Athens Technical Design Office Review

Athens Tech is a joke especially the Monroe campus!!! Horrible school to attend the blind leads the blind here!!!

Having attended both UGA and Athens tech, I feel qualified to address my experiences with some of the issues mentioned in other reviews.

The staff at Athens Tech treat the students like adults. They are always helpful, but they will NOT coddle you if you have issues due to your own failure. For example, if you miss out on getting financial aid because you didn't get your forms done on time, they will not baby you. It is your responsibility to make sure that all of your forms are up to date. If you have questions, you can always consult the advisors and they will do everything in their power to help you.

Tuition is an amazingly reasonable here. At UGA my pell grant only covered half of my tuition, but here at Athens Tech it covers all of my tuition plus textbooks and anything else I may need. The average 12-credit hour semester for me cost about $1500. This includes tuition and all fees.

The grounds and facilities are kept clean and presentable, and they have even recently renovated.

The main issue that I see in most of the negative reviews is that it can be hard to get someone on the phone sometimes and general issues with staff. The staff have always been respectful, helpful, and kind to me if I treated them with respect. You should never go into an office and make demands or blame the receptionist for a problem caused by your own mistakes. Additionally, they do not have people in every department whose only job is to answer the phones. Staff prioritizes students who come in person for service, but if that is not possible for you you can always email them and they are pretty good about getting back to you on time.

I'm also going to rebut a few of the most negative reviews here.
User "Table Book" left a 1-star review about Nancy in the financial aid office. I took a look at her other reviews and it appears that this person has a recurring issue with customer service, which is a victim mindset. Obviously if you do not pay for your classes on time, you will be removed from them. Athens Tech has a diverse team of faculty and it's not a place where you find discrimination. As I've said before, the staff will help you but ultimately the responsibility is on you for managing your education and future. Going to college is a CHOICE, not a right.

Other, older, reviews mention Justin (the admissions director I believe) and their difficulty reaching him. As I mentioned before, those who come in person will be prioritized because they took the initiative to come into the school. If you are unable to come to the school because of work or childcare responsibilities, PLEASE reach out to the school via email. They want to help you succeed.

Athens tech has vending machines as well as a bookstore that sells textbooks, school supplies (even tablets and printers), food, and clothing-- perfect for when you have a sudden wardrobe malfunction.

Athens tech has 3 campuses: Elberton, Walton, and Athens. You will be able to see where each of your classes is located when you register for them, and plan accordingly. Typically your major-specific classes will all be located on one campus. Gen-Ed is also focused on the Athens Campus. Parking is included in your tuition and the parking sticker is free, along with your student ID.

I am in the Cosmetology Program at the Monroe Campus and I jave really enjoyed the school. I have met several of the teachers and all hsve been really awesome so far. The Front Office staff haven't always been the best over the years, but the teachers have been great!

They need to answer their phones; horrible assistance; The SNAP software was very hard to use. The instructors couldn't even figure it out at times. I felt like I taught myself; didn't really learn anything because I was too busy trying to figure out SNAP; you need to let the instructors TEACH!!! Isn't that why they get paid?? Athens tech is nothing like it use to be; quality has really went down hill. I am not proud to be a student there.

