Carolina Charlotte and Pembroke, Eastern Carolina. So do everyone else a favor. Don't make stuff up cause you failed. Everything that happens to you in your life is based off all the decisions and choices you make. No sorrow for you. Its stuff like this that keeps people who really need this from making a good decision a harder one when they ask themselves if they should sign up or not.

I am not sure what happened in your case, but that is simply not true. I graduated from James Madison/Ashworth high school, and I am getting ready to graduate from a major university with a bachelor's degree, and I had no problem when I was searching for schools or getting a job. they are accredited however their accreditation does not apply to all jobs, areas, and schools so when you decided to go there to get a degree you should have taken the time beforehand and researched whether or not the program would work for you. this is a common mistake people make and then they make false accusations when their problem could have been avoided. 

I was surprised to read negative things about James Madison, now called Ashworth. Both my kids used there academic high school program. Their diplomas and transcripts were accepted by Georgia Tech, for my son, and Southeast Missouri State University, for my daughter.

The courses were often the same as the local high school. In fact, I learned later that some of the courses, mostly math and science, were AP courses. The chem lab was actually a college lab. So they were extremely well prepared for college and both are now "A" students.

The only problems we had were the people in customer service. If you deal with Madison/Ashworth, find out who is the head of home school educational services, or something like that. Get his number and email and deal only with him.

I can't speak to their career development part of the school as I haven't had any dealings with that division. However, for high school, home schoolers can get a really good education with them and go on to college.

As for the posting that said their transcript wasn't accepted, she should take a closer look at the transcript. Maybe there was a missing test somewhere and they didn't get credit for the course. We had that problem, called the James Madison, they sent us a copy of the test. Completed it -- course done and credited!

I am a graduate of PCDI/Ashton as of this year. I had quit in the 9th grade and of course regretted that. My weakest skill was and is math. PCDI is a recognized school as I had my transcripts and copy of my diploma sent to Penn Foster College.

I was accepted. Now before you say that is because they are an internet school, I must tell you that I am taking the Veterinary Technician course that IS accredited by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and they are not an "internet" school they are an "interact" school. I am required to read so much of the board per week along with live discussions. I will have to take proctored exams and do my clinicals. If this college (Penn Foster) will accept PCDI then I would venture to say they are legit. It was money well spent for me as going to a bricks and mortar school was out of the question due to schedule conflict and raising a child.

Vera
Live Oak, Florida

I am currently taking a course through Penn Foster. I took the Administrative Assistant course while I was laid up with cancer. I have not had a problem with any prospective employer and all my information is listed on my resume. I am happy with Penn Foster, however I would not recommend anyone taking a technical oriented course such as auto mechanics, computer repair, etc. I feel with this type of study you definately need a classroom setting with hands on examples, and a live instructor.

I do not know nothing about PCDI, however I have heard a lot of complaints about the school, but since I have been out of high school 20 years, I don't need to take a finishing course from them. Some colleges have a hard time accepting correspondence school, but if one has learned a lot from it, then you should be ok.

I didnt get ripped off, I have a high school diploma with honors, and I am now in a real college. I had my doubts when I was applying to college, cause I was thinking that pcdi wasnt legit. But the university came back with all the proper accredation from the school and transcripts and said I was ready to go. I got all my student loans done and financial aid, now a full time student getting my associates in Computer networking. It worked for me.

This is to the person saying this is all slander I don't care if it was aroung the time of hong kong it is ,lie a waste of time money. They need to pay back what is owe to all of us . Hun I don't think you know what you are talking about .It does not matter if they where here since the 1987 .Does that make it right to ripp off every one ..I think not . I hope We take these people to court and make them pay . They should feel ashamed of them selves.

Well I do think it is a shame. I hope they have to pay every penny back to everyone. Everyone if you think this is an easy way it is not you will waste your money. If it sounds to good to be true it is.

I have completed a course through Pnn Foster for Freelance Writer. I have found many problems with the course. First the description is misleading, they stated it was a course for people wanting the learn the field of freelance writing and was a good course to take for those inspiring novelist.

