Ultimate Medical Academy, Clearwater Campus — Local services in Clearwater

I had trouble for months. The student services advisor was great, he was very helpful and genuinely cares about the students. Teachers are pretty good. However, when it came time to go on extern, everything changed. I was responsible for finding my own extern site which I was told was not my job to do. I found a site and worked at the site as well as extern on separate days. When I left my job for a better opportunity, I was told by them I wouldn't be able to continue extern there. Kevin, the one in charge of extern at UMA told me I needed to find my own site again. He blamed me for not being able to extern at that site anymore, told me I have no commitment, threw in my face that the site won't accept anyone from UMA because I left them for a better job opportunity, he was rude and degrading every single encounter I had with him. He was the same way with multiple students I still keep in contact with. I finally found a new site and left several voicemails and sent multiple emails. No response. Finally after reaching out to other people at UMA, Kevin contacted me. He asked me to come in so I did. I had to set up my level 2 background check. I did. After I left, I got a phone call that it was set up at the wrong location with the wrong company. I had already picked my children up from school and my son was sick so I couldn't drive 45 minutes back to the school that day. My only available day (brand new job, calling out or leaving early would look extremely bad, wasn't willing to lose a very good job with great benefits) was the following Wednesday so I offered to come in then and start at my new site the same evening so I could post time and be considered active so I can walk with my class that Saturday. I was then told I also needed a TB test and it had to be read in order to start which takes 48-72 hours. So obviously walking with my class was no longer an option because I wouldn't have everything done in time and have my test read in time to start, post time, and be active to walk with my class. I started trying to brainstorm. I asked if I could extern at my job for a few hours to simply post time so I could get things going so I could attend my ceremony. I called from my phone and my call was ignored so I called from my work phone and, surprise ,my call was answered. I was told "No I would have to do a site evaluation on Friday and I don't have time, sorry." and then was told "You cannot attend your graduation ceremony, sorry." If my calls would've been returned for the two months I tried contacting Kevin, none of this would have been an issue. If my background check was scheduled right the first time, that would have been done in advance. If they would've told me I needed a TB test, I would've done that ahead of time. This was just a huge mess and I definitely regret attending UMA at this point. I will not be returning and I would not recommend anyone coming here if they don't plan on doing pretty much everything, things they should not be responsible for, on their own. I wasted money on a cap and gown I was told to order. I wasted time trying to run around and find a site on my way. I wasted time trying to contact everyone I could possibly think of to get things in order and done so I could post time, get back into extern, walk, and finish extern just for it to be ignored, shot down, or not...

UMA's Betrayal: An Unforgivable Disgrace

I enrolled at UMA a mere two weeks ago, hopeful that this institution would be the beacon of opportunity I desperately needed to turn my life around. With cautious optimism, I disclosed my past felony during enrollment, seeking reassurance that it wouldn't stand in the way of my pursuit of education. To my absolute fury, I was rudely awakened at 8 am by an email announcing my expulsion, citing my background check as the reason.

Let me make one thing abundantly clear: UMA's reckless disregard for my future and blatant betrayal of trust have left me seething with rage. Yes, I've made mistakes in the past—I don't deny that. But over the past 11 months, I've clawed my way back from the brink. I've fought tooth and nail for sobriety, I've earned my high school diploma, and I was damn well determined to continue my journey through higher education.

Yet, in a single heartless email, UMA callously shattered my dreams and spat in the face of my efforts to redeem myself. Their incompetence and indifference could have pushed me back into the abyss of addiction. It could have sent me spiraling into a relapse, or worse, an overdose. But let me be crystal clear: I refuse to let their ignorance dictate my fate.

UMA's despicable actions have not only derailed my aspirations but have also plunged me into a maelstrom of despair and fury. The sheer audacity of suggesting that my past mistakes define me is an insult to every ounce of progress I've made. Their ignorance has fueled a raging fire within me, a fire that refuses to be extinguished by their cowardice and incompetence.

P.S. I will not be a felon forever, so the fact that UMA doesn't see the value in educating someone who is actively striving to better themselves is utter nonsense. Moreover, with a billing and coding degree, the opportunities are vast—running my own business, teaching classes, and more. Their assumption that I am ignorant to these possibilities only adds fuel to the fire of my anger. It's a blatant display of disrespect and disregard for my potential and intelligence.

To UMA, I have no words left but contempt. Your betrayal has stripped away any semblance of respect I may have once had for this institution. You have proven yourselves to be nothing more than heartless bureaucrats, willing to sacrifice the futures of your students on the altar of your own incompetence.

In closing, let me be clear: I will not rest until UMA is held accountable for their disgraceful actions. You have awakened a fury within me that will not be quelled until justice is served. And mark my words, justice...

My fiance is currently taking the classes and seeing all the unnecessary stress she goes through is horrible. Ive even sat through a test with her and some of the work, completely understand the frustration and the urge to leave. Ready for the long list? Questions on the tests are not even covered in the books. You have to search the internet for the answers on tests that are timed. Again I've seen this with my own eyes. Reading the chapters and no such information existed. New books put out with very low level knowledge by the instructors to give addiquit notes. Having to search 1000+ pages for one answer instead of going chapter by chapter. Worksheets as in bank deposits that are not in the books at all. Again more internet research and still not enough help. Study guides that have nothing to do with tests. No breaks to go on vacations for our family..plus being forced to do work mon-Fri even though all assignments and test have been done. She tries to get stuff done so we can actually go to family gatherings or events but get in trouble for getting work done early. So me and our children have to suffer let alone her. Recently she gets hit with two classes at once? Why? So now instead of relaxing at the end of a long day she has to sit up at night to do more work? She started off with a 4.0 now it's lower because of all the dysfunction of your system and the instructors. Even at this point I'm fighting the urge to go caveman and start using inappropriate language. There are so many more issues and I'm sure there will be many more to come. You all need to get your act together and same with your instructors. At the beginning kept on getting lied to about when she would receive the laptop. Promised in a week and I'm sure it ended up being almost 2 months. I would definitely not recommend this school to anyone and really wish there were more honest reviews on here. If she had known of all the nightmares awaiting she would have gone with another school. I'd really like to see what type of insufficient answer you will have to all of this. I had gone to Lincoln tech for auto and that was great. Well organized and if a short amount of time was needed to take off it was aloud. Made a 4.0 across the board even with working a full time job. Maybe try one instructor per course and have them trained on the material first. Really like to see her succeed and your school is making it next to impossible. Now your turn. Let see what you got to fix...