Not all colleges are created equally and not all teachers as well. ESC is a prime example of this disparity.As of writing this review in Summer 2011, Edison is in turmoil as it may lose it's accreditation with SACS, The
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. There are allegations and innuendo and the VP of Academic Affairs,
Steve Atkins resigned, a faculty no confidence vote and recently as fall 2010, roughly 50 students were allowed to
graduate in spite of lacking some basic academic requirements. The college also suffers from the number of full time faculty. Regardless, you should be concerned as a potential student considering the loss of accreditation
means your future degree from ESC would be devalued and useless and trying to get a transcript would be impossible
with the school shut down.
I have taken both on campus courses and on line courses at Edison. At best this college is a prep school for High
Schools students who really are not college material. Most of the students treat the courses and class like it
was just an extension of high school detention class, many are using their GI bill to test the waters of what "Higher" education is supposed to be like. As is with most students, many just want the piece of paper called a diploma for the illusion of a job they think they are qualified for upon graduation. All things considered, the school and overall course work is far from challenging, especially if you are an out of state student who is from a much more vibrant, cultured and competitive background such as the Northeast. I would urge you to apply elsewhere, most likely on the southeast coast if you MUST remain in Florida.
It is no mystery that the education system in this state is horrendous. ESC is just the next rung up that
proverbial ladder of anti-education. If you are borrowing to go to this school- Don't, take your loans elsewhere
as you will be paying them off after graduation for a long time to come as Lee county and the surrounding areas
areas are a literal wasteland of any semblance of educated opportunities. If not, you will have to move to find
gainful employment, especially if you are one of those RARE types who is a natural critical thinker, ambitious,
disciplined and competitive. You will find of those inherent traits utilized at ESC and that is being kind to say the least.
Most of the instructors are sub-par and really do nothing to engage their students, especially anyone considered
bright and attentive. In fact, you will find more apprehension from your instructors since they are accustomed to lecturing to the malcontents, ex-con felons and c-rate students. Don't be surprised if you find yourself more intelligent and even knowledgeable then some of your instructors. On a side note, the administration does well in addressing your needs in regards to applying, transferring credits and the basic run of the mill duties. It's the educational issues where this school falls flat.
If you do end up here, one final observation and warning. Avoid a particular instructor in the criminal justice
dept named Dennis Fahey. He is without a doubt a completely conceited and ill mannered teacher who consistently belittles his students and disregards any intelligent verbal discourse, especially when it goes against his stereotypical southern conservative mentality. He treats his students, who mind you, actually pay his salary with their overpriced student loans, like they are belligerent children. He seems to enjoy embarrassing students and even ridiculing them openly. I am seriously surprised enough complaints were not filed regarding his teaching methods. Ironically, as much as he voices his high horse conservative viewpoints on every subject or stories of his past glories as a sheriff/cop (Figures)..he actually got his graduate degree in the North (Rutgers) Hypocrite!
Do yourself a favor, find a real educational experience with instructors who are receptive of your talents as an
individual, who encourage you to succeed and are open to discussion and enjoy the discourse and debate. You will
find none of that at Edison. Ask yourself, how many colleges you have looked at were being threatened with the loss of accreditation? If you were a teacher/instructor would you choose to work here knowing this. So why would it be any different for a student looking to spend your hard earned cash and credit? - Start off on the right foot, look elsewhere. Better yet, look abroad if you can manage it. Good Luck!
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