CDI College Reviews

CDI College
( 82 reviews )

CDI College Customer Reviews

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I had a great experience !!!
June 12, 2018

I've been reading these online reviews and quite frankly my experience is quite the opposite. I attended the Scarborough Campus for their Medical Office program and my class was full and my classmates were happy. The Instructor Carrie was fabulous, very attentive and knowledgeable.

My Admissions guy told me he's worked in the education industry for over 10 years and I found him to be honest, attentive, straight forward and accommodating. I threw a ton of questions his way and then brought my husband who drilled him every which way from here to Tuesday but each time he had quick, reasonable answer that made us feel welcomed and taken care of. Thanks Steven!!

I'm not suggesting that others who write reviews are lying, but perhaps their negative experience was from a different year, different province or different campus. All I'm saying is my experience and from what I could tell from other students, in the hallways and conversations in the elevator is that the recipe at Scarborough is AWESOME ! Now I'm hired and making more money than I used to when I working at KFC

Information Technology @ CDI College
February 27, 2018

Studying at CDI college changed my life very greatly! Fully equipped IT Lab, and online Test out and Microsoft Labs enabled me to fully achieve and gain what I was looking for. Intuitive teaching methodology and Virtualized lab environments were the core elements to boost my knowledge to a higher plane.

Easily accessible instructor and small group class help to grasp the courses easily.

I advise anyone who is interested in the IT field, even with zero background, to get qualified with all what IT filed demands at CDI College

college CDI is a scam
July 20, 2017

Just the fact that there's enough correct answers already written on the "admission" test (a "test" that any crackhead with half a brain could pass) for you to be accepted is a clear proof that they are money greedy, why their diploma is worthless, why no employer is taking them seriously and why you also shouldn't.

There's so many horror stories all over internet; just google it. College CDI sucks, plain and simple. They are often followed by cheesy misinformation sent by CDI trolls. A clear proof it's a professional scam and not a real college.

Babs December 19, 2018

WRITING IN CAPS, SO THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND

CDI COLLEGES IS A COMPLETE FRAUD.

THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SUED FOR FRAUD.

THEY APPROVE THE SCHOOL.

THEY GIVE YOU A LOAN THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY BACK WITH INTEREST.

THAT MEANS THAT THEY MAKE A PROFIT AND DON'T CARE.

FRAUD. FRAUD. FRAUD

CDI = SCAM
November 14, 2016

Does anyone know how I can sue CDI?

I am taking an IT course and by the time I graduate, all the certification exams that we are preparing for, would be retired.

It is November 2016 and the course for Microsoft Server is for the 2008 version, which is retired.

Some schools are using 2012 and 2016.

Christopher November 23, 2016

UPDATE

=======

CDI is not a SCAM.

The issues listed above have been resolved and I am very pleased.

In fact, I rate the IT teacher as one of the best I have had. I have studied in Montreal, Manchester England and attended the University of Miami (Electrical Engineering) and really like the IT teacher.

I also found the staff to be friendly and professional. I would not hesitate to send people there.

My advice to students would be to take your certification exams as soon as you complete your course. The IT teacher would get you ready with sample questions and projects.

Good luck and give CDI a try.

Babs December 17, 2016

I don't believe that you are Christopher that was in the CDI College in Calgary. I have seen his case and he does have solid proof that CDI College, is in fact a FRAUD.

I have given him advice on how to proceed and I am hopeful that he would carry out what I have told him.

People in charge of CDI College have to be locked up.

I have also contacted the Office of the Attorney General to take a closer look into the dealings of this For-Profit 'College'..

If they need help, I have connections with an Attorney that worked on the case in the US, involving for-profit Colleges.

I hope to see big changes coming soon.

TinaMak October 30, 2018

you can submit all your CDI documents to the consumer protector bc. They will review all the paper work and see if you should take further action.

Christopher October 30, 2018

@Tina,

Would the consumer protector be able to take complaint about the CDI in Calgary?

Teaching Old Courses
November 14, 2016

I registered for Network and Database Management and realized that they were teaching old courses.

