Salus University — Attraction in Cheltenham Township

Ok so the actual education was good. But now that I got that out of the way, I need to discuss something that has been bothering me ever since it happened. This happened 7 years ago.

I just graduated and needed my diploma so I could submit it to obtain a state license. In order to practice healthcare, you need a state license.

They would not release my diploma to me because they said I still owed money. What money was this? I had already paid everything. I had been paying privately, not through loans.

They said I owed money for healthcare insurance. Without my knowledge, Salus University had signed me up for health insurance! I believe it was $1300.

Every year, they send an email in which you have to prove you already have health insurance, otherwise they will then sign you up for the plan they have set up with some insurance company.

I already had my own health insurance. I signed the insurance waiver all four years I attended. I ended up needing to do an extra semester after my class graduated. They had sent the usual insurance email, but I wasn’t checking my Salus email since I had been off campus for a year.

Because I did not respond to the email, they signed me up for health insurance. I didn’t find out until after graduation - when they demanded payment.

The insurance was for the academic year September 2014 to May 2015. I graduated in November 2014.

It took months to get it settled. In that time, I was unable to obtain a state license, unable to bill my services to insurance, etc. luckily the office I had taken a job with was willing to wait.

Eventually the president of the university got involved. After a lot of back and forth, Salus came to the resolution that I would pay for a portion of the insurance - to cover the time that I was still a student. I was so desperate to get my diploma that I wrote up a check and just paid it. It was in the $300-$400 area. Best part was, the email ended by saying something along the lines of: This seems to be fair considering you could have prevented the whole thing had you simply replied to the original email.

No. This could have been prevented has Salus not signed me up for insurance that I did not request. I understand that it’s required that all students have insurance. But by signing them up just because they ignored an email? What about a simple phone call?

This review is a warning to current students- make sure that you prove you already have insurance every single year you’re there, even if you end up staying an extra few months- reply to the email!!! It will be costly and stressful if you don’t.

And Salus, I want you to know that this last experience I had with your university has stuck around with me after all these years. I had such a good time at your school, truly I did- it was a shame this had to happen in the end to...

During my undergrad I decided that I wanted to do optometry. After a year and half of applying, interviewing, etc. I decided to go to Salus University because it seemed great during my interview. In retrospect I wish I would have gone with the other school that accepted me. I never knew a school could be so absolutely terrible. The professors do not care about their students, absolutely nothing was organized properly (classes, lectures, labs etc.). They had us in 11 classes at once first year. I finally got to the point where I realized this school gives absolutely no regard to their students whatsoever, so I quit. Before I quit I met with an academic advisor at the school. Even the advisor was on the students side how much of a s**t show the school was. She was trying to contact the professors trying to persuade them that their teaching styles were not effective. Also, almost everyone’s grades were C’s and D’s. Some even F’s. And that was “normal”. While the admissions team is nice, especially when you go to interview, do not be deceived. I am also still friends with people who go there and their lives in school are so utterly unenjoyable and they are miserable (they are currently in 12 classes this semester). This school fosters an unhappy school environment. Overall, if you’re looking at these reviews trying to decide to go to this school my advice is AVOID THIS SCHOOL AT ALL COSTS. If I could give 0 stars I would.

Update: I see below that the school commented on this post. All I have to say is: I already met with Dr. Trego before I quit. She was also one of the professors who didn't show up to lectures once because she "forgot." So,...

Choosing this place for Optometry was by far the worst decision I have ever made. I should have listened to my gut instincts and chosen a different school altogether. Left this place with horrible mental health. Some of the preceptors here think it's funny to play around with their students' psychology and education by feeding them fear and lies. Lost precious years at this horrible place, and more after to heal from the pain and toxicity, along with the tuition and debt. For me, it was...