CDI College Reviews

CDI College
( 77 reviews )

CDI College is system of institutions located throughout the provinces of Canada which claim to be educational and professional training facilities that prepare students for a future in the workplace.

How Does it Work?

CDI College is a for-profit university, which is a type of post-secondary learning institution that has been multiplying over the last few years. 

According to CDI College’s website they offer a wide variety of diploma programs and have over twenty different locations.

When choosing an institution of higher learning, one of the important things you should look for is “accreditation,” the process by which a third party evaluates the educational program and makes sure that it meets pre-determined standards. 

In both the United States and Canada, this third party must be approved by the government's Educational Department.

Being a Canadian school, in order for CDI College to have accreditation, they must adhere to specific guidelines set out by each individual province where their campuses are located.

Controversy Surrounding For-Profit Schools

Unfortunately, as the attendance rates of for-profit universities have risen there have been reports  that some for-profit colleges and universities have mislead their prospective students into believing they are fully accredited.

The reality then turns out to be that only some of their diploma programs meet standards for accreditation while others do not, or sometimes the schools claim accreditation from a third party which is not sanctioned by the country's Educational Department.

Thankfully, it is possible to conduct your own research to determine whether or not a collegiate program is considered accredited. 

Using the website of the Council of Ministers of Education Canada, you can choose the province in which you are planning to attend school, and from there discover which schools and programs are accredited, and which are not.

Since many employers will not acknowledge or accept your degree or training certificate from an unaccredited program, making sure that you are attending an accredited program is necessary to protect the time, money, and effort that you invest into obtaining a college diploma.

If you have any experience with CDI College or their programs, please leave your reviews below.

CDI College Customer Reviews

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Regrets
September 20, 2023

1. Upon completion of the ACSW course (Ontario) I am told it takes TWO MONTHS to receive my diploma, transcripts and rebate.

2. This was a one year online course; I now understand why other colleges take two years to cover the subjects. Employers are also seeking graduates from a two year program.

3. My class was from 9 to 1. Students are required to make up for long weekends and teacher absences (medical leave) by attending 9 to 2. This created a conflict with my work schedule.

4. Initially, class size was too large and no time was allotted to practice skills. (Two mock counseling sessions in a year)

5. High turnover in staff creates redundancy, had to resubmit forms and info repeatedly.

6. Class time wasted on a daily basis.

7. There were books on the list that weren't used. Textbooks THAT I PAID FOR only became available as the module in which they were required started. I did not have full access to the set of ebooks I bought at the time that I paid for them.

Instructor was good. Staff were nice

Overall this course seemed disorganized and appears to not be recognized by the industry. Do not recommend this program at CDI. Community colleges offer a more solid educational experience.

I was ready to discontinue after four months but had already invested my time and money. I really hated the experience.

SCG September 20, 2023

Edit: class was 9-1 daily and 9-2 for the week following a holiday monday

Enrollment Call People Are Given Bonuses For The Amount of People They Get to Enrol.
August 28, 2023

If You Value Your Future, Do Not Enroll At CDI College. I read most of the reviews here and my situation is no different. From day 1, we were mislead and that was just the beginning. Everything from expired content, to gross inflated book fees (that aren't even CDI College content), to withheld certification exam codes to not having a teacher at all for our live classes.

My practicum also was started late, my student loans also nearly all went to this 'school'. I have been so broke, most months I went without much food and was constantly stressed out over misallocation of assignments and you name it, whatever could go wrong did go wrong.

So i began the process of submitting my complaint which starts of course with submitting it to CDI admin themselves.

What good is a complaint process if you are submitting your evidence and docs to the business or person your complaining about??

Anyway, i began that process last November. Every single stage of this process, the student is required to submit docs and evidence within a certain amount of time. But CDI can take as much time as they wish to resolve or even deal with your complaint. They don't even give you an approximate time by which it will be resolved. So, here we are nearly in September 2023, and I am still waiting to hear back from Private Career Colleges of Alberta on their investigation.

Though my hopes for a fair and just resolution in my matter are fading by the day.

Considering that I know now what the investigation entails, there is no to no hope for justice in my or anyone else's complaints.

CDI admin has gone through extensive lengths to absolve themselves of any wrong-doing in the student contracts that I and everyone else signed upon enrollment.

