Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology
Insufficient Accreditation[ ? ]
Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology is a established in 2013. The campus is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA and hosts students with an endowment of .
Website: www.spartan.edu
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Established: 2013
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157 Student Reviews of Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology
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This place really sucks. Do not apply. All they want is your money. Lack of communication and information from faculty. Faculty has no common sense! Waste of time & your money! Very bad experience.
Wow! Really wished I saw all these reviews before I spent 3 years there back in 97. Regret ever seeing that commercial on TV and thinking that would be really cool to become a pilot. Lol Not through Spartan. They took all my VA financial aid money kept putting me through all the ground classes to the point my financial aid dried up. I couldn’t even get a penny because all my remaining school time left was the flight portion. Government Financial won’t give out loans just for flying, need ground classes to coincide. Litterally was in tears in the financial aid office pleading to at least allow me to get my Private Pilots Certificate before sending me away. They actually said if I had $10k out of my pocket I could continue on. Lol I was already working full time just to try and make living expenses. They did let me do my Private Check ride and get that Certificate but 80 hours of flight, all the ground classes done and a Private Pilots license for the low, low price of $34,000, well that’s what it’s at now. I’m in indefinite forbearance, never have enough to pay on it. These loans are worse than home loans. Anyways, like most of the reviews on here, DON’T GO here, they just want your money. Almost every student that attended with me said that too! I was actually thinking of completing my degree but after seeing the credit aren’t transferrable, which I was told they would be, I would pretty much be starting from scratch. I’m going to apply for the “Borrower to Defense Repayment” loan that was just passed.
I think I will qualify since I was definitely misled.
I am looking for a lawyer to assist me with an issue that I have with Spartan.
Do not attend this school if you’re a veteran, honestly nobody should come here but especially if you’re a veteran. This school does not care about you. They’ll take your GI Bill and put you in debt, and it won’t be the same amount you were told before starting school. And that’s if you’re lucky enough to finish without them losing VA funding or accreditation which happens a lot. They also will never mention that before you start, they actually have a great VA relationship is what they tell you.
I lost my VA funding because they were losing their accreditation. Instead of helping the vets out they offered a crap scholarship that would cover what the VA would cover, except the final price was about $10,000 more than what I was given before I started here. Also offered school housing instead of BAH but you are on your own for lease contracts or storage for furniture that probably won’t fit in your dorm. Plus having to drive all the way across town to get to flight campus or ride in a van which I’m pretty sure doesn’t run whenever you need it so good luck making to work on time. And I haven’t even mentioned wives, kids, fiance’s that might live with you.
Spartan is a joke I left because I wasn’t taking out loans when I have all but 4 months of my GI Bill left and they’re so greedy they don’t care if you ask if they can wave any of the debt they’re burying you in.
This is a For Profit School that should tell you everything.
I graduated from Spartan in 2003 with a diploma in broadcast communication technology. Later in 2005 I enlisted in the Air Force. Because of my credit hours I started out at E-3 instead of E-1. Then after boot camp I went to Electrical Principals training. I was so bored I couldn’t stay awake. I begged the instructor’s supervisor to let me test out. He agreed as long as I passed every final with 85 percent or higher. My final score for the the course of 8 classes was 98 percent. The only reason I knew this stuff so well was because of Spartan’s education. I am not rich but make good money now, close to$30.00 an hour. It all started at Spartan.
Wow, looks like Spartan hasn’t changed much in 30 years. Back in 1988 I already had my Private certificate through an FBO (Part 91). The Spartan recruiter fed me such a plate of bullshit it seems it should be illegal. Sounds like they’re still doing the old bait-and-switch. Which is totally illegal. This guy’s last job was probably as a telemarketer stealing old people’s savings. He showed me brochures with Bonanzas in it, and said I would be immediately placed in the “advanced program” because of my Private license, flying Bonanzas and Barons. He told me that recruiters were always on-campus, and that I’d probably be offered a job once I got my Commercial ticket. And that these employers would pay for my multiengine rating. Blah blah blah career placement center blah blah blah 90% placement rate, yadda yadda, respected name, on and on. So I bit.
No Bonanzas or Barons on the field. Just beat to s**t Cessna 152s and 172s. Back then, they were charging 88 bucks an hour for a 152 solo, 110 with instructor. Commercial and Instrument ground school were ok, simply because the instructor was a burned out old guy with an awesome attitude; he made the classes enjoyable. But the class focused on teaching the test.
When my instructor would schedule me for a solo flight, it would be random. I’d normally have to take off work to get my solo time in, only to show up to the airport to find I was number 5 or 6 on standby for that specific airplane. I think I flew solo at Spartan twice in the three months I was there. But then it was time for the “Stage Check,” which is ostensibly to check your progress in the program. Although I only had about 80 hours total time, they had me out learning chandelles and Lazy-8s. That’s all stick-and-rudder stuff so I was enjoying learning. I go up with a “Check Airman” for my Stage Check, and this guy is acting like he’s the FAA, and this was my Commercial checkride (I’d done Lazy 8s twice so far). Constantly barking because he wanted to get back on the ground, he’d couldn’t help taking the controls and “showing me how it’s done,” while his maneuvers weren’t much better than mine.
Back then, they had this thing called “Red Xing” where they’d Red X you by putting a big red X under your name on the flight status board. This meant your account had dropped below a $1500 balance, and the red X meant you could no longer be scheduled for flights until you’d brought the account back up to a certain amount. I kept going on dual flights and standing by for solo assignments, and one day I found the infamous red X under my name. I still had half of a loan available, but had already decided not to accept the remainder, as I was pretty sure I didn’t want to continue at Spartan. Went to the Financial Aid office and learned that I had somehow flow myself into the red and now owed the school $3000. I had no choice but to accept the remainder of the loan to pay that balance, especially if I didn’t want my training to come to a screeching halt. Well I did continue to fly, but not at Spartan. I got a loan from a hometown bank and finished Part 91 out at Tulsa International, where the same 152 went for a fraction of what Spartan gouges people. It was there that I learned that no one in Tulsa would hire a Spartan graduate. Sure there were some exceptions, but they were not the rule.
The loan company that had given me the loan to attend Spartan didn’t get their money back from the school for upwards of a year. I know this because they kept hammering on me and Spartan both for there money back. I didn’t have it and Spartan wouldn’t release it to them.
For the last 30 years of professional flying, I’ve rarely heard anything good said about Spartan. I feel bad that so many people were misled by their recruiters only to be ripped off in a lousy school that’s hard to escape from, only to find themselves stigmatized when they get out into the professional world, all because of the school they decided to try.
These reviews are absurd. Yes, the Tulsa campus is old and outdated, but it is more than sufficient in learning what is needed to get started in a career in aviation or NDT.
They have more old equipment than new, but I enjoyed learning and actually issuing the equipment that paved the way to where we are now in the industry.
The instructors are very intelligent and proficient in their jobs. From talking with may of them, it seems that they too would prefer a new approach to the material being taught, but when you’re under FAA guidelines, you can’t do much about it.
They have opened two new campuses around the country and have been around for a very long time. Please update the founding year on this site. 2013 was when their name was updated. The college has been around far longer.
I loved my time a Spartan and really miss talking with the instructors and other students.
Run away. I attended from 2000 to 2003 and graduated with a worthless Associates Degree that doesn’t transfer anywhere. Friends don’t let friends waste their time and money on credits that will NOT transfer. Staff members who are complete jerks, random drug tests, expensive mandatory uniforms that you must buy from spartan, run down facilities, overpriced apartments they sublet to you and 3 other guys for a rediculous mark up, and a general disregard for their students. I felt like nothing more than a mark for them to squeeze out as much money as they could. Constant “mistakes” on my account means you better keep receipts. I was lied to by their recruiters, I was lied to by financial aid about the cost, I was lied to about their accreditation and told credits would transfer (they do not), I was lied to about job placement assistance, and the list goes on. Even though I graduated with honors and met some great people, I deeply regret my choice to attend Spartan. That place was a nightmare!
I almost forgot to throw in a few things… When they give their tour, you will see posters of a volleyball court, bowling alley, swimming pool, etc. This school has none of those, lol. They have a broke down pool table and two ping pong tables yet the school charges $40,000 to attend one year?! Where is our money going? Why is the back parking lot on the main campus filled with potholes? Why are teachers going on strike due to low wages and poor insurance coverage? Why does the cafeteria in the main campus not even serve food? Why does this school not have a book ‘buy-back’ program instituted like any actual school would? Why do you employ recruiters that purposefully lie through their teeth? Why?
I went to Spartan School of Aeronautics 1990-1992 when I was 29 yrs old. Had a wife and 3 kids at home at the time, worked a full time job and went to school full time. It was rough but can be done. Spartan has always been expensive. The comment I saw about missing class being BS….FAA regulates how many hrs you have to have. I had fun, liked all my instructors and left there with a diploma and my A&P ticket…..took my oral and practical at the school. Persian gulf was breaking out when I graduated and most major carriers had hiring freezes going on at the time so jobs were tight. I landed a job at an FBO in Texas in 93 and now run a small FBO making about $30 an hr. At 55 I’m just laid back and dont let the small stuff get to me. If I had it to do again would I go to Spartan? knowing what I know now probly not because there are alot of cheaper schools to get your ticket, you just have to look. An A&P is just a license to learn anyway.
Avoid this place at all costs! They are still on the Heightened Cash Monitoring list. Their job placement program is ran by two ditzy women, one who seems to be on vacation a lot and the other one has not a clue how to do job placement. Financial aid? They screwed my stuff up so much. I came to this school with such high hopes. I worked two jobs while raising my little girl and I graduated. It wasn’t easy but I did it. This school is **** and if you want to check out a nondestructive school, maybe look at Tulsa Welding School. I could go on about this toilet known as Spartan but there are not enough hours in the day…
One thing I should start by saying is never come to this school!!! I was filled with ambition and eager to start my journey through spartan and the moment I got here everything went right out the door. My first class that I had was with an instructor who barely knew what was going on but I decided that it would get better as the time went by. When I got into my second class I realized that I should’ve done more research and I shouldn’t of fell for the lies that my recruiter had told me. I am now 2 classes away from graduating and feel like I haven’t learned anything. You can go through a whole term and not pay any attention to the instructor and lecture but still pass with an A because they hand out study guides that are the exact same thing as the test. So if you memorize the study guide you will get 100%. All the students that I have talked to regret their decision but they were already so deep into the program and so much in debt they have just decided to put up with this horrible campus and it’s instructors.
I graduated from spartan with an a.a.s in Avionics Maintenance Technology December 2013 and immediately got a job at L3 Technologies. I have since been promoted to a test engineer and the work is going great. This college may be expensive to some but is well worth it as long as you dont slack off as I had seen many students do and than try to blame the school when they fail their classes. I would recommend Spartan to anyone willing to actually work for their degree. They can’t just had them out.
Reading through these comments saddens me, seeing that so many students (just l was) fell in the the lie of Spartan. This is not written out of spite or anger, just as a warning for fellow bright eyed students that were interested in the program. Best way to put it, if you personally are not struggling too keep up with the program then somebody you know probably is -and trust me they’ll find a way to slow you down one way or the other. The standards to enroll here are lowered in order to appeal and attract more costumers then raised to extremes so that you have no way but out. You see, this is how Spartan cons people out of money, they take ridiculous measures to make sure that you could not possibly finish yet they still egg you on and encourage you to try so you go on trying when you were already set up for failure. Don’t waste your time here, look at their stats, read peoples stories. The management is complete trash, this school is a total scam, only thing that might possibly be seen as good here is the training but thats if you get 1 out of the 20 decent instructors. Take my word, or anyone’s here really, Spartan will drain you of your money and crush your hopes of ever doing anything in aviation. DONT FALL FOR THE SCAM!
Spartan College is nothing more than a scam commissioned by a wonderful guy. Mr Haynes, the president, does what he can in order to make things right. We have had a meeting about a particular issue, and we made somewhat of an agreement. The situation? At the beginning, even before I started, my recruiter lied to me about the flight campus. Initially, I was going to go to Flight to become a pilot. However, since the program is around $110,000, I could not afford it. So, my recruiter told me there would be a discount if I joined a different program. A 90% discount at that! Of course I hopped on it before really questioning. Now, I am in the A&T Program, around $40K+ in debt, and regret it. This discount they promise is not even a real deal and has been told to multiple guys I know who wanted to be in Flight in the first place. Mr Haynes said he would give me scholarships and/or grants in order to pay for part of the flight. None have come my way, and the meeting we had was about a month ago. This college, being what it is, is not worth the time or effort to come to. The buildings are old, 1940’s hangers that are falling apart with equipment that is either missing, damaged, or out-of-date. The financial aid department has been replaced around 2 or 3 times within the last 2 or so years. There is obviously a problem within the structure of this college and they will tell you everything you WANT to hear, not what you NEED. Do not come here! Battling the higher powers does not guarantee anything. There’s more I have on regards to this place, but I’m trying to keep it short and sweet. That is all.
I don’t know where to begin except don’t go there. Their credits don’t transfer even though I was told otherwise. Their job placement assistance is just about nonexistent. I was told during two interviews by two different companies that they don’t hire Spartan students. I went for the associate’s degree and when it was time for me to graduate they told me I had to take classes that they previously said they would the credits for and wanted me to take remedial math even though I had credits for Algebra from a 4yr university. We had to use equipment from the 1930’s when doing shop classes. Probably the biggest mistake of my life was going there. I’m now riddled with debt that I can’t pay and a degree that isn’t worth toilet paper. Please do not go there and make the same mistake I have.
