This review is for Empty Bowls an annual event held at Oakton Community College. Empy Bowls provides support to Caring Closet local food pantries and students. It features pottery and woodworking items, all reasonably priced. I recommend arriving early, 20-30 minutes before it opens to join the line of shoppers, It is very well organized and the ceramic bowls are displayed on a tables set up in a square formation allowing shoppers to walk around the tables. There are hundreds of items. With your purchase you receive a ticket for a bowl of soup, bread, cupcake and beverage. There are a variety of homemade soups to chose from. All the volunteers go above and beyond to ensure the event is well run and a wonderful experience. I highly recommend supporting Empty Bowls, a nonprofit, global movement that has raised millions of dollars . read more

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Ok, Oakton CC appears to have adopted the idea of "if you can cheat, cheat". If your plan is to learn what is needed to get a job and career, you might wish to consider someplace else. Case in point: the CIS Chair has a BS in Computer Science, when a Masters is the minimum anywhere else. IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) classes require not less than a masters in the field, yet the dept. chair, with a BS, teaches those classes (CIS 101, etc.). If you look at class reveiws (ratemyprofessor, etc.) the words, "easy, turned in half my work and still got an A", etc. keep popping up. This appears to be a recurring issue, so the Dean, VP, Pres., etc. apparently couldn't care less. read more

Paid out of district when I'm in district and work in district. Was told in 2024 I'd pay in district amount but was charged out of district. Why would I check if someone told me I was in district? Never got mail or emails asking if I was in district. Still waiting for an email saying I'm getting a refund. It's very frustrating for me. Some teachers don't help get me information. Some teachers are fine. I'm very frustrated with oakton at this point. Harper is a better college. read more

the school by it self is good but the library is not good the first time I went to get a calculator no issues but the 2 time it was more worse there is better manners at the Des plaines library so go there instead of oakton one also no one tells you if you just give them your b number you get a steak on your account do better to add to that the person helping me today was racist towers me read more

Good place for education. Their internal IT is worthless though. Worthless. Clueless. Combative for no reason. Read off of a script useless. Give no good information useless. Let me repeat myself over and over type of useless. Let me not give you a solution to a simple problem useless. The type of useless that makes garbage look good. Like, makes toddlers look smart kind of useless. Good college. Worthless IT department. Expect to never get any IT help. As an IT professional myself I could not believe the disrespect honestly. read more

Learning center is awesome. We all know private tutoring is costly. But OCC offers free tutoring for various subjects for college students and community residents. There are many learning specialists who are willing to help students as long as they seek for help. Many faculties are competent. The quality of education offered is never lower than any other four year Universities. Highly recommended! read more

Oakton Community College - Des Plaines Campus - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

I went here 11 years 1994 to 2005. Except my last semester in 2005 was in the Skokie campus. They were not offering the ELT class in Desplains when I needed it. I had some good teachers and some bad ones. It was ok except the mornings. Some said people in the mornings were in too much of a hurry and were not friendly. Some people used to call it joketon because it was not the best education they day. Like how can you take time management lessons from a guy who is always late 5 minutes. Or electronics 101 the second time I took it because I failed. The second time was the worst. The teacher would leave the room and people would ask yo, what is number 1. That is no way to conduct a class. And nobody wanted to study with me because I was stupid. I got 3 d's for business 101 110, and hotel and restaurant management 101. But business was never rally my thing. When i started the computer classes and web classes I did much better, even a couple of A's. So it wasn't all bad. But some classes were not teaching much and were more of a joke while others I did learn from. So I guess every place has a few flaws but it wasn't all bad. read more

