<p>My son, who is a high-school Junior just received a brochure from a school called Ivy Bridge College of Tiffin University. I had never heard of this program, but it sounds interesting for my sons needs. He is a smart kid, but it took him a while to get focused on academics and as a result his grades exclude him from the schools he would ideally like to go to.</p>
<p>We had discussed Junior College, but this looks like a different (and maybe better options). I also like the fact that every student gets a personal “success coach” I think my son needs some personal attention to stay on track.</p>
<p>Anyway, this looks pretty interesting for us, but I wonder if anybody else has heard of it has a child in the program.</p>
<p>the first line from the website says
“Ivy Bridge College is part of Tiffin University, an independent, coeducational institution that has been educating students since 1888.”
so I think it is part of a real university with buildings. I don’t think they had the internet in 1888 :-)</p>
<p>The website reports that the accreditation is through Tiffin University and the “North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission (NCA), which is one of the six regional accreditation bodies recognized by essentially all of the major public and private colleges and universities in America, and by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).” </p>
<p>So, it is associated with the ground campus in Tiffin, Ohio. If you read further the faculty and staff are all associated with Tiffin University.</p>
<p>It looks like an online associates degree program that allows for students to finish their general education courses and then transfer the credits to a four-year university. This college would be ideal for those students who need a more flexible schedule and do not want to commute to the local community college or four-year university. They also offer personal coaching and individualized attention throughout the process. Very nice!</p>
<p>Tiffin U. may not be Harvard, but it is a real college that I see as an up-and-coming institution. Tiffin seems to be trying to fill a niche … one that some parents on CC often say should be filled … i.e., a place where late-bloomers or those who want a college education but weren’t top performers in high school (or who weren’t on an elite-college track for whatever reasons) can be engaged and successful. The two-year online Ivy Bridge program includes “Articulation Agreements” with several four-year schools (again not Harvard but at least a few most folks have heard of). Articulation Agreements facilitate transfer or guarantee it when certain criteria have been met.</p>
<p>Personally, I would encourage a new or recent high school grad to attend a “bricks and mortar” college with a real campus life rather than an online school, but online ed can be a plus for working adults and, for some teenagers with extenuating circumstances, a blessing.</p>
<p>Tiffin U. itself (one of the schools covered by the articulation agreement, of course) offers some interesting and atypical majors (e.g., "Homeland Security/Terrorism; Musical Arts Administration) which can appeal to students who snoozed through English, chem, or American history in high school. </p>
<p>So, yes, I’ve heard of both Tiffin and Ivy Bridge and would recommend each to appropriate students.</p>
<p>Tiffin University is located in Tiffin, Ohio. It is a real university with a beautiful campus. I am in my third semester as an online student and expect to graduate at the end of fall semester.
The Professors who teach your courses also teach on campus, the courses are just as demanding. I have had an excellent experiance.</p>
<p>I realize this is a little late, but Tiffin is a great school. I am a non traditional student (adult) and am currently enrolled in the online program.
We have lots of PSEO students, young people and adults seeking to further their careers. It has been a great experiance for me.</p>
<p>Tiffin people, why was the name Ivy Bridge chosen? Is there some real Ivy Bridge landmark on the campus or something, or was the name chosen to try to puff up the school? Because I agree with Hunt, it makes it sound cheesy, even if the intentions of the program are good.</p>
<p>Likewise, I suspect that “Ivy Bridge” does appeal to some prospective students (or parents). It implies that it’s a good jump start for those who are transitioning back to a “real” college after years away from the classroom or who may be coming right from high school but don’t want a bricks & mortar campus just yet, for whatever reasons.</p>
<p>Of course, I also see where others could call the name “cheesy.” It definitely does have that transparent Madison-Ave ring to it (“Gee, Hank, if we call this thing ‘Ivy Bridge,’ do you think some folks will think that it’ll help get 'em into Harvard?”)</p>
<p>It clearly named itself that in hopes of “being confused” with the real Northwestern University among people who don’t know any better. There aren’t a lot of things around here that are called Northwestern This or That, since the derivation was from the old Northwest Territories. </p>
<p>It’s pretty evident that this Ivy Bridge college has that same derivation. Nothing wrong with a transition or adult-focused online, but it’s a little too transparent of a name.</p>
<p>Ivy Bridge College has been a great experience for me other than their financial aide department. They have four people staffed taking care of over 2,000 students. You can not get through to the financial aide department nor can you get them to return a phone call. If you are one of the lucky ones to actually speak to someone, they are rude and talk down to you as if you are an inconvenience to them. They can not give you any form of straight answers and continually use the excuse that they only have these four people to take care of all their students. I made a simple error on a verification form and it was very rudely pointed out to me that I made the mistake. This was a form I rushed to turn back in because it was sent to me two days before my aide was to be released to me. Because they waited to the last minute to send out this form, I now am being delayed 3-6 weeks on my financial aide with no guarantee I will even receive it. This leaves me with over a $2,100 outstanding bill I may not be able to pay for. Ivy Bridge College truly needs to step up their financial aide department and have it better staffed with more professional staff members.</p>
<p>IVY BRIDGE COLLEGE IS THE WORST SCHOOL ON EARTH TO GO TO!!! I regret every second of it. Dont waste your time people. Teachers are rude, everyone in any branch in the office doesnt know a single thing they are doing and they are extremely rude and make it out like its not their fault when really it is, they tell you everything you want to hear and DONT DO ANYTHING THEY SAY, you are supposed to hear from your success coach once a week and its been 7 weeks and I havent heard from mine once! This school is a pile of garbage and no one should go through the trouble ive been through.</p>
<p>It is pretty easy to get into Tiffin. I think most young people students who had trouble succeeding in high school would benefit more from GOING to Tiffin for a year or two with an eye on transferring rather than trying to succeed in an on-line program. I think that most 18- or 19-year-old students who had trouble succeeding in high school would find it hard to stay motivated in an on line program. </p>
<p>I enjoyed reading about this program. Since I live in Ohio, I knew a bit about Tiffin - at least that it existed - but I had never heard of this program before. I think it’s better for the over-30 crowd, who make up a high proportion of the students. I like that they have automatic articulation agreements with so many four-year colleges [url=<a href=“http://ivybridge.tiffin.edu/transfer-programs/partner-universities]Partner”>http://ivybridge.tiffin.edu/transfer-programs/partner-universities]Partner</a> Universities<a href=“look%20at%20the%20map!”>/url</a> and work with you to make sure 1) that you finish an associate’s degree from Tiffin and 2) that your courses transfer to your new university.</p>