I applied there 5 months ago and still haven't heard back from them

Athens Tech decided to use this new program called Snap. Snap is basically online tutorials that teach you the class material. This program is very poor. At first, it took teachers and students awhile to figure out how to even run it properly. After that, when doing certain "tasks" in the program the program counts many things incorrect even though you do them correctly. The instructor's defenses "You have to do the absolutely way Snap wants you to do it without shortcuts or different ways." However, the class book that goes along with this class teaches you the shortcuts and different ways, so you can see how this is confusing. I watched teachers themselves sit and try to do the "task" the students have to do and end up getting it wrong just as the students. I heard in one class, a person who works for snap came into class to address issues they were having. The person explained "Only use google chrome in order to avoid this issue." The class did so, the students got the same issue. The Snap person then tried doing it themselves and also got it wrong. Then the snap person said "it seems to be a different problem with Chrome and I have no idea why." This program is garbage. No one seems to know how to fix it, and hardly even get it working in the first place. I see students leaving classes in frustration because of Snap. The students spend more time trying to figure out how to "deal with" Snap and less time actually going over and learning the material for class. I once had an issue with a task and the instructor told me "Okay, I will manually give you a 100 because I see you are doing it correctly and it still marks it wrong." The problem is, the instructor tried and could not figure out how to do so and stated "I will try again later." The instructor never did and I got a bad grade due to Snaps problems. Snap is not just restricting my educational success but also many others. Snap cannot replace physical instructors in teaching material. So stop trying to do so ATC. Many students (along with myself) will drop out of school or class(es) literally due to Snap. I have been going here for four years and this is the most frustrating time I have encountered because of Snap. Get rid of Snap and make the instructors teach, that is what they get paid for.

It s a good school but how does a college not have a ATM machine.. CROSSING A HIGHWAY TO GET CHANGE FOR THE BUS IT S RIDICULOUS ...THEY HAVE A BOOK STORE BUT DOES GIVE CASH BACK LIKE I HAVE A CARD FULL OF MONEY BUT CANT GET IT BECAUSE A SCHOOL WHO GIVE OUT DEGREES DOESNT HAVE AN ATM MACHINE i hope someone from Athens tech contact me too !!!

Good visually pleasing and relaxing school for Learning

Not veteran friendly. My military service was a waste in their eyes and nothing transferred. Could be run better with students at heart and their futures cared for.

It's a good college! With this woman I had talked to over the phone to help me with testing with Cassandra! She had an unprofessional attitude towards me and act like she don't know for what I'm talking about on testing of GED Accommodation for me to get prepared for test day.

My 2-year-old baby was denied medical care I don't recommend it is a waste of time

I got a facial,etc, by an appt at the College with Marquita W, I had a great, relaxing experience with someone in a Skilled training, she was knowledgeable, informative, she gave suggestions on skin care and made me comfortable and explained everything she did to me, good hygiene and she was very professional. I will return and request Marquita W. to give me an European Spa experience.

Horrible! Has taken 3 months to get a return call back at which time, Justin the admission director, stated they are short staffed and I should have come into the school. I would be commuting to this school to attend!! Why should I have to drive 100 miles one way to see if my transcripts were in?? He was rude and combative on the phone making excuses for the school not returning a call in 3 MONTHS. NOT The school for me!

Nancy who work in Financial Aid is rude.She claims to be nice.There's a dark SIDE BEHIND HER.Don't be fool by her smile are weird kindness. I can do her job,but better.Don't beat me up If I don't pay for my class.Right!!!!To old to be acting like a child Wow no profession.keep your comments to yourself.Students heard heard her say it out loud..You suppose to be at the desk assisting people. But leave from your desk,heads over to CASHIER just to be drama..Next time it'll be recorded...Grow up

THEY NNNEEEEVVEERRR ANSWER THE PHONE!!!
I found out why. They put a very soft and low volumed ring tone on the phone. You can barely hear it from where im sitting... im sitting 2feet away from it.

Wasn t that bad, was not allowed in the office I m guessing due to covid. The office was pretty much empty

Horrible assistance I have called so many times and they barely answer the phone so I then have came up to the school a total of 7 times just for them to reset my email. Each time they still give me an email that does not work and password that isn't correct. They also had my name in the system backwards and a totally different email address. Therefore my email not working is their own fault, yet they sit there and claim to be to busy to even answer a phone or to actually fix it. THEY NEED TO GET IT TO TOGETHER!!!!

Food Truck Wenseday is the only reason why i come to school.

