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#47113 - 11/03/06 06:24 PM
Need deciding
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laceynicole723
New Member
Registered: 10/31/06
Posts: 3
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Any Students from MTEC,
Could you possibly email back and explain why you choose MTEC ove the other two schools ...CAreer Step and Andrews What does one have the other does'nt thank you 
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#47114 - 11/04/06 09:02 PM
Re: Need deciding
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Susan Francis CMT
Moderator-MTEC
Registered: 07/03/98
Posts: 467
Loc: Akron OH USA
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I hope you will find a few M-TEC students and/or grads posting here to help you. We also invite you to visit our forums on the M-TEC website http://www.mtecinc.com where you can find quite a few students and graduates to talk to. If I can be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact me. 
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#47115 - 11/06/06 01:21 PM
Re: Need deciding
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Natalie_Z
Junior Member
Registered: 05/23/05
Posts: 88
Loc: Kentucky
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Personally, I discounted Career Step as an option early on. There are several conversations here on MTChat about them if you'll do a search. I won't rehash that whole thing here. I'll just say that the higher cost of the other 2 programs are well worth the long-term benefits, and I highly recommend that you do NOT let cost be a factor in your decision. I can't stress that enough. After all, we're talking about a career decision here (or should be), and you don't want to cut corners on something so important and life changing, as well. At least, it was life changing to me to be able to have an actual career for once and not just a job.
On the other hand, I can't say that I have EVER seen anyone talk negatively about either Andrews or M-TEC. Choosing between the 2 is pretty much a personal choice. At the time, M-TEC just seemed to be a better fit for me, although I doubt I would have received a lesser education from Andrews. Most people suggest calling and speaking with both Linda Andrews from Andrews and Susan Francis from M-TEC just to see who you feel most comfortable with really. I didn't, but I do not regret my decision to go with M-TEC for one second. I had a job lined up before I even actually graduated, and from reading some of the posts here about pay, it appears that I was offered an above-average pay right out of the gate compared to graduates of other schools. I would NEVER work for what some of these companies want to offer people. It is an insult to my intelligence and training.
In my oh-so-humble opinion, M-TEC and Andrews are the only 2 you should be considering. You won't go wrong with either one.
Take Care,
Natalie
06/2005 graduate of M-TEC
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#47116 - 11/06/06 02:42 PM
Re: Need deciding
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BeavGrad
Member
Registered: 08/03/03
Posts: 301
Loc: Washington State
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When I was researching schools I eliminated Career Step right away. I am a believer in the phrase “you get what you pay for” and I was not going to pick a school based on the cost (especially when student loans are available). I also wanted a human instructor, not a computer grader. I felt the other 2 schools were better matches for me. I ended up choosing M-TEC, but I know I would have been happy with Andrews as well.
I graduated from M-TEC in 2003 and have been a working MT since. After graduation I was able to apply with numerous companies who waived their 2-year experience rule just because I was an M-TEC graduate. I had plenty of companies to choose from and was happy to have the ability to pick the company I wanted.
After graduation I am still able to receive help from M-TEC. Not only do I still have access to the companies who hire M-TEC grads, but they also have a graduate forum. Currently, I am participating in a free CMT prep course via this forum. I can also discuss things with other working MTs and receive advice as well. My instructor at M-TEC helped me create my resume and has given me valuable advice on working in this career.
I would strongly suggest you visit the M-TEC forums and ask any questions you may have about the course or about being an MT in general. The people are always friendly and you can learn a lot just by reading through past threads.
Good luck,
Sue
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#47117 - 11/06/06 07:46 PM
Re: Need deciding
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CountryGirlMT
New Member
Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 16
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“you get what you pay for”
So if I bought a can of Campbell's soup at one store for $1 but across town it is $2, the $2 can is better?! I don't think so. 
When I was searching for schools I came here. I looked at all three schools and what the students had to say about them. I could not find a single thread about why M-Tech and Andrews was better. The only response I got was Career Step students are "stupid," which is a very childish remark. I figured if the students couldn't even tell me why it was better and had to ridicule other schools just to prove it was a good school, then it obviously wasn't. However, Career Step students here told me why Career Step was a great school without even mentioning M-Tech or Andrews. If you want people to choose your school then state why it is a great school instead of saying responses I only expect from a first grader.