All the A+ and Network+ courses were old and by the time I graduate, the certification exams would be retired.

The main reason for me taking the course was to prepare for the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Certification Exams. To my surprise, CDI was still using SQL Server 2008. At first, I thought they were joking. We are in Nov 2016 and the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 certification exam is retired.

Can one sue the College for a refund?

Christopher November 23, 2016

Issues listed above have been resolved.

I would send people I know to the College.

Someone very disappointed very disappointed
March 22, 2016
Don't waist your time. I totally forgot about this joke until today when someone emailed me and what a impudence after 8 months this idiots want to know how I'm doing !?There are some nice people there "Some "Try 2 in total! ?This organization is a money maker don't care about you. So every one pick any other college but this one

waste of time and money
March 3, 2016
please refund our tuition fee payment

Don't waste your time or money !
October 22, 2015

I took the Network Systems Administrator course and I could've gotten a better education teaching myself through library and online books and information then through this 'college'. You have to teach yourself EVERYTHING and the instructor (while very knowledgeable) is only there to provide assistance for actual problems or answer questions and not 'instruct' a class by any stretch!

Take my advice, do your research! If you are looking at Technology or computers start at CompTIA and go from there! Don't waste time at this piss poor school !

Teah January 27, 2016

You mention that the instructor is very knowledgeable which I've heard about CDI's instructors. They literally care about their students because they are not doing the job for the high pay (my understanding is that they are paid below standard) As for 'teaching yourself' - I'm very familiar with CDI's teaching methods. As a 'career college' they are preparing students for the REAL world. In the real world, no one holds your hand. The instructors are there to help but the students do indeed do the work. In fact, a 'A' graduating student from CDI College would make and exceptional employee because you know that individual would be capable. My impression is that you may need an education where they accommodate for people who are not willing to do the work. I could be wrong but perhaps you're simply not a 'can-do' person. Regardless, I wish you success.

Waste of Time, Energy and Most of All Money!!
August 14, 2015

I enrolled in the Accounting and Payroll Admin diploma program in 2014. Thinking a change of pace would fast track diploma program would place me into a better career. Beware to all!! When speaking to an admissions person you will be told that the college is "fully" accredited and that you are making a giant step forward if you want to become an accountant or payroll manager etc.

This is only partly true. CDI is not accredited at all with the Canadian Payroll Association (if you want to become certified), you will have to pay another 2500.00 approx to do their on-line courses in the association's certification process.....you cannot transfer any of your credits that you have "earned" from CDI. What that means is that you have to pay again and redo four courses that you have already paid for through CDI.

You will also be told that you can challenge the exam for certification...that, I found out is true, but ask yourself if what you learned at CDI is up to snuff in order to challenge an exam from an association that does not recognize what we have been taught. I am not so sure and after all of the negativity and little white lies here and there...I don't trust that I could challenge the exam.

Another little tidbit I found out about last January is that CDI is not accredited through another CPA, which is the Chartered Professional Accountant association that is Canada wide. If you have chosen to become an accountant of any type, the CPA does NOT recognize any of your credits from the accounting part of the program. You will have to go to another college or university that is recognized for another couple of years and then you can transfer those credits into the CPA program to start your designation.

If taking this program do NOT expect anything else other than a good for you for finishing a college course....it will not help you on your ways to a career professional in either accounting or payroll.

BEWARE! BEWARE! BEWARE! The piece of paper called a diploma that you and almost all students receive for little or no work is NOT worth over $18,000.00!! Take your money and extra time and put it to use at a school that can help you go places.

ken March 03, 2016

i totally agree!

kristi October 23, 2016

i didnt even last more than 3 weeks in that ****show and they still collected the tuition fees and i been in debt ever since

CherylTurner February 18, 2021

Heartbreaking!

Extremely dissappointed and angry
March 1, 2015

I attended the CDI in Edmonton City Center back in 2013-2014, My teachers were all good and I enjoyed going, What has really made me think badly about it is their collection practices. I recently have been going through my school papers and noticed a letter from them saying I owed $606.66 as of Feb/14. I graduated in Mar/14 .

