Georgia Career Institute Conyers — Local services in Conyers

⭐️ 1/5 — Incredible Instructors, But a Deeply Flawed School Experience

I’m giving Georgia Career Institute (GCI) 1 out of 5 stars — and honestly, the stars are for the amazing instructors who carried me through the program when the school itself failed in so many areas.

Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Niecey, Ms. LaV, and Mrs. Lisa — I cannot thank you enough. You all poured into me in ways I’ll never forget. Your passion, dedication, and realness made a major impact on my education and growth. I also want to acknowledge Mrs. Butter — even though I wasn’t one of her students directly, her genuine spirit left a mark on me as well.These women truly care, and if it weren’t for them, I don’t believe I would have completed the program.

But aside from that, GCI has serious issues. The administration is unprofessional, unresponsive, and lacks the very qualities they expect from students. You’re expected to act like an adult, but when you bring your concerns professionally, you’re met with indifference or attitude — and no real change ever comes from it.

The financial aid office is slow and frustrating, especially when it comes to requesting funding or providing updates near graduation. When it’s time to finish, they essentially wash their hands of you. There’s just paperwork and silence.

Resources and equipment are another big issue. GCI needs to seriously invest in updated tools and materials. As students, we put in the time, effort, and money — but when we show up, the school doesn’t always show up for us. It’s hard to feel motivated or appreciated in an environment like that.

Recognition at GCI feels performative. Being named an “Elite Student” requires perfect attendance and a 94% GPA — which sounds great on paper. But when you’re working full time, raising kids, and managing life outside of school, it becomes almost impossible to achieve. And the school doesn’t acknowledge that reality. They’re more concerned with how things look than how they actually are. And if you do become Elite it’s a popularity contest if they like you then they’ll announce it and you’ll get a purple apron. But if they don’t hey . Luckily I had an instructors who was willing to go the extra mile for me and get my Apron that was definitely deserved

What really broke my trust in this institution was what happened to my cousin, who I referred to GCI for the massage therapy program. She worked hard and was just one month away from graduating when the school told her she wouldn’t be able to complete the program — because they were never properly accredited for massage therapy in the first place.

They tried to say she could transfer to another school to finish, but after meeting with the state board, the reality hit: none of her time, hours, or credits counted for anything. She would have to start all over. All GCI offered was a hollow apology and a scholarship to enroll in a different program — at the same school that failed her. No follow-up, no check-ins, no real support. Just damage control and silence.

To be fair, Mrs. Rhonda and Mrs. Lydia from enrollment were always kind and helpful. But one or two good people can’t make up for an overall broken system.

Graduation services at GCI need serious improvement. The person currently overseeing it lacks genuine engagement — barely speaks, isn’t approachable, and often can’t recall past conversations with students. That kind of energy doesn’t belong in a department meant to celebrate student achievement. Honestly, Mrs. Butter would be the perfect fit for that role. She consistently motivates, encourages, and connects with students from start to finish. Her presence alone makes you feel seen and supported — exactly what you need at the finish line of a challenging journey.

If you’re considering GCI, do your homework and ask hard questions. The instructors are amazing ( Well my instructors were amazing the ones I listed by name )— they are the heart of the school — but sadly, everything around them feels like...

I’ve been wanting to be a cosmetologist now for about 10 years. And I was excited to learn that there was a school within 30 minutes of my home. So I Decided to do some due diligence. I booked a tour, went in for services, went to the school at various times to check out the parking lot and to check out the security in the parking lot that I told I was told it was available . And here are my findings

Rhonda in administration is probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She was enthusiastic and gave me a lot of information in regards to what my time would be like there at GA Career Institute. So I took a couple of weeks and went in for various services and as I mentioned earlier, I rode through the parking lot at various times because I was excited to hear about security, especially since there was a possibility that I would have to do night classes instead of day.

When I went in for the various services, each of the students were OK and the services were mediocre, but what struck me is how much they talked about the other students as well as their instructors. They talked about each in a negative way and I felt that this was extremely unprofessional. Next, I started, observing the equipment, the floor, and the restroom, which all are in need of serious upgrading. If I’m gonna pay the amount of money to attend there, then they could really use some of that funding to upgrade the facilities. Basically, you could say that the facilities are in shambles. As I would sit and listen to some of the students talk of the other students and their instructors, I never ask any questions. I just sat there and listened. And it was quite disturbing. Some of the things that were said about the instructors. And how the administration there was pretty poor and didn’t really know what they were doing. That they never got back to you. It was really disheartening.

Next, I would ride up several evenings on my way home from my current job and not one time. Did I see a security guard out in the parking lot and I did this over a week. What I did find were student sitting out there smoking, and some of them smoking marijuana Which I was surprised to find out that that was allowed on school grounds.

Sadly, I decided against this location and now will be making the drive to Atlanta every day. Georgia, Career Institute you’ve got some serious issues there and I suggest you take this review to heart and start doing...

I came to GCI as a student in 2023, fell pregnant, and took a leave a month and a half before I was supposed to graduate. I filled out my paperwork with Ms. Appleberry, made sure I was signed off with my instructors, and emailed to make sure I was okay to leave. Once on maternity leave, which is a Leave of Absebse (LOA), I was sent my transcript letting me know I was dropped from the program for not attending. I emailed Ms. Appleberry and Elaine and they assured me I was okay to come back in good standing as I had left in good standing. While freshly postpartum I began receiving calls from debt collectors calling to collect a debt on behalf of GCI. They had already signed me off, and taken the money by my student federal aid. I let the school know when I recentered, they said they would look into it. Well I re-enter and graduate, I get signed off my Ms. Mallory for not owing the school anything. Yet I am still receiving calls about a debt to GCI. I email Mallory, and Lauren responds saying this is something I owe from before my maternity leave, that I was not warned would happen. She said if I had any questions to reach out, which I did, to no reply. Would this have still happened if it was filed as LOA versus being dropped? Why is there a lack of communication? I am having a hard time recommending a school with great communication to reel you in, but awful communication close to graduating. Is there a punishment for being pregnant in the program?

Overall, I was understanding with the schools shortcomings. I really wanted to love it as I was so excited when I started. The instructors good. But, with this collections situation, it has left a bad taste. I do not recommend...