I personally have been going to Oakton Community College on and off myself. One thing I will say is... What is their hiring practice and how do they even choose who to hire?!?! The professors are truly hit or miss. What I find is when you look up the professors the ratings on them are extremely accurate. One thing I also notice is a majority of the professors come from other colleges that they got fired from. I've had some extremely good professors but a majority of them are really bad. For example I will name a few professors you personally can look up and see that they have a lengthy poor record at other colleges and got hired by Oakton. Simon P. Kakumanu David Nadolski (absolute psychopath) Summary: When I got out of high school people told me CC is a cheap way to get your gen eds out of the way. It is but more than likely you will be stuck here for longer than you should just by Oakton awful professors. I met extremly amazing professors here. But the rest are people who don't want to get regular industry jobs so they hop around collleges and land at Oakton because they know they can't get fired and that they will get hired here. My recommendation is just pay the extra and go to regular university, My recommendation to the school: Just because someone was fired from a different college doesn't mean they have "experience". There was more than likely a very good reason why they had worked at 2+ other universities in the past. Maybe try getting FRESH professors instead of hiring the worst from every other universities. read more

The Cafeteria Staff are some of the nicest people but they make u work hard but they are also fun people to be around and the administration people are very kind and respectful and nice and courteous and the food is good but overall the people are very understanding and try to make u feel comfortable working there read more

For those of you young yelpers or yelpers who are new to college in general, Oakton's campus has a high school feel to it. It's a nice transitional school campus between going to a huge university and coming from a high school or not having been at school in a while. I agree with some of the reviewers that professors are hit or miss, but having been to a University after Oakton as well I have to say that that statement is true of pretty much any university. Professor Wendi Sarti for example is an amazingly smart woman who Harvard asked to write a piece in a book for them. While taking her for (MANY classes - I was transfixed for a while) I was wondering what in the damn hell she was doing at a community college. However, that's just sort of the thing that happens when you have an established opinion. To me, forever, "Community College" was joke sounding and always made me self concious speaking to people about. However, after my experience here I have to say I think that community college, IN PARTICULAR Oakton - is a great way to get your gen ed requirements out of the way before spending the larger dollars finishing off your major. The counseling center requires appointments for the most part, and I haven't had the greatest experience with the councilors there, but they do have TONS of information on other colleges for when you're' getting ready to transfer. Tuition in district for 12 credit hours is a bit over 1k which is an amazing rate in my opinion. Many of the classes I've taken teachers have made books optional or I have been able to sneak around not having to buy my books. The bookstore is nicely set up though just as pricey as any other college bookstore, and tucked away across from registration. Their photography department is amazing, if you're into film development at least. Though I would have to say on a personal note that Jeremi (one of the instructors) is a major elitist and I'm pretty sure he stole the prints he said he was going to put up in the hallway there that I did. He has declined comment for years now. Not that I've really pressed the issue. Perhaps I should get a yelp copper badge or something. Either way, I think it's a great, straightforward campus, amazing ceramics department, music program, photography department, some hidden gem professors and overall I would have to say an experience I would defiantly have chosen to go through again had I had to go back in time and redo all of my college career starting from scratch. There are TONS of programs and LOTS of online classes to choose from. A large part of Oakton's appeal is the ease at which they make things for students who work, or have any other issue that prevents them from coming to school full time as a 'normal college student'. read more

I do not recommend. Being a diverse student with a multiethnic background, I felt the school overall especially the so-called "leaders" do not appreciate diversity. The nursing program under the current director is crooked and certain students are favored over others. Other students are a target for harassment by staff. read more

Never again for any reason. I was amazed at the awesome selection of programs offered here, but the people who taught them are really hit or miss. I'm sure there are good teachers here, but I did not have them. Backing up, I talked to an academic advisor as my first step here, and she was the most unhelpful person I had ever met, who knew nothing, could answer nothing, and made it seem like I was wasting her time. The registration office is also the most crowded place full of workers that you will ever see, full of rude and generally unhelpful people. And yes, there are the students who ruin it because they do not take anything seriously and ruin the class. Oakton will do very little about this, although they may have a meeting and give that person a full refund to not return after weeks go by. Great message to send. Who knows though, maybe this is just characteristic of the night class crowd and it's a completely different atmosphere during the day. I just know, I will not be returning. read more