Okay so much try to make the story short so I attended Spartan College of Aeronautics in 2009 and 2010. So basically during about the end of the year of 2010 I was spended from School now this is based on the fact that they found a.223 round and my desk which I have from the military which led to an inspection on my vehicle which I had a legal firearm but of course you can’t have a firearm on a college campus now I’m not blaming them for the suspension because I was allowed back in after 30 days and an appeal. Songs about back in class with only lasted about the next 6 weeks. Now this is everywhere everything took a turn. Navigate to the suspension I had to take 3 classes over which one I failed and two I timed out. Now as far as I knew talking to financial aid and talking to the advisor everything was still covered under the financial aid even the classes that I took over because I’ve never heard of them not being cover covered if you’re taking them to the college. So basically have 3 classes at $3,000 a piece on paying close to 7000 – 9000 dollar for the class i took over. Now to backtrack after the 6 weeks of me attending after going back after this they told me that I couldn’t stay in the dorms anymore because the person who ran the dorms wouldn’t allow me to stay in the dorms after being suspended for having the firearm which I thought the schools to have the overseer who stays and doesn’t but it wasn’t that it was that person personally. So because of this issue I had no place to stay so I was forced to leave the school until I could gain more finances get my own place back and attend so I had to leave the school. Now this is when the real issue started. Soho house later I called back to try to find out what I need to do as far as going back to the tent they told me over the phone that I couldn’t attend because I still owed for the three classes that I took over because it wasn’t covered by financial aid. They told me even though I did the paperwork properly to leave the school and come back that I couldnt come back until I repaid them for the amount of the three classes taken over that weren’t covered and I also couldn’t get my official transcript so I paid them that amount. To my knowledge I’ve never heard of being in school and classes that you have to take over we’re not covered by financial aid my knowledge you might have to pay extra for those classes that you took over but they are still covered. That’s my issue I’ve also personally an issue or an individual who had seizures start at the school and about halfway through they told this individual that he could no longer attend because he has seizures. This is basically messed up because I personally witnessed this person have a seizure at the orientation who started this and he was allowed to attend. I personally say that you have names of dollars or you’re not going to have any issues at all with the school then okay but if you have any Connor a financial or personal issue you’re going to get f***** over yes
Save your money and get the same certs from Tulsa CC for 1/8th the price 1/100th of the ridiculous rules..
I moved there from Virginia and after day one I considered packing up and headed home.
North Tulsa is about as safe as Memphis Tennessee. Usually there is at least one string of car break ins twice a month.
SCHOOL….IS….A….JOKE
Ok.. what do i begin… I was an internatonal student from korea. I had american dream that becoming an aviation technician in America. so I resigestered to Spartan college asia campus. Wow! you guys may not know this college(?) has campuses around the world. after 14months of learning basic knowledge, and improving my english skill in the asia capmus. I was sent to the main campus in Tulsa starting as senior year. then I realized that my korean agency had lied to me and other students. what they told me was Spartan college provides 2+2year program which includes diploma and bachelor and is one of top ten aerospace college in USA and their rank is even higher than Embry-Riddle. haha full of joke. I was so naive to believe what they said. However, I graduated from Spartan in 2014 and none of credits were transferable to any other colleges in the states. YES, I wasted my time and parents money for associated degree(No diploma nor bachelor, Spartan does not have higher education program).
guess what I do for living now? After grduation, I prepared A&P mechanic test on my own. and got the license outside the college then I could applied to ROK armed force and I am currently working as technician. funny thing is that I learned much more skills at the armedforce than at the Spartan.
the instructors were mostly fine. the administration people? totally s**t. they are rude as f**k if you can not speak English with perfect pronunciation and accent. They giggled in front of my face indicating my pronunciation. F**k tards.
I think My english is just fine and none of people outside the college have bothered me for my english.
Overall, This college is great if you are a millionaire and want to waste your money for nothing but associated degrees. DO NOT BE FOOLED by recruiters and associated agencies outside USA. They will just say anything postively to encourage you to apply their shitty as f**k program.
The education Spartan offers absolutely NOT worth money you paid for. average of 4k USD per term.
Thank you for the owner family who want to ruin hundreds of young souls life and passion for their well-being
I received my A & P with work experience from the navy and working at an FBO under the instruction of an IA, just had to pay for my tests. I did go to Avtech school to get ready for my oral and practical, two week school, it was worth the money. Avtech prepare me for the test. Save your money find a place that will let you work for experience, it will take you a little longer but you have the experience to back up your licences.
I was over charged for online classes. The whole course without financial aid was 8000, I was charged 7500 and I had financial aid. I was told that with my financial aid that for the whole course that it would have been 3000. When I called to adress the issue , I was treated like trash. I would not recommend anybody to attend this scool.
I am currently three months into the ndt program. I really wish I would have done more research before signing up. The recruiter lied about several things. You do NOT get accredited, certified, or anything else. The equipment in our labs are broke down and straight up junk. The bathrooms do not look like they have been cleaned in who knows how long. They have a requirement that you can only miss 15 hours per class and after that, you are out. I am the one paying the exhorbitant fees, thank you very much, so maybe let me decide how much class I need or wanna miss. Some of the classrooms have cockroaches, eww! You can charge all this excess tuition but cannot get an exterminator?! The teachers are good, that is about my only complement. The financial aid office totally dropped the ball and let me waste my time trying to get extra funding from another source when they should have known I was not gonna be able to acquire it. I am in the process of seeking out another ndt program because this place is seriously a joke. Go elsewhere, believe me…..
I attended the 2013-2014 NDT class, while I am thankful for the career I have in quality control now I, in no way, owe that thanks to Spartan. The only reason I am thankful I traveled from California to attend Spartan is because of the life long friends I have made. I am drowning in over $20,000 of debt still almost 3 years after graduating (and I make 3 pretty hefty monthly payments- 1 to Spartan and 2 federal) which have been denied forbearance because “I make too much money”. The housing is extremely overpriced and in a very bad area of Tulsa. The instructors for the most part were very likable people and knowledgeable about information from “back in the day”, however I feel the only person that taught me anything I use and wasn’t outdated was Jeff Disher (Radiography). I would never recommend this school to anyone simply because of the outrageous price and stressful debt it sends people into.
Attended this hole during 2013-2014. Completed the Avionics program 2nd in class. To date, i have sent many many applications to open positions. Well, still no job in the aviation industry. Now, im drowning n student loans, and nothing to show for it. I wish i had done more research on this school. Recruiter was a retired Army CSM, and lied through his teeth. I cant bash the instructors. I did learn a great deal from them. But overall, the school is s**t.
I love this school- they have helped me so much, about to graduate and have 8 job offers!!!
Former graduate. The educational opportunities and the value the Spartan name holds in this industry are vastly exaggerated. A person would be wise to save the extraordinarily high tuition cost and go to the nearest tech college offering the same level of education or better in most cases. Spartan has done little to keep pace with changing technology and has very little currently used equipment for students to use as learning aids. If you like reciprocating engines, dope and fabric aircraft or sheet-metal work this may be the place for you. And it’s about 2X as expensive as a comparable school that probably has more current engines and air-frames. Don’t ask the school enrollment representatives for facts or take anything they say as fact.
I was tricked by my recruiter, over the phone he told me I could do the pilot program right away and start flying the same week and the $3000 start up money. I’ve arrived at the campus traveling from Georgia he laughed in my face and told me I had to take avionics before I can do the flight program. I took the class six months into it I failed all my courses I went to him after six months and told him I demanded the pilot program and he told me you just could’ve go ahead and taken it. The teachers don’t care and see students as a paycheck, the equipment students were working on are out of date and broken down, nobody cares about your education. They do random drug searches in the dorms and they put drugs in my roommates room for getting back at him when inspectors of the aeronautics society he spoke how he really felt about the school. Spartan College is the worst school EVER TO COME IN EXSISTANCE I wouldn’t advice my worst enemy’s to attend.
I graduated in 1988. The education formalized what I already knew as an E6 Avionics Tech in The Tennessee Air National Guard and as an electrical assembler at Lockheed Aeronautics. I really did not learn much. I did graduate, worked in aviation for a couple of years, and left the industry due to a lack of work. The teaching on obsolete technology dated my education and I have not worked in the industry since about 1993. Today, the balance on my student loans is over $69,000.00.
I really wish I’d done more research before deciding to take the online associates program. Maybe I shouldve taken the hint when I was getting harrassed by the sales person. I do need my degree but after the financial hardship this school has put me in I will not finish here. I unenrolled in one class before the class started. I was told I was not enrolled and still got billed for it. Never bought the book, never even was contacted by the teacher and then I got the bill for it anyway. Now they are threatening to take me to collections if I don’t pay the entire amount in less than 30 days. No body knows what’s going on there so I can’t get a straight answer from anyone about why I was billed or what I can do about. Absolute horrible experience. Ill post an update after my bill issue is settled.
Sorry for those who are currently or will attend to this school. Spartan College is the worst school anyone can attend to to say the least. When I was attending spartan college I noticed there was inequality and no respect for students in general. I advice to those who are planning to attend this school make sure you research first.
I never attended but the recruiters harassed me, I even was told by one of them that I would be unsuccessful if I did not attend here. Also I was promised to be personally picked up from the airport…..bizarre also they wanted a pic of me……strange
Where do I begin? I came from Zimbabwe in the summer of 2012. I had word of mouth about this school but little did I know what kind of hell I was getting myself into. Before I even entered into the program I was contacted by two phony recruiters I believe they spoke with a Southern accent it was a man/women whatever that thing was, who I never even met, at his/her request he wanted me to wire him money 800 American mula which would cover my tuition, books, and living expenses and a bonus it would cover my flight back home for Christmas….within days the second phony recruiter contacted me instructing me how and where to wire the money. So my family sold their entire cow herding business in Zimbabwe so they could fund the money for my education. They reassured me everything would be taken care of and I would be living the American dream once I graduated., I was easily swayed into believing this school would change my future and convinced that this would be the best investment. I let my family down, I am drowned with loans and every place I apply turns me down, seeing as I have ZERO experience and knowledge from this school. The instructors do not give a DAMN about you and they offer no tutoring or aid or any kind of assistance . My first day of class , I was dismissed for not being able to pay for my books right away. If you happen to get phone calls from the two man/woman I described above please be very vigilant and DO NOT send them any money, I fell into the trap and have not seen a penny back. So if you are those phony recruiters reading this I hope your are enjoying your margarita in the sun while you live off my hard worked money. These were the two individuals who reassured me that everything will be fine and that I would get hired by American airlines, even NASA and that I will be making 120,00 a year minimum on top featured as a spokesperson for SPARTAN. As far as being FAA approved, bullshit! No one will hire you if you come from this scam of dungeon. Why is it still operating?!!?!?!?! At the time I was naïve and couldn’t afford money for a lawyer to get back what is mine. This dungeon emptied me dry and I had nowhere to go when I left the program, my family disowned me and when I tried reaching the two SCAM ARTISTS, the number was magically disconnected. The only dream I got was flipping burgers at McDonalds, I wont even bother mentioning I have to take care of a wife and four children.
Spartan college was a great opportunity for me. I was very pleased with the way the college is set up and how is helps you get a job. The college is a very clean environment. I having nothing bad to say about Spartan College.
Absolute garbage.
Before I begin this review, a quick disclaimer:
1. I am an employee of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
2. My professional work with FAA does not involve accrediting aviation schools
3. I am reviewing strictly on my personal experience with Spartan
Now that i’ve gotten that out of the way, I will try to make this review as concise as I possibly can while conveying a message that accurately describes my experience as a flight student in the commercial pilot program at Spartan School of Aeronautics (prior to its name change to “Spartan College…”).
In the summer of 1996, I was 21 years old working a full-time management job that I liked, but knew was not a long-term career for me. One of the employees that worked for me had his private pilot’s license and took me flying one day. Long story short, I was completely hooked and knew as soon as we departed the runway I wanted to become a commercial pilot. On my way home from the airport, I stopped and picked up a FLYING magazine and began to peruse the “flight school” ads, which included a number of schools across the country, including Spartan. In the early years of the internet in 1996, schools had basic webpages, but they didn’t have interactive pages or a way to apply online. So, I mailed the inquiry postcard from the magazine to Spartan and other schools. That’s when my journey with Spartan began.
As with the other reviewers here, Spartan was also very aggressive in responding to my inquiry. Numerous recruiter calls, multiple mailed packages with all kinds glossy information showcasing Spartan’s facilities and capabilities. Really, it was quite convincing for a naïve 21 year old coming from parents who weren’t college educated/experienced. Compared to the other information sent from the other schools, Spartan was the shining star of the group judging from their marketing materials. In hindsight, that should have been a red flag to some degree.
I enrolled, and by January 1997 I had moved 1,200 miles away to Tulsa, OK ready to get my flight career started. I admit, I was very excited to be going to Spartan. Luckily, my parents and I had no problems getting the Student/Parent Plus loans so money for classes never really caused me problems overall. But I will concur with the other reviewers that they were very aggressive in making sure I had tuition money in my account, and didn’t hesitate to let me know if the funds were projected to run low (which is common when flight training is involved). While I didn’t have any particular money troubles, MANY of my classmates did, therefore I can vouch 100% that Spartan does give off the impression that money is first and foremost, and education is secondary, in everything they do. My classmates dropped like flies. One day a good friend would be there, and another day he wouldn’t be. While student money troubles shouldn’t be attributed to Spartan, it goes to show that the 4 or 6 week class setup is vastly different than a university semester program where tuition is paid and the student is covered for the next 3-4 months. At Spartan, student financial stress came around every 4-6 weeks. I can assure that this is not conducive to a positive learning experience, and I can say without hesitation that the expensive classes contributed to a lot of stress to many flight students at a time when flight training in and of itself is very stressful.
I also should mention that I was inspired to go to Spartan because I really did want a 4 year degree, and at the time they were partnered with Phillips University (they said) to provide the “4 year” part of the Bachelor Degree. It is not clear to me if they lied to me about the Phillips University option, or if my timing was just bad, but soon after I arrived at Spartan the PU/Spartan program “disintegrated.” In other words, there would be no 4 year degree. In hindsight, I really believe that the recruiter probably did lie about the Spartan/Philips University bachelors program, but I can’t prove that. Anything to get me there. I truly believe that. Unfortunately, in 1996 there just weren’t the “Google type” research methods we have today. Otherwise, I probably could have easily confirmed through other means, but I did trust the recruiter. In hindsight, that was a mistake.
