a good school

Sorry, here is the other one also, I gave you the first one twice, ooops, sorry. ; o )

www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ny.htm#b29-0000

Hi SS in Tampa. I am glad you love Sanford Brown, but I seriously hope you aren't going there for the sonography program because that school IS NOT ACCREDITED by Caahep. Look on the earlier posts, especially from Thatsmintt, who initially loved SBI & how happy she was going there, & then she found out alot of information from these forums, & that the school lied to her. Thankfully she only got as far as the Medical Assisting program and didn't waste the additional $25k to get into the sonography program. Hillsborough Community College is the only Caahep accredited school in Tampa (I looked for you). I'm sure they're also ALOT cheaper, & since they are accredited, you will be eligible to sit for the registry right after graduation, whereas, you will have to wait until you are able to work for a FULL TIME for a YEAR until you could take that test. Here in NY, hospitals WON'T hire anyone who isn't registered, why should they when there are people graduating from accredited schools who were able to take the exams and pass them right away. Seriously, do you really think you will able to retain all that information you learned a full year after you graduated without getting any experience in that year? I hope things are different down south, but I doubt it. I've read in other forums people who left the north and headed south looking for a job after graduating SBI & after living there for years they still cannot find a job. Please read all the other posts on this and other forums BEFORE you get into the sonography program, if you haven't already. That'smintt...I know you are reading this...tell her your experience! SS will listen to you more since you are still going through the insanity. Good luck, SS...you're going to need it if you continue your education with SBI. I hope you have better luck getting a job in sonography than the other 100's of people who graduated from there. BTW..go to www.ripoffreport.com and type in Sanford Brown, and see what they have on there.

Hey Girlfriend! You graduate the day after my orientation at Downstate. I start classes the following Tuesday after Labor Day. The books alone cost me almost $450! Textbooks are so damn expensive! I'm glad you got out of SBI, bcuz I know how unhappy you were towards the end, (but it is funny to see how you went from a happy student to one that is totally disgusted with it. lol) I think SS in Tampa will be the same way when she looks into all the stuff written on this and other forums. I told her to look at your post specifically especially since you were "happy" with your school. I told SS that there's an accredited program in Tampa in a community college. It makes me crazy when people say it doesnt' matter where they go to school, when in fact it does. If it's not accredited they will be stuck and won't find a job because they won't be able to take the exams unless they have a prior bachelor's degree. It's so sad. People don't know what they're getting themselves into until its too late. BTW..go to www.indeed.com and click onto salaries...it makes me excited, but not sure how accurate it is. Also there appears to be TONS of jobs in sonography in NJ, lucky for you since you're so close to NJ. You shouldn't have a problem when you graduate for YOUR ACCREDITED SCHOOL. lol. I'll write you when I get finished with orientation next Wednesday. If you want to contact me personally, you could email me a Brighteyes903@aol.com. Ttyl...I have to get ready for work. :o(

Ok.......SBI needs to be sue and run out of BUSINESS....because thats exactly what they are...not a school to educate but a BUSINESS TO TAKE YOUR MONEY! After reading all these comments and actually going to the school. I'm just totally turned OFF.

I'm in NYC and there are only four school that offer the sonography program.
SBI which is not CAAHEP and totally BS. Oh by the way...to go to SBI will cost you around 46,000.00 of three years and if you have no medical background you have to start in their MA program. Which is a load of crap!

Then there's NYU, LIU and SUNY downtown which are all CAAHEP. NYU is a full time 3 year program, around 10k per semester. And they have financial aid.

SUNY downtown is either 3 or 2 year program. NOt sure of the price tag on this school. BUT you need 60 credit just to enroll! They do offer financial aid.

LIU, which I'm planning on going to. They have a full time 12months program that start every Jan and Fall. You do need college english, math, biology before you enroll but not 60 credit. ANd they're price @20,000! HOWEVER NO FINANCIAL AID. MY credit is also shot to hell. So, I'm scouting for a co-sign.