They take advantage of peoples excitement of going back to school by outlining the terms of the agreement so that no matter what, once its signed, you are screwed.

I have applied at over 1000 jobs since last fall, and still I am without work, without prosperity, without earning income and without hope.

And yet still just last week, CDI Admin called me, (even though I have a current complaint investigated about them) and asked me for the rest of the book fees that I still owe them for.

How this is even legal in this or any country is beyond my understanding.

So, if you value your future at all, do NOT enroll with CDI Colleges. Your better off wingin' it.

Regret and resentment
June 21, 2023

I wish I could say I had a positive experience with remote learning, but it has been nothing but anxiety and frustration. I have been done with my required studies since April and was supposed to be placed in a local business to complete a practicum.

I missed a prerequisite due to their mismanagement that nobody helped me resolve for 3 months. I have been waiting for a practicum placement for almost another 2 months now. I know my emails are forwarded and bounced around to the people "in charge" of this process but they seem to be understaffed and not able to carry out the promises they put in their contract.

They are very quick to email me asking for money if it's not paid right at the beginning of each month even though I'm literally doing nothing (100% of the student loan I get has gone for them so I have been living without income for a year) and I keep getting these automated (I'm assuming) emails threatening to withdraw me from my program because I have not completed attendance records (I can't do anything and its even prohibited to approach businesses to ask if I can do a practicum there).

It's hard to not build resentment against the people working there like the teachers, who I know are doing some real work, as they are kind of complicit in what is looking more and more like a scam organization--one severely lacking standards and hiding behind bureaucracy.

I can't even back out now because I have paid them with debt money that the government themselves gave me and none of it can be returned. I don't think my diploma will mean anything positive when I am done, even though I had multiple 100's in classes which of course "looks good", but the material is nowhere near as hard as real university.

I don't know how ignoring your top performing students helps your reputation. I one hundred percent regret my decision, I could have put that loan to better use in my country.

I sincerely hope there is a fair investigation done by federal authorities to close this business if they are not meeting standards. I am writing this because reputation points are the only way I have of feeling any degree of justice.

Would give zero stars if I could. Worst “school” ever. Needs to be investigated and shut down. Do not fall for it.
May 18, 2023

Worst experience of my life, I feel stupid and scammed for signing up with them. I wish I did a little more research into this place it has messed my life up so bad right now. Please do not go to this school!!!!

SCG September 20, 2023

Hi Jordan. I think we were in the same class.

Student loan thieves and scammers
March 6, 2023

Zero stars and minus stars. This all for money and all for student loans business only cares about student loans and does not care about education in my personal experience. Incompetent staff, zero integrity as management, and extremely poor communication once you enroll. They are thieves in broad daylight in the name of education, ripping students off on their loans. Do not ever join cdi calgary south. do your research and read the recent marketplace review.

CDI College Calgary Campus----Scammers and thieves, ruining students lives
February 24, 2023

Worst experience and I highly regret ever joining them. Put out publicity everywhere and trap students for money and once question about the quality of service, collect tuition fees for staring at empty screen. 

Absolutely irresponsible and purely money minded and zero integrity as an institution. Worst decision of my life.......Highly recommend staying away from their traps.

CDI, ARE THIEVES!
December 14, 2022

CDI has the worst people ever working for them. DO NOT EVEN TRY, TO SPEAK WITH THESE GUYS.

I need anyone of you that have written a review, PLEASE if you can get ahold of me, It is time we band together and SUE THEM, I have a case against them, They are trying to get 5,000 dollars out of me and all, I did was watch their presentation. They never helped me, I never bought any books, all I did was sign up. Signed their paper work and now they think they have a case, NO THEY DO NOT, I have been in touch with a Lawyer and he said once they put me in collections then I can sue them.

I need anyone in these reviews to contact me so we can get together and SUE them and put them out of BUSINESS. The head owner lives on VANCOUVER and they have been stealing and scamming, INNOCENT PEOPLE for years, TIME TO PUT A STOP TO THIS, MY NAME IS LEANNE, Here is my email, [email protected]

CDI College is an awful school
November 22, 2022

Incredibly frustrating...CDI College is an awful school and very expensive for nothing. The college do not provide good customer services or attend to the student's needs once they have the money$$$. The staff are so rude and unhelpful. It's incredible that they are still in business.