I think that Oakton gets a bad rap sometimes by people who just don't take the place seriously. When I was going for my undergrad, I took a bunch of liberal arts classes here to transfer a few requirements. I enjoyed most of my teachers and felt that their facilities (computer labs, cafeteria, library) were more than sufficient. It was a welcome change for my pocket book considering, at the time, each class would average about $300-400 per course including books. A whole lot less than what I was paying at my private arts college. I saved a lot of money by taking a few courses here. read more

This school is a great transition from highschool into a University OR a great way to stay in school but not be overwhelmed [depending on choice of classes, and also an awesome way for people you have been missing out on classes to get back into the program. Most courses are moderately priced but also mostly worth it. The professors are extremely generous and always willing to help. They also have great teaching techniques so you will not make a bad choice to try it out. The students are also very friendly and there's a wide range of cultures and ages so everything is in abundance if you're the kind of person who likes to interact, socialize, and develop new and long lasting relationships. Bookstore has a lot of things essential for classes so you can rarely be unprepared, and cafeteria food also has it all [but it's too expensive unfortunately.] Amazing location surrounded by the forest preserves of Des Plaines. Absolutely gorgeous campus in the summer with a lake in the back which is great for studying and passing the time [beware of the winter though! Lol]. read more

I took one class here during the summer: Introduction to Ethics. Great professor; can't remember his name but I know he also teaches at Depaul. Great class we had too: everyone participated not only because they were smart but because the professor asked the right questions. Lighting and seating were okay in the lecture hall. I would give four stars except whoever sends out transcripts is terrible! They sent my university two, count them, two blank transcripts. So I had to pay a third time and they finally got it right. Maybe I'll take classes here post undergrad for fun if I decide to live in Chicago in the future, but other than that won't be back. read more

Great school! I decided to go back to school to finish my degree and they have been very welcoming and accommodating to my schedule.

I called about my orientation and placement test, what I got was a rude customer service lady not knowing what she was doing. I called 847-635-1835, she told me to go to "https://www.oakton.edu/Orientation/Online". I told her that, that site does not work and it must be another link. She instead insisted I was spelling orientation wrong and that my browser wasn't working. I decided to google "Oakton Orientation" and found the link. "http://www.onlineorientation.net/oakton/" I then told her and she then asked snooty questions to see if it was the right page. When I answered all of her questions correctly, she dismissed me and hung up the phone. Horrible way to start off my experience at Oakton. read more

For a community college this is a very good school. The teachers are great and you will actually learn from them. Class sizes are decent and it is very easy to get around campus. Tuition is very affordable. Great place to knock some classes out or start off your college career. read more

The academic advisers at Oakton are the most lackluster team of incompetents I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with. I can't believe they are allowed to advise on anything more complex than how to fasten Velcro on a pair of shoes. Unfortunately, one is left to their mercy regarding determination and approval of specific classes necessary to complete a degree and you better hope they're in a good mood during your encounter or you will suffer from their inattention and attitude of being put upon, if they're not. I have met with five different advisers over the course of my time at Oakton and have yet to receive the same answer twice as to which courses will fulfill what should be pretty straightforward requirements for an associate degree. Today was no exception. Is it that unreasonable to expect a consistent answer that will guide me to successfully pursuing a degree? That the answer is also accurate would be a real bonus! Regrettably, I have never had a positive much less productive experience with a counselor at either campus. They are uninformed, disinterested and, generally, treat you with contempt. Students' education shouldn't be hampered by a staff whose job it is to help and guide them. read more

After many attempts of following up I finally get a response just in time to register.

oakton is super clean school compare to UIC where i tranfered to... and most instructors are super nice and want you to succeed. also, one of the easiest school ive ever attended, for whatever reason if you have to attend oakton to transfer to 4 years, knock out these general cores, 1. english composition 1,2, public speaking 2. precalc if u havent already, then calc 1 to 3 3. gen/college chem, bio, physics, organic etc 4. other hard science classes the best part about this school is that the most teachers will go through stuff that will be on exam THOROUGHLY. this is called spoon-fed free GPA booster in my own words and if you do homework, you will ace on these cores and be able to transfer easily. by the way, once you transfer no accredited universities will spoon-feed you, and demand lots of stuff so take all hard science courses and english compositions in oakton, because they will ALL transfer. if you dont get A or at least B in these courses, and you want to major hard sciences from 4 year university, then forget about getting science related majors and pursue liberal arts. just being brute honest here, because 4 year university science courses are HARD. dont take social science courses in oakton because they are easy even in universities anyways. overall, i highly recommend this school! just do your homework. read more

