UTI in Glendale Heights, IL

[dsmkid95]

I am thinking of going to UTI to become ASE certified and i was just wondering if anyone has attended UTI and if so how is the school and did you like it? just want to get some feedback.

 

[talon1987]

im currently goin to uti now, im in my 3rd phase and its going really good , its a really good school, good teachers and you learn a hell of alot, ive been messing with cars for years and thought i knew mostly everything but i was wrong, theres so much more to learn but so far ive learned alot from it , but all in all its a good school, call them up and get an appointment to show you around im sure you will like it.

--Pat

 

[ImBoostedRu]

I went there in 2002 and really enjoed it. It's not like a normal college though, you can't miss more than like 5 hours per phase and you will probably need to get a job. Oh yeah, it is about 30 mins. from AMS.

 

[zerotta]

Sorry for the length...

I went to UTI in Glendale Heights, IL from August 2002 to April 2003. I was supremely disappointed with almost every aspect of the school.

Background on me: I only went because UTI is/was local for me, about 25 minutes drive. I took the straight auto program, no diesel or industrial. (Although the admissions guy tried endlessly to get me to add diesel too.) I was never interested in doing dealer work at all. I was/am more interested in high-performance and/or restoration work. I have 3 computer science degrees/certifications. I was looking at changing careers or at least persuing something I might be more interested in. I have no interest in computers/IT at all and only got into it because it's "where the money is." I found out the hard way that IT isn't really "where the money is" unless you have more and more certifications that I wasn't intersted in getting or couldn't afford. So, as the saying goes, you can't get experience without experience... The IT market is so saturated- every job I apply for, 100 or more other people are applying for it with more certifications and/or experience. Besides, I have no passion for IT like I do for motorsports. Anyway....

First of all, it's insanely priced-- almost $20,000 for just the ~48 week automotive program and upwards of $25,000 for auto/diesel. There's also an auto/diesel/industrial program that's even more $$$. That's on par with some of the most exclusive universities in the country.

Courses start every three weeks and are broken into 'phases.' Most of the phases are three weeks long.

Why was I disappointed? Where do I start? Well, good instructors are few and far between. Most of the time they up there reading slideshows at you for 5 hours, basically talking at you instead of teaching you anything. Most of the instructors I had seemed determined to fail you instead of teaching you-- like it was a competition. And many of them were very competitive to the point of confrontation if you dared to question anything they're spewing at you. They just seemed to be above teaching at a tech school or just had some chip on their shoulders and were intent on taking it out on the students.

Second, the tools and training aids are always either missing, stolen, broken, tampered with, or all of the above. The clips (half cars) you work on in certain phases will frustrate you to no end, unless you find a working one. I realize cars don’t come into shops unless something is wrong with them, but you have lab assignments to get done and lab time is as good as gold in some phases. My group was always getting extra credit for working on broken clips when we were done with our labs.

The class sizes are simply too big. Some phases I had to sit at tables made for 3 people, yet having to cram 5 people at the table. Keep in mind you have to lug around huge binders and two pretty big text books everyday, on top of a digital multimeter, and safety glasses. This goes back to the instructors talking at you and not getting personal instruction if needed.

The school is run like a combination of pre-school and prison. Your shirt must be tucked in at all times, the hat rules got changed every phase, piercings, hair, etc. I support and understand the need for a standardized dress code, but the enforcement of it bordered on the gestapo. Most of the instructors talk down to you like you're some snot-nosed spoiled brat who has mommy and daddy paying for everything. I was 25-26 when I went with three college degrees, my parents never put a penny toward my education ever- so I took offense to it. I guess I do look like I'm fresh outta HS.

The testing procedures were comical. Picture a boring/droning instructor talking in your general direction for 5-6 hours and trying to stay awake. (I took the morning classes 6:45 - 1:15 or 7:00 - 1:30 if I remember right). Then being tested on it the next day after lunch after the first half of the day you had different stuff crammed into your head. Then actually going to lab to work with what you got tested on already. Remember though, most the tools and lab aids are broken or missing. Basically, it's rapid-fire cramming and they test you on your memory skills. The average adult has an attention span of around 40 minutes.

The employment center... geez where to start? If you aren't interested in a manufacturer's program (like me), they act like you're a mad leper. They must make a commission on every recruit they get or something.

I have to note for those planning on attending UTI in IL that a couple instructors (maybe 2 of the 9 I had) were very good. Tony Blum went above and beyond to help the group that I hung out with, he's a class act. If all the instructors were half as good as him, I would have no complaints at all. One instructor wouldn't show up half the time, and when he did, he'd leave without explanation for long periods at a time. He was actually fired after our phase.