SO, can anyone who attend LIU or who have any additional information please tell me more about LIU.

Ok.......SBI needs to be sue and run out of BUSINESS....because thats exactly what they are...not a school to educate but a BUSINESS TO TAKE YOUR MONEY! After reading all these comments and actually going to the school. I'm just totally turned OFF.

I'm in NYC and there are only four school that offer the sonography program.
SBI which is not CAAHEP and totally BS. Oh by the way...to go to SBI will cost you around 46,000.00 of three years and if you have no medical background you have to start in their MA program. Which is a load of crap!

Then there's NYU, LIU and SUNY downtown which are all CAAHEP. NYU is a full time 3 year program, around 10k per semester. And they have financial aid.

SUNY downtown is either 3 or 2 year program. NOt sure of the price tag on this school. BUT you need 60 credit just to enroll! They do offer financial aid.

LIU, which I'm planning on going to. They have a full time 12months program that start every Jan and Fall. You do need college english, math, biology before you enroll but not 60 credit. ANd they're price @20,000! HOWEVER NO FINANCIAL AID. MY credit is also shot to hell. So, I'm scouting for a co-sign.

SO, can anyone who attend LIU or who have any additional information please tell me more about LIU.

Ok.......SBI needs to be sue and run out of BUSINESS....because thats exactly what they are...not a school to educate but a BUSINESS TO TAKE YOUR MONEY! After reading all these comments and actually going to the school. I'm just totally turned OFF.

I'm in NYC and there are only four school that offer the sonography program.
SBI which is not CAAHEP and totally BS. Oh by the way...to go to SBI will cost you around 46,000.00 of three years and if you have no medical background you have to start in their MA program. Which is a load of crap!

Then there's NYU, LIU and SUNY downtown which are all CAAHEP. NYU is a full time 3 year program, around 10k per semester. And they have financial aid.

SUNY downtown is either 3 or 2 year program. NOt sure of the price tag on this school. BUT you need 60 credit just to enroll! They do offer financial aid.

LIU, which I'm planning on going to. They have a full time 12months program that start every Jan and Fall. You do need college english, math, biology before you enroll but not 60 credit. ANd they're price @20,000! HOWEVER NO FINANCIAL AID. MY credit is also shot to hell. So, I'm scouting for a co-sign.

SO, can anyone who attend LIU or who have any additional information please tell me more about LIU.

Downstate offers a two year program and has part-time and full-time, but all classes are during the day. The tuition for full-time is $2100 and part-time is $181 per credit. The two years of full-time schooling will only cost you about $8400! I think it's the cheapest by far, but only offer a bachelor's degree program. Anyone who has 60 credits predominately in the science courses should seriously consider going there. It has an excellent reputation, 100's of clinical sites, and since it's an accredited school, you will be able to sit for your registery exams as soon as you graduate.

Hey everyone! Anna, I put your screen name on my buddy list, my aol screen name is actually the name I use on the forum, LoL..I could've been more creative with a name for the forum but I just chose my screen name lol so it's ThatsMintttt@aol.com. Anyway,
FOR SS IN TAMPA-Please read what everyone is writing to you. We are not trying to discourage you or scare you in any way..It's just that, A LOT of Sanford Browns out there are nothing but money making corporate business people who could give a flying fvck about your or any other students educations. Please take my advice when I tell you to steer clear of that school, it is so not worth the aggravation, time and especially MONEY. Here's the thing. There are a lot of different factors that play into this. As I am NOT sticking up for Sanford Brown at all, I will say that some are actually accredited and some are not. The one in NY that I attend currently, is only accredited for there MA program and NOTHING else. However, the one in Iselin NJ is actually CAAHEP accredited. But, then the one in Garden city, is not..It's very strange how some are, and some arent. So, yours might be accredited for all we know..However, we dont know so were assuming it's not rightfully accredited, and again we are telling you this not to push you into a corner on here, but to really warn you about SBI's. Another factor is, are you going for cardiovascular? Or are you going for Diagnostic medical ultrasound? Because the accreditions for both are different for some reason. If you are going for the Diagnostic medical ultrasound, and you find out it is not accredited, please try to get whatever money back it is that you've given them since it is so early in the game you are eligible to get your money back..If I found out then what I now know, I would've ran for the hills..And gladdly with my money back in hand too..Yea the professors are nice and bla blah, but it's not worth it..Let us know how it works out SS