So it took me 7 months to get a job in my field as most places don't recognize CDI as a good place to go so you actually have to prove yourself, well suddenly i am getting calls from a collection agency saying I owe the school $2300.00 for unpaid dues? funny.... how is it possible I owed $606.00. when I haven't been there surely interest is not that high.

I also find it funny how the same program at a different college is also 10,000 cheaper half my classes at CDI were useless in my field I took the Medical office administration. Plus the amount of staff change over in the administration area was crazy multiple people were fired for reasons they would not say I am starting to think it was the mishandles off money.

Excellent!!
February 5, 2015

Not a bad thing to say about CDI. I have almost completed my program (HCA), just my practicum to go. The best decision I could have made was to go here.

I have finished at the top of my class and I owe it all to my teacher, Sanjay. His knowledge and way of teaching was encouraging and inspiring. He encouraged us to ask questions and was happy to answer them, even repeatedly. His numerous years as a nurse allowed us to understand the situations that we would encounter in our field and how to handle them.

The rest of the staff on campus were great. They were friendly and helpful. Any questions or concerns that I had were dealt with immediately.

I would recommend CDI to anyone and everyone!!

hca from cdi surrey campus donna
February 5, 2015

I had a amazing experience I worked hard and had awesome support from my teachers and college was very helpful in the application and with student loan process. This college has made it possible for me to have a career and instructors helped us and taught us everything to help us be successful in the field.

I'm glad I choose CDI college and I would recommend anyone who wants go back to school to come to this college. They also teach you one course at a time so the pace is good. I want to thank Sanjay HCA instructor for helping me believe in my self and for being a great instructor and giving me all the skills I need for this Health care assistant career.

CherylTurner February 18, 2021

Well, your writing in this review is not up to college level, that much I can say!

CDI helped me change my life
February 5, 2015

CDI helped me change my life....And give me a lifelong career

From the moment I came into CDI surrey campus I felt excited to learn and felt supported to do so. Sanjay was my instructor for the Health Care Assistant Program and he was extremely thorough and structured throughout the duration of the program. He pushed for excellence and the theory and practical lessons were taught in a way that was educational and fun.

I would like to thank Sanjay for believing in my potential before I knew I had it and the CDI staff for making it easy to enroll in the program. I am considering going into the PN program in the next five years and I will return to CDI for this.

unknown November 03, 2017

CDI college where do i start from sexual harassment to instructors not capable of teaching classes there has been many instructors who are very unprofessional telling students there personal problems not related to education i personally have had my instructor sexual harass me gave me there personal contact information being very explicit made me feel unwanted stupid and could not complete my classes due to the fact of this situation i could no longer attend and was absent a lot i have kept it in cause i felt i would be terminated but now that i have been i am speaking up for anyone who has been in my situation, i will no longer get my dignity back but i will get closure hopefully this will be seen by higher and respected authority with that being said i do have printed emails,text messages i have saved. i dont recommend CDI college to anyone south campus!!!i am now struggling with PTSD and have caused physical harm to myself. I dont expect anything from this email only to stand up for for students who are afraid to your self respect and dignity are worth more than 20,000.!!!!!

Why I'm thrilled
January 22, 2015

Why I'm thrilled with my Surrey CDI physiotherapist / occupational assistant experience...

My college experience at Surrey CDI has been a positive one. I am happy that I received a comprehensive, affordable, quality education. My teachers kept the learning curve challenging, fun and memorable, and the skills practical.

I found all of CDI's instructors to be capable, helpful, professional, and had real world, hands on experience in the areas that they were teaching. My classmates made learning awesome. I found the administrative staff friendly and very capable in their various capacities.

I now have a rewarding job as an occupational therapist assistant because CDI college gave me the skills that my employer was looking for. Thanks CDI! I highly recommend CDI to anyone who values a quality education.