Oakton is a great community college, IF you take classes with the right professors. Definitely use ratemyprofessor.com when choosing your teachers. read more

Best school I ever went to! My counselor at Oakton Community College is very friendly and helpful to me. I am pursing in Computer Science and I will transfer to UIC to continue majoring in Computer Science after I get my Associate in Science. read more

I like that it is cheap! Took a couple classes in the summer in high school and was able to get ahead for college. Teacher was a little hard to understand but good. Very public high school set up but it worked for me! read more

I'm glad I went here after high school. The school is especially good for anyone who wants to enter a science related field. The professors know what they are talking about, and I feel they prepare you well for future endeavors. Looking back at my fellow classmates, here is a list of where we transferred to: UofI, UIC, Northwestern, UW-Madison, Cornell, Loyola, Illinois Institute of Technology, Benedictine, DePaul, Michigan Tech, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Northeastern. Many had scholarships! Within this list, a few went on further to Pharmacy School, Medical School, or to do a PhD. Yes, all from good old Oakton. Community colleges get a bad rap in this area for some reason, but if you do your own homework (what classes to take, looking at 4 year school transfer guides on THEIR websites to see what is required), you can go very far, and save a lot of money (you will be very happy you went to Oakton when it is loan repayment time...I sure am) I took mostly science courses at this place, so my experience is a bit different than others (like I said, the science professors aren't messing around....they don't curve!). If I could go back, I'd do it the same way again, hands down. read more

This school is worth the price for cheap general education classes. You must do your research when picking professors. Some teachers can be really great and others terrible. Check www.ratemyprofessors.com and ask students how professors were in other classes. Class sizes are small and have different time slots to choose from. Make sure to register right away for science classes because they fill up quickly. Also, if you are transferring, make sure to check which classes will transfer over. Some of the academic advisors here are not very helpful and most of the time it is on you to make sure. I wish the cafeteria had more food choices. The new health and sciences building is awesome! read more

Kinda iffy. I've been at Oakton for about 2 years. Got bored of it. Continue to go. It used to look extremely ghetto because of all the stragglers that used to hang outside in their large smoke groups... I don't even think most of the people who were on campus even go here.. Fast forward to today.. It's pretty descent now. Though I hate how some professors believe we have 40+ hours to dedicate each week just to do work for their class. I can't read 50 pages every day and log onto a pearson thing everyday to do work. The reason why we PAID for the pearson computer modules thing was so we can work at our own pace.. Also.. They need to offer more online math classes. I seriously see no point in coming into class if you are just going to work online.. read more

Great sculpture! I love the art around the campus, and the LAKE! Gorgeous! Oh, and the inside is nice too, although sometimes the projects classes are doing kinda stink. read more

I am a big fan of OCC. I study here and i started working here this semester as well. I like the semi-suburban atmosphere. I like the mind-your-business type of students ranging from 18 to 81 ys old. And i like the college's pride in everything they do. I'll miss it when it's over. read more

So many opportunities to get involved,receive scholarships and meet new people. If your thinking about here definitely give this place a try. read more