SBI in Iselin is accredited for DMS by the CAAHEP, so there's really no reason not to go unless you don't have a bachelor's degree already.

However, their CVT program is NOT accredited.

Hey just wanted to say that I too, have said that many times on here about the Sanford Brown in Iselin. It is weird how these Sanford Browns are. I just cant stand SBI all together, so I wouldnt even attend the one in Iselin NJ, even though they are accredited, LoL. I've been burned by them. Anyway, Krishna there CVT program is accredited also. There is a big misconception between CVT and DMU. CVT doesnt have to be accredited through CAAHEP. The accreditatons that are accepted by the registry are different for CVT than for that of Ultrasound. You could attend a non-CAAHEP school for cardiovascular, however it's different with the diagnostic medical ultrasound I believe. For CVT, you also do not have to take the ARDMS, you can take the CCI, or RVT (or both), etc...No necessarily ARDMS. ARDMS is for strictly diagnostic medical ultrasound.

Hey Mint,
I just made an appointment to see them for financial. Im thinking of going to DMS but mostly I want to concentrate on vasular ultrasound. I already took their test and passed. They took my sciences and math as a credit cause I do have associate degree in science. If I see Myrna I will definetly mention your name. There's a class starting on Oct. so im going to try to see if I can get into that. Im looking at the night classes cause I still want to work. Im a medical assistant in a Cardiologist. Yeah for SBI please they are a joke & im soooo glad i came across this forum. But keep in touch! By the way my name is Gina. I will let you know if it works out for me. Let me know w. you as well if they can help you out! Thanks for the info it help me alot.

jelli bean NJ

Anna (from MileVillage), I have read your questions about Salary for Sonographers and they are not accurate in real life. Those Salaries that you seen are where you csn eventually end up with. I graduated from SBI and many of my friends rom class who do have employment earn from 25,000 (Mobil US) to 35,000. Many do not even have Insurance coverage etc. I am not working as an US tech because of personal health problems but I found an employment that gives me insurance foir me and my family and 41K. Also good payment better then US techs make in the begining in the NYC Tri-state area. Those of course are tha type of jobs that do not require 2 years of experience and the registry. Many of my friends are in the process of taking their exams for the ARDMS Registry. I started as well and passed my Physics but I did not continue. Good luck

Antje,
Can you please tell me your study method for passing the physics? I still cant pass it...thank you

Hi Antje. Wow! That's all your friends are getting? That's a big let down, from what everyone claims sonographer make. How long has your friend been working as sonographer? I wonder if your friend is getting paid less because of the school she went to? I wonder if they hired her for less because they knew that she needed to work for a year after graduating from a non-accredited school in order to qualify for the exams, and she just stayed where she was working after graduating school? I find it hard to believe that people are waiting to get into an accredited school to only make $35k especially for here in NY. I've looked for jobs and they were offering $60k for two years experience, but they wanted a bachelors degree. I think it matters a great deal where you graduate from when it comes to getting the higher paying jobs. As you could see from this forum and www.ripoffreport.com SBI have a HORRID reputation. I am attending an accredited school and will have a bachelor's degree when I graduate, and I hope that will help me get a better paying job. Good luck to your friend and I wish you guys the best.