Brent Ellis. OTA

Dennis Lero Paredes January 30, 2015

Hi Brent, I am also looking to get into a PTA/OTA program soon. However, I am not familiar with the PTA / OTA program at CDI Surrey. Should I hold out until I can get into the one at Vancouver Community College or Capilano University? Your advice would be much appreciated.

Brent Ellis January 30, 2015

Hey Dennis, all three are worth considering, but Surrey CDI sure met my expectations for excellence.

For you, perhaps factor in the cost of commuting, how much competition there is for available seats in each program, what your current schedule is and the start date of a particular program, how much available time will you have to study, will you have to work full time and attend school full time, will you have time to do any volunteer work?

Everyone's situation is a bit different. I originally checked out Cap U but missed the enrolment date. It would have been a longer cummute and the bridge toll is there too. CDI was a good fit for me in every way. The CDI instructors were awesome. Surrey CDI got me where I wanted to be....

No matter where you go, be sure and invest enough time in studying and remember to volunteer somewhere that relates to your future line of work as an OTA / PTA. Good luck!

just terrible
January 21, 2015

If you are seriously thinking about it, I urge you to read this, though it may be long.

1 star because I couldn't rate it any lower. This is pertaining to the Richmond, British Columbia campus.

I was going through some stuff in my life and started to research various options. I have been wanting to enter a trade for a while and I came across their Construction Electrician Foundations course. I had a couple of meetings with their advisers, Artika and later Mae. Honestly, they were nice and seemed helpful, though I'm sure they were just trying to sell me the program and get on with it. Well they succeeded because I signed up for it. I was actually excited for it.

I should have read all their reviews before hand because from the moment I signed up and paid the $250 application fee (there are top tier universities with lower application fees), things started to be a hassle.

First thing was payment. I ended up having to give them $6,077 (50% of tuition) in cash because they would not accept my credit card and cheques took weeks to clear through them. That was fine though, it got done.

From then on, it took me making a call every day and about a weeks time to get a letter of enrollment and proof that I had actually been signed up for the program, something I assumed to be instant after payment.

I signed up around November 15th, 2014, for a course starting on January 19th, 2015. On January 15th I received a text message from Mae (the adviser) letting me know that the program was delayed until January 26th. Not a big deal I thought. Two days later, I get another text message almost congratulating me because they have decided to take off $2,000 from our class' tuition. Why? Well because they program would not only be delayed another week until February 2nd, but that the times would be changed from the original 1-6 PM to 5-10 PM.

Two days before my program was supposed to start I get a text message telling me that all the scheduling and planning that I've prepared for the next 7 months of my life are now irrelevant, but I get $2,000 for 'my troubles'.

Turns out those times wouldn't work. Long story short, they seemed to be trying to accommodate me (by now I've actually gone in to sit down with them because I found the whole texting a bit unprofessional) but to no avail. I ended up deciding to drop out of the program after they agreed to refund my $6,077 (everything I paid minus the $250 application fee, which at the time I was not willing to argue with these people over.)

As soon as I get there to sign my "cancellation" papers I was smart enough to ask about my refund. I told them I would not sign anything until I got my money back, since the letter they tried to get me to sign was me acknowledging that I had received my refund. They told me it would be about 4 weeks to get my refund. I was not having it so I sat down with the finances guy, Raymond, and had him call the headquarters (in Toronto I believe) and expedite the process. I gave him until Friday under threat of making this a legal matter. We'll see how that goes.

15 minutes after I left I get a call from a lady whom I never had the 'pleasure' of meeting. She tells me that she will be calling the Canadian immigration services to let them know I would not be attending and that I would lose my visas. To me it sounded like a threat, so I told her she could do whatever she wanted, once I get my refund. Turns out I no longer require a Visa to begin with so it didn't bother me, but it is something to watch out for from these people for any international that might sadly come across this college.

TL:DR - CID sucks, they are a hassle to deal with and they are everything but professional. Wish I had read these reviews before I made my choice, now I'm dealing with the consequences. STAY AWAY FROM THEM.