As far as housing goes, when I attended Spartan, they had arrangements with local apartment complexes. My first apartment was a 2 bedroom. Each of us paid rent for the bedroom and shared the common areas of the apartment. My experience was absolutely horrid. Let’s just say my first roommate was the nastiest, rudest, messiest of people I could have been paired with. Needless to say, I didn’t stay in that arrangement long and went and rented my own one bedroom apartment for the same price. Now I understand Spartan has it’s own apartments, so I can’t comment on that arrangement. But the fact that Spartan would be a party to such horrific living arrangements to so many students for so long speaks (in my opinion) to the lack of care of the overall “Spartan experience.” As long as they got you in the door and you could pay them, that’s all that really mattered.
But, I did get my Private Pilot’s license at Spartan. And to be honest, I can’t really complain about any of my instructors. Being at the airport every day is exactly what I wanted and enjoyed. Traveling to the main campus for history and math courses was a drag, but not too bad overall. But, in the end, I couldn’t get over the fact that there was no path for me to get a bachelor’s degree, and it started to become more and more clear that the credits I earned at Spartan would not transfer. In fact, when I left the school in 1998, not one single credit transferred to the 4 year state university I transferred to that year. Talk about a disappointment. To this day, my mother is bitter about the fact that she took out (and paid off) a Parent Plus loan for schooling that wouldn’t even transfer to a reputable university. Luckily, by the grace of a persistent academic advisor at the University, and 3 years of effort on my part as well, the Dean of the aviation program finally relented and let a whopping 6 credits transfer. Of course that’s not many, but it kept me from having to repeat two courses that I took at Spartan and allowed me to graduate on time. But, I was lucky. Spartan credits are not transferrable to most (if any at all) universities. So don’t be fooled by the recruiters who tell you differently!
My advice would be to attend Spartan at your own risk. Go in with your eyes wide open. If I had the option to do it over again, i’d skip Spartan and go straight to a 4 year university with a reputable aviation degree program. There are many universities that cost as much, or perhaps even less, than Spartan and it will look much better on your resume and will provide you with a greater education and opportunities without question. “For profit” schools are on the downward spiral….I see no good reason to waste your time and money with these schools when there are other more viable options.
As for me and my career, Spartan was the first stepping stone, but it was a very shaky stone. I have been very successful in my aviation career…..10 years after graduating from a respected university with a bachelor’s and a masters degree in aviation….I now work for the FAA. People have asked me which school I went to….I don’t even mention Spartan. No need to. Other than my private pilot license, I can’t really attribute my success to the school. But, in my mind I know that Spartan did provide a start, so I can’t completely bash them for that.
The education was complete s**t. I did not study for half of my finals and graduated with a 4.0. We were taught on machines at least 10 years old. Less than half of my class graduated less than that found employment in that field. The “career department” is comprised of two people that call you every week to tell you to check their website that updates “every week”. It hasn’t changed since it was created, but why would it because all it is, is links to companies home page. Absolutely worthless
A waste of time and money. Good luck finding a college anywhere in the states that will take any of your Gen Ed class. Save your money and frustration and find education elsewhere
First of all I didn’t not get my certifications from Spartan or even attend this school so my review stars do not apply. I got my Airframe license from IATA in Arlington Texas and Powerplant from a Enid. The reason I was looking at this site is because my son got a call from a Spartan recruiter the other day. They are offering him a “free” ride in an airplane and to check out the school. I was excited about it until I read these reviews..lol. Back when I was in AMT school, Spartan was kinda like the “Harvard” of aviation school. Anyway… the reason I’m writing this review is because I am in the industry and I have been for about 20 years. 9 years at Vance afb working for Northrup Grumman (2 years flight line mechanic, 3 years fuel systems specialist and 4 year sheetmetal) and 11 years at Tinker afb all sheetmetal. If this is the career path you or a loved one is considering you may want to look at the overall cost of the schooling. 40k is very very high for what you would be walking away with at Spartan. Once you get your licenses it doesn’t matter where you got it. Your potential employer really only cares that you have it and how much experience you have. I spent $14k for my A license at IATA and only $1200 for my P. If I had to do it all over again I would have found the cheapest place to get my licenses. In Enid it would have only cost about 4k. Huge difference!!!!! Take this advise for what it’s worth but a license is a license no matter what it cost. Its the experience that matters. As for my son…. he’s gonna take that free plane ride and if he chooses aviation maintenance as a career then we will find something a little..lot cheaper. Good luck
Do not go here for the pilot program, there are more affordable/ better options. None of the credits are transferable to a real college.
Most of the instructors are nice (some are stereotypical arrogant pilots). The instructors somewhat try to tell you (as best as they can without losing their job) that the place isn’t worth it. I wish I would have listened to their advice earlier.
I regret my decision to attend here every month when I have to pay my student loan.
I went to starting back in 2002 I was honestly and seriously putting thought into coming back to Tulsa and finishing my amt diploma …due to the fact of the extenuating circumstances I went through I felt compelled to finish what I started …..after reading these reviews not only do I see Spartans go in aeronautics has not changed in over 10 years it in fact has gotten worse I will share my story with you back then student housing was extremely high priced and extremely dangerous within the first two weeks our apartment was broken into and an Xbox two TVs in my pair of Jordans or stolen. By the neighbors ….
I initially went to join the professional pilot program but was told I only had enough financial aid for the Aviation Maintenance Technician program on South Campus as far as the type of student that I dealt with I ended up being robbed by one of them as well as stabbed in my face and in my arm while I was living on East 41st Street and Garnet the administration was the worst and I’m just now coming out of the financial aid hold two years later if you really have attended this school it’s easy to tell what postings are true and what posting or falls but for the most part all the negative postings I don’t give a 92 98 percent accuracy right she’s really sad because they catering two people that would otherwise get accepted into college is for the most part we included leaving on a good note I would like to give myself props because I just now got my a at Portland Community College in Oregon and have came a long way from Spartan and would like to like to advise that I will not be coming back.
Teachers: some are excellent others are crap its either one or the other
Education: decent. Much more hands on then other schools.
Administration: total s**t
student aid: excellent if your lucky crap if your not
Overall not a completly bad school other then the accreditation i got a good job before i graduated and it is a very good name to have behind you if you stay in this region of the united states. S**t housing since some room checker don’t locke your doors after they are done
When looking at the website why is there no transfer page for current college students and why don’t spartan credits transfer to any other school in the nation?
Answer is simple, this school is a scam built to ripoff recent high school graduates who do not know any better. When you arrive you are forced to rent from their housing company at $400/month for one room if your lucky. Then what they don’t tell you is that before you can get your class schedule you have to take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) which will remove 1/4 to 1/3 of your class. Then the fun begins if your lucky enough to pass. 3 to 4 hour classes of nothing but note taking about FAR-AIM FAA law.
Don’t go to this sham of a school black cat with 13 says it all. Save yours, your parents, or even your scholarship money and go to a real school. Don’t get scammed
If you think Spartan college sounds good because of what the school has told you, let me tell you spartan lies to their students. I was at Spartan for only 5 terms and by then over 38% of the people i have started with were removed from the class. They do have to comply with the FAA but Spartan uses FAA guidelines to make it harder on the students. All class time is JUST taking notes for about 3.5 hours then shop which is cool because you get hands on well lets say when you rebuild an engine you dont get replacement parts ans the engine will lack parts. This school is ran by cheats and liers that like to run their school like a business not a place of learning. DO NOT GO TO SPARTAN COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS!! You will regret it!
I graduated with honors on NDT two months ago ..still cant get a job ( no experience) ..by the way thanks for the placing promise …lame ..
Don’t go here much cheaper to go to a community college and fly out of a local airport. This place is a pilot mill aka a scam go somewhere else.
f**k Spartan college forreal the food is horrible, the machines and planes are old as s**t, the teacher learning just as we are, being late and having to make up time is the dumbest s**t ever. the diploma not worth a f**k. its 3000 a class so you do the math, the housing trash, and its no fine girls
Don’t go here!!! This place is a scam. Credits will not transfer, prices are extremely high, housing is a joke, and equpment is rundown. Save you and your parents money and avoid this joke of a school. They have a 100% acceptance rate because of the high dropout rate. Their number one goal is to take your cash with their if you don’t like the way things are you can leave. I personally was lucky enough to drop them get enrolled in a community college and later a four year school for a BS in management and leadership that is accredited and national recognized. I am now able to afford any license I want cheaper and at my own speed. Get a real education and avoid this place like the plague. Good luck and I with you all the best.
Well it looks like no one has anything good to say about Spartan. As far as “College” goes, that is a gross misuse of the word. No accredited university or college anywhere in the US will accept anything Spartan has to offer. Why I didn’t see that after two visits there is beyond me, but the aftermath of having attended there for fourteen month is all too real. A marriage ending in divorce and waking up one morning with no identity. A lot of years of heartbreak and psychotherapy. Finally got it all together and had a sccessful career in power generation.Wouldn’t recommend Spartan to anyone. Hind sight is 20/20.
“Colleg” my hindside. That place was a disgrace to education forty some years ago and has apparently become nothing more than a scam at embezzling tax payers’ hard earned money. Spartan had a very good reputation after WWII ,but that was lost when a bunch of money grubbers got hold of the company. Why indivduals continue to get sucked in by Spartan’s propaganda is beyond my comprehension.One look at their so called “fleet” should put prospective students in full flight,and I don’t mean aerial. And that so called “live equipment” was DOA. Why I didn’t see the shabbiness of the place after two visits is incomprehensible, but the aftermath of having attended there is all too real: years of heartache and psychotherapy. Finally put it all behind me;had a successful career in power generation, but the terrible memories of waking up one morning and not having an identity continue to this day.All my best to Karen J. George MD. I always knew that you had several clicks on me when it came to intelligence. Hindsight is perfect.
i went to spartan jan. 2011 through 2012 did not graduate because got lied to about requirements on passing a test. got suspended for not passing my private pilot license test in a certent amount of time, they made me sign a contract saying i must pass the pratice test 3 times with an 85 or better before i can even take the real one i pass the pratice test 3 times but since no one was in the library to verify that they seen me take it they never sign my paper to take the test so never got a chance to take the real test. i had a very great instructor took the time out of his day to pick me up for school, even invited me over to study, teachers are very helpful as well because most of them went there and know how SPARTAN BULL SHITS THERE STUDENTS. the chef pilot and assistant both seem like they got a little hatered torwards NIGGA’S not to accuse anyone but you just get the feeling. them broke ass planes they got you flying i sware one trip i took had to fly for 2 hours there and back with no cabin heat you know how scary that s**t is when you cant feel your fingers and toes while flying a plane. another thing the the campus suck the small as library, shitty class rooms, and all for that much amount of money i sware if i could take back every cent i put into SPARTAN go back to my community collage and finish off that degree it has better everything. And the faulity doesnt lied to you..!
I wouldn’t know where to start except “run far, far away”. The school is a scam!. The recruiter I spoke with lied just about everything. Supposedly Spartan is “the best school and companies love to hire spartan grads.” I have actually been passed over for jobs because my training came from Spartan. Also they lied about their accreditation and promised Universities accepted their credits(I was assured this by my recruiter, Fin. Aid, and the “principal” at the time; also during our orientation in front of about 60 people, someone else asked the same thing and we were all assured the credits transfer) to further your education. Truth is no one accepts their credits and their degree couldn’t even be compared to toilet paper. The Financial Aid department is also a bunch of bull. They do nothing to help you get Fed. Financial aid and was told to get Sallie Mae loans. Now I owe over 40 grand and have literally nothing to show for it and can’t even get a job in aviation. They will try at every point to make you financially be bled dry. When I was about to graduate, they made me take courses over that I have already took elsewhere or tested out of. They basically held my graduation hostage until I took every course they could make me take. Also, they claim to help you find a job after graduation, that is also bull, they only refer you to companies that pay crap. On a personal note I am upset because I was lied to after I just lost all i had in Katrina…I can’t believe these people would lie to me like that. They prey on people knowing this is a career for people with a passion for aviation and exploit that. I am now in a financial hell, basically having to pay for a scam. I just want people to be aware of this place.
I am currently attending spartan. I have passed all of my classes and jumped through every single hoop they have thrown at me. I have only missed one day of class and I have never been late to anything. I am about to have to drop out of the flight program because their financial aid is a total joke. When I first came to spartan I signed a training agreement to pay about 68000 dollars for my training. A few months into the program when I was up for my private pilot checkride I was told that there was an issue with my paperwork and a issue with my entire classes paperwork for a so called new program that they had just thrown me into. Well they cornered the entire class in a class room and gave us this peice of paper to sign. Which was a new training agreement which said that we would have to pay about 74000 dollars for the training. We had to sign this piece of paper or wel would have gotten kicked out of school. Well here i am about a year later and I have payed my 74000 dollars and I am not going to graduate because I am “still about 20000 dollars short to be able to finish.” I will barely be able to get my multi engine commercial even though I have not failed any classes. I currently have about 193 flight hours. It is a FAA requirement to have 190 flight hours to take the commercial check ride. The school is telling me that I have “over flown the program.” There is absolutly no way possible for me to have over flown the program when it is a law to have 190 flight hours for a check ride. They are lying and do not want to admit that they have made a huge mistake with the tuition. This has happenend with every single person in my class. This program I first signed up for was supposed to take me from a zero time beginner to 250 flight hours with my CFI and CFII and an associates degree. All the so called financial aid lady can tell me is that ” there isn’t anything we can do to help you.”
Now to begin with the housing. I got set up with this company called RnR real estate that was working with the school to provide housing for the students. They would stick four people in a two bedroom apartment, and charge every person 400 dollars a month to live in a apartment that would cost normally about 600 dollars if you would rent straight through the appartment complex. Now the company issued a 60 day notice to vacate because the company is pulling out of the college.
I attend all of my classes in a trailer house next to the airport. Which has crappy computers and horrible server so there is never any internet to use to do any research. Not to mention that their entire flight scheduling system requires internet to opporate.
