Harper College — Attraction in Palatine Township

Went here for a whole year last year, was not a fan. The parking as you've probably read about is just awful, I feel like I'm at Woodfield Mall on Black Friday everyday or trying to find a parking spot in downtown Chicago, once took me 45 minutes to find a spot, and I was late. Second I find the slogan of the slogan kind of funny, Start. Finish. Go Forward. The reason I find it funny is because if you suck at math, like me. Then you're basically screwed, my field involves no math at all and they want me to start off in the 50's math. That would literally take me like 4 or 5 years just to get an associates, not worth it considering those semesters are not gonna be free. Plus the math lab they have some of the people in there have no patience, I wasn't understanding something and this lady got mad at me. When I signed up for the math lab they told me it was a show up when you can type of class, so a couple times I couldn't make it cause I wasn't feeling good, and another day I had a doctors appointment, I come back and they tell me I failed the class, I was so pissed I stormed out of there with dignity. Still angers me when I think about all the work I put in there and still got crapped on. Now I'm not trying to bash Harper and say that everything sucks, cause there are some good professors there that I had, but a few I really got a bone to pick with. Another big thing is social life at Harper is terrible. No one is friendly at all, I've heard college is a great time to make new friends, not here, most of my friend's went to universities like U of I and the all the people at Harper already have there own friends from whatever district 214 or 211 school they went to and don't even look at you. I actually got very depressed I remember last year just thinking of this place. Also half of the school is outside, which isn't bad if you live in California, but hello? This is Chicago? One thing is for sure this place was not for me, I think I'll try someplace...

It's been 18 years since I was at this school and now I'm a current student. I think it's unfortunate that they're cutting so many corners. They keep increasing the rates every year and I don't see any change. The quality of teachers have gone downhill and the school is severely dated. I've had two teachers so far that I basically had to teach myself the class. One was specifically too busy talking about her personal life and the other was a very intelligent person however he would go in circles teaching and sincerely just can't teach. When you have half the class getting a D or an F on an exam 2/3's of the way through a semester - that can't be good. Most people I spoke with after the class was over refused to fill out the questionnaire because he such a "nice guy". I'm not going to school to meet a nice teacher I'm going to school to get a good education! I have used 2 counselors, they have been pretty much useless. Some of them aren't even aware of what classes I had to take for a program. They had to go on the computer like I could online. And one specifically was trying to tell me I need to take add'l classes that were unnecessary for my program! Parking - that's a joke! The bathrooms - no matter which when you're in - always has an issue, not to mention they look like they're from 1984.

Harper College CFO... you may want to take a walk through Elgin community college. Apparently they are using the tuition in a better way. (At least visually) Shockingly I would've guessed that school to be a lot worse than Harper. Such a shame. The only positive notes I have to say about Harper is the fact that they have a fantastic nursing program ( however, why is it a 50% dropout rate ?!) And I had a fantastic Anatomy teacher that is...

My alma mater, some of my most cherished years were here. Harper is simply the best community college in Chicagoland, if not the whole state.

Harper College is named after William Rainey Harper, President of the University of Chicago and founder of the first community college in America, Joliet Junior College. Its value to the community is certainly underappreciated, as its prestige ranges from "University of Southern Palatine" by students of more expensive state universities, to "Harvard?" by relatives unfamiliar with the place.

Nevertheless, I will never forget the great times and friends I've made at Harper. The tuition is reasonable, though it's risen 30% over the past 3 years, the newly constructed buildings are modern and sleek. The hours the campus is open is also extensive (6am - 11pm, Monday through Thursday). With a broad range of extracurricular clubs and organizations that Harper has to offer, it serves as a great alternative to a university's curriculum. In other words, you can become involved in your education for as long or as little as you wish.

The quality of the teachers vary from "college tenured" to "college student", though I've never had a teacher I flat out hated. I recommend the use of Rate My Professor, which has never failed me, and to register early for classes that have teachers that are widely favored. Also, be sure to buy used books and the prior edition unless the professor says otherwise to...