I've been going to oakton off and on for a few years now (life got in the way of continuously going), and I feel I've got enough experience with it to give a fairly accurate review. I have definitely noticed that the quality of teachers is extremely hit or miss. I am by no means a poor student, never have been, but I have encountered NUMEROUS teachers in the biology department that severely lack some of the incredibly important qualities that professors who teach these difficult subjects need. I've encountered teachers who straight up yell at students for asking questions, teachers who will accept late work as full credit regardless of how the students who turned the work in on time feel, teachers who aren't willing to give up SOME of their time to help you. Most of this is what I've observed through other classmates. I, myself, have withdrawn from a subject three times because of the teacher. Not only is this something that shouldn't be happening, but it is extremely costly when tuition + cost of books is considered. I am a very positive student. I am excited to learn. I can honestly say, with the slew of seemingly disinterested teachers I've encountered as of late, I feel very discouraged. I've been told many times by my peers and even family members to attend certain other schools to achieve my degree, that there are much better schools out there, but I keep giving oakton a shot. Oakton is not a "bad" school. It tries. But I really don't feel like the majority of the teachers are there for the students. Throughout my years attending this college, I've met maybe 3 teachers who seemed to really WANT to teach. And that's just sad and unfair to the students paying out of pocket. Guidance counselors don't seem to really care either so don't look to them for help. My advice to everyone who attends is this: do your research on the teacher, and get out of there as fast as you can. There are better schools out there. read more

I got a good education here at Oakton. The staff is nice and professional. The professors knew there material. I know Oakton has clubs but I never knew when they were meeting which I took a star off for. Otherwise, Oakton is a great community college that offers a wide range of classes to take. read more

My mother died. The school wouldn't let me withdraw from my classes, and wouldn't let me make up the work I missed taking care of her final arrangements. My grade went down, and I asked them to remove it from my transcript so my mother's death wouldn't ruin my future. They said that even if I pay for, and take the class again, they won't remove it from my transcripts. The school is clearly not interested in the fair or even humane treatment of it's students. Don't take classes here. Don't give this school money. You're better off paying for out of district classes elsewhere. read more

I am a returning student to OCC after more than a decade. Today I experienced something I was not expecting from Oakton. About 2 weeks ago I started inquiring about going back to school. Everything weny fine, I even reset my login password w/a male supervisor at the IT Help desk while on my lunch break at work over the phone. I was able to go in and out pf the MyOakton. I met w/Amanda the admissions counselor, great time with her- very resourceful, I found out I had to redo my placement test for Reading, Writing & Math. I am a single mother of 10 year old, I was just diagnosed w/bad stuff, but made time to go do the tests today. I went to Des Plaines location testing center, I start to log into the computercomputerget I received an error message that my log in/password weren't correct. Then I tried to self reset the pw, it prompted me to call the help desk which I did out in the hall. So I talk to girl that then transfer to her supervisor, Nadine, she tells me because I am physically in the DP campus I need to physically walk down there with a picture ID to reset it. Mind you, I had my password reset just a few weeks ago over the phone while at work. AND even had an additional email last week it was reset again to a genaric pw b/c I had completed the enrollment application again. So of course, I tell her I'm not on campus and she straight up said she would not do it unless I was not there face to face. Honestly, that is a waste of time for everyone, not to mention very inconvenient for someone who is in tight schedule. Seriously, are they selling girl scout cooking in their office and they want you to buy them??? Come on be real here people, she could have verified me by my ss#, my date off birth control anytyhimg else. On top of this the campus building is under construction, it's very confusing as to where to go when you haven't been there in over 10 yrs. This review is not to discourage anyone from going to a school there, it is intended for the college administration to make them aware that their so called rule, is actually masking their business look likr they lack empathy and poor customer service. Nadine, you lack both of those qualities, your rule is a little extreme and very petty. read more

Ceramics lab is amazing! FUNtastic teachers Peter Hessemer and Lou Perozzi will guide you to artistic joy. Ample supplies and great turn around on projects. I hear that there are other great classes as well...I just stick with clay. read more

This is in regards to the book store. Horrible place to buy anything they screw you over buy charging you 3 times more than what the book is actually worth. Horrible place shitty people read more

If I could give no stars I would. Admissions office is terrible - received different information from each person I spoke to. Do your own homework and don't rely on their advice. I would have expected more from a community college in terms of help and support for students. I would never recommend going there!! Awful experience read more