The training at the flight campus I have been very happy with. It is very difficult but has been really good training. I have learned alot from my flight instuctors, and the insructors have taught the classes. From a learning aspect it is not a bad school, but the management is terrible. Students do not come first at all. They will do everything they can to run you out of money. I got denied the four hundred dollars i requested in excess funds to take my commercial check ride. I find this interesting because I have plenty of money in my account to pay for both the airplane and the four hundred dollar fee, and also it is illegal for a school to with hold the students money. It is the student’s money and they should be able to use it how they need it. I would advise any body and everybody to not go to the Spartan’s flight program. Sincerely a screwed student.
Spartan College is THE WORST AVIATION COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES, I wouldnt advise Osama Bin Laden kids to that school, I went there orignally for flight I had the start up money they required and told me no i couldn’t do it because i had to go through avionics first before I can fly, 3 months later they said oh we made a mistake I said well the money you guys took from me for flight can you guys put it for my flight course these b******s said no smiled and have a great day, you learn in trailers and for the students at the north campus they are learning in hangars so what ever the temp is outside that what it was inside, the living quaters are disgusting every year the rats make themselves at homexfrom the cold if you don’t beleive me then come experience it for yourself, when you ask for help they end you around in circles, and the worst thing about the school and you ,can research it for yourself they lost its accreditation in the spring of 2011 because of the highest dropout rate in the U.S. don’t talk to your recruiter they will lie to get you here they are just as crooked as the staff
The school is a scam it is nothing more than a pilot farm, and not really a good one. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology aka S.C.A.T. is one of the oldest ripoffs in aviation history. I worked are never failed a test, but even I could see what was going on this school is a scam. Don’t go, save money at a local airport, and then go to a real school. Goodluck with your career in aviation and I wish you the best. Matt
Flight School:
Recruiter lied… Management were 2 faced back stabbing slime.. Instructors were in competition with one another and with new graduates for positions and promotions prompting talking negatively about one another (again more back stabbing)… housing was dangerous, tests for licenses lined the testers pockets with cash… although I wasn’t competent at each phase of training I was passed anyway and told point blank “If you have the money we will pass you and that is all”. After spending 10’s of thousands of dollars on training/housing I never flew an airplane again because I learned the hard/expensive way that I hated flying and my experience with the staff at Spartan School contributed to this feeling of hatred for flying.
I worked here for several years (flight campus) and went to school here. Currently I’m thirty years old with no real education and students loans just paid off. Spartan will overcharge you. Spartan will lie to you. Worst of all Spartan does not care about you. Please do not go here. I realize that I sound like I’m bitter, but I am only trying to protect students from making life long mistakes.
Do Not Go HERE worst mistake you can make and waste of money please dont go here i went there thinking it be a good aviation school like they said. worst mistake i have made please go to another school don’t let the recruiters brain wash you!! if theres so many bad reviews of us students that attended there why be another student that experiments this bad decision we made don’t make it yourself stay away!!
And it’s still a joke. A bunch of fourflusher tinhorns who latched on to a money hole because of federal government handouts. So called “live equipment” had been dead for twenty five years when I attended. And the old school across the street from the origninal terminal was a falling down,worn out relice from WWII. Almost any other aviation school would be a better choice than Spartan.
Yes I did enjoy my time at Spartan, but because of the people not because of the school. I attended for a yr. then dropped out I couldn’t handle it no more. That whole load of crap they tell you is all lies. I live in California so is was a whole new environment for me which I loved considering I was loosing like $200 a month paying for bs education and another $400 for bs housing. I was so better off renting my own apartment on 31st and Mingo. I paid $330 and I lived on my own, with no roommates, or messed up rinks, or broken cabinets, no hot water in the middle of winter, or finding out your 20 yr old friend got raped and left outside her dorm by fellow classmates… with security on premisses. the school system sucks you have the financial ladies telling you this load of more crap on why you have to pay more and then you have the facility with items my grandmother used to use when she was barely starting her career. my best advice here is don’t attend.. Specially if you are a female.. there are 50 to 1 rate of girls there watch out and be careful. Even some of the administrators are like that. Just saying and Talking from experience.
Please, all I can say is that I spent ALOT of money on the flight program and didn’t graduate. I ran out of financial aid, which is partially my fault, however they do not care or help with any of that. One lady named Brandi did more than all the rest of the “financial aid dept” combined. The education is decent, but the cost of attending is now a burden on me that I could have never imagined. For the amount of money I spent there, you would think there would be more people that actually care about the students. They seemed to have a mentality that “you are lucky to be here” and “until you graduate you are nothing”. It definitely seemed to be more of a business than a college. If you are considering this college PLEASE look into other places. Go to your local airport and ask them any and all questions you can think of. Do plenty of research! I had such a bad experience at spartan, I’ve had to do a lot of soul searching to decide wether or not to pursue my passion of aviation altogether.
Spartan college is the worst thing that ever happened to me.. Faculty treats their student like crap nO respect what so ever just a waste a money. The program isn’t what they make it seem the AMT program. The parts that you fix aren’t even plane parts majority of the time high drop out rate please if you really want an AMT program rethink Spartan if you go their you’ll be very disappointed.
Black Cat 13
I’m just saying
I am in my later 40’s now, and went to Spartan back in the day. I think it was a crappy school back then as it is today, but I made it work for ME. At the end of the day and all there BS sales pitch the only thing they are really offering is a License, nothing more, nothing less.
Graduated Spartan School of Aeronautics
2000 Hour Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Maintenance Training.
Licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic (A&P).
ASNT (American Society Nondestructive Testing) LEVEL II Nondestructive Inspection/Testing (NDT) – Ultrasound, Eddy Current, Radiography, Magnetic Particle, and Dye Penetrate.
Job offer 2 weeks before graduation.
Career overview SO FAR
1.) General Electric (35K year)
2.) Bombardier Business Aircraft Learjet (37K year)
3.) Airborne Express (40K year)
4.) The Nordam Group (48K)
5.) Dassault Falcon Jet (52K)
6.) Honda Aircraft Company (60K)
7.) General Dynamics Gulfstream (62K)
8.) Sikorsky Global Helicopters (72K)
All but two jobs, relocation was paid for by employer.
All but one job direct (Not Contract).
All $$K straight time (No Overtime by Choice).
I’m currently getting calls from Bell Helicopters, Dallas/Fort Worth
Rolls Royce, Indianapolis and Virgin Airlines, San Francisco
My advice, it is just a License, it doesn’t make you Mr. /Mrs. Aviation, so go get it at the cheapest and most comfortable place you can.
I’m just saying
I recently graduated from Spartans flight program. I regret every moment and every cent I dedicated to that school. AVOID SPARTAN! DO NOT GO HERE!
I think it’s obvious that Spartan staff is on here giving them praise. Am I the only person that noticed Ryan c/o2012 commented 21 times in less then 2 months?? There is no way you loved the school that much to keep up with their ratings some thing is fishy there.. So many negative comments then all of a sudden one student loves the school to pieces?!? No way I call BS on that!! I agree ask students instead of staff!
It looks like Spartans management is on here again putting in positive reviews. Stay away from this school. Money is more important than the student. They need to sell the school to someone who cares.
It was easy in 1969/70 and I can’t help but think it is easy today. A four year college[that’s a joke]still teaching for the FAA exams–nothing more. It’s no surprise that no accredited school in the country will accept Spartan credits.RYAN C/O posting 500 remarks isn’t going to change the fact that Spartan is a money making machine for a few individuals with who knows what backgrounds.
I have a couple of friends that went there last year. They are as i type packing to go for a second year. They said that as long as you’re willing to work hard you will do good. They said they also have a lot of fun and enjoy the teachers. Bottom line is no college is going to have nice dorms, all colleges are businesses and want money, and it’s not supposed to be easy. Just like any job, school or life in general you get out of it what you put into it. You have to cowboy the hell up and get it done! I’ve been a manager for a couple of auto and motorcycle shops and i’ve hired quite a few grads from UTI (basically the same thing but for cars) and they were great people and very good at what they do. But yet you read reviews on UTI and it’s the same bs. People who couldn’t finish so they complain on here. Sure go to a community college and pay less. But you will make less. That’s a fact.
I graduated from Spartans NDT program in 1982. I already had a 4 yr. BS degree in Industrial Arts and a few years of machine shop experience. I found a job in town working swing shift machining crankshafts about a mile from school to pay tuition. The NDT programn only covered the mere basics. We had a big book with most of the test questions in it and filled in the blanks so that everyone would be certain to pass the Friday test. The placement service was poor with only 2 employer listings when I started and the same 2 when I finished. Nobody in the class had a job when we finished. The school cost me about $5,000. I’ve never found a job in NDT and the companies that hire you send you through their own training program to certify you as level II. I think the idea that this program is a gateway to a job just isn’t true. NDT jobs are rare. The school currently is looking for a teacher with a minimum of 3 yrs. experience, that doesn’t sound like very much experience if it were a great NDT program. Our shift got laid off of my machine shop job about 2/3 of the way though the course and it broke me to finish. Several other machinists were taking day courses in CNC and I really regret not having gotten into that instead of NDT. I had an interviewer tell me since I had NDT training it looked like I might be applying for a job machining as a means to another end. So right now without ever being able to get a job as an NDT tech. I need to take the program off my resume to get a job.
WTF DONT COME TO THIS SHIIIT THE GHETTO IS BETTER THAN THIS S**T!!
“Well, I graduated and now make $25/hr. Can’t complain now.”
“Wouldn’t change a thing.”
In an effort to rid Spartan of the negative ratings…which are probably all some bitter dropout/fail out student, I went around to my fellow classmates from all programs and gathered their thoughts on their experience at Spartan pre and post graduation. The comments will follow my post…
F/O Bert here again folks. From the posts after mine on 4/30 I have to sit back and laugh! Grow up and get your facts correct.
Again, I drive B757/767, I am very happy about what I do, and I could CARE LESS what is said about others. I am only trying to HELP prospective students understand that other choices exist, and gather all of your facts and information before you make those choices.
The review made by STUDENT on May 18 is SPOT ON, and very will written.
Also, did anybody notice the web page? The pilot program is NOT LISTED!!! Why? They are not accepting new flight students at this time. Go figure.
This could be a good sign, maybe the school can focus on the real issue (Training and not $$$$$$) and get back on top of the way they were in the 1960’s and 1970’s. They were great back then, it all slipped away.
Until these changes get done, I would avoid this school.
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
Before attending “Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology” I was called by a Spartan recruiter, who made Spartan College seem like the best aeronautical college available and made it seem as though the only ones who are accepted are the exception in society, later to find out that there are literally homeless, and meth addicts who attend Spartan College.
During the process of getting in to Spartan College I came across an issue of accreditation and transfer of credits, in the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology catalog, P.30 paragraph 10, states that transfer is up to the specific school, and to contact the “Registrar’s Office” of Spartan College for known schools who accept the ACCSC accreditation. I specifically made note to ask the recruiter about the transfer issue and he seemed oblivious to any problems whatsoever but promised to look into it. The next day he had an answer, and gave me a list of colleges that would accept the credits from Spartan. At this point I dropped the issue.
After completing my first 6 week term at Spartan College I was already amazed at the fact that Spartan was considered a professional school of higher learning, while working as a cashier at Sears Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, I was having a conversation with a former student of Spartan who advised me to look deep into the accreditation issues and other issues. After long investigation I found that the Colleges in which my recruiter advised would accept all my credits, would not. University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, and Oklahoma University all refused to accept anything other that general education classes which would transfer as zero level courses.
Infuriated at the untruths I took it upon myself to investigate further among the student body, to quickly find out that I am not the only person to whom the recruiters were dishonest, or stretched the truth to promote enrolment. I have a written paper stating “Having signed this paper I confirm that my recruiter for ‘Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology’ was dishonest, avoided difficult questions or stretched the truth in any way.” With nine student names and signatures, willing to vouch for these facts.
After doing the math of my own financial aid from my statements, I found that I should have had around $400 in excess funds after the first term. I requested access to these funds at this time and was denied, and told that I could not collect excess funds until I am within 6 months of graduation. I thought nothing of this at the time. later to find that Federal Law states that excess funds have to be released to the student. Apparently in 2005 a student filed a complaint against Spartan, citing Federal Student Loan Fraud because Spartan was keeping excess funds from student accounts.
In the Training Agreement form of the application on the second page under the section marked “Termination or Withdrawal after Commencement of Classes” it states “Withdrawal after the first week of the academic year (30 weeks of class) but within the first 25% of the academic year the College will retain 25% of the academic year’s tuition plus $150.00.” On the 37th day, 7 weeks 2 days, (24.6667%) I requested an official transcript from the school and was denied by the student accounts, ****** ******* who would not explain the issue in a concise professional manner and became increasingly angry, to the point of raising her voice when I did not understand.
I unknowingly owed money to the school, therefore could not receive the transcript. It took 6 class days until I was told exactly why I supposedly owed money. Not only did they tell me that I supposedly owed because the financial aid disbursements were “weird,” I was also told that I fell into the category of withdrawal after 25% of the academic year but within 50% of the academic year; the college will retain 50% of the academic year tuition plus $150.00.
After bringing up these issues to an administrator I was told that regardless of what I were told I need to read what I had signed and was talked to as if I were a middle school child who been sent to the office for swearing, I spoke with the Dean of Education on Wednesday April 25th and was told that I would hear back from him the next morning however I did not hear anything until I contacted them on Monday April 30th.
Bottom line- avoid this school! it is not professional at all, its a money scam. they will not help you deal with any issues, nor will they keep their word with much of anything they personally promise to you. if you come to them with an issue that is difficult for them to answer, they just won’t, they will basically tell you that you are crazy. I’ve had more issues than what i have written here. Again, do yourself a favor and avoid this school.