The practicum coordinator did not do anything beside sending the papers needed to be submitted. The practicum coordinator Abinesh, could not even help me in writing the practicum letter request or give me advices about finding a good practicum host. He just said; As long as you're doing something like IT at your work it's still valid for the practicum, making sure he didn't have any work to do. I think we should gather together and expose them!

Most of us sending complaints to the news means more of a chance to expose those scammers. Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together against CDI College. Thanks!

SunshineR November 29, 2022

I sent you an email plus i have lawyer in hand too, that has reviewed all details for wrong conduct with students.

SunshineR November 29, 2022

I sent you an email waiting for your reply Mishinata.

MayasaySey December 02, 2022

All Sunshine I swear I did not see you email. You can text at 236 882-31 23 or email mishinata at hotmail dot com

MayasaySey December 03, 2022

All Sunshine I swear I did not see you email. You can text at 236 882-31 23 or email mishinata at hotmail dot com

MayasaySey December 03, 2022

All Sunshine I swear I did not see you email. You can text at 236 882-31 23 or email mishinata at hotmail dot com

Silverblue December 11, 2022

How about Early Childhood Education certificate? Is it accredited/ recognized by a licensing body? I am studying this program now and worries that after finishing the program won’t get any level up certificate by the licensing body in Childcare.

Jordan May 18, 2023

What's your email I want to help take them down?

Do not try even to enroll on CDI College all over
November 6, 2022

The worst college ever. I have bad situation because of them. This College don't deserve to exist in Canada. They don't care about students and they only care about how they can get money out of your pocket. Its so sad that you use innocent people. You only nice when you try to enroll students. After you got them you, you don't care.

Pls people be aware about this College, do not enrol. This is a joke College, unprofessional, and scammers. Read reviews before you even try to enroll. I hope someone will not get scams a me.

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together againts CDI College.

Thanks!

Not a real school! Don't fall for this scam!
November 1, 2022

I fell for the scam too and I now I'm stuck for at least 30% of my student loan and maybe more. Just in the process of withdrawing from my course right now. Like everyone else on here I had a very similar experience.

My classes consist of reading a textbook and watching free videos online no actual teaching. Any assignments you do don't get graded for weeks, after you're already in another class, and all you get is a mark no feedback on anything you've done. I figured out that for the 4 classes I've taken so far I could have done it all for less then $300 and had the exact same level of teaching that I'm getting for the 24k they're charging me.

The last straw was this new course I started where I'm again reading a textbook, watching videos and using a free community program for the work and I was finding I was learning more from a free course I was taking online on the same subject then I was from my class.

It sucks that I'm going to have a big chunk of money to payback for absolutely nothing received but glad to be getting away from this so called school. I hope that this site at least helps some people steer clear of this scam.

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together againts CDI College.

Thanks!

Worse than Trump University
September 22, 2022
As a former student, it was the worst education I could ever think about. All they care about is money, terrible teachers and bad environment. I regret ever going to that college and wish no one make same mistakes I made.

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together againts CDI College.

Thanks!

AVOID AND BEWARE
September 19, 2022
I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy, these guys made me pull a student loan which I didn't even receive, not sure if they think I got the money but I got jack, they locked me out of the courses till I have them my student loan then just dropped me completely, fast forward a year they say I owe them 14k than 10k than it's going to collections cause I got nothing out of this college but debt, these guys are hard to reach and it's on purpose I feel like it's all just a pyramid scheme.

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together againts CDI College.

Thanks!

Teacher's behavior was inappropriate
September 19, 2022

I took Medical Office Assistant course in 2020 at Winnipeg CDI location. The teacher was not polite with students, besides, she was showing racial bias in the classroom (for example, discussing student's skin color), which is inappropriate for the teacher.

When some students complained to Administration, nothing changed. They do not protect student's opinion and rights. I would recommend to stay away from this college!

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together againts CDI College.

Thanks!

Do Not Study Here
September 15, 2022
Worst Educational Facility you may consider. 17,000 spent on a program, outstanding GPA and performance in the program. It has now been 6 months after graduation and I still don't have a job. The skills taught at this facility DO NOT equip you for your future.

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together againts CDI College.

Thanks!