Hey Jellibean. I'm glad everything worked with you and the American Medical Institute. What day did you go there and register/sign up?...Ok, heres me and my two friends situation with AMI as of right now. We went there today to sign with them (registration fee in hand). We started talking and discussing financial options since we all are not wealthy, and knew we wouldnt be approved for the sallie mae loan (so why bother), so we talked with them about a monthly payment for each of us that would work with our budgets. Great. But then, we Nyrna made it sound as if it was "iffy" to whether or not the school would ever be approved for financial aid. This became a problem when me and my girlfriends heard this. See, were banking on the financial aid eventually kicking in soon (even if we were in the middle the schooling), because it would help all of us out greatly, and we know we'd get approved for it because we all have before. Nyrna crunched numbers and told us how much we'd have to pay the school back every month, within a 3 year plan at a 3% interest rate with AMI, in the even that financial aid never kicked in. The numbers were outrageous. So, we all started getting nervous and didnt know if we wanted to take the type of risk or not. Then we were about to walk, and obviously they werent about to let 3 possible students go, so she went and got some guy from the financial department (cant remember his name, it was Indian)-and to prove to us that they were really working on getting the finanical aid he came in and sat down and showed us a pile of paper work from the school that showed how they were scheduled for a meeting to meet with people to obtain financial aid for the school. He exlaimed that the school has been trying, but it's just been a big long dragged out proces..So, in the end with that assurance, we went and plunked down the registration fee of $125.00. We opted to not take the entrance test yet, as we were not prepared, but he said for us not

to worry about it right now anyway. We also all got something in writing from Nyrna, stating that in the even the school does not yet recieve financial aid, we will get our registration fee's back..So, we walked out of there half happy and half unhappy. Happy because we enrolled, but unhappy because pretty much it's up in the air now IF were really going there in January!! Ugh...This is so frustrating..Would anyone else have done the same as me and my friends? Or just said fvck it?..We did get that receipt though stating that we'd get the registration fee back, but I wonder if it was even worth it..I'm trying to think positive, and that they will get the financial aid. If not, then I have to start doing research on the computer all over again and try to find accredited schools for CVT in the NY and NJ area within range of me...This is nuts..I just really hope it works out for the best..That is the school we want to go too, but it just seems like something is keeping us back from going there..I dont know..It's late and I'm aggravated, as my two friends are...What would anyone else do?..I'm happy yet disappointed at the same time..

antje-I read what you wrote, and I'd love to know how it is that you're saying ultrasound technicians make anywhere from $25,000-$35,000 yearly. Something is wrong with that picture..That is obsurd. Medical assistants get paid that amount for only 9 months of schooling. I dont even care where your friends went to school, even if they went to a piece of shyt hole in the wall for ultrasound training, people STILL manage to go out there and find jobs in this profession somehow. I've heard stories about how well it's worked out for people, even if they went a no reputable school. Sanford Brown has a horrible rep on the statistics on web sites and stuff like that, but what I find amusing is that most doctors offices and Hospitals on SI that I go too, I ask where there ultrasound people and Medical assistants come from, and the doctors tell me Sanford Brown! And that they'll only let SBI students extern at there practices too. I asked why because I was surprised, and one physician said to me that it was because SBI seems to turn out really well rounded knowledgable students, and that there scanning skills are amazing!..Couldnt believe it..But anyway, no those salaries you gave are quite far from realistic. You're going to scare people who come on here and want to find out about becoming an ultrasound tech..Maybe that is exactly what you're trying to do because in the long run those future students would be your competition?...Whatever..

Thatsmintttt in NEW YORK in Schaumburg, Illinois said: Hey just wanted to say that I too, have said that many times on here about the Sanford Brown in Iselin. It is weird how these Sanford Browns are. I just cant stand SBI all together, so I wouldnt even attend the one in Iselin NJ, even though they are accredited, LoL. I've been burned by them. Anyway, Krishna there CVT program is accredited also. There is a big misconception between CVT and DMU. CVT doesnt have to be accredited through CAAHEP. The accreditatons that are accepted by the registry are different for CVT than for that of Ultrasound. You could attend a non-CAAHEP school for cardiovascular, however it's different with the diagnostic medical ultrasound I believe. For CVT, you also do not have to take the ARDMS, you can take the CCI, or RVT (or both), etc...No necessarily ARDMS. ARDMS is for strictly diagnostic medical ultrasound.