George

Brent Ellis January 22, 2015

I would value advice from students who actually attended the school, and not just from someone who had admission difficulties and apparently never even set foot in a class at CDI.... Just saying.....

Patricia Flamant April 16, 2015

But he is just stating his dealings with this college and I think everyone deserves to tell their story "JUST SAYING"

Suck
November 2, 2014
This school has received a full federal loan for a 10 month program my daughter dropped out of after 2 months.They don't return calls, they don't help and they should lose their accreditation from the gov't!!!

The state of hypocrisy
July 26, 2014

The do care more about the staff than the students. Everything's is lead by their image and see by yourself how perfect CDI College pretend to be in their phony students comments, "At CDI my instructor help me a lot and took a great deal of time for me, my classroom mate were so funny and it was great to be at CDI College" etc, etc, etc.

The fact is that they do seems to care as long as you pay them, but once the money is in the bank, some of the peoples are out of there. This is a company lead by money. They pretend to be the ones who are right while the student are always wrong as long as they say what they want hear. .

Jane February 28, 2022

I agree with you. We complained on the teacher to Administration and nothing was done. This college does not have values.

HELP ME PLEASE
July 9, 2014
I just enrolled in the pharmacy assistant program for sept at the Edmonton campus. After reading all of these reviews I am very very scared. The school called me to tell me that my loan was approved. Does anyone know if it is too late for me to back out? I unfortunately did sign my enrollment papers :( Thanks

Aaron Repato July 16, 2014

Hi my wife is in the same situation, were you able to find out if we can still back out of the loan and/or enrollment? please let me know thanks

I'm worried!
February 26, 2014
My husband started the Networking/Systems program over a week ago. From what he's told me, his 4 hours of class time per day consists of him self-teaching while the instructor teaches students for a slightly different program. I was very suspicious of the whole $20,000 tuition from the start (a 1 year college diploma at a public college costs way less than even half of that!) and after reading the reviews on here, I am still feeling uneasy. I have been to two different public colleges in the past 12 years and have found that the curriculum/value of what I learned was high quality. From what I understand from his experiences so far, the first course is all about the basics of Windows 7 and how to navigate the Windows program. I don't know about you all, but I knew the basics of Windows programs since I was very young. I just feel that what he will be taught is not worth the money. The reps seemed to have brainwashed my husband into thinking that he'll get a great job after graduation and that if he keeps his marks high, he can qualify for part of tuition reimbursed in the form of an award or bursary. has anyone on here actually got money back from doing well in any programs at CDI? Please reply.

Edward Forbes March 10, 2014

As a former CDI Instructor I can verify that much of the "teaching" in the Networking and Computer courses is self-Tuaght with instructors mostly marking papers and occasionally helping he students. YOu can get the same results by self study and writing industry certification exams would hold more clout then a CDI degree.

I wish I had found this site first! CDI ripped me off!
November 21, 2013

I began investigating the addiction/community service worker course at CDI in Ajax,decided to put it off for a while and Geoffrey the salesman from said "college" pursued me with many promises of future employment opportunities. I had explained to him several times that I wanted to work in a treatment centre and be an addictions worker, he reassured me as did the placement officer that my diploma would get me the job I wanted. Thank God I started looking for placement opportunities after only 1 month. I called every drug/ alcohol treatment centre across Toronto and not ONE of them will recognize this diploma... Please Please take my advise and speak with the companies that you want to work for first before giving CDI any of your $

Good luck , oh and btw my "teacher" is an underemployed social worker who has absolutely no knowledge regarding drug addiction , relied on students for information , and admitted to taking this job as he couldn't find any other!

Martin Cohen May 02, 2014

CDI College is one of those inferior instituations passing itself off as a REAL SCHOOL/ The good instructors are usually fired, inferior instructors are hired at a lower pay rate.....and no one seems to be the wiser.

TAKE MY WORD FOR IT......AVOID CDI COLLEGE...ESPECIALLY THE SCARBOROUGH CAMPUS...IT IS A COMPLETE JOKE.

\HOW DO I KNOW....35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE CAREER COLLEGE BUSINESS.