Over-promises, Under-delivers. Over Priced For Quality Of Instruction
September 2, 2022
CDI College over-promises and under-delivers. Most of the instructors for the Accounting & Payroll Administrator program don't know the topic they are teaching. Several of the instructors were new to Canada and only read from the PowerPoint slides. Anyone looking at continuing education would be better to go to a different college or get their education online from other reputable course providers.

CandiHaines September 07, 2022

I do agree with you. I am in this program right now. The payroll course was supposed to start Monday, Sept 5, It's now Wednesday, Sept 7, 5:30 pm, and nothing. Plus no replies from the college. I tried to reach out to the college a couple of months back with no replies or call back until they requested my book fees of course. My sister was interested in taking the same course but I recommended she go to a provincial college. I do not recommend this college.

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Please reach out to me at mishinata at hotmail dot com with the subject line Together againts CDI College.

Thanks!

Very grateful for CDI, Teachers and Staff!
July 29, 2022

I really want to thank CDI College Brampton, their instructors and staff, for being a support through all my courses, building up my career. I want to give a special THANKS from the deepest of my heart to: Kavanagh, Rosaleen; Kaur, Loveneet; Al-Qawasmi, Mousa; Qawasmi, Younis; Kalsi, Yash; Sohail, Mahwish (In sequence order of classes I have taken so far) YOU ALL ARE THE BEST! Also I am very grateful that I have an excellent person as an Assistant Director of Admissions for CDI: Nidhi Vats, she help so much through all my path.I repeat again how grateful I am with my beloved teachers YOUNIS, YASH, AND LOVENEET, your are the best!!! Thanks so much for all your time and help!!!!! Stay the way you are and keep the passion you have!!!

monalisa August 30, 2022

Fake review, clearly it's obvious this is the instructor or administrator writing this. Authorized thieves, the entire nation knows about cdi!!

No one will even take CDI college students
May 30, 2022

I started CDI college in April of 2021 from the start it was a joke I paid 22 grand to take the addiction support worker... for a price of 2200 books you don't actually get a book in your hand you get the books from the computer... I finished my online training in March then it was time for my practicum for 300 hrs that you yourself have to basically find on your own... please let me tell you most places I contacted will not accept CDI college students.

Please do you're research on CDI college and the lawsuits and lack of help and proper education. I finally found a beautiful place of practicum at Emma's house where I worked my butt off for my practicum I got a raving review and was missing some hours due to 2 deaths and covid. Not once did CDI college check on me or ask how I was making out. I asked for my ID 5 times with no response. The amount of

turn over of staff tells you how atrocious that place is I believe I had 4 practicum coordinators while I was there. So I finished my practicum when I was done Emma's house called CDI and they accepted my hours twice. I got a email by the way 3 weeks ago asking if I even started my practicum that's how smart they are? I call and ask when I would receive my diploma the practicum coordinator reassured me I was good.

Then on Friday May 26th 2022 I get an email from the practicum coordinator that they won't accept my hours stating I only had 70 hrs? And they told me to go find another institution to finish my hours I already have after saying 3 times they accepted my hours. He couldn't even call me he emailed that too me... stating his boss said no...

In the meantime it's been a month since I finished and got a full time job with nothing to do with CDI as no one accepts CDI students they once again never contacted me for a month... I am reaching out for people to be aware of CDI college Calgary south campus... Please do your homework on that school... All I can say is shame on them...please help me.

Doplayz June 02, 2022

I'm about to enroll in cdi and I didn't pay the $160 yet but after reading your experience, I might just not go there at all. Is there any better option to get AES certification?

Doplayz June 02, 2022

Also, was it only in Calgary that you were having trouble with CDI or is it in every location?

JenniferDill June 16, 2022

I am currently enrolled with CDI college and am experiencing the same unprofessionalism, teacher turnover, no teacher responding, and no staff responding to inquiries. They take the student loan money and run with it.. Perhaps the course of action would be to file complaints with our provincial and federal student aid departments...

HeatherHawkins June 19, 2022

I feel you on this. I wish i had never registered. Now I'm in debt and still no prospects for a job...