FALSE...it is merly a half hearted roporters course. There is too many test (80%) that are mutable choice. There is not enough writing and grammer instruction and not enough support for such. This course is actually disgned for someone who already has a very strong grasp of grammar and style and is actually nothing more than a refresher course for a person who already had taken journalism or majored in english in college. This course is not aimed at someone with a high school level english or at anyone who not had an english course in a number of years.

They also hire questionable editors and refuse to disclose who or where the editing is done. When I called and asked for help, the response was "We don't edit the project papers here, we send them out. I cannot tell you who edits them and you would not want to talk to her enyways." That was the exact words of the "helper" on the phone.

I was disappointed in the amount of useless information that was in the course and how little it went into information needed to build a career as a writer or in my case, novelist.

The text books that were required for reading and testing were far too easy and delt with things like, how to use a library and what is the differnce between a newspaper and a magazine.

It did little as far as manuscript formating and synopsis. It also did little far as query letters. I found the same information that the course taught in the Wrighter Resource Guide.

I later found that my fianl project needed a synopsis and I found one small paragraph in the entire course material on the subject. I also had the the chapter of my final project "Professionally Edited" becuase the editor that Penn Foster employeed was NOT a PROFESSIONAL. The work she did literally turned my science fiction novel into a histroical documant.

The course itself counterdicted itself on editing advice by stating "You need to edit your own work." In one workbook and in another it stated "It is difficult to edit your own work, you need to have a second set of eyes to catch mistakes."

I found that most writers cannot edit thier own work and do need a second set of eyes to find tiny mistakes.

I hope this will help another inspiring writer to learn that Penn Foster or any mail order course will not help you as far as a writer's course goes. Just go to the local workshops and collegs...there you will find the info you need.

Well I'm a mother of four children and my husband is also in the militaryGO NAVY!!My husband and I married at such a young age and unfortunately I dropped out of high school. DUMB DECISION!! Anyways, to make a long story short, 15 years later, now that I'm 31 (yes I married when I was 16 for those of you doing the math J) I'm going after my diploma and nothing is getting in my way, except of course the kids Mommy Mackie locked himself in the bathroom again or my husband honey where's the remote J I found out about Penn Foster about a year ago but suddenly realized that they were the same school as Education Direct So here I went and delved deep into some research in this school and who accredited themAfter almost 3 weeks of doing this, it turns out that they are accredited by who they sayI looked them up on the following website which is the United States Department of Education and they show up on their approved list of agencies who accredits these kind of schools, but you'll find them under Education DirectHere are the url's for the gov site, I've made it easier for you to access, like I said it took me 3 weeks:

At this url you'll be able to see which schools are accredited through agencies that are approved by the United States Department of Educati> http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Go to the bottom of that page and just click on the small paragraph that's underlined at the end of the page
On the next page just click on the underlined Institutional Accreditation System
On the next page type in Education Direct in the NAME OF INSTITUTION BOX
Once the school pops up, click on the school name and the agencies that accredit the school will come up

If you have a hard time following these directions just click on this url

http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/InstDetail.asp

There was a lot of interesting information on this website about scamsYou might want to look around a bit so you get an idea of what's out there. There's also information about other distance learning programs not just Penn Foster.

They are also accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education:

http://edna.ed.state.pa.us/entity.asp?txtAUN=419355759&txtSchool=0&txtInst=34914

http://edna.ed.state.pa.us/EntitySearchResult.asp

On the above URL look for Penn Foster Career SchoolGive this page a bit of time to load, it's a lot of info

One other bit of advicecheck with your college first and ask if they accept a high school diploma through Education DirectMy husband called Florida Community College Jacksonville to see if they accepted the diploma and the receptionist told him no at first but transferred him to someone more knowledgeableI believe her first name was Laura and she informed us to my delight that yes they started accepting diplomas from Education Direct as of 2002Hopefully this helps a lot of you out there reach your goals and makes your road a bit more clearerGOOD LUCK!!

The individual who wrote these comments was obviously terminated from employment at PCDI. This school has been in business since 1987 and has grown due to its commitment of providing training and education at an affordable price. The worst thing is the slandering of a Godly man like Gene Lupie, who is 72 years old, and left PCDI in 2004. Mr. Lupie conducted Bible studies after work where a number of people came to Christ. Mike Rutsky is a top notch executive and Milton Miller is a renouned educator. This slanderer quotes John:3,16 while ignoring verses that warn against lies, gossip and being vindictive. Lets pray for this poor lost Soul.