I don't think their CVT program is accredited. I was just informed by my advisor about the DMS program being full for September (there's a VERY small chance of me getting into that one). She suggested CVT instead but I said no because she said that I'd have to work for a year before taking the exam to get certified.

Work for a year before certification = not accredited.

I also checked CAAHEP and they're not in there.

Hi Krishna. I'm surprised the rep told you that. You'd be able to take the CCI exam and the registries that fall under that, I dont know if you'd be able to take the ones that fall under the ARDMS necessarily such as the RCDMS, right away. However, you'd be able to take the other ones after graduating and find work while being registered with the ones under the CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International). It's different for Cardiovascular technician. Let me know if you find any other good school's in Jersey, because I'm still looking too..

Piano in South Pasadena, California said: Hi lutietz,

I read some of you messages. I may be in a similar situation, so I was wondering if I could have your advice. Let me explain my situation first. I just started an ultrasound school which is not accredited. I have BS in chemistry and MS in genetic counseling and is working as genetic counselor. I looked accredited schools in my area, but all provide only day-time programs, and for me, quitting my current job in not an option. (No night-time shift is available for genetic counselor).

So, I decided to go to non-accredited program. I know that sicne I have a BS degree, I will be able to take RDMS exam upon graduation (my program has more than 1680 clock hours).

However, I noticed that in job descriptions, some of employers ask RDMS AND graduate from CAAHEP accredited program. I was wondering even I am able to pass the exam shortly after my graduation, I may have difficulties to find a job? or if I think about getting a new job several years later for a better postion, since I don't graduate from a CAAHEP program, I won't be able to be hired by a better position?

Anybody who knows about this issue, please give me an advice!

Thanks

I noticed that you said you were a genetic counselor and I was just wondering what that profession is like and if you enjoyed it? I am currently an undergraduate in Biology and am starting to really research various jobs. Any help you could provide would be very much appreciated.

To Piano-I honestly think that you're in the clear with that, because you have a BS degree and an MS degree as well. If I were you, I wouldnt worry. There are people out there in worse situations than you. There are people out there who do not have ANY college experience at all, and go to unaccredited programs for ultrasound. Imagine the problems they will encounter when trying to find a job, when those people graduate? I think it will work out for you just fine, but that's just my personal opinion. And, you even hear the stories from people on here that they attended unaccredited schools for ultrasound, with having no college back round, yet they some how were able to find a job and get hired anyway while working on taking the registry exams. I guess every place is different in what they want or what credentials they seek. Take care, hope it all works out which I'm sure it will.

Now, I have a stupid question for anyone on here if they can answer it. I will be attending school for Cardiovascular technician come January, I was just wondering though, is a cardiovascular technician an ultrasound technician? I chose to do the CVT because I did not want to do the general ultrasound, and here in NY there really arent a lot of jobs for general ultrasound technicians. But, I've read what the both of them do, and pretty much an ultrasound technician can do what a CVT is trained to do, so I'm a little confused with that. I know that CVT is all about the heart and the veins, vascular and they focus on just that...Yet if ultrasound technicians are taught the same exact thing, then why split it into two different categories? Why have schools and programs for cardiovascular, and then schools/programs for ultrasound technicians?...Was just wondering..Thanks

The general ultrasound covers the abdomen, small parts, ob/gyn and then a specialty usually vascular. The CVT program concentrates on the heart and the vasculature only. No abdomen, no ob/gyn, no small parts.

Thanks so much!