I forgot that it’s the location that is really horrible the training on the other hand is practical and effective the time that I spent there was not to my liking because everything was so far away it’s like everything was 10 miles apart but you will find instructors there with real world experience from all different fields in aviation
don’t ever waste your time going to that place your time and money is better spent else where
I enjoyed my time at Spartan and still stay in contact with roommates who went through the Spartan training. I can tell you for a fact one can always tell a Spartan trained A&P. They are the best mechanics and employees.
Could not have had career without Spartan. My first job after graduating was as a Flight Engineer with Pan American World Airways. I’m now retired from Pan American World Airways as a B-747 captain.
I am very happy with my decision to attend Spartan for AMT course. It has furthered my career enormously. My first job after graduating was as a mechanic for an Air Charter. I am now a Senior Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
This is to Bert, I’ll bet you cant even fly a 152 let alone a five seven. I’ve worked for Boeing since 1986 and I’m a Spartan grad. I think you have small man syndrome and took it where the sun don’t shine when you we’re dumped by your boyfriend lovcer who shunned you. Get a life Bert and talk to Ernie
I have read a lot of these reviews and some are true some false I graduated high school at the age of fourteen and began working for farmers around because my family needed the money I have eight brothers and sisters and by the time I left to come to Spartan I was making $32.50/HR. For a construction company on a military base so I had become accustom to rules and regulations Spartans housing sucks no doubt about it they tell you that you have a room to you’re self no you pay $385 a month to share a room with some one else that’s true and yes the do weed out the crop if you smoke weed you’re gone if you can not show up on time you’re gone if you can not pass the test with a 70 or better you’re gone I started at Spartan and just got by with 70s now I’m on the presidents honor role because I am dedicated. And don’t smoke weed and show up on time yes there financial aid sucks they lost my funding now I am working two jobs and going to school full time but my instructors care whether I pass or not so they stay after class to help me get it so before you come to Spartan make sure you can handle being dedicated,and not getting drunk on the weekend or stoned during the week because the people who do get drunk and stoned or don’t show up on time the teachers will not help and those are the ones leaving all these nasty reviews about Spartan just leave the facts not your opinion about spartan
I went in 1987, full of ARAB students with a fistfull of cash and no reason to learn anything as they will sub the work out anyway, Had a few decent instructors but not a lot of equipment, So i would have to agree with most of the negative comments as I assume it only got worse. But Tulsa was pretty awesome for a kid fresh off the farm!
You know, I have a life, and enjoy what I do. Don’t you think that as a professional pilot, that I want the best trained person sitting next to me in the cockpit, or in the air?
OR EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, the person who is working on the aircraft that I fly, THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!!!!
If it’s in the Air, MAINTENANCE PUT IT THERE!!!!!
To the people that are there and unhappy, or complain about problems… YOU BETTER LISTEN TO THEM!!!!!!
I don’t need some A&P working on my aircraft with poor training and a lack of passion about what they do.
So yea, since a lot of A&P/NDT/QC people come out of there, you want to make sure that you have the best. When I sit it that cockpit and fire that plane up, I want the A&P’s who are the BEST at what they do, At 37,000 feet, do you want stuff falling off, or things going wrong? What if that was over your home, your relitives home, your family and friends…….
Do you think I have no life? Go ahead and try to get in that job in that field, I took jobs all over the WORLD to get where I am today, and I am PROUD to be a 757/767 driver.
I WISH TO GOD somebody would have told me the truth about this school whem I went there. Will all fail, no, of course not, but when the majority of reviews here are negagive, Don’t you think something is wrong somewhere?
Look at the one review from the person who used to work in admissions and how they manipuliate the system to show graduates…. THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!
And like I said, to those who think that I have some sickness, or have no life, I drive 757/767, they drive Toyotas, I could care less. I am in the field, and trying to help, they are parents or whoever else, and they are trying to help as well.
Like I said, I am proud to be a 757/767 driver, and I will put my 2 cents in where I can to help others, what makes this country great is that we have a freedom to speak about what is on our mind, and our experiences. Some truths can hurt, some can help, but at least we have the opportunity to hear both sides of the coin, and make our decision from the information that we are given.
Fly Safe!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
I agree with the Tulsa mom….Bert you must be sick to spend this much time telling potential kids not to go here. Do you think every kid that goes to “college” finishes? Why don’t you get a life and stop harassing Spartan. Read the studies that state that 70% of kids don’t finish community colleges in 3 years. Traditional colleges are not for everyone. Colleges like Spartan are producing quality graduates or they would be shut down. The key to any college in the students hard work and effort they put in. Bert I don’t know you, but come on. Focus your effort on flying and shut up. Nobody cares you went there for 6 months and didn’t use financial aid. You are probably in the top 3% of students that can afford to pay cash for their college education. Most kids have to use financial aid, and lot’s of kids can’t get into regular traditional colleges. Maybe you should have gone to Harvard and be the next great thing instead of a wacked out critic. Get a life!!
Hi Tulsa Mom… Tulsa Mom Who?
Again, if you took the time to read the ENTIRE POST LISTING, you will see that I did leave Spartan and go somewhere else and finished up. I’m not trying to help others? Right…… When I was there, the flight program was horrible and the Tech side was so-so, now I see that both sides have gone to the toilet. I am trying to let people know that for flight, look elsewhere, for tech, look elsewhere too. The training that you receive compared to the amount of debt that you will be faced with is not worth it. And as for some sick Vendetta, consdering 80% of the reviews here are negative, and I have the issue? Who do you work for? They they help your kids get through Spartan through speical treatment? Did you go to Spartan? The truth is this, Spartan has lost it’s passion for an aviation school, it is all about money and greed. 30+ years ago it was excellent, one of the top 10, but no more. There are accrediation issues, financial aid issues, student housing issues….. the list goes on. And as for getting a life? HA!!!! I am only a Boeing 757/767 Driver, what do I know!!!! LOL!!!!!!
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
Hello Folks,
F/O Bert Here Again. At another airport, there was an “Aviation Day” a few weeks ago and this time we had our 757 out and open for tours. A bunch of people came up to us and just wanted to talk, and see what the aviation field could offer them. Spartan came up. I flat out told them, after what I went through for flight, and now finding out what the Tech side is too, DO NOT GO HERE!!!! They all looked at me with disbelief, but I told them the truth. One prospective student even had an appointment made for the school. He only paid a $100 non refundable app fee, but that is a small loss for not going to this waste of time and money. As for the rest, my younger cousin is about to graduate high school this year and wanted information about Spartan, I laughed at him and said stay away, I even said if they call you, give them my name and E-mail and have them contact me and I will tell them what I think. I would love to hear a response to this one.
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
The school on Pine Street was new in the fall of 1969. If you think the Pine Street campus[I can’t help but bust our laughing] is bad, you should have seen the original WWll facilites. And in 1969/1970 the “live equipment” had been dead for twenty five years.Some of the older instructors left over from WWll years were adequate but they retired on the job. The only memorable thing I remember about my 14 months there was leaving the classroom one spring morning to watch American’s first 747 make several passes over the American facilities. While taxiing, the crew misjudged a taxiway and the main mount sank in the soft grass. I recall that it took some time to free the plane from the muck. The “school” was a joke in 1969/70 and apparently still is. M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E.
Wow! I received an info packet this week containing all the info the “recruiter” or salesman, told me about Spartan. As I was looking at the paperwork, bunch of red flags came up like:
*What kind of college requires a $3,000 tuition prepayment?
*Application fee = $100. Scam?
*Associate’s Degree in Professional Pilots = $74,309? I think is ridiculous just to get an associate’s degree.
*Notice of Cancellation included in the “Training Agreement”? Possibly sales reps?
Having said that, I’m happy that I found this forum that shows previous students’s experience with Spartan. I’m happy that I haven’t spend a dime on this piece of Sh*t!
It makes me wanna call Tommy V. “Enrollment manager” right away to tell him that I won’t be available for the telephone so he could use that time to try to get a commission somewhere else cause it ain’t gonna get one out of me.
well im stuck at this s**t whole. was suckered in as everyone else. the only people who like this place are the effing weirdos who literrally coulndt get a job at a mcdonalds and the miliatary people since there going for free. i made a 25 on my act not even trying and the recruiter told me i was good since the requirment is twenty. lie, the requirement is only fifteen! most colleges would turn u down with that score in a heartbeat. if u like using restrooms that resemble a truck stop, a*****e teachers and employees, insects crawling into ur backpack and all over u while in those shittty classes on main campus, then this is your place! o and the book store will rape u over on your books, if you even get them since they run out so quick supposably. someone please tell me if im going to be fucked once i graduat on my loans?, dont miss class either or u have to stay after school lol what a joke, its like seventh grade all over again. they even take up five hours showing you how to use a hammer and a screwdriver here.and they will also give ur reasume to other students to copy and not even send them to employers to get you a job. after a month i finally found a crappy one on my own. ive been to real colleges and will return to them when or if i get out of here, f**k this place. someone please help all of us prisoners here
Trust no one at Spartan especially the financial aid office. The recruiters either blindly believe all the bs that the school is telling them or they’re just like army recruiters and lie to you to get their commission or something. They’ll tell you that everyone is lying and that Spartan is a good school with excellent classes and teachers, but it’s a 50 year old broken down school located in the ghetto of tulsa. The facilities are broken down, the teachers may know what they’re doing, but they’re not good teachers. All the school wants is your money. Any other school in the nation writes every student who has excess funds a check at the beginning of every semester, at Spartan you have to request how much money you have and then wait a week for them to process it. Did anyone mention that it’s $3000 ever 6 weeks for tuition and that’s not even including your books and supplies (which recruiters will tell you is included) and range from $350-1200 every 6 weeks as well. The only reason my husband is still there is because none of the other schools that we’ve found will accept Spartan credits, that should tell you something right there about the high quality education that you’re going to shell out over $30,000 for in just under 2 years. Just one last thing…even if your tuition is paid for and you have an excess the school will still take out the maximum amount for student loans allowable every 3 months, just so they can have your money even if you don’t need it.
I’m not sure whether to believe any of this or not. I guess I’ll find out something today, I’m meeting with a recruiter from Spartan after school. Honestly? I hope all of this turns out to be a bunch of B.S. Nothing against any of you of course. Just saying. However, I am very glad I found this site. Thank you to all of you.
As Bert said,
Fly safe.
P.S. My ratings are not legit. i was told “You must leave a rating”
This is to “What?”
You obviously did not read the entire post listing. I went There for a a period of about 6 months and finished up somewhere else. My first warning sign was the fact that I had an A.A Degree, PPL, 12 IFR, and 80 Hours, and they wanted me to restart the IFR training, and take all the Bulls**t classes like College Algebra and Physics…. I already had my AA degree from a community college and DID NOT NEED all of that. During that 6 months, I did not even get an IFR rating and only flew about 1 or sometimes 2 days a week. The IFR classes were a joke. That is when I packed up my stuff and left. Keep in mind, I had a college fund set up and I did not have ANY loans, so they should have loved me…. Nope they did not. I suggest that you read all of the posts FROM THE BEGINNING, and then make your judgement, but like I said before, I am only a right seat 757/767 driver….. What do I know………….LOL!!!
Fly Safe!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
Bert? You are a Spartan graduate driving a 757/767 now for a living and only have bad things to say about Spartan? Ungrateful! Enjoy the career your Spartan education provided.
The first clue this was a bad school was when the recruiter walked me through the application step by step. Applications and admission essays are all on you at any other college. There are a few people on here that say only the drop outs give bad reviews, not true. I graduated from Spartan in 2005 with my AMT-D. I have nothing good to say about the school. They are full of lies, and all they want is your money. If I would have known better, I would have done one of two things. Either go to an A&P school elsewhere for a fraction of the cost and better equipment. The second option would have been go to a four year school for this price. Two years, A&P license and an Associates Degree for $40,000. Too much money for the quality of education/facilities. There were very few instructors who actually cared about the students. I was also forced to take general education classes previously taken in high school. I had to take a basic level algebra class when I have already completed pre-calc. Waste of time. To conclude, Spartan is a waste of time/money. Get a real education elsewhere.
F/O Bert here again just saying hello. Well we were in KTUL (Tulsa) a while ago for a normal hop that we always made, and upon landing, we find out that the 757 wanted to go tech (Break Down….LOL) on us, so as most of you are aware, AA has a very large maintenance base there, and our company was able to contract with AA to get the 757 back in the air again, took a day, and we were on our way. During that day, I got a ride over to Spartan to check out some of the stuff that I that remembered duing the Mid 90’s and met some students on the ramp, mostly A&P’s along with a few pilots, I think it was an orientation or something. And just was talking to them about my job, and how much the school failed to help me. They looked shocked, and one did not even start his program yet, I gave him the best advice to quit and get out. The flgiht portion of this school sucks, it did even 20 years ago. The Tech side still had hope and that faded away. When the 757 was ready, we took some of the students on a tour of it, with certain Spartan personal looking on and smiling, the 2 pilots that were there we offered to let them sit in the cockpit before we left. I told them this, “do you like this seat?” They were both happy and agreed that it was great, Then get out of this school!!!!!! They just looked at me and turned white. I told the A&P kids the same thing. LEAVE NOW!!!! After that we preflighted, and taxied out to depart, they stood out there and waved to us, and we took off and headed for home. I talke dot the Capt about it, and he agreed that Spartan is a joke, now for flight and tech. Folks, I will sum this up rather quickly, Wanna be a pilot? DON’T GO HERE!!! Wanna be an A&P/NDT? DONT GO HERE!!! All of the reviews are ture, and I feel the pain of the students that are suffering, or did suffer and have a huge debt load, and no real chance of a career, or even a meaningful job. But what do I know, I am only a 757/767 driver…. LOL.
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/B767
I used to work there in Admissions. Here’s a secret! If you drop out of the Commercial Pilot program they transfer you to the private pilot program and graduate you. They can then show you as a graduate. This is done without your permission. They do this for other programs as well.
Enjoy.