CDI Must Be Stopped! A lot of lives have been affected with their Scam!
May 26, 2022

I am overwhelmed with all the bad reviews! In fact I am so disappointed with CDI they do not care about their students. They only care ABOUT THE MONEY! How did the Canadian Government approve this? I'm currently a student . We're left behind with out a teacher online for a course. Nobody's dared to inform us (student). The last teacher we got was replaced the last minute. The school asked us to download 2019 version of a software and gave us 2021 data files to work with? We're left in the dark and with no teacher online how are we suppose to survive??? Can anyone help and bring this case to the attention of the authorities to take a look and investigate this college?

HeatherHawkins June 19, 2022

We need to do something to get our money back. This isn't right or fair to put good people in debt and not give us an education we can use.

TammyLefebvre July 13, 2022

Hey I’m a student right now with CDI and am looking at starting a class action lawsuit and then blacklisted from student loans. If anybody is interested please let me know.

AlinaZagi July 18, 2022

CDI College should be sued and their diplomas, bachelors, certificates should all be banned. How dare they create a fake college with no up date education and steal students’ money like that? How dare the Canadian government allowed such schools to be running in Canada and how dare they allow dental assisting program at CDI to be accredited, especially since they don’t teach the students anything there properly and accurately. This is illegal, It’s a lie when they say that Canada has one of the best educations in the world, Truly pathetic. This Canadian school system had educational assistants in elementary schools and high schools who would physically and emotionally abuse children with special needs and they would not do anything about it and I live in BC. Thanks so much, Canada.

SunshineR August 03, 2022

I was scam CDI BC same way told call by a coordinator act as Director of the college liar . I am professional experience employee for finance was trying to find university license course . Which was scammed by the coordinator rush to sign all document mention no worry if osap not approved you may withdraw the class any time with no charge .

Once I learn from the government regulation that this not appropriate course and college for license they wrongly provide me information less than 2 week was force to attend the first session as soon as earlier which was not in the planned was only for advise for the course .

11 year experience professional was wrongly advise for the first time in an Canadian education instituted and they I withdraw cancelled all after 2 days call like harassing owing them for 2 week $4287 which is total illegal, base on legal advise we when through the detail and recording of class only 0.5 % in 37 weeks it kind assist the class they have more than 5 days technical issue no access their system.

This BC CDI college should banned closed forever . Their are rule

SunshineR August 03, 2022

Their are rule Legal for Consumer protection , Ombudsman and legal advise for student who was wrongly abuse by college in financial and other way . Should Bann STOP this college. if all student follow legal action . specially don't go firs time they are polite it kind tied sale non fiduciary action to push student in wrong path without a good credential . University has never charge this amount of money for first session . It big SCAM . Should be Closed and refund all wrong charge toward student .

saina October 19, 2022

please contact me I'm willing to start a lawsuit against this college.saina7khandabi at gmail.com

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Allo,

Hope you're doing well!

My name is Missey and I also got ripped off by CDI College. I think it's a good idea to get together to expose them.

The only idea that I have, is to send a bunch of emails to a TV Station to expose them. Please get in touch with me and

I'll be more than happy to work with you toward a same goal.

reach me at mishinata at hotmail dot com

Have a good one,

Talk to you soon

Mis Sey

CDI makes me have daily suicidal thoughts
May 4, 2022

If I could give 0 stars I would. This school has ruined my life. I don't have the energy to even go into my list of complaints because I've been fighting for over a year now. Let's just say that the only thing I have achieved from CDI is a useless diploma (which I don't actually ever get to see or show employers) huge student debt, a bad credit score, no employment and daily thoughts of suicide. Don't do it!!

MorganWarren August 27, 2022

I just did my orientation at cdi college and I'm leaving before I pay them anything because I'm not taking any chances

MayasaySey November 22, 2022

Good job!!!

don't do it
April 16, 2022

The law course is poorly presented and formatted. Instructing is minimal. Although I received good marks, there was zero feedback.

Two thirds of the way through, I was told that I was not funded to the end and they wanted another $2,000+. A month later they wanted an extra $7,000+. I told them no.

RRR April 19, 2022

i literally am 100 percent positive they could not care about the students. All they care about is pocketing the student loan money and then leaving you hanging. Im going to file a lawsuit.

TammyLefebvre July 13, 2022

Please let me know who you use as a lawyer.

UnHappy August 20, 2022

I would love to get in on that too, this school is a joke