Hey Minttt..long time no "speak". CVT is an sonographer that specializes in just the heart and it's vessels. That's just another test to pass to get certified, which will give you some extra letters after your name. From what I understand, you will be focused with doing echocardiographs. However, like you said depending on the school you go to, you are taught the same thing. Downstate teaches echo in the fall semester of our Senior year. You have to pass the physics and the cardio-vascular exams, which by the way costs $175 for the physics and $200 for the cardio-vascular exams. When are you going to start your classes? I've been going to Downstate for the past three weeks, and the reading is ridiculous! I am drowning in all the reading...and I'm only going part-time. I don't know how the full-timers keep up with all the reading. Just so you know...everyone's been complaining about how hard the sonography class and physics are. I'm dreading taking them next year. Ugh! Email me when you get a chance. :o)

Anna in Middle Village, New York said: Hey Minttt..long time no "speak". CVT is an sonographer that specializes in just the heart and it's vessels. That's just another test to pass to get certified, which will give you some extra letters after your name. From what I understand, you will be focused with doing echocardiographs. However, like you said depending on the school you go to, you are taught the same thing. Downstate teaches echo in the fall semester of our Senior year. You have to pass the physics and the cardio-vascular exams, which by the way costs $175 for the physics and $200 for the cardio-vascular exams. When are you going to start your classes? I've been going to Downstate for the past three weeks, and the reading is ridiculous! I am drowning in all the reading...and I'm only going part-time. I don't know how the full-timers keep up with all the reading. Just so you know...everyone's been complaining about how hard the sonography class and physics are. I'm dreading taking them next year. Ugh! Email me when you get a chance. :o)

Anna,

By the time you take the registry for physics, I would think you should only need one physics for both abd and cardio. They are changing it in spring 2009.

Thanks guys for the answer to that, and thanks Anna! = o )

Are you looking for a job? Look on this website..I just got it e mailed to me this morning...

ghsrecruiting.com/JobList.htm

Hello All,

I just wanted to say thank you for all of the information you have provided. I'm also looking to become a Ultrasound tech ASAP! Which is pretty scary because it's totally out of my field which means I will be starting all over in a sense and the market is not doing too well, that frightens me but I must keep the faith, all of my work experience is secretarial/admin assistant, I worked for several firms from law-investment, I'm sick & tired of corporate America, I want to try something new and ultrasound sounds like the change I need. I know it will take dedication and hard work especially since I have no experience in the medical field whats so ever, so that's going to be a challenge but I believe I can and will do it.

Upon my research I came across this school called Institute of Allied Medical Professions(IAMP) in Vahala NY, did anyone hear of this school???? I went to orientation a few months ago and they have a 16 month U/S course in which you don't have to take MA you can go directly into us now tuition is 25,000!!!! for a 16 month program, which sounded ridiculous to me, is that the norm?? It sounded quite high...and to top it off it's not accredited even though they said they were I just checked www.caahep.org and they are NOT listed!

I'm going to check out NYU and see if I can get into that program I pray I can and it all works out. Does anyone know how much it cost??
You guys have enlighted me on soo many levels..thanks again...and Good luck to you all!!

God Bless!

ummm where is the rest of my text! OMG!!! I wrote sooo much!;-(

Congrats Lys.
Did you take a review course or just buy the book?
Will you be taking any more specialities before they change the system?

lutie in New York, New York said: tHE Dr is foreign.She knows they are not good. Most of the teachers are foreign doctors who chose not to take the US exam. At night sonographers teach and the classes are better. I am foreign and did not understand the deceit that is possible. Either get your pre-reqs or go for a different career

Hi lutie, I am a student there as well and have the same complaints. What is the main thing that you do not like?? I am completely dissapointed that it is more like a business then anything, they are expanding without enough staff etc...

ano in New York, New York said: Congrats Lys.
Did you take a review course or just buy the book?
Will you be taking any more specialities before they change the system?

Hi,

Thanks!! I did take the physics review course last year, still failed. I bought the updated one, studied that, did x zone and I passed.
No Im not taking anymore for now. The only one they are changing is the physics, right? IF I were to take more, I think I would just add on to what I have. I dont like vascular enough to get registered in it.