The individual who wrote these comments was obviously terminated from employment at PCDI. This school has been in business since 1987 and has grown due to its commitment of providing training and education at an affordable price. The worst thing is the slandering of a Godly man like Gene Lupie, who is 72 years old, and left PCDI in 2004. Mr. Lupie conducted Bible studies after work where a number of people came to Christ. Mike Rutsky is a top notch executive and Milton Miller is a renouned educator. This slanderer quotes John:3,16 while ignoring verses that warn against lies, gossip and being vindictive. Lets pray for this poor lost Soul.

The individual who wrote these comments was obviously terminated from employment at PCDI. This school has been in business since 1987 and has grown due to its commitment of providing training and education at an affordable price. The worst thing is the slandering of a Godly man like Gene Lupie, who is 72 years old, and left PCDI in 2004. Mr. Lupie conducted Bible studies after work where a number of people came to Christ. Mike Rutsky is a top notch executive and Milton Miller is a renouned educator. This slanderer quotes John:3,16 while ignoring verses that warn against lies, gossip and being vindictive. Lets pray for this poor lost Soul.

The individual who wrote these comments was obviously terminated from employment at PCDI. This school has been in business since 1987 and has grown due to its commitment of providing training and education at an affordable price. The worst thing is the slandering of a Godly man like Gene Lupie, who is 72 years old, and left PCDI in 2004. Mr. Lupie conducted Bible studies after work where a number of people came to Christ. Mike Rutsky is a top notch executive and Milton Miller is a renouned educator. This slanderer quotes John:3,16 while ignoring verses that warn against lies, gossip and being vindictive. Lets pray for this poor lost Soul.

Before becoming a Licensed Paramedic with a residential Associate Degree then, later, a Registered Nurse with a residential University degree, I was a military wife whose husband transferred every 6 months. I was 19 then and desparately wanted to show a medical/nursing interest to employers.

I enrolled in North American Correspondence School's Medical-Dental Office Assistant course that was based on the residential vo-tech school known as The Barton School. I faithfully did the course and balanced family with a low paying Nurse Aid job.

After I finished the course, I made it no secret that I had done the course. Potential employers ALL were impressed with the fact I possessed enough to desire and lifelong Nursing dream to do continue an education any way possible while moved around so much. The course WAS considered each time I applied for a job.

Their comments? "Every word of education accounts for something now or in the future." Later, the information was valuable in that it familiarized me with terminology, office structures, basic business, accounting, shorthand and typing (remember, 1981. The course was flexible enough for me to care for my babies while my husband was out to sea; also, it was portable as we traveled from one duty station to another.

In fact, I still keep the information available on my resume since my career track and travels easily spell out who I am - a Professional Registered Nurse.

Another thing, North American Correspondence School became Education Direct and now Penn Foster. When I realized Penn Foster was NACS in Scranton PA, I had absolutely no hestitation to sign up recently for a Small Business Management course. Why? Because I am presently in a traditional distance/computer MSN/MHSA dual degree program affiliated with a residential college. The Penn Foster program will familiarize me with the workings of business before my Master's level business course 2007.
My work at night and expense preclude my taking a course at a local junior college. In fact, I would be paying so much for the same information.

I was just about to enroll with Penn Foster's Computer Science course when I say this report. I emailed them today asking them to rebuttal this before I invested any money. We shall see if they do.

Lady,

I apoligize for the error. Penn Foster and PCDI are not the same. However, here is the confirmation information of the linked schools.

PCDI and Ashworth college are the same:

www.pcdi.com
www.ashworthcollege.com

Information is on the contact page as well as if you do a WHOIS query on the domains.

In regards to Penn Foster, Penn Foster and Education Direct (Thomson Learning) are the same. The same phone numnbers on Penn Foster are on Education Direct's website.

http://www.educationdirect.com/newname.html

********PCDI ALERT!!***************
DO NOT ENROLL IN ANY PCDI/ASHWORTH COLLEGE/JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL COURSES. I USED TO WORK THERE IN THE "ADMISSIONS DEPT".