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#47118 - 11/06/06 08:19 PM
Re: Need deciding
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BeavGrad
Member
Registered: 08/03/03
Posts: 301
Loc: Washington State
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Your logic is flawed. If I buy a can of Campbell’s soup at one store for $1 and at another store for $2 then I am guilty of not shopping around to make sure I am getting better quality for the increased amount of money. Since Campbell’s soup is Campbell’s soup regardless of where I buy it, then that logic doesn’t make sense. However, in my post regarding schools it does make sense. M-TEC costs more money because it is a higher quality school and, therefore, I am getting a better education.
If you read my post then you will see that I gave several examples as to why I like M-TEC and I did not criticize any other school. The only post I see with comments that can be compared to that of a first grader is the one you wrote, which had nothing to do with the original question and appears to be some attempt at starting a school war.
Sue
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#47119 - 11/07/06 09:43 AM
Re: Need deciding
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CountryGirlMT
New Member
Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 16
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That is exactly what I did with schools. I shopped around and chose the best school for me which was Career Step.
Like I said...more name calling... I didn't just refer to your post. You must think the world revolves around you or something. I refered to EVERY post on this forum. Those examples you gave sounds like Career Step to me. Career Step offers ALL of it and the companies veiw Career Step the same way your expressed M-Tech.
Career Step is a great school. If the largest MT company in the world will hire ONLY CS grads at starting out at acute care instead of entry level then it must be a great school. I am not saying that the other two aren't just as good, but I can only speak of Career Step. Which is what you all need to do instead of bashing other schools. If you can't give just the facts about the school then that isn't saying much about it or the students.
I contacted MT companies when I was searching and asked which school they preferred their students to use and they ALL said Career Step. I went to local hospitals, contacted doctors, and a lot of online MT companies. I chose the school I knew I would have no problem getting a job with. Those companies said I would not have to have any experience if I went to Career Step. They would hire me as soon as I graduated.
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#47120 - 11/07/06 10:15 AM
Re: Need deciding
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meri
Member
Registered: 09/08/01
Posts: 8786
Loc: Murrieta, California
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Quote:
The only response I got was Career Step students are "stupid," which is a very childish remark.
I'd like to see this 'quote' when you have the time?
In all my years on this board, I have never once read that particular comment.
Many, many posts, though, have been about the comparison between schools and why M-TEC and Andrews cost more and what a student gets in return for that extra cost. You must have missed those posts?
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#47122 - 11/07/06 10:20 AM
Re: Need deciding
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JoannaEberhart
New Member
Registered: 07/20/06
Posts: 19
Loc: Connecticut
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I think what's most telling is that you don't find M-TEC (or Andrews) students wasting their time playing jackass on other schools' forums. I think someone needs to add a module on "Professional Decorum in the MT Community." 
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#47123 - 11/07/06 10:29 AM
Re: Need deciding
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CountryGirlMT
New Member
Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 16
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Well I have seen this comment several times before. You have also, you are just not going to admit how childish some of the people here are in their comments.
I saw a new post just the other day where someone said Career Step grads were "stupid." It was started by this same person (Lacey) and some very rude individual made that statement. The moderators had to close the thread because of that very rude person.
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#47124 - 11/07/06 10:31 AM
Re: Need deciding
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bobbcat
Member
Registered: 03/27/03
Posts: 5577
Loc: My office.
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Quote:
I think someone needs to add a module on "Professional Decorum in the MT Community."
Oh I dunno.....everyone enjoys an occasional side show every now and then to spice things up a bit.
From one who visits a variety of message boards, this is among the best out there as far as holding its own with regard to outrageous behavior and incidents of out-and-out abuse. The relative hands-off approach in here is quite appropriate.
_________________________
Bottom line, it's either M-TEC or Andrews.
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#47125 - 11/07/06 10:47 AM
Re: Need deciding
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JoannaEberhart
New Member
Registered: 07/20/06
Posts: 19
Loc: Connecticut
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Quote:
I saw a new post just the other day where someone said Career Step grads were "stupid." It was started by this same person (Lacey) and some very rude individual made that statement. The moderators had to close the thread because of that very rude person.