Lys said: Hi,

Thanks!! I did take the physics review course last year, still failed. I bought the updated one, studied that, did x zone and I passed.
No Im not taking anymore for now. The only one they are changing is the physics, right? IF I were to take more, I think I would just add on to what I have. I dont like vascular enough to get registered in it.

I heard about how they are changing the physics, but will it really be much harder?

hayla said: I heard about how they are changing the physics, but will it really be much harder?

Hi,

I am not sure if it will be harder or not. It's hard enough ;)! They are changing the content of it, adding more, taking out, etc. Check out esp.com because Sid wrote a letter explaining the new and old content outline.

gia in Houston, Texas said: heard of it but don't know anything about the school. I'm sure it's expensive. I went today to a simular school for ultrasound tech.program. It's a 2yr.program and they want 26,000 for cost.

Please do you research and find a school that is ACCREDITED-I am a former Sanford Brown(NYC)student-graduated in 4/08- I am getting rejections everywhere because I am not ARDMS.-If I had to do it all over again I would go to a college. Good luck.
P.S. - The school is great with working around your job and family life
that is about it.
J.SINGH
New York City

J. SINGH, you went to the one in Manhattan for Ultrasound? I just graduated there in August of this year for there stupid medical assisting program (which they encouraged me to take/told me I needed it, but it was a complete waste in my eyes), but I try to tell myself that at least when I go back to school for the Cardiovascular tech program, I'll know what I'm in for as far as school since it's been a while before that I've attended school..Any how, I just wanted to say that I absolutely refuse to go back to the Sanford Brown in Manhattan to continue my education! They are not accredited for ultrasound or anything else. They are ONLY accredited for Medical assisting, so at least I found that out before I actually jumped into that program. Needless to say, I was so dissappointed though when I found out, because that is why I initally came to that school. If I would've known from the beginning that they were only accredited for the medical assisting program, guess what? I would've never have gone there in the first place! But, now I know..I try to steer people away from that place. It's funny though, because though the one in NYC isnt accredited for ultrasound or cardiovascular, the one in Iselin NJ IS accredited, they are actually on CAAHEP. Weird, huh? I should've just gone to the one in Iselin. I live on Staten Island too, so it's right over the bridge from me. But anyway, we live and learn...So, why are you getting rejected? What about your externship site, they didnt wanna hire you or take you under there wing at least? You cant work somewhere in the mean time until you're eligible/ready to take the ARDMS registries?..That friggen stinks..Have you complained to anybody at the school about it? If I were you, I totally would say something. Especially with what they charge for people to go there, and they are not even accredited. Like, whats the point of someone going there and spending so much time and money, to not even be able to find employment?

Kim in Hicksville:
I'm a student at SBI and am about to begin my clinicals in the DMU program. If you don't mind my asking, why do you have a lawsuit against SBI? I'm curious b/c I am disgusted with them like most people on this site and have given thought to dealing with them legally as well.They lie constantly and get away with it.
Thanks!

If anyone is currently going to the SBI in Garden City, NY, who is teaching there now? Is Renee there? She taught us vascular. Is Sharmila there? She did our sites...What are their last names?

THANKS GUYS!!!

Lys, be weary of Sanford Browns...And I also heard that the one in Garden City is not accredited...The SBI in Manhattan is apparently "trying" to get the CAAHEP accrediation, I heard this through a friend who goes there, but I dont believe it at all. Supposedly they told the students they are getting "evaluated" for CAAHEP. I know people who've gone on interviews there a year or two ago, and on there interviews they were told that they were waiting for there accrediations. LoL...Get my point? They're a bunch of scam artists. Just be careful.

Yliana in Beacon, New York said: Kim in Hicksville:
I'm a student at SBI and am about to begin my clinicals in the DMU program. If you don't mind my asking, why do you have a lawsuit against SBI? I'm curious b/c I am disgusted with them like most people on this site and have given thought to dealing with them legally as well.They lie constantly and get away with it.
Thanks!