MY god, this school treats students like idiots, not customers! It was an online class during short winter semester. I gave it a shot, and it was bearable. It was a history class, with Barbara Vallaly I was constantly checking d2l page of the class, to make sure, i didn't miss anything. Well guess what, one time discussion was posted at 9 in the morning, and was due at 6. Little did i know about it, and by the time I went on the website, the discussion topic was already closed. Not only that, keep your opinion in your pockets, as you will get dinged for every opinion, the teacher doesn't agree with (This particular at least). Also, assignments are blocked, so you can't work ahead of time, when you find some spare moment. Final paper, I had a family emergency, was denied. To sum up, I was given 68...%, just shy of the EXACT numbers, I was dinged from the ridiculous class discussion, which you can't even discuss anything openly. Teacher is never around, when you run into problems as well. I've contested the grade, nothing was done, waited months, when, I've decided to personally check out VP of academic affair's office. I was ASSURED, he's working on it, but is busy. Alright, another month passed, again I've stopped by "yeah, he's working on it". I than received a letter, which was dated, next day from my last "visit" at his office, saying it's denied, just to shut me up. I've requested to see president, doors were slammed just as I entered the office. Two secretaries (jokers), told me to write a letter. How fast we get results, I've explained above. They've told me, president has phone conference, I understand, I have stated and is it ok, if i wait. Secretaries told me, it will take 2-3 hours. "Oh well", I've thought, but I'll tough it out. They were ok with that, well one of them, because other one, like a big Judas, brought obese security/police, or as I've seen him, as a "little sheriff", as well as some women (I don't remember her rank, in this circus, so called Oakton Community College) with intend to escort me to the exit. Calmly, I've answered, "OK", but first, I request my money back, which I already paid for the incoming semester. $2,000 or so, the women angrily denied my request, but little do i care, what other say, when I get robbed during the broad daylight. I've walked over to cashier/enrollment to withdraw from the classes and to get my money back. Well, I've been told, I'll have to wait TWO WEEKS for the refund. Oakton is quick to charge your account, but to give it back it takes them weeks? At this point, Police "Officer" barked something under his nose, but the women, told the cashier to make the refund quicker. To sum up, I have received money back on the account 2 days later and due it was too late , I ended up registering for one online class. Currently, I've enrolled in different college, where people are given more respect and accessibility to personnel, which can and want to solve their problems. I strongly do not recommend this place, there are better city/community college in the area, which are even cheaper, yet have UIC, UOI professors teaching. Wright College is just one of the few examples. read more

From an outside glance, it's a very well groomed and has a beautiful landscape. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the rest of the school. It's unfortunate but it really does look like Oakton has put much of it's finances into maintaining the outside more than what they could have into it's faculty. The professors are hit or miss like most colleges but it's sad when you've been there a year and a half and only had 3 full time professors. Some of the part time teacher's are decent but a lot are foreign and hard to understand. The layout for this school is really unusual as well. It's in a forest preserve and part of the forest was actually cut down to put this school in there. Very poor cell phone/WIFI reception and not a lot of places to study or rest in between classes either. I agree with the other reviewers who say it's affordable, about $1500 a semester with 15 credit hours and Oakton won't let you forget how affordable it is but posting in their newspaper but you really do get what you pay for. A small one building campus with bad parking, students who don't really care about school and a lot of faculty who come to just get a check. This is a good school if you're looking to pick up some credits over the summer but definitely something not to recommend going to for a year or two. Triton and Harper are much better schools with lot's of different programs and classes to choose from. Oakton really has a bare minimal selection when registering for classes, leaving most students having to come into a class late and missing out on the first few days. There also seems to be like a really weird crowd that attends classes here. Many stoners, heavy addicts, foreign exchange students and Euro Trash come here which I never understood but it is what is. The best advice I can give administration wise is to do everything as early as possible. They're very slow with transcripts, official documents etc. I was in the Administration office one time and they lost someones check for $700. Talk about disorganized. Save yourself a headache and go to a real community college that will actually prepare you for the real world and give you a sense of what a real college should feel like. read more