All in all, if UTI cost me half of what it did I'd still consider it a rip-off. I withdrew from the school with 7 phases left and just couldn't take it anymore. I cut my losses and ended up owing $11,000. I left the school still being relatively clueless about cars. Remember, I had perfect attendance and a perfect grade average, so I didn't slack off and blame it on the school/teachers.

If you are interested in going into a dealer service shop and doing warrantee work, then I'd have to say it might be worth it because you get all the manufacturer's training for FREE after you complete the basic auto or auto/diesel program. ONLY if you agree to the possibility of relocating and working at that dealer for at least 6 months. Many of the dealers might agree to pay for part of your student loans, which is cool too. Free education is hard to beat if you get that far.

I was really only interested in the Hot-Rod University part of it but I couldn't take anymore and dropped out before I got that far. I heard varying reports regarding Hot Rod U-- some say it was disappointing, some say the cars were beat to crap, some really liked it.

All in all, it wasn't ideal for me. Many people have liked it, I suppose. This was just my experience...

When I spend that kind of money, am I wrong to set my expectations proportionately?

If you hate sitting in a classroom for long periods of time, have trouble staying awake/paying attention, hate studying-- UTI might not be for you.

AGAIN-- this is only my experience. One size does not fit all. I've heard of countless other people who loved UTI. I've also heard an equal amount that hated it. It's really up to you. Good luck if you got this far...

 

[mitsugsx95]

How true...how true.

I have not gone there personally, but have had at least 3 friends go, and I must say... the knowledge that they aquired afterwards was not astonishing at all....maybe borderline "annoy your friends with pidly shit" when your talking cars type deal.

One friend DID get transfered. Actually, to PA where he works at a VW dealership. He said its not all too bad, but i cant believe all that.

Another friend, who actually lives with the other in PA now, is not working for ANY car manufactuer or mechanic shop.... but he is lazy none the less.

I have heard numerous stories about people going to UTI, but have not heard one yet where the person ended up in a great working environment and loves their job.

 

[dirty_underware]

so any advice on any other automotive schools here in the midwest, preferably here in Illinois that are worth the time and money to spend on them? there are local schools here in chicago, like Tighton college who offer an automotive program, that i hear isnt bad.. an old friend of mine graduated(not sure what degree) but ended up working for good year..

is Lincoln Tech just as bad as UTI? or is Automotive college not where its at anymore?

-J

 

[damax03]

I dont know how any of you went about your time at UTI, but I have been there. You get out of it what you put into it. The teachers there are not teachers, they are techs that are trying to teach. They have not been to teaching school or anything like that. You will get A LOT out of it if you ask questions and become involved. Most of the teachers are good guys and are willing to share the knowledge they have gained. I found the experience to be good. When I graduated UTI I went to Mercedes Benz ELITE down the street and from there am now living in Washington DC and working as an MB tech. Look at it this way, I work in a dealer that has hired kids out of highschool to do help out work and they dont know crap about where to even start working on cars, led alone a Mercedes. And at the same time I am getting promoted to be a team leader in the next month with this being my first year ever working on a car professionaly EVER. Take it for what its worth.

 

[grizzly]

i go there now. i am currently goin into my second phase. after the first phase i am fully confident to take the a1 ase test. basic engine repair. so that should tell you that you do learn alot. o and thats just in a spand of about 3 weeks

 

[orezbus12]

im going there too i have like. 5 phases left . the school is ok but allot of kids talk crap about it while they are there. " i paid XXXX amount and this is what i get " but i mean its what you make of it. there are some teachers there that are really boring but they arnt like.....trained to teach or anything they are guys liek you and me so what do you expect even in regular college u get really boring teachers. there are some cool teachers though "nerad, schlomer, rimson, visuch,schmelter,strickland " honestly the only kinda hard classes are like......electronics classes....they will be your 2nd and 3rd class and those arnt even that hard. other than that if you have automotive background you pretty much have a general idea of how things work but the classes will clear up certain things that you didnt understand that well you know. its overpriced but what can i do i only have a few classes left im gonna deal with it finish and take my ASE this november. they push manufacter programs like crazy there i agree . their emplyment thing i dont know about either but i prefer to do things on my own you know. im not gonna rely on the school to do anything job wise for me. UTI kids also have a reputation for being cocky but reality is when you get a job when your done with school ## gonna be noobie as hell at a dealership or wherever you work. i dunno there are allot of strange people that go to that school but i dont think i threw my money away i learned allot.

 

[Opiatool]

If you are going only to become ASE certified then there are other ways to get it. There are books you can buy for $300 that tell you everything you need to know to pass the tests and then all you need is 2 years experience in the field and you become certified.

