A historic campus in the middle of a college town. The campus is walkable and quaint. You can get…read moreto one side to the other in about 10 minutes. There was some construction happening in the student union during my visit. The classrooms are neat and inviting. Students fob into all buildings.

Full disclosure: I am the parent of a newly-admitted DC Freshman. I also was accepted years ago at…read morethe Dickinson School of Law, which is un-related to DC but sits at the edge of its campus. As such, I've been to Carlisle a number of times over the past 30 years, both as a prospective law student and as the parent of a DC student. Here's my "review" of Dickinson College and the surrounding town/area... Beautiful campus, strong alumni network, including extremely successful alums like the CEO/President of LL Bean. Numerous awards for being a top-rated college as to sustainability. Responsive staff. Small student to teacher ratio. Encourages students to find their passion, so interesting combinations of double majors and majors/minor abound, and students don't declare their major until Jr year, I believe. Encourages study abroad and for a somewhat unique statistic I think, Dickinson states that 60% of its student athletes do so, with the coaches' encouragement! Dickinson is what it appears to be, "family" to its alumns and students. Extremely supportive all-around. Location is close to Harrisburg, the Commonwealth's capital, as well as an easy 1.75 hour ride to Phila area (85 miles in my case!) as a straight shot down the PA Turnpike! One comment stated this is a boring school with nothing to do. That's ridiculous. There are attractions within an easy drive, _lots_of activities on campus, and a growing diversity of students. And, to callously call the surrounding area as being full of "red-necks" is nonsense. As a former diversity trainer with a major Fortune50 company and within the USCG Aux, that statement really jolted me. The folks in Carlisle may be more rural in background than say someone from a city or a suburb near a city, but they are welcoming and friendly. Judging an entire community based on some interaction had with one or two (perhaps) is simply unfair to the community as a whole). Go Red Devils! PS To YELP: Why the heck would you NOT recommend the 3 "Not Recommended" 5-star reviews that were well-written, thoughtful and gave details upon which the reviews were based? And, from both students and parents! I don't get it! If they were included, DC would have a near 5-Star rating which is more in-line with what I've experienced via the many alumns I've met, both at DC functions AND by pure chance in the "big outside world" where they had no reason to be biased in their view...i.e. I met them via normal, everyday encounters via my job, etc!

I decided to join this school because I wanted to learn my job and get right into the field without…read morehaving to deal with the extra stuff at an actual college. Unfortunately, this place was WAY more hassle than just taking some extra nonsense courses. Let's list the problems: 1: They force you to take a "College Math" course. To begin, this is not a college math course. This course is a 9th grade course which involves very basic algebra, conversions, and geometry. The school gives you no chance to test out of this class unless you continually berate them and express your anger that you're being forced to pay $1,000 or more for a course you absolutely do not need. I was even told "Yes, you'll have to pay that money, but at least you'll get an A." Had to have three discussions with them before they allowed me to pay $100 to test out, which I aced with no sort of studying prior. 2: A majority of their staff is out to get you and are about as useful as teachers as a rock is. They had a computer teacher that knew nothing about computers and may have been on drugs. This teacher was kept for A MONTH before they finally bothered to listen to the complaints from the students and gave her the boot. Their one law teacher forces you to be your own teacher and does whatever she can to make students fail. You could be dying in the hospital, finally recover, and she would refuse to let you make up any work because it was your responsibility to keep up on it. Even if you were dying. And she refused to tell you about any of the work since she didn't plan any or her classes and just decided to wing it every time. But that's your fault for almost dying, so you deserve to fail the course. 3: They have zero respect for the military or their students. I gave my teachers almost a two month notice that I would be leaving to go to Texas for a basic training graduation. Only one teacher, who was responsible enough to plan his classes, was able to give me the work I needed to get done and allowed me to get it completed before I left. The other teacher, mentioned in my last point, in fact, didn't give me any work until the day before I left. Then she had the audacity to have a MASSIVE two-part, 130 point assignment on the last day I told her I would be gone. She refused to let me make that up, of course. Then after getting incredibly irate at her, she kicked me out and THREATENED A POP QUIZ, which cannot ever be made up, and she actually went through with the threat. I went to the two highest ranking people at the school, who both belittled me and refused to acknowledge that the teacher did any wrong. Even after I admitted to doing wrong on my part and accepting my punishment for what I said to the teacher, the completely stood by the teacher. One even made reference to me going to a BASIC TRAINING GRADUATION, something that happens once in a lifetime, as "Well you were the one that chose to go on a vacation." 4: They have a dress code, but do not stick to it, nor do they care about enforcing it. When I first started going there, they were business casual only. Now you can walk around in short and flip flops with your breasts almost hanging out, and nobody bats an eye. 5: Gum under all of the desks with little care from staff when this was brought to their attention. 6: Their computer classes are worthless and a waste of money. Especially the ones where they are teaching you to type when a majority of students already know how to type well. They allow no test outs for this, therefor you end up wasting THOUSANDS of dollars, again. 7: Most teachers accept sub-par work, so if you want to put half effort into something and get an A, this place is for you. Only the English teacher, who I greatly respect, expects you to improve and to do great work. She's also the only one who really teaches you what you need to know, and teaches it well. 8: They tried to deny multiple law students their degrees because they insisted that their externships were not good enough, even though the lead of their program approved it. 9: They have multiple security violations at the school, such as a multitude of light bulbs being out. When brought to their attention by the students, they responded "It's not in the budget." 10: They overcharge for the sub-par education they are giving you. If you truly care about your future and care about learning, then this place is NOT for you. If you want to get a degree with minimal effort, minimal gained knowledge, and a massive hole in your pocket, then this place will be wonderful for you.

As a current student of this school - I have to urge people to not attend. i am finally able to…read moretransfer out -- and I found a school who will accept my credits! 5 more weeks. The instructors here do not care about teaching; they do not care if you learn; and they sure don't give a d**m if you succeed and graduate. They care about the money -- and that is it. McCann purchased my school in the middle of my education and since then -- problem after problem. I began when it was CTC in Monroe, LA and half way through they changed to McCann. They changed the classes to 5 weeks long with four hour classes - and then load you up on classes and hope you fail so they can charge you for the class again. My admissions representative lied to me (typical) when I enrolled. She told me it was an Associates of Sciences Degree -- and that any college would take my credits. I called over 100 colleges in the country and found a handful that would. I haven't learned anything in any of my classes. Please, do your research BEFORE you enroll in a school. I am transferring to Southern New Hampshire University where they actually care about your education; they are a non-profit; and the Degree is an ACTUAL DEGREE. An Associate Degree in Occupational Studies? I shall pass.