Im a current student. STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL!!!!!!!! The term “highway robbery” had to be coined at this school due to its location right off of one. Money that was supposed to be yours disappears, then youre told it was never there to begin with. Classes are a joke! I actually feel dumber sometimes. I have a 3.5 GPA. This school is terrible plain and simple. Poorly ran, outdated equipement and ridiculous staff. STAY AWAY!
Horrible experience and i didnt even attend!!!
After contacting this school with questions about their programs I received a phone call in which my inquiry turned into a very uncomfortable and unprofessional discussions about when I “needed” to apply and when they should be “expecting” my application as well as a way to pay for the school. I explained I was shopping around for different schools around the country that best suited mine as well as my family’s interest to which I was told that I wasn’t going to find a better place and I was wasting my time. I ended the phone call only to be texted, called, and emailed from a representative from the school pretty much harassing me and telling me how “unsuccessful” I was going to be because I was not choosing their school. I have never in my life encountered a staff from a school that was as rude and pushy about committing to a program. I currently hold a BSN and was only interested in expanding potential career fields and for them to tell me I would be “unsuccessful” is disgusting.
Stay away from this place!!! I can NOT say enough bad things about this school!! WAY OVER PRICED and all they care about is getting your money!
It cost me 21000 dollars to get my Private Pilots License where the normal going rate is only about 10,000. This was not due to my inability to fly as I went to a different school and got my Single Engine Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine rating in shorter time than my private! If you are debating on going here please reconsider! You will thank your self later I ASSURE YOU!
Joe, you sound about my age. Nope Nope Nope. A lot of kids are complaining and there will be some who do no matter what institution they may attend. However I would suggest Air Park part of the Tulsa School system. It is really quite good at a much ower cost and from what I see higher quality and the instructors are in fact from the local air community, many of which are from American Airlines. The monies you are paying are very very reasonable as you are not paying for a lot of overhead in the tuition, as Spartan is in fact a for profit school. Not say they are a ripoff but it is quite expensive. I realize you are going for an A&P for something to do in your retirement years (I am the same way, your hard earned money will go infinately farther than the Spartan experience. I don’t know if you live in Tulsa or near it, Spartan Aviation does in fact have a long and wonderful history, however that’s just what it is, I have noticed the last 20 years it has fallen way down, the kids are correct on the accreditation issue (not an issue for you) but something to think about, if that many youngsters are having problems getting their trancripts recognized then there is a problem. Being a local and proud of my fair city and our industry, Spartan is not a prideful thing with me as I have been around the aviation industry for years and their organization is not what it used to be. The family that has the school now are a far cry from the old owners and in the vernacular they do in fact suck. For the most part the local kids who are eaten up with the aviation bug go to Air Park or go out of state, I know Florida is a hotbed of aviation school what with the weather. Good luck to you Joe on your quest.
For starters I am a recent graduate from the college of lies. The recruiters will tell you about how great the moral is and the opportunities in the industry. My recruiter told me that I could ride my bike to the college and drive through the college grounds and people were playing frisbee and football and having outdoor picnics. Wow this sounds like an ivy league east coast college in the fall. Well when you get here your going to see an awesome airport with a trailer park right in the middle of it. That is Spartan!! The recruiters also told me that Spartan had a football team and an olympic sized pool. Well Tulsa has a football team and there is a pool at the YMCA for about 60 dollars a month. Okay back to the college. You will spend about 100K and come out with an education that is accredited by the ACCSCT that also gives accreditation to the local beauty colleges and welding schools. The flight campus has an administration that are all part of the same family. The Yost family is ruining the college!!!! You have daddy Yost sitting in his perch just ready for little Lisa and Laura to bring daddy a problem student or employee. Then daddy brings these students into the office and threatens them, belittles them, and lies right to there faces. No one there is safe from the Yost dictatorship. The instructors will fly you like 2.0 hours a flight even when your done with the lesson at 1 hour just so Yost not give them the what for. This college sucks and is ran like a high school. You have principle Yost ready to rip anyones head off for the most stupid stuff. Another thing is that they fly airplanes that have been flown by the wright brothers and are falling apart. Nothing is going to change this college besides an accident or so saddly a fatality. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE
Stay away from the student housing!!! They are curently holding that over a lot of student’s heads. If you do stay in student housing be prepared to be pulled from class lectured if your rent is one day late and be prepared to be kicked out if you have any friends over for any period of time.
Ok so I’m a high school student from Alabama and I had the kushy little sitdown with my recruiter (who was a car mechanic and taught welding once..) and he blew smoke up my rear till I was about cooked. Now that I’m doing financial aid stuff all the sudden myself or my parents can’t get a hold of anyone. NOBODY. we’ve been calling for three weeks and keep getting told by the same woman that they’ll call us back or their busy whoever THEY are need to rethink their strategy of conning an aspiring NDT student. I’m to my limit with these people…these reviews are very eye opening. Thanks Yall. Roll Tide.
wow. i had originally gotten a letter from this school along with a million others-like from USC (cali), U of miami, and many other universities-and wanting to be a pilot, this school, after visting their website, sparked my interest. i talked with the recruiting officer over the phone today and will now cancel my appt. with him this sunday when he flies out to northern cali. to meet with other “selected” students like myself. I’m going to go my original route of commmunity college, current job, private pilot’s license at local airport and then transfer to USC, UCLA, Stanford, or USAFA to get an aeronautical engineering degree and become a military pilot after OCS and ROTC in college. I averaged a 4.6 gpa in high school one year with honors and AP classes and have always excelled in all areas. I’m way too smart to waste my time and money at a “school” like this run by crooks and selfish people. I’m very disappointed after reading this blog. But I know it’s best. I would’ve have never guessed. Thanks to google though. God Bless you all and best wishes in your future endeavors.
Wow.. all I can say is thank you. We had an appointment with the recruiter tonight and after reading these reviews, yeah I called him and cancelled. He said he was going to address all the concerns in these reviews and that most of the negative ones did not complete the program. I told him that was not the case and there were a LOT that did not complete it then so even that tells me the completion rate is poor so not a good sales pitch. He had told my son and friends that it was the top rate first avionics school in the country and that they only take 2 students with the best qualifications to get in. I had already had him pegged before reading these reviews because my older sons had recruiters lie through their teeth as well. So we bid him good luck and sad farewell. WSU here we come! Thank you to all for posting these. We looked at many other schools in KS and hardly any had reviews so to see THIS many on one school says a LOT. So sad that vultures feed and prey on kids that in this day and age NEED a good education. I hope the people that posted follow the advice of JG above and report them. Its criminal if you ask me..The epitomy of “bait and switch”
FACT: Spartan has lost all academic accredidation.
This school is on even par with shady car dealerships and overnight check cashing services. I am ashamed that this school is associated with Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma.
PLEASE listen to the reviews and STAY AWAY from this travisty of an “educational institution”. Fact check for yourself by contacting state and federal accredidation boards and agencies. Contact the Tulsa BBB and review the VAST complaint log. Contact the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office and examine public records regarding this school.
The Department of Veterans Affairs no longer classifies this school as an “institution of higher learning”.
Research the facts and listen to the vast number of complaints…avoid this school at all costs!
This school taught so much about financially raping students that I may as well left with a business degree. No really the training you get on ripping off students is amazing, I swear if i had the money too- I would open an aviation school and make it just like spartan, I would make SOOO much money off students. oh man…
HORRIBLE SCHOOL: I drove 1300 miles to Tulsa just because I believed I can get a quality education, WRONG!!!! Recruiter said that both of her daughters graduated an AMT program and have a good jobs, like a dumbass I believed her…Since that time I graduated with 4.0 and all the highest honors you can imagine (perfect attendance, presidents honor etc.) While I was in school…sexual harassment policy (you get hit on everything and everyone, even teachers) FEMALES DON’T GO THERE, financial aid…They told me that I owe them $2000 and I have a week to come up with the money otherwise I will get thrown out of school, I had to bring all of my loan and grant paperwork and I sat there in front of financial aid lady and re-calculated everything, turns out school owes me $4657…I told her same thing she told me ” you have 1 week to bring this money back before you go to jail for fraud”, sure enough week later I checked, money was back in place…Dorms….is a joke, $400 a month for one room, my recruiter told me to stay away from that place ( and I’m thankful she did).Determination and aviation obsession that is the only things that kept me in school, I knew I was getting ripped off, I knew tomorrow I will not tell the difference between metals or composites. Long story short: I’m $30000 in debt, none of the schools I go accept Spartan credits, I took a major pay cut to move here, 2 years after graduation I still can’t find a good job….WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!!!
Bert M. Here again. Folks, while I do agree that todays “Kids” do lack some of the motivation and drive that they used to have…. So does the School. Back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, This School was TOP NOTCH!!!! When it Came to the Tech or A&P’s, it was in the top 3 in the country. Even flight was in the top 10. But the Focus changed, I was there in the mid 1990’s and it was garbage, it’s 15 years later and I know it had to get worse. Yea, every school is a BUSINESS, and they need to make a profit, but when you have the mamagement and leadership with NO PASSION about Aviation, then what do you expect? It is all about $$$$$$, I look back on my life now, and the decision I made to leave Spartan was the best in the world. This WAS a great school…. NO MORE!!!! Beware of Lies, False Hopes, and Promises that will never come true.
You have been warned…….
Fly Safe
Bert M.
F/O B757/B767
I am currently a student at spartan and was very dissapointed to say the least. They lead you on to believe that this is a class act school and only accepts the best of the best. That is a joke. I attend class with mostly kids right out of highschool, and I don’t mean the kids who were at the top of their class. These are the most disrespectful, arrogant, thuggish, lazy, loud and ignorant people I have ever met. I wouldn’t let most of them pump my gas little lone work on an million dollar aircraft. You can complain to upper management about this but it does no good. Its all about the money here and as long as they feel like they can sqeeze some money out of you at the tax payers expense they will take you. If you truly have a love for aviation, like I do, I would go elsewhere. Do not believe the recruiters!!!! I can’t say that enough, they are snakes in the grass and work strictly off comission and will say and do anything to get you here. I’ve heard stories of how great and magnificent this school was back in the day, that’s just not the case anymore. I am considering leaveing but have use most of my GI bill money here already so its gonna be tough if I do. If you don’t belive me then just look at all of these post, I seriously doubt all these people could be wrong.
Why, I had to practically hoist my instructor up in to the plane and strap him in– what’s up with that? He staggered in late. On the first day he had me doing loopty-loops and such. He said, “Go ahead and fly her!” All the while he’s trying to tell me instead of the airlines just stay here in Oklahoma and drop fertilzer down on some cotton fields. No thanks!
For those that felt ripped off, you can make a difference by sending your complaints to Private Vocational Schools, Oklahoma Board of – OBPVS, 3700 Classen Boulevard, Suite 250, Oklahoma City, OK 73118-2864. Established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1970, the board was authorized to set minimum standards for private vocational schools which include standards for courses of instruction and training qualifications of instructors, financial stability, advertising practices, and reasonable rules and regulations for operation of private vocational schools. Be detailed and specific about what you were told rather than what you experienced.
Since 2006, they have only received 27 complaints about any private vocational school not just Spartan. My guess is no one knew they could complain to them.
Did you know that OSU has an aviation program? Here’s the link, http://education.okstate.edu/index.php/academic-units/school-of-educational-studies/space-and-aviation
STUDENT LOAN BOOTLEG OPERATION – This administration at this school is crooked and corrupt. This place should be shut down and sued into oblivion. When you first start it is all excitement, flowers, and gumdrops. Then the dark clouds start rolling in. The place is a business, please please understand that. This is a place driven by profit, not education. They will bury you in debt to ensure their doors stay open and that the CEO’s Aston Martin stays full of gas.Their accredidation is a freaking joke. My advice, go part 61, military, or to an acutal accredited university or community college with an aviation program. I was a 4.0 GPA student working hard and making my way through the program. I wisened up before the debt sent me back into the stone age. I HATE this place!
Ive been going to Spartan for two years now. It started out fine and then we got a new vice president of flight operations. Hes made a lot of changes to the school, NONE for the better. I have gone from my first flight all through my commercial training here and am now working on my CFI. The ONLY reason I am still here is because when I start something, no matter how miserable it is, I finish it. Heed the advice of all the other reviews here and avoid this place like the plague! If you really wanna be an airline pilot, go get a bachelors degree in whatever you want and earn your ratings from a part 61 school on the side. And whatever you do, STAY AWAY FROM SPARTAN!
I graduated from Spartan’s AMT/AS program in 1982. This may sound more like a history lesson, but this is the TRUTH! Everyone’s life & career is driven by a passion. Aviation is no exception, however, there are no shortcuts. I chose Spartan because of it’s reputaion as an A&P school (great in 1980) and the low cost of living in Tulsa. It wasn’t fancy, but quite realistic for this type of career. If you want to be an aircraft mechanic, get used to it, it doesn’t get any better in the real world! (low pay, crappy working conditions, lack of parts/support, etc.) yet with ALL the responsibility. I can’t really complain about the school (in ’80-’82); it was competitively priced and well prepared you for the A&P license. My only complaint was it specialized in general aviation, and had very little jet training. Most “kids” today don’t have a clue what hard work is and expect instant gratification & everything handed to them. If this is you, you won’t like this school. However, if you truly have a passion and want a career in aircraft mx, this IS one of the better schools. The complains I’ve read on this page are no different than any other school. Sounds like a bunch of lazy spoiled brats to me! Today I’m a B-747 flight engineer (ex-USAF) and having an A&P license from Spartan was a great foundation for my career. Those who graduate from Spartan will probably have a rewarding career, those looking for an easier, softer way, well…good luck! -Been there, done that.