Yliana. I'm not sure why certain people have lawsuits against SBI's all over, but I can sure take a good guess as to why. They are a bunch of scam artists, and do nothing but promise you the moon and stars, but they are all full of bull****. I went to the one in Manhattan for "medical assisting". I did not want to do that, but was told I needed it in order to get into there CVT or ultrasound program. Turns out, even with the medical assisting I couldnt get into either of those programs. They are also only accredited for there MA program, and no other programs they offer are accredited. But, at least I found that out sooner than later and now I will not set foot back into that school to continue my education even if someone paid me to do it. I'm very disgusted with them, they are disgraceful. And they con more and more unsuspecting, prospective students everyday and that bothers the hell out of me. Why, what is your situation with them if you dont mind me asking?

ThatsMintttt in Staten Island, New York said: Lys, be weary of Sanford Browns...And I also heard that the one in Garden City is not accredited...The SBI in Manhattan is apparently "trying" to get the CAAHEP accrediation, I heard this through a friend who goes there, but I dont believe it at all. Supposedly they told the students they are getting "evaluated" for CAAHEP. I know people who've gone on interviews there a year or two ago, and on there interviews they were told that they were waiting for there accrediations. LoL...Get my point? They're a bunch of scam artists. Just be careful.

Oh I know, I already went there and Im on this site warning people NOT to go there. I wanted to know if the same people are there when I went there...I want to see if they are registered techs.

Lys said: Oh I know, I already went there and Im on this site warning people NOT to go there. I wanted to know if the same people are there when I went there...I want to see if they are registered techs.

Oh yea thats right, I remember you telling me about it a while ago on the forum. You went to the one in Garden City, right? You were just trying to see if anyone on here graduated and was able to become registered/find employment? You just graduated recently? What did you go for? Did you find employment?

Hi Minttt,

Yes I went to the one in Garden City. No, I want to see if the TEACHERS are registered. I know Sheila Chong is, and I cant remember the vascular teacher Renees last name to look her up if she is or isnt. While I was there I found out that the one who did the sites, Sharmin!, not Sharmila, couldnt pass the boards for the life of her, therefore she took a job as the site coordinator. I know my teacher Melissa Alvarez is registered too, she was awesome. No I finished in 2003, couldnt find a job for over a year, finally got a job at a hospital in upstate NY, Im here ever since. I just had my 4 year anniversary of being here. I FINALLY passed the abdomen test in May 2008, and the physics in Sept 2008. I took each of those tests multiple times...its insane. Im just glad Im done with the physics before they change it in the Spring and put more hemodynamics on the test.

Hi Lys. If you don't mind me asking...how much did the hospital start you off with and how much of a raise do you get each year working in a hospital? I hear people tossing all these crazy number out there saying that starting salaries are about $60K+ but I seriously doubt that. All the job ads state that the salaries are "Very Comptetive" but what does that really mean? I'm glad you were able to find a job, even if meant you had to relocate. Are you happy where you are now? Any chance of you moving back into the city? I'm becoming slightly discouraged by what I am hearing about how the medical staff look at sonographers. My classmates who are doing their clinicals are stunned at how they are looked upon by the doctors and such. One girl said that she feels as though sonographers aren't respected as other professionals such as nurses and the Physician Assistant, etc. I am concerned about the job opportunities available to new graduates and how the hospital staff don't have to show respect to sonographers because the job market is so saturated that they could fire you or we could quit and there will always be someone there to take your place and they know it. Now you are adding that the physic portion of the ARDMS exams are going to be even harder...it's making me scared. What do you think we should do? :o)

Hey Lys, wow that is an amazing story. That was an awsome success story. Congratulations on getting the job in the hospital, and on your 4th year of being there, and then on passing the registries! = o )
Did it take you a year to find employment you would say because of the school, or because of the market at the time, or both? Either way, I think that's great you didnt give up, kept on trying. When you put so much energy and time and passion into something, you've got too.

Thank you Minttt!! I would say its because