If you are their poster child, it must be true, because no one said that at all. I believe you are referring to Far Away Deb, who mentioned that school does not test applicants the way M-TEC and Andrews do. If you want to infer anything, it should be that they took your money despite the fact you probably won't do well as an MT as you lack the basic language and comprehension skills.
In addition, I believe the thread was locked not because of Deb, but because someone with a chip on her shoulder turned it into another school war by trying to insult the better schools instead of simply having a say and allowing others to, as well.
Oh, my - now I'm getting deju vu! 
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#47126 - 11/07/06 11:07 AM
Re: Need deciding
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meri
Member
Registered: 09/08/01
Posts: 8786
Loc: Murrieta, California
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Quote:
You have also, you are just not going to admit how childish some of the people here are in their comments.
Oh, I never having a problem admitting to anything. And, yes, you are correct - some people are childish.
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#47127 - 11/07/06 11:38 AM
Re: Need deciding
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JustJ
Member
Registered: 09/24/04
Posts: 1226
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Quote:
If the largest MT company in the world will hire ONLY CS grads at starting out at acute care instead of entry level then it must be a great school.
Which company is this, and could you provide a link to this information please?
J
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#47128 - 11/07/06 11:58 AM
Re: Need deciding
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Endiqua
Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 3399
Loc: At the computer - where else?
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Threads discussing school merits are frequently locked because the discussion has been had many, many times before - it rarely has anything to do with a comment in the thread. Sometimes it gets locked after the original post. I cannot recall anyone ever saying CS students are "stupid" or lacking in any way. I have not attended any of the 3, but I have noted that I have never heard a graduate of MTEC or Andrews say anything negative about their education or complain about problems getting a job.
This *is* the MTEC forum, the question here was addressed to MTEC students, and I think it is extremely rude to come in here and complain about how CS is maligned and start taking potshots at the posters on this board. In addition, I hardly think you are bolstering the reputation of your school by doing so.
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#47129 - 11/07/06 12:10 PM
Re: Need deciding
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tropsicleAfter
Member
Registered: 10/30/06
Posts: 2053
Loc: MS Gulf Coast
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I'm betting that neither of those will be answered. I doubt it is even true.
It is really quite a claim.
First, I assure you that other MT companies would dispute that her (yet-to-be) cited company is the "largest MT company in the world." Secondly, any company that would hire ONLY graduates of ANY school would be so severely limiting their workforce that they would not long remain the "largest", and most probably would not long remain at all. Her claim about "starting out at acute care instead of entry level" is misleading. Starting out in acute care at 4 cpl is no great feat, when "entry level" grads of the other two schools start making much more.
Finally, her logic is based on faulty premises, which are obvious to working MTs at the forum she hates, yet continues to frequent. Like so many before her, she cannot wrap her mind around the fact that she has invested a lot of money in an inferior product, so she feels she must convince everyone else how wrong they are about their choices.
_________________________
tropsicle
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#47130 - 11/07/06 12:35 PM
Re: Need deciding
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Natalie_Z
Junior Member
Registered: 05/23/05
Posts: 88
Loc: Kentucky
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Quote:
Quote:
If the largest MT company in the world will hire ONLY CS grads at starting out at acute care instead of entry level then it must be a great school.
Which company is this, and could you provide a link to this information please?
J
It is my understanding that Medquist is the largest transcription company in the U.S. at least, not sure about the world. I started at Medquist immediately after graduation at acute care (Tier III MT doing all report types, including operative notes). As stated previously, I am an MTEC grad. I can assure you it was at more than 4 cpl. If I were to go to voice recognition at MQ, my pay would still be significantly higher than 4 cpl.
I did not intend to start any sort of school war by stating that I discounted CS early on. I really just wanted to point out that I have never seen an MTEC or Andrews grad who was unhappy with their education but have indeed seen CS grads who were unhappy with theirs. I am truly happy for you, CountryGirl, that CS worked out well for you; however, this has not been the case for all CS grads apparently. As I previously stated, the poster should do a search on MTChat (remember to use a time frame of something other than the 1 week it defaults at) for previous threads regarding this issue. If you will do so as well, CountryGirl, you will see that I have not pulled this information out of thin air.
Take Care,
Natalie
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#47131 - 11/07/06 01:08 PM
Re: Need deciding
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Natalie_Z
Junior Member
Registered: 05/23/05
Posts: 88
Loc: Kentucky
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To the original poster...