Well i went to spartan back in 04-06 while i was there i saw them try to put the electric bill in one member of the dorms name didnt happen but thay tried uh had an old retard named potts for a math teacher but he was just babbaling fool few ppl passed i saw alot of ppl come form many parts of the country and saw them go home in debt with nothing my recruiter for the military was less of a lier then my spartan recruiter mike fontenopolious after i got there never saw him again i arrived at tulsa international at like 11 at night there was no there like thay said there would be when i was there thay wanted $360 something for student housing comming from ca that seemd like a good deal when i got there i found that a 2 room apt in tulsa was about the same but there were ppl that did do well there but for the most part thay want you to fck up thay want youre debt cause enough single semester ppl will make plenty of cash for them and if thay can bleed you fro the same class 2 or 3 time there all for it while i was there the student made fun of the situation if you want to burn alot of money of a degree that you can get at a city college for half the price go for it
i attended the school in 2007, was lured into the school by a pos sales rep who was just looking for a commission. i was set up with the air maintenance program where i started to fail becuase of the “professor’s” refussal to care or help me. went to administraton to try to change my program to the avionics school where is was told that “i would not succceed in that program becuase of the complex nature of the program and my poor test scores”, how about just calling me f***ing stupid!!!
i tried again to change the program where they insisted that it would cost me $100 to change my program, WTF?
i later took my boyfriend at the time, nathan p, who was well liked at the school, on the student council as well as other interests, he walked in and said to change my program and they did it without question and with out charge. sounds like they just want the money and have a select few that they actually can trust and that is only for publicity.
after changing my program i started doing good in the school. than i started to notice that my student loan funds dwindled to nothing in 3 months, they were threatening to kick me out of the landing because they would not accept the money from my private loan to pay for my housing. 6 months after starting the school i decided to leave, went to the admin office, where they hated me, and put in the papers to disenroll myself from the school, upon my arrival to that office i was told that i was removed from the school roster 3 weeks ago but continued to pay tuition up to that point, upon leaving the school i was also charged a break of lease for the landing for 640$ but they refused to accept my money again,
half the students at the school are awesome, only a couple of professors that come to mind were equally great, Birdesong and Clark, awesome, everyone else doesn’t give a s#!^ unless you give them money $16,600 every 6 months
stay away if you value an education that wont leave you stranded without a job
Glad that you changed your Stauts to WAS. The school has turned out sub-par training for over 20 years now. Maybe in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s it was ok, but for Pilots now…. FORGET IT!!!!
Fly Safe,
Bert M.
F/O B757/B767
This place is Satan. How was I ever foolish enough to come to this school? I curse the owner of this school: He will have a miserable life full of oppression and enemies because of his dishonesty and lust for screwing people. This man will surely wither away like a wildflower in blistering heat. Wrath will overtake his household and his money will be plundered by one who is more crafty than him. He will feel the anguish of another stealing his money away. For this man, no punishment is worse because he has no one to care for him when his money is gone. With no money he will lose everything. But little does he know, he has already lost it all. This man has no soul.
I WAS enrolled in this school and was set to begin classes about a month from now. then out of no where they started coming up with ridiculous fees that i had not been previously informed of. the price is outreagous and the spartan representatives are little more than salesmen with lots of fake hype that quickly falls apart when you ask real questions about your enrolment. financial aid is HORRIBLE they told me to begin with it would all be handled and they would walk me through it but right before i enrolled they started caring less about aiding me and more about getting me to sign on the dotted line. this school is awefull DO NOT GO HERE! THEY WILL SCAM YOU FOR EVERY PENNY YOU HAVE AND THEN SOME!!!!!
Bert Here Again, Everything that GO TO ATP says is CORRECT!!!!
Spartan has so student flight team, almost lost their 141 Training certification, and most majors know what kind of pilots they end up being.
For tech, TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY, for Flight, good luck with that.
And yea, even at my company, Spartan pilots are not usually hired.
Fly Safe.
Bert M.
B757/767 F/O
I checked out every flight school in the USA and UK. In the end I picked ATP. I’m still dealing with my refund from the school.
Talk to many pilots about what schools they find best. So far Iv been told ATP is the best. I grew up around the airline. I found out Airlines like Delta and American will NOT hire students from Spartan. Spartan is considered a joke around airlines. I did some more re-search, Spartan is not even aloud to show up at Air shows to get kids to go to their school. So save your times and money.
I wont even go into detail on the awful reps who show you around. They know NOTHING!
WARNING to the men who go to this school. I talked to some of the students. The poor guys are roped into marring the local OK Tulsa girls. (I’m a female pilot my self and watched to know about the girls at the school. I found out Almost 95% of them will drop out) Parents do not send your son here unless you want a daughter in law or child along with your son’s bad degree.
I’m sure at pone point this was a very good school. But from the many pilots Iv talked to they all said go to ATP. Even Riddle is losing its good rep.
ATP has 2 programs. The fast track and the 141 4 year. The fast track is the best if you are age 22 or older. If you are 18 and just picking a school GO with the 4 year.
Read all the reviews on schools. Talk to pilots dont be scared to ask questions.
Good luck
Hello Ryan F/O bert here. Considering your circumstances, unless your wife is well off, I would not Suggest trying to become a pilot at age 33 with a wife and kids.
I left Spartan and went to school in Florida (No, not ERAU) and have not looked back since.
Spartan has a good tech program, and a HORRIBLE fligt program. I know many A&P’s at my company that came from there, and most are pretty good. I have met one pilot from there and he said it was the biggest mistake of his life.
Being a junior pilot, I do a lot of Maintenance and Ferry flights, but even to take a 767 from maintanance or a test run, and have two maintenance guys Jumping is a great feeling.
Fly Safe,
Bert M.
B-757/B-767 F/O
This school is the worse school ever. Waste of money. I was told that if I got my A&P that I would get flight for free. Total lie. He made Spartan look so high class and only the best get in. Lie. My class mates and I came up with the best name for this school Spartan School of Achohalics and Narcotics. Thats all the type of people that go there. The teachers are not helpful at all. I had to flunk math 2 times and beg for a different teacher (that didn’t try to make since of cows and sheep. I would advise for people not to go here. Its a great trash bag though.
This school is nothing but crap, they have a MOTO that says “STUDENTS COME FIRST” and they don’t. The recruiters will lie to you saying that you have to take this course before you take that course, I urge you to do your homework and find stuff out from the students or look for yourself. My representative told me that he tell people lies in order to get people money. No body cares if you fail or not, the president of the school is just like Clinton look dead in the eye and lie to you. Recently the school relinquished command of the student housing to a new company and the company evicted every one and left over 500 students homeless, job placement they say the will guarantee you a job when you graduate but that’s a lie they will tell you good luck finding a job and just leave you hanging, anybody considering coming here please I beg you don’t come here its the biggest mistake that you will ever make in college choosing
Hello F/O Bert, or anyone who will respond…. I was planning on attending “Spartan” until i read these reviews.. I’m 33yrs old and married with 3 kids, and have always wanted to fly airliners for American, Delta, Southwest and so on, and was just wondering if you (Bert) would mind e-mailing me and telling me what school you wound up going to. Or if anyone had any advise on any accredited schools to help me reach my goal? Just like all of you, I have NO TIME FOR BS, and am deffinatly NOT made of money!!! Again thanks and my email is ( [email protected] )
Ryan
After graduating from Highschool in 2006 I received a recruiting call from Spartan School of Aeronautics. Having made up my mind that I wanted a career in aeronautics I believed that this school might be key. I remember asking the recruiter about aerospace engineering and be on the development side of aeronautics and he tried to sell me some other BS about how doing A&P was for me and how that is the best way to \”work\” on aricraft and how hard it was to get into Embry-Riddle. Anyways I applied early decision to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (B.S. AE) and got in (so happy). I spoke later spoke to that same Spartan College recruiter and when I told him about getting accepted to Embry-Riddle he could not say anything except good luck. Fast forward to today, I cam currently working for the largest defense corporation with an excellent engineering job, at the \”right\” place for me, and Iam getting ready to graduate with my M.S. in Aerospace Engineering degree from Georgia Tech in a couple of months. But reading these messages I am soooo happy that I didn\’t waste a dollar or a sec. with this \”school\”.
Its funny the ones that graduate all say its a great school(for their own reasons i’m sure), the ones that are “currently attending” have one sentence response. and those who got out write pages… mostly. Ask for the schools success and dropout rate. I will be honest i dropped out. But i’m much better for it i finished my training at a local airport cheaper then at this flight farm. also in todays market flying is a hobby not a job. That joke don’t pick up you food stamps in your flight uniform. I’ll say it again before you make a decision ASK FOR THEIR STUDENT PASS RATE. There are the cheaper options good luck.
Hello, I have read some post, and I can say this. I am in my later 30’s now, and went to Spartan back in 1995. If you are going for an A&P, QC, NDT, or the Tech programs, I give the school a 8 out of 10.
If you are going for flight, such as I did, you are about a 2 out of 10.
THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS!!!! FLIGHT AND TECH!!!
I went there right after I graduated with my AA from a community college, while taking flying lessons part time for a few years.
I went there with my Private License a total of 80 hours, with 12 hours IFR training under my belt.
Now keep in mind, I already had an AA degree, and a PPL with 80 Hours and 12 IFR training hours.
They wanted me to take all of these BS classes such as College Algebra and Physics…. Along with a TOTAL restart of the IFR program, not even an evaluation flight to see where I was in training.
#1, I ALREADY HAD MY AA DEGREE, WHY WAS I TAKING ALL OF THE BS CLASSES FOR “Their” Program?!?!?
#2 I Had 12 hours IFR logged time, 10 in the air and 2 in the Sim, you tell me that you can’t take ANY of that into consideration? Seriously?
I had found a job through a different source working in an Data Entry job overnight, $11/hour 32-36 hours a week, not bad for 1995 and being 21 years old. The school did NOTHING to help.
Housing? Yea Right. Burns and Burns was a JOKE!!! Everything was broke, they came in and did random “inspections” and pretty much took our $225 a month a ran to the bank. There were 4 of us in each unit, the place was a DUMP!!!
Some of the Instructors were excellent, as some of the CFI’s, but most were there just for a paycheck, no morale, no extra help without paying, and it showed.
I spent 6 months there and said Goodbye….. Yea, I spent good $$$, but I went else-ware and finished up my program. I got my Bachelors degree as well as far better training, even got a F/E Turbojet rating (B727) while in school.
I think the best part was the fact that I actually was one of the few that got an exit interview. I think it was because they found out that I did not have a loan, and had a college fund that I was using to pay for my Schooling. They tried everything. I told them I would think about it over Christmas break when I was home. I packed up my car, sent the big stuff home UPS, and said goodbye to Tulsa…. BEST CHOICE I EVER MADE IN LIFE!!!!!
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR….IF YOU WANT TO BE A PILOT, DON’T GO HERE!!!!!!!
Fly Safe
Bert M.
F/O B-757/B767
I am not gonna trash it as bad as some are but will say this. I attended and graduated Spartan in 1992 – The recruiter (Jim Tripplet) was full of sh1t and lied. There is was an entrance exam and half went straight into the A&P classes and the other half had to take an extra 3 months of \”core\” classes – ie. Math, Physics to make thier schooling 21 months instead of 18 and of course More MONEY. I found 1 (ONE) job a few months after graduating at a small 8.00 an hour FBO. The career center and help with job placment is an absolute JOKE. I dont remember ever eating food at the school…we always had take out. I had a wife and 3 kids and is very hard to find a descent job in Tulsa, being a huge college town and 1000\’s of students all fighting for the same job. Once graduating and being hit with 500 dollar a month student loan payments was something I couldnt do….so like alot of people, I deferred, over and over until intrest and penalties piled up. All to say ended up being upwards of 55,000 and still 20 yrs later still owe 40 something thousand dollars and pay every month. There are some that go on to getting a good job, but there are hundreds like me, that don’t! Do your research, there are alternatives that are less expensive than this operation. Responding to a guy that said to look at some other 4 yr schools and compare price..HA! you moron…this isn’t a 4 yr school….the A&P program is an 18 month course. You can hardly “compare” that to a 4yr university. Would I do it again today knowing what I know now? He11 NO! Do yourself a favor and stay away from this institution.
Terrible School, avoid if possible. its expensive, equipment is out of date, some professors are very knowledgeable but that is as far as it goes, and if you are planning on transferring somewhere else forget about it, they don’t have a course catalog and most classes wont transfer as this school is not accredited by any major accrediting organizations, the best decision i made at that school was leave. i now attend the university of Maryland and i love it, i am 2 years away from getting my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.
thank you guys……..I read these reviews here and cancelled my admission there….worst college. the admission advisors will assist u till get into the college and they get the money from ur pocket, but once this is done ,they wont even see at you or answer your email or calls. fortunatelly I just wasted $100 on this school and stopped all the process. plz dont go in there.
I am currently a student at Spartan college of lies this is by far the worst college I have ever been to in my life horrible organization the school constantly jacks you around. My instructor and I have supposedly been working together to get me moving rite along almost 8 months into the program I have six flight hours he hasn’t been on time to one lesson and some he hasn’t even showed up too. I missed one lesson due to a doctors appoinent I received punishment! Know matter how much you pay you’ll never be a priority i would defiantly look somewhere else if you are thinking Spartan HUGE rip off I mean look at there graduation rate the only thing they care about is your money!
I graduated back in 2002 with both a diploma in avionics and an associate\’s in electronic communication (which no longer exists). I will have to say that it was a mistake in the short run. I listened to the recruiters, had my parents bias the decision, done the classes, realizing the lack of value that my investment was granting me (hand me down test equipment from American Airlines), and the list goes on. The instructors are hit or miss on the quality of their instructions. Some were great but most was complete crap. In all, the experience left a bad impression on me since outside of what I learned (how to fix avionic equipment), it was usless (they have no program to teach you the industry environment in a broad context). In all, their mechanics class is their money-maker and keeps that program as top notch as possible (it’s FAA enforced after all). The other programs, I highly sugesst other colleges (if you’re after a degree) or flight schools. I’d conisder colleges such as Everglade’s University (just graduated and it’s a great college for working class, degree-seeking students), Embry-Riddle, Vaughn College, or the University of North Dakota. Again, this is if you’re going for a bachelor’s or master’s in the field. Stick with flight schools at your local airport for flight training. Oh, and both Everglade’s University and Embry-Riddle does accept Spartan credit for anyone that wants to transfer. I highly suggest to go with Everglade’s since their staff is top notch and will help you extensively well before you become a student (they answered my question and researched credit transferability before I applied. Embry-Riddle’s answer was always “just fill out the application and pay the fee then we can help you”. Everglade’s understood my bad experience with Spartan so they did what they could to help ease my doubt while ERAU just treated me like everyone else).