If you are going to there to learn and get a job as a tech then UTI is a great way to go.

I went there from Oct 2004 to Sept 2005 and I've just started my manufacturer's program 2 weeks ago. I went into UTI knowing next to nothing except that I loved helping my friend work on his car. I came out knowing a lot more and now that friend of mine asks me about stuff he doesn't understand.

Don't go there expecting to come out and know everything. Don't go expecting to come out and understand how to fix all problems on all cars. UTI will teach you basics because there are just too many brands of cars and each of them have their own way of doing and designing things.

UTI is a great school for getting started in the automotive tech business but all the information the instructor's there have and are teaching they learned in the field fixing cars.

Don't get me wrong, you will learn a lot there but you won't learn to be the end all be all technician. To become one of the best you will need to get into the field and latch onto someone that's very good and soak up anything he's willing to tell you.

 

[my_precious]

I hope in bringing up this old thread I'm not upsetting anyone.

I was REALLY thinking about going to UTI after I graduate highschool. However, even before I read this, my parents and I have decided that I'm going to go to the local community college and enrol in their automotive program. This way I'd get an associates degree, be able to do their diesel class and even go into their Ford or Toyota programs. However, I have no interest in toyota or ford.
The whole idea behind our thinking is to get the experience and certifications without spending UTI money. Hopefully after the two years or so, I'd be ASE certified. Then, I'd go to UTI and enroll being able to transfer some of my classes that I've already taken. The idea of going to UTI as well is so that I can have the oportunity to become a Porsche Technician. Many of you may think this is aiming to high, but this is my goal, none the less. I'm not the average schmuck wanting to work for Porsche, but its not like my dad drives 911 club racers every weekend either. Why go to UTI when I could go to the local community college and work for ford or toyota for half the price? Well, becoming a Porsche technician would pay a lot more and there is a HUGE difference between working on a ford and working on a porsche. As far as I see it, this is the best way to get there, all though its not going to be cheap. What do you guys think about this plan of mine? I read this thread today and it seems that a few of you really were disappointed with UTI. That really suprized me. I had a representative come out to my house a few weeks ago and I also was planning on touring the Glendale Heights facility. I also have a good friend of mine that almost went there. He lives in Chicago and knows alot of guys that went there and liked it. Even one guy that went through the Porsche program. I've never been there and I've only talked to a representative and only know what I've heard from him, tv and the internet. One thing I do know is that I've been going to the NAIAS for a few years now and I've always went through the Porsche display. I sat in a Carerra 4s and looked through the engines they had on display and I must say I really would like to be in an environment like that. So, what do you guys think, sorry for all the typing and resurecting this old thread.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

I am in the Marine Corps., soon getting out in less than a year, been deployed twice, once to Iraq, and maybe again soon, and I have heard a lot of good as well as bad things about UTI. I have a cousin that went there and he has learned a lot, he is ASE Cert'd now, working somewhere in Texas, the whole time I was in the Marine's, he was doing UTI stuff. I talked to him while I was in Iraq, He said the same thing all of you are saying,"You get out of it what you put into it." That is just like the Marine Corps. as well, I mean come on, if I can make it back alive and well from Iraq and God knows where else, how hard can UTI be, oh, and the techs that can't teach? So what?, everyone that has been a Marine knows that not everyone here isnt a professor, neither is everyone a rock, but you learn by doing, acting, and saying.... It cant be all that bad, I do look forward to getting out and doing the UTI thing. I have the combat vet status, the GI Bill so money is not the issue for me, nor is the tuition for this. I hate to sound cocky, but its true, I have done my time and served my country, and UTI will help me achieve my goals, it is reputable, at least......

 

[kottyking]

Well as a UTI student I would like to put my .02 cents in. I am currently going to UTI in Arizona. I moved out here from wisconsin cause I thought it would give me a chance to get away. It's nice living in arizona but I will say UTI is a big waste of money, for me atleast. My roomate is from wisconsin also and went to a community college for automotive and he says he hasnt learned anything new. I loved working on cars since I was about 14. I have to say I now dont enjoy cars as much since Ive moved. This school is soooooo damn boring and expensive its sickening. A lot of people agree w/ me out here too. Today I also was pulled out of class and told to get a haircut by one of the advisors because it wasnt proffessional. Okay, I still have my winter wisconsin hair, which isnt long at all just thick. I think they empashize way to much on the proffesionalism thing. I am thinking about cutting my losses just like the guy a couple posts up has done because quite frankly its a god damned prison and they treat you like kindergarten. Anyways, If you guys decide to go through w/ this a salesman, whoops I mean "advisor" will come to your house and tell you how great the school is and how great youll be set finacially when your done. Not all of this is true for everyone. Ive talked to kids who have gone there and are still looking for a job. These salesman, I mean "advisors" will do anything for you to but the works. By works I mean auto/diesel/industrial. They definately get a cut of what you pay. They would tell you theres a pool on the roof just to get you to go. Anyways all in all I'm sick of being told that my shirt has a bit of wrinkles, cut your hair, no you cant have a smoke. THis is how I see it, you pay them 25,000 dollars and they treat you like your 5. I swear to god its worse than high school. But anyways like the guy above said this is how i Personally feel about it. Im sorry if Im dishin out that much loot for school, Im not gonna get belittled by fat people (advisors) that dont even know how an engine works. All in all do you wanna pay over $20,000 for a school that grades you (in this order) like this: 1. Attendence 2. Proffessionalism 3. test