IT IS A BOILER ROOM SALES SETTING DESIGNED TO GET POOR, UNEDUCATED FOOLS TO AGREE TO TAKE WORTHLESS COURSES. NO REAL COMPANY OR SCHOOL WILL RECOGNIZE THOSE WORTHLESS DEGREES.

WE USED TO GET PAID COMMISSION TO "ENROLL" PEOPLE AND MADE A LOT OF MONEY WHETHER PEOPLE FINISHED THE COURSE OR NOT.

IT IS NOT A REAL SCHOOL BUT A BUILDING WITH A WAREHOUSE IN NORCROSS,GA.

PEOPLE READ A SCRIPT AND ARE TRAINED TO MAKE YOU STAY ON THE PHONE UNTIL YOU ENROLLED OR HUNG UP ON US.IF YOU GAVE US A CC OR CHECKING ACCT.

NUMBER YOU ARE DONE FOR. THE "EDUCATORS" OR "TUTORS THERE WERE NOT MUCH BETTER AND WOULD NOT RETURN YOUR CALLS IF YOU NEEDED COURSE HELP.

THIS COMPANY HAS NO USEFULL ACCREDIATION EXCEPT BY "THE DISTANCE EDUCATION TRAINING COUNCIL" WHICH WILL ACCREDIATE ANY "SCHOOL" WITH A ROOM AND 2 BOOKS IN IT.

I FELT SO BAD FOR PEOPLE I STARTED TELLING THEM TO GET A GED OR GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THEIR TOWN INSTEAD OF US AND WAS FIRED OF COURSE.

THE FORMER OWNER WAS RICHARD KRUGER WHO MADE MILLIONS AND THEN SOLD THE BUSINESS TO ANOTHER SHADY COMPANY.

THE MAIN VILLIANS STILL THERE ARE MIKE RUTSKY WHO IS A YES MAN TO COMPANY POLICY....

GENE LUPIE WHO IS THE BIGGEST,FATTEST LIAR GOD EVER PUT ON EARTH AND USED TO HAVE AN AFFAIR WITH A DRUG USING l*****n NAMED ARLETTA CRUDUP(WHO USED TO SLEEP WITH WHITE MEN AND BLACK WOMEN FROM WORK ALL THE TIME AND BRAG ABOUT IT).AND MILTON MILLER WHO WEARS GLASSES SO THICK HE CAN SEE ATOMS.

REPEAT: DO NOT EVEN CALL THESE PEOPLE OR THEY WILL PUT YOU ON THEIR LIST TO CALL. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

John 3:16 - Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.

********PCDI ALERT!!***************
DO NOT ENROLL IN ANY PCDI/ASHWORTH COLLEGE/JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL COURSES. I USED TO WORK THERE IN THE "ADMISSIONS DEPT".

IT IS A BOILER ROOM SALES SETTING DESIGNED TO GET POOR, UNEDUCATED FOOLS TO AGREE TO TAKE WORTHLESS COURSES. NO REAL COMPANY OR SCHOOL WILL RECOGNIZE THOSE WORTHLESS DEGREES.

WE USED TO GET PAID COMMISSION TO "ENROLL" PEOPLE AND MADE A LOT OF MONEY WHETHER PEOPLE FINISHED THE COURSE OR NOT.

IT IS NOT A REAL SCHOOL BUT A BUILDING WITH A WAREHOUSE IN NORCROSS,GA.

PEOPLE READ A SCRIPT AND ARE TRAINED TO MAKE YOU STAY ON THE PHONE UNTIL YOU ENROLLED OR HUNG UP ON US.IF YOU GAVE US A CC OR CHECKING ACCT.

NUMBER YOU ARE DONE FOR. THE "EDUCATORS" OR "TUTORS THERE WERE NOT MUCH BETTER AND WOULD NOT RETURN YOUR CALLS IF YOU NEEDED COURSE HELP.

THIS COMPANY HAS NO USEFULL ACCREDIATION EXCEPT BY "THE DISTANCE EDUCATION TRAINING COUNCIL" WHICH WILL ACCREDIATE ANY "SCHOOL" WITH A ROOM AND 2 BOOKS IN IT.

I FELT SO BAD FOR PEOPLE I STARTED TELLING THEM TO GET A GED OR GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THEIR TOWN INSTEAD OF US AND WAS FIRED OF COURSE.

