Grand Canyon University

I've been at this university for two years now. Every time something goes right and i start to like the school, the administration does something ridiculous which is clearly in the best interest of getting the university more school and money. They lather all prospective students and patrons with love, attention, and free merchandise but the second you are officially enrolled, that all ends. The counselors suddenly become extremely evasive and take ages to answer calls and emails and requests for meetings. You pretty much have to go into their office and force them to talk to you in order for them to realize that there is a problem with your schedule or they are charging you too much money. Construction in the middle of campus is CONSTANT and the crews literally hit on the students. The school makes life extremely inconvenient for the students. Instead of building a parking garage for students like they promised during their "chapel" service (which is really just one big propaganda meeting) they instead decided to build more dorms where the already limited parking was. They then expected the students who had paid for parking to instead park off campus in an extremely dangerous neighborhood known for drugs, assault, and rape and turn in their parking pass for their "money back". in reality, this "money back" was in school cash which can only be used on school merchandise. Many of the instructors are less intelligent than their students, assuming what the student's think they say is actually correct since most of them have extremely thick accents. We were promised smaller classes with better, personal professors once we exited the prerequisite phase but so far, more of us are taught in classes without enough chairs and with Instructors Assistants. Some of us have never even met our actual professor.There are some good things about GCU. They are very involved in cleaning up the ghetto around them. They hold a lot of events on campus (although many of these are more to promote the school). They have fantastic dorms and eating on campus is great. I have had some very intelligent and outreaching to their students. However, i do believe that the cons far outweigh the pros. especially when it comes to the actual educational value.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2016

Campus Aesthetics: A, Individual Value: F

I've been at Grand Canyon for almost three years now and the first year is when it all started the financial aid counselors screw you over you really have to learn about financial aid before you attend another thing is when I first attended here it was a small PRIVATE school, if you go I campus today it looks like any other university no parking more dorms and this is one of the reasons I chose to come to this school to have smaller classes and an opportunity I have my teacher actually remember my name. They finally lowered the parking prices which were about 200 dollars now they are 75 they accept just about everyone who can afford the 16,500 tuition I am finally transferring this semester and am never going back before you go here I would definitely do some research before attending

2nd Year Female -- Class 2014

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Individual Value: F

I became aware of this university through a transfer partnership program between Grand Canyon University and the local community colleges. It was supposed to save me money to do this '3+1' program, but over time, it has become clear that I have wasted my time and money. The level of incompetency shown by Grand Canyon University's staff and faculty is insulting to the philosophy of higher education. They cannot keep track of who my financial aid officer is, or even who my academic counselor is. The only assigned point of contact that has been constant is that of my admissions counselor, but all he appears to be doing is trying to smooth talk me into continuing enrollment. My impression of him is similar to the stereotypical car salesman. Not only that, but they continuously appear to ignore the transfer partnership agreement that brought me to them in the first place. They are advising me that I must take additional classes not listed within the transfer partnership agreement. I have spoke with them on numerous occasions and was reassured that I only needed to take the classes outlined in the transfer partnership agreement. Now, only right before classes are to start, are they informing me I need to take additional classes if I wish to graduate in the spring. I even had them send a request to waive these additional courses to the head of the Health and Sciences department. My request was denied. The amount of time and frustration spent in dealing with this university and their errors due to incompetency (either of themselves or the computerized systems they use) is not worth the additional savings they claim to be promoting in this '3+1' program. I would advise anyone looking at attending this university to seriously consider alternative options. And if they are luring you with scholarships, keep in mind they are a private university. Their costs of attendance is much higher than that of a public university. Good luck!

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Friendliness: A+, Education Quality: F