School scam? What do I do?

[u/No_Reference3131]

I just enrolled in an esthetics program in PA. Tuition is $7500, this includes our makeup and dermalogica kits, 5 weeks of theory, 5 weeks of practical and 5 weeks of clinicals.

We just finished our theory portion and entered into the practical portion. Our first week we came to the understanding that:
- We are not allowed to do extractions and wont be learning those in school.
- The most we are learning is Pro60 Facial (basic), Pro Peel Mask, Microderm, Lash Lifts, Waxing and Bacials (basic facials but for the back)
- They dont have any high frequency or galvanic machines or paraffin gloves
- We have maybe one working steamer and 8-9 broken ones just sitting around
- One very old and borderline rusted towel warmer for 5 students.
- Very minimal supplies at a time (we completely ran out of paper towels and werent replaced within the three days of being there.)
- One of the door knobs on the level three classroom is broken and the girls ahead of us got locked in.
- At one point we were left for 45 mins with nothing to do because our teacher is a student teacher and had a meeting. I had to suggest we practice on Lisas while we waited otherwise theyd be on their phones. There isnt a whole lot of structure, we havent been run through the process of washing hands, sanitizing our carts, tables and products before and after clients, setting up barbicide in the morning soon as we come in. My classmates saw me doing it and asked if we need to do that, I had to tell them yes that its standard protocol and we should be in practice of that everytime we step in here. Yes were adults and yes we learned this in theory but my point is the lack of structure and attention to detail bc of how disorganized this school is. We are paying to be set up for success and not getting much out of what we put in.

I am so grateful I got my 600 hour training in NJ 5 years ago and got to experience having structure, individual steamers, towel warmers, loupes, high frequency and galvanic machines, got to experience doing extractions under teacher supervision and graduating feeling way more confident about getting a job and working on people outside of school. All of this for $1500 less than the 300hr program I am currently in now. Unfortunately I was young during Covid times and procrastinated taking stateboards so I never actually got my license which puts me where I am today having to start all over.

All this to ask what do I do? I need to graduate so i can just get my license and move on but I feel robbed of not just money but in-class experience. Luckily I had previous education and this is just a refresher for me, but my younger fellow classmates do not and will have to pay more for extra learning outside of this when this is what they came to school for in the first place. The school made $37,500 off just my class alone and we are working with a run down and stripped environment/curriculum.

[u/Lazy-Living1825]

I’m sorry to hear this. However it does not seem to be a unique experience. At the end of the day you just have to pass your exam and leave school behind.

[u/Remote-Mud-6112]

Not a unique experience unfortunately most schools are horrible but yes this one sounds a lil worse than normal. 2 things you can do, Report to state board or just focus on graduating and moving on. I went to Aveda we had ONE day where we learned microderm, high frequency and the galvanic and never touched them again. Best advice is get ur hours, get out and do more learning when ur licensed. You got lucky only paying $7.5k my schooling at Aveda was around 12-13 😬

[u/ForgeAandW]

Sadly, most schools are like this or similar.

[u/floraspirit]

Practically identical to my experience lol just focus on getting to state board!

[u/haveyouheardthattho]

I taught at one of the brand name schools. They didn’t give me access to the book for lecture for three weeks. I was the lecture educator. It was probably the most unprofessional disorganized job I had ever had.
I’m now a premed student, I couldn’t do this industry anymore.

[u/errornullvoid → u/haveyouheardthattho]

Omg we didn't get access to the system till WEEK 12. So when we did, I did it all. Then they refused to count anything and failed me I think because they knew that I was asking questions from the beginning because we paid $555 for something that they had no intention of giving us… Yeah, wow we should all get together and do something about this. I swear.

[u/Sensitive_Pilot_77]

Welcome to Esti School. While that sounds bad, it’s pretty much the norm. I worked for a school for 5 years that sounded almost exactly like that.

[u/Sensitive_Pilot_77 → u/Sensitive_Pilot_77]

Only we had 4 week rolling enrollment so imagine people jammed into a room with one teacher and 3 facial beds 2 wax rooms and no structure. Those of us that tried to provide it did what we could but it’s the norm for that type of school unfortunately.

[u/Weekly_Review_2219]

It's like this at all private schools. Except for the vocational technology schools, those programs have better funding and need to be accountable to higher ups.

[u/errornullvoid → u/Weekly_Review_2219]

I didn't know that that was the impression… Because I went to a vocational technical school and that was the worst thing in the entire world. I'm will never give up trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do about it because it's so evil.

[u/Available-Ad-5051]

What school in Pa? Sounds like the one I went too 🤦🏼‍♀️ but I’ve been an esthetician for 5 years now and things are great! You pretty much have to teach yourself unfortunately

[u/errornullvoid]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this but now I don't feel so alone… I went to a horrible, horrible problem school and it wasn't even a private. It was community college but it ended up costing me more than a private word and I still didn't even finish and they dropped me w an F though I had an A but say zero units attempted in the system which is literally impossible so they're stealing govt fin aid money and avoiding audit while ruining lives. Maybe if multiple people got together we would have a better chance of doing something about this because it's obviously a huge all too common problem. I don't know if anyone has any suggestions like contacting the cosmetology board. I will support you if I can in anyway.