THE FORMER OWNER WAS RICHARD KRUGER WHO MADE MILLIONS AND THEN SOLD THE BUSINESS TO ANOTHER SHADY COMPANY.

THE MAIN VILLIANS STILL THERE ARE MIKE RUTSKY WHO IS A YES MAN TO COMPANY POLICY....

GENE LUPIE WHO IS THE BIGGEST,FATTEST LIAR GOD EVER PUT ON EARTH AND USED TO HAVE AN AFFAIR WITH A DRUG USING l*****n NAMED ARLETTA CRUDUP(WHO USED TO SLEEP WITH WHITE MEN AND BLACK WOMEN FROM WORK ALL THE TIME AND BRAG ABOUT IT).AND MILTON MILLER WHO WEARS GLASSES SO THICK HE CAN SEE ATOMS.

REPEAT: DO NOT EVEN CALL THESE PEOPLE OR THEY WILL PUT YOU ON THEIR LIST TO CALL. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

John 3:16 - Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.

********PCDI ALERT!!***************
DO NOT ENROLL IN ANY PCDI/ASHWORTH COLLEGE/JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL COURSES. I USED TO WORK THERE IN THE "ADMISSIONS DEPT".

IT IS A BOILER ROOM SALES SETTING DESIGNED TO GET POOR, UNEDUCATED FOOLS TO AGREE TO TAKE WORTHLESS COURSES. NO REAL COMPANY OR SCHOOL WILL RECOGNIZE THOSE WORTHLESS DEGREES.

WE USED TO GET PAID COMMISSION TO "ENROLL" PEOPLE AND MADE A LOT OF MONEY WHETHER PEOPLE FINISHED THE COURSE OR NOT.

IT IS NOT A REAL SCHOOL BUT A BUILDING WITH A WAREHOUSE IN NORCROSS,GA.

PEOPLE READ A SCRIPT AND ARE TRAINED TO MAKE YOU STAY ON THE PHONE UNTIL YOU ENROLLED OR HUNG UP ON US.IF YOU GAVE US A CC OR CHECKING ACCT.

NUMBER YOU ARE DONE FOR. THE "EDUCATORS" OR "TUTORS THERE WERE NOT MUCH BETTER AND WOULD NOT RETURN YOUR CALLS IF YOU NEEDED COURSE HELP.

THIS COMPANY HAS NO USEFULL ACCREDIATION EXCEPT BY "THE DISTANCE EDUCATION TRAINING COUNCIL" WHICH WILL ACCREDIATE ANY "SCHOOL" WITH A ROOM AND 2 BOOKS IN IT.

I FELT SO BAD FOR PEOPLE I STARTED TELLING THEM TO GET A GED OR GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THEIR TOWN INSTEAD OF US AND WAS FIRED OF COURSE.

THE FORMER OWNER WAS RICHARD KRUGER WHO MADE MILLIONS AND THEN SOLD THE BUSINESS TO ANOTHER SHADY COMPANY.

THE MAIN VILLIANS STILL THERE ARE MIKE RUTSKY WHO IS A YES MAN TO COMPANY POLICY....

GENE LUPIE WHO IS THE BIGGEST,FATTEST LIAR GOD EVER PUT ON EARTH AND USED TO HAVE AN AFFAIR WITH A DRUG USING l*****n NAMED ARLETTA CRUDUP(WHO USED TO SLEEP WITH WHITE MEN AND BLACK WOMEN FROM WORK ALL THE TIME AND BRAG ABOUT IT).AND MILTON MILLER WHO WEARS GLASSES SO THICK HE CAN SEE ATOMS.

REPEAT: DO NOT EVEN CALL THESE PEOPLE OR THEY WILL PUT YOU ON THEIR LIST TO CALL. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

John 3:16 - Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.

********PCDI ALERT!!***************
DO NOT ENROLL IN ANY PCDI/ASHWORTH COLLEGE/JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL COURSES. I USED TO WORK THERE IN THE "ADMISSIONS DEPT".

IT IS A BOILER ROOM SALES SETTING DESIGNED TO GET POOR, UNEDUCATED FOOLS TO AGREE TO TAKE WORTHLESS COURSES. NO REAL COMPANY OR SCHOOL WILL RECOGNIZE THOSE WORTHLESS DEGREES.