In short, if you’re just after certification (A&P), then it’s right for you. Beyond that (avionics, flight, or a degree), don’t bother. Take the advice from someone that’s been there and learned the hard way.
Honestly I would say some are right and some are exaggerations .. There are a lot of students that come here and waste their money ..If you are not hard working and don\’t have passion for this do not waste your time .. The school Financial Aid office is a Scam . Full of un qualified Jerks . They can say YEs to how to apply for aid but no to Helping their students .. Vice President is a complete A*****e .. Rule No1 : Do not believe the recruiters ( Sales People ) Rule No2 : Must be in class on time unless u r a super genius Rule No3 : Be careful of the friends u make at Spartan Rule No4 : Always get update on your Financial aid situation Rule NO5 : Never Take stupid Old Moore for he has a high failure rate ( \” I am an instructor not a Teacher \” ) Rule No6 : Have a plan , A goal , and stay on course Rule No7 : Do not stay at the Landing or school housing ( Its a rip off ) Rule No9 : Always buy your Tools and Equipments outside bookstore is a inflated Rule No10: You have got to be competitive and strong at heart too much bull s**t . Current Student and staying strong never failed a class although sometimes i feel like lining up all the Financial Aid office employees including the Deans , Vice presidents and Presidents up tie dem all together a shove 150lb TNT under neath dem and u knw d rest .. Long Live all my current Hard knock students of spartan for u have to be strong to make it out of here ….Peace out
If you want to find out how Spartan School of Aeronautics is check out my Facebook page. First name: spartancollege last name: ofaeronautics. Its from people who have actually gone to school there and no management.
Currently enrolled in Avionics. Very good program. Tough on attendence, but good and fair.
MICHAEL A MOLZAHN & FELLOW PILOT dont need a plane to get high or are paid by this school to go on sites to give a good review. Aviation is my passion, any who know this knows its not for the money. Words cant describe how bad this school is. I know the internet is full of lies but this is not don’t go to this school look somewhere else. After leaving this school it could hurt you passion and ability to continue your future in aviation. If you take a tour Ask about the drop out rate ask to see figures. Ask about housing and pricing for flights before signing anything talk to student aid see what they can do for you. All of these people cant be wrong.
Dont go I feel that after attending it is my duty to tell you not to go to this school it sound very appealing over the phone. I even drove from Virginia to Tulsa OK to take a tour. After attending for a few month you could almost tell that this school was a scam. The facade of a real school feel and we saw what it really is a pilot farm that care nothing about the student body. you will have a minimum requirement of flights per month price depends on plane. Courses are two weeks and don’t ever fail a test (I never did but my roommate had) i guess thats called weeding out the weak because he never caught up. my instructor Codi Vines was horrible. She was also the butt of many jokes at the school. we did ground maneuvers at night, no joke to be honest I think that after she screwed me over the school she sewed the school because they got one over on her(sexual harassment) form what i hear. Save money find a local airport get lessons there.
THS SCHOOL SUCKS!!!! RUN RUN and dont look back, i currently in this school and wish i never got in, i will say again RUN
I went to spartan, Worked my butt off and still couldn’t afford the class’s and flights. I didnt fail one test and had a gpa of 3.0. The finnacial aid is horrible, all the women tells you is here is where to get your loans and hope you can get them. No, yea we can help you with this money situation. Nothing! The staff is just there for the money not for the student. DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL! Campus sucks, they have one of the worst graduation rate, they can also change the contract agreement if they want. There are better school out there do not go to this one. wasted 2 years of my life here and it sucks. Dont make the same mistake I did.
The review above is written by Spartan Management:
Beware Spartan School has screwed every single one of their students with threats lies and extortion.
Copy of above review:
MICHAEL A MOLZAHN SAYS:
November 5, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Let me be the first to say that Spartan College is an excellent School. You get out of Spartan exactly what you put into it. For 18 months I had the blast of my life having some really good classmates as well as on the downside teh few that are in Spartan to use someone else’s money. The negative people that were there are the ones who were late to class, disruptive in class and generally disinterested in being there and “hell bent” on making everyone else miserable. Once those people weeded themselves out of classes the learning environment got better. You have great instructors that come from all aspects of the industry to teach what theyhave learned through their years in the industry.
Aviation is an occupation based on desire and passion, if you lack these then aviation will be just a job to you and you paint yourself into a corner. Frankly myself, I enjoy the opportunity to watch that regional jet that I did an inspection on and put back together just hours before the passengers arrived at the terminal take to the air and get those passengers to their destination. I’m the guy they will most likely never get to see unless its the chance meeting when I’m on the same plane going to a destination.
Spartan is a college that requires interaction and participation, which in turn translates to what you put into your future is what you get back. The ciriculum is mandated by the FAA which is the same government agency that regulates the industry, and yes they tell every aviation school what they will teach.
Spartan has excelent instructors and even since graduation I go back to the campus bringing new information back to help the instructors and students. As an alumist I go back and answer questions for students and help with open house giving tours and answering perspective students and their parent’s questions.
Aviation is a Passion not a Job.
Mike
Pround Spartan alumnist.
yea i was going to spartan..glad i read all these reveiws…i feel like these people speak the truth about the staff lyning to you, just to get you in.. ill spend my money else where
well…..i was going to spartan. “was” everyone is telling me its a waste of time.
I stuck with this because I dont believe in half assing anything in my life. Problem is that the school I choose, DOES.
Half ass promisses, half ass judgemental rules and poor/nill job placement help. And at over $25,000 avg per course, go buy yourself a nice new car or used luxury, you’ll be a lot more satiafied.
although the staff will lie to get you in there, claiming this to be IT, and this IS a great school,… once you’re in a class with one of them, you can tell that students and staff think that place is a lame joke, at best.
burn your money and hump a splittered piece of wood, you’ll feel less screwed!!!
Extremely high student drop out rate.
I was lied to from the beginning with this school. I caught the recruiter in multiple lies just when initially getting started with the school. The owners of this school have taken a great name and turned it into a joke in the aviation world. A classmate of mine left after recieving his private only and paid 28,000 dollars. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. AND on top of that they tried to sue him for 6 grand because he quit. THERE ARE ZERO ETHICS. It is a joke. I hope to see them go under one day. Not so much the school but the ridiculous used car salesman Jeremy Gibson. He is a sleezy disgusting human being and bought himself a Bentley on the students tab and flaunts it in front of all students. Please do not send your child to that school. I finally walked away, i left with my private and instrument and I would have rather handed my money to a homeless person. DO NOT GO HERE
I am currently enrolled at spartan all i can say is they have good a&p instructors in a bad place the classes are held in a hanger that i think the wright brothers leased,you cant miss more than 18 hours in a 6 week course or they snatch your money for another semester. they have three campuses only one which serves food to the students,so if you are at the north or flight campus you get stuck eating at a local convience store for 6 weeks yumm!! recently the student housing complex \”the landing\” was vandalized five cars were broke into and one burned to the ground and all they could tell them was \”sorry not our problem\” as far as instructing all the instructors do is give you notes all week which they just throw on a screen and make you copy down and then give you a test on friday this school lacks personal touch or morale with the instructors if i were you i would look elsewhere
This school is a waste of money. The student housing that they offer was just completely trashed when I left. I wish I had gone to TCC which I believe was half the cost. You spend over $30,000 and all you get is a diploma. I knew people that went to other A&P schools and got an associates with there A&P. They spent half of what spartan charges you. Like many people have said on here go and visit the school and talk to students before you even think about wasting your money. If you have the money to spend fine, but otherwise I would spend my money else where. I honestly wish I did transfer, but I was not really thinking about the cost since I was getting financial aid. I know I was stupid and naive. They talk about how you get hands on and everything you do but I talk to students from different schools and they say they got hands on as well.
Went there for AMT in 03-04 and the instructors I had were good and most of them were easy to get a long with and very informative. That\’s the only good experience I had with the school. I was intrested in flying and was told to go with the \”corporate program\”, which has you do your A&P first then Flight because \”that\’s what you need to be corporate pilot\”. I showed up for enrollment and was asked what program I was enrolling in and when i said the corporate program the woman looked at me like an idiot. Day one for me was a lie and they did not stop coming from the administration. Acctually they started before that when the recruiter told there was a stewardess school across the street(theres not) when I asked what the ratio of guys to girls was. While in AMT trainning they started making pilots get their associates, which you don\’t need and isn\’t mandated by the FAA, to start flight school and that\’s when I decided that the school was only in it for the money and nothing else so after finishing my A&P I was out. Funniest part was they still to this day send me things in the mail to get me into the pilot program. They have no intrest in getting newer equipment that people acctually use or maintaining their facilites. The \”dorms\” that they don\’t own were new when i got there and by the time they left(2years) they looked like a ghetto plus they are across the street from one. The local news even did a story about it. I switched school went to flight in another state and now fly a private jet(which is what I wanted to do in the first place). The only thing about have my A&P that the corporate world thought was good job on that but we already have full time mechanics that do the maintenance. For me it was waste of money maybe not for other but for me it was and it made me wana drive around the whole state if I\’m ever getting close to it or even flying over it. Maybe some people that reviewed here liked it but the way they worded things kinda reminded me of the recruiters I talked with. All you have to do is take a tour of that \”campus\” then look at another one, TCC in tulsa has a A&P course that\’s a lot less expensive, I\’m sure you\’ll figure it out too.
I can say that “Spartan” has been around since 1928, and it looks like it.
I can tell you that you will not be happy with the housing, or your education, which by the way is very over priced.
Its your choice, and I say go to google, and put in the word Aviation, then look at all of the schools, and even check out the small Schools in your area, odds are they have newer equiptment, as Spartan is still using some equiptment in thier avionics program from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Very few pieces of the latest equiptment. A newer school will have newer stuff.
MIke
As a parent of a son interested in Spartan College, I must admit I was very impressed with the amount of equipment, size, the knowledge of instructors,and the learning envinronment that this school provides it’s students. The tech programs seem to be where this school shines in terms of training in avionics[electronics engineering technology], FAA certified a/p mechanics, and quality control.
The school started as a manufacturing facility back in 1926. I am not basing my decision on just the cover of the facilities, but rather quality of education and job placement. With over 80 years of tradition, spartan college graduates would have instant name recognition with 1000’s of aviation employers.
By the way, I saw glass cockpits in planes and the g-1000 in a classroom. And I liked the flight school where you are learning on a fairly busy regional airport. It was pretty impressive.
My son is leaning toward the tech programs and I want to learn more about the financial aid programs. As far as tuition approaching $40K, go look at some of these 4 year schools and see what they run. There are auto schools with fancy facilities that can up over $40K with add on elective programs.
Horrid school, I will never venture back. If you are speaking with spartans advertiseing agents, tour the school personally, and speak with the students. They have multiple campuses – all are rubbish for the price you will be paying. If you are set on Aviation check out different schools.
Listen to these reviews , they are 100% true ! They will lie their a**es off to get your money. The school is an antique and should be sold for scape metal. Like another reviewer said Talk To The Students , do not listen to a word the employees have to say. They do have free tutors but they’re students that are paid by the school, so if you need to understand a class better like Algebra , not just need help with one problem you’re out of luck , they’re students not teachers they don’t want to teach just do the problem for you. I’m currently enrolled at Spartan and found out a week before my next semester that I would be required to take Algebra and Physics , I was told , I only needed these classes if I was going to get my associates degree, LIE LIE LIE. Now I failing a course that I don’t understand and now I’m out $3000.00 bucks because they think its OK to lie told “students” more like pasty’s, or chumps . Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
Believe these people. There only goal is to feed you a line of BS!!! On the other hand, when I was there in 03-04 ther would good Maintenance Instructors!!! As far everything else just plain crap!! Oh, and did I mention how much it cost to go here. A@P course $33,0000.
“I hope you choke on the money that you save on us.”
Pros
Fast flight time building for new flight instructors.
Cons
Working 12 hour days and only getting paid for 6 hours.
Most of the airplanes are over 30 years old and worn out.
Ancient flight simulators.
High levels of stress and fatigue.
Extremely poor morale of the employees.
Extremely high student drop out rate.
Flight school is located in an old trailer.
Instructors are pressured to fly in dangerous weather conditions.
No pay for the overtime.
Unaffordable medical insurance.
Very busy airport.
“If you don’t like it – there is the door” policy.
Advice to Senior Management
Please sell the school to someone who knows what they are doing.
Horrible school. Recruiters may lure you into it and make it look like the world but it really isn’t. Courses are there because they are required by the FAA. But in my case I came in there with my private pilots license. When I got there the school forced me to take classes where private students were training. For example one of the courses was Flight Navigation… this is one of the huge things you learn for your private pilots license. When I went to administration about it they claimed the course is a “Commercial Course”. But I wasted $900 dollars on that course. Oh ya and if you miss any time from class you must pay $79 AN HOUR to make it up.
The campus is horrible, if you enjoy being around a small campus where your classes are held in trailer looking facilities then go for it.
The fleet that Spartan has is not up to date. Where all other schools have glass cockpits you will not see this at Spartan. They have a fleet of 152’s 172/172 RGs and only 4 Seminoles. Usually planes are undergoing maintenance so its a fight to get a plane.
If you are considering going to this college I suggest talking to the students instead of your representative which is feeding you bs.
Spartan has a few excellent Instructors and professors but what is around those few is everything else that matters. Most professors will read to you ONLY out of the book. Some will even disregard a question stating that they will “get to that” or “don’t worry about it”. But some of them can carry on a class with a great discussion.
I went into this school blind and had no idea what was coming. Now I am working on transferring if I can find a place that will accept credits from this place. Don’t believe what the faculty tells you about Spartan.