I'm a non-traditional student with a full-time career and family. I applied to Athens Tech to re-direct my career options. On a whim, my 10 year-old and I decided to drop in at the college and spoke with a lady at the admissions desk. I hesitated, since my child was with me and we dropped in last minute, but they offered a on-spot advisement meeting and we both felt very welcomed. I declined the meeting, but my 10 y.o. enjoyed a brief tour of the student center, information desks, and bookstore - It also meant the world to me to know there is a local accredited college nearby who welcomes families and later-in-life students. GREAT first impression.

Very easy to maintain life balance with working, having kids and going here. Some of the classes are even online!

My husband has been trying to contact someone (I believe his name is Justin) since February. He paid the application fee and got a letter stating he needed to provide a couple more things. He submitted those items and then got a letter saying he needed to call to schedule some sort of testing. He and i both have been calling and emailing and can not get a return call or email. This is very upsetting as a promotion that my husband is trying to get requires him to atleast be enrolled. Very disappointing.

Best school ever
Great Teachers

James Sauceda is a life saver!! Thankful for a staff member that goes above and beyond for his students

They desperately need to put some brochures out in the lobby for students and parents.

Horrible School!! They do not care anything about their students only about the money they can they can make off of you

No communication, can't even get these people to email you back. I suppose I will just go apply to a different college and give THEM my money.

I went to school here for a few years. I have very fond memories of the time spent at this campus.

Hey Athens Tech, answer your phone!
I have attended this school for a year now and had a very positive experience with healthcare related classes, but if you need anything to be done here administratively, you need to show up in person.
ATC, your phone system is broken, and it s really making you look bad!

I absolutely love this technical college. My advisor and teacher's I've had were amazeballs!! They will help you to succeed any way, shape, or form. Student Services rock too..

Wonderful school. Always welcoming, I enjoy visiting.

Love the college and the people. Everyone goes a above and beyond to help the students. James Sauceda is the best!

I love Athens Tech. It is in a great location. The professors are all there for the students and want to see them succeed. Especially true of the individual programs; they want to graduate the best students they can. Not just so that they can graduate, but so that they can leave college and enter into a career and become successful.

They're good people, Mr.McCullah is awesome and the staff is diligent and hardworking. The professors are down to earth and incredibly smart. This is a good community college to go to - better than uga imo.

Accessible campus. Along the outskirts of town and on several transit lines. Dual enrollment with local high schools. Solar certification.

I have tried literally for 2 weeks to call and left several messages- I have rec'd NO CALL BACK ... EVER.... I went there in person and they were very helpful. However, again I WAIT for a return call to schedule my testing and have missed the deadline for this semester. #disappointed

Horrible......had to leave due family tragedy they refused!!! The Registration dept refused to partially refund citing ATHENS TECH has no hardship consideration. Pathetic and inconsiderate. One can't always know curve ball will throw at you. Will never recommend to anyone.

So far so good! Everytime I have called they have answered or promptly returned my call. They only missed one call and I left a message. Five minutes later they were calling me back. Everyone in admissions and financial aid has been really friendly and helpful! Online support has been helpful and prompt as well. I had one issue with my student email but I was walked through it and realized it was me making the mistake. Everyone on campus has been friendly and nice as well. Student services has also been great. It has been a really positive experience overall. So excited that I am attending ATC!

Dont go to this college. There are more professional schools out there..

Good school overall but the Admissions office is terrible. As a student I was constantly mocked whenever I needed assistance, and even calling for a transcript request a year and a half LATER I was treated like dirt and the lady abruptly hung up. I don t write negative reviews often but after being treated with the same contempt and disregard over a year later I had to voice my experience in hopes that the posture of Athens Tech Admissions can be adjusted.

This college has a poorly run admissions department headed by Justin Mccalla. Despite having prior degrees (psychology and computer science) I was met with vague responses and long lapses in communication. I would suggest international students look elsewhere or wait until the university has a new admissions director. Also most of 5 star reviews contain no description, likely faked to up the average.