I just remembered 2 factors that caused me to choose MTEC over other schools.
1. My tuition included several (about 10) word books in addition to the textbooks and dictionary and other items included. Working in acute care, I use most of these word books on a regular basis and have only needed to buy 2 other books this past year. One was an updated version of the Quick Look Drug Book that came out after finishing my course. The other was Vera Pyle's terminology book, which I actually have not used near as much as I thought I might.
2. I was able to get a Sallie Mae loan with MTEC. My payments were only $10 a month for the first 12 months. By the time that 12 months was up, I had a job and no problem making the payments. I'm not sure just how long they'll let you get the loan for, but mine is for 6 years (I think?) with payments of approximately $90 a month now. If you got it for longer, the payments would be lower of course. Actually, I wish I had done a lesser amount of time, but I'm making higher payments than required to get it paid off sooner.
Also, they didn't have him when I first began my course, but Mike DeTuri began as technology instructor at MTEC at some point during my course. For me, that wouldn't have been a factor really because I consider myself relatively computer savvy anyway, but there is a crapload of basic and more advanced technology information within the MTEC members' area that I'm sure would be handy for someone who was less computer literate.
As someone stated earlier in the thread, I also continue to have access to the MTEC members' area, which is a very valuable resource. I regularly check their Transcription Tips page (in members' area) for updates to style issues. Style in this business seems to continually change, and it's nice to have a place to go to stay on top of those things. In addition to that, I still receive job postings from MTEC. I'm not actively looking for a job at the moment, but if I do decide to move on, it certainly will be nice to have those fresh job openings right in my inbox.
Alas, I don't visit the graduate forum as much I'd like to, but I always find something interesting there when I do. If I were interested in the CMT, which I'm not really sure of at this point due to issues concerning the former AAMT, I would definitely be involved in the free CMT prep course. I've seen several CMT prep courses for sale, so this is actually a pretty good deal if you ask me.
Also, I had a real live instructor to ask questions of, either by email or by phone for questions that needed immediate attention. My instructor was very patient with me, even those few times that I KNEW I was right and she was wrong, LOL. Yes, I sometimes do have an argumentative personality, and when I didn't understand why something was wrong, I argued that until finally her point hit home with me. At no time did my instructor get frustrated with me or short with me.
There are a dozen other reasons why I would choose MTEC again, but these are just a few that stick out in my mind.
Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions about MTEC that I can help you with.
Take Care,
Natalie
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#47132 - 11/07/06 02:28 PM
Re: Need deciding
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Beach_MT
Member
Registered: 09/13/05
Posts: 612
Loc: Connecticut
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I graduated from MTEC in 2004 and did an exhaustive search of schools for about 3 months before I decided. I chose MTEC for the following reasons.
A one-to-one personal instructor.
Weekly interactive classes with other students and instructors.
The extensive materials provided with the course. The only software/materials I needed to purchase following graduation were the Quick Look Drug Book electronic version and my Instant Text expansion program, though I could have done without either. You do get a printed version of the drug reference book.
Outstanding placement program and percent of placement. Your instructor will actually help with reviewing your resume and provide suggestions to improve it or give it a hearty hands up! 
Prompt, explicit answers to any questions I had.
A detailed, organized course curriculum. I LOVE organization!
The fact they used the SUM CD program. I think this may have been a reason I did not choose Andrews. I'm not sure, but I think they may have been using the cassettes. I could be wrong.
The payment plan. Since I did not want to go with a student loan, I chose the 3-payment-plan option.
My intution. I felt really comfortable on the MTEC forum.
I'm sure there are more. If I remember I'll update.
I actually boiled it down to MTEC and Andrews. Like I said, I think it was the CD versus cassette issue that swayed me.
I've been tinkering with the thought of taking a course on coding. If so, I'm going with Andrews. MTEC doesn't offer a course for coding.
Good luck in deciding! 
Edited to add, the MTEC instructors are fantastic. It's not going to be a walk in the park though. They make you work hard in order for you to become a great MT. I'll never forget a remark I got back on one of my reports that had an error. "You should know this by now!" Think I'll ever make that particular error ever again. Not by a long shot. My instructor was tough, but she was darn good at it!
Edited by Beach_MT (11/07/06 02:33 PM)
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Moderator: Susan Francis CMT
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