WE USED TO GET PAID COMMISSION TO "ENROLL" PEOPLE AND MADE A LOT OF MONEY WHETHER PEOPLE FINISHED THE COURSE OR NOT.

IT IS NOT A REAL SCHOOL BUT A BUILDING WITH A WAREHOUSE IN NORCROSS,GA.

PEOPLE READ A SCRIPT AND ARE TRAINED TO MAKE YOU STAY ON THE PHONE UNTIL YOU ENROLLED OR HUNG UP ON US.IF YOU GAVE US A CC OR CHECKING ACCT.

NUMBER YOU ARE DONE FOR. THE "EDUCATORS" OR "TUTORS THERE WERE NOT MUCH BETTER AND WOULD NOT RETURN YOUR CALLS IF YOU NEEDED COURSE HELP.

THIS COMPANY HAS NO USEFULL ACCREDIATION EXCEPT BY "THE DISTANCE EDUCATION TRAINING COUNCIL" WHICH WILL ACCREDIATE ANY "SCHOOL" WITH A ROOM AND 2 BOOKS IN IT.

I FELT SO BAD FOR PEOPLE I STARTED TELLING THEM TO GET A GED OR GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THEIR TOWN INSTEAD OF US AND WAS FIRED OF COURSE.

THE FORMER OWNER WAS RICHARD KRUGER WHO MADE MILLIONS AND THEN SOLD THE BUSINESS TO ANOTHER SHADY COMPANY.

THE MAIN VILLIANS STILL THERE ARE MIKE RUTSKY WHO IS A YES MAN TO COMPANY POLICY....

GENE LUPIE WHO IS THE BIGGEST,FATTEST LIAR GOD EVER PUT ON EARTH AND USED TO HAVE AN AFFAIR WITH A DRUG USING l*****n NAMED ARLETTA CRUDUP(WHO USED TO SLEEP WITH WHITE MEN AND BLACK WOMEN FROM WORK ALL THE TIME AND BRAG ABOUT IT).AND MILTON MILLER WHO WEARS GLASSES SO THICK HE CAN SEE ATOMS.

REPEAT: DO NOT EVEN CALL THESE PEOPLE OR THEY WILL PUT YOU ON THEIR LIST TO CALL. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

John 3:16 - Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.

It scares me to see the trouble some had. I wasn't able to find though where James Madison & Penn Foster were the same company! I did check with the BBB ( Better Business Bureau )http://search.bbb.org/ & the Distance Education and Training Council http://www.detc.org/HighSchools.html#pc and they are Accredited Institutions. That's what made me decide to choose Penn Foster. I never even thought for a moment it wasn't real since I thought I checked with the proper institutions. Please tell me how you found out it wasn't real. I would greatly appreciate it. That way it can be reported to BBB. Since they seem to believe it is real. Thank you for your help & so sorry for your trouble.

Today, I saw an advertisement on TV for "Penn Foster Career School". I was wondering if another "distance education" school was popping up. I go to their website, http://www.pennfoster.edu, and go to the contact page. I see e-mail addresses being @pennfoster.edu. However, at the bottom is contact information for their Institutional Sales and Workforce Development with the e-mail address of indust@educationdirect.com.

So, I do a WHOIS on the domain of pennfoster.edu. The WHOIS query results are the following:

Education Direct Center for Degree Studies
925 Oak Street
Scranton, PA 18515
UNITED STATES

I then do a query on the domains belonging to Ashworth College, PCDI [Professional Career Development Institute], and Education Direction.

They all belong to Thomson Learning:

Thomson Learning
5191 Natorp Blvd
Mason, OH 45040-7945
US

What I find amazing is that if this is such a reputable school, then how come they have to go by so many different names?

I tried Ashworth's Parapsychology course. I received only the first book. I have to say, it was a joke. I have studied the paranomal on my own for quite some time. The information in the material was not good at all. You could get more and higher quality information by searching Google. I have noticed that they no longer have that course. I guess other's felt the same way as I do.

I noticed recently that they put a negative rating on my credit report. I find it ironic that they expect me to pay for a course that they no longer even offer. I will be filing a dispute on my credit report.