 

[my_precious]

Like i said before. It's not going to UTI to learn the basics I'd be going for. I want an oportunity to work for Porsche, and to do that I have to go through UTI. The whole dress code policy, no smokeing etc, thats all stuff you would have to do at Porsche anyways. Kia's always looking for new people though Anyways, it sounds like if you ask questions, and put in the effort, you get out of it what you put in. That's what the Rep told me and my family and it seems thats what you guys are saying here.

 

[m1nd64m3]

Believe me there is no way in hell you will get in the porsche program. Ive been in classes with people who were amazing and had perfect gpa's and they didnt get accepted into porsche. Although all those people got accepted into bmw, audi, and MB which is still pretty damn good. Oh and the glendale heights campus, it sucks.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

Dont even get me started on the hair cut thing, I have to get one every single week, and tests and classes, yeah, on a daily basis, wrinkles, what are those? I have to iron my cammies every single day, so what? Big deal, looking professional and being professional are 2 similar but different things. It is what you make of it, and you prove your true colors in times of despair and harsh conditions, not in times of peace and comfort, if that were the case, everything would be easy, and good things arent easy to get, nor easy to keep. You just have to be willing to give it your all and be prepared to sacrifice a lot, maybe even your precious little time. Reach in your pants and grab a pair for crying out loud!!! I am not attacking anyone in particular, just giving my .02 cents as well.... it is what you make of it, I know I made it my best, in the Marine Corps that is....

 

[kottyking]

Believe me there is no way in hell you will get in the porsche program. Ive been in classes with people who were amazing and had perfect gpa's and they didnt get accepted into porsche. Although all those people got accepted into bmw, audi, and MB which is still pretty damn good. Oh and the glendale heights campus, it sucks.

EXACTLY!! I dont care how good you are, you have to suck some serious #### to get into porsche. I know people w/ 4.0's that dont get in. They only let in like 12 kids from ALL the UTI schools. Everybody says "yeah Im hoping porsche" but it doesnt happen. They just opened 2 new schools and the number for kids getting into porsche stays the same. ANd to the marin, yea i guess you would do good in the marines, cause its not that different. To me, it doesnt make sense to have somebody have a better chance to get into a shop because they look good vs being able to work on a car.

 

[my_precious]

I dont think its all about looking good that gets you in though. It's just trying to teach you professionalism is all. I dont know how much they get after you for it, but it seems like its the 3rd ryke (sp?) in there. The Glendale heights facility sucks? That is suposed to be one of the best ones there is. If I go there I plan on going during the week to tour it because then I can get a personal tour and be able to talk to students. I hope they dont tell me what I'm hearing here!

EDIT: Oh BTW, I plan on visiting a few dealers to talk to the workers there too. I know there is one in Lansing that is a Porsche/BMW/Mercedes dealer that is suposed to be really nice. If anything, I could just see some nice cars .

 

[kottyking]

the one out here in arizona is brand new. Its like 2 years old.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

EXACTLY!! I dont care how good you are, you have to suck some serious #### to get into porsche. I know people w/ 4.0's that dont get in. They only let in like 12 kids from ALL the UTI schools. Everybody says "yeah Im hoping porsche" but it doesnt happen. They just opened 2 new schools and the number for kids getting into porsche stays the same. ANd to the marin, yea i guess you would do good in the marines, cause its not that different. To me, it doesnt make sense to have somebody have a better chance to get into a shop because they look good vs being able to work on a car.

I completely understand what you are saying. That happens here too, you get people in positions that have no idea what they are doing, they don't even know there own %$# from a hole in the ground, and they are in that place only cause they are eye candy or have the professional look, versus having the knowledge and the experience. It happens all the time, but you have to make it better, or avoid those types of people, and show them up, step up to the plate and take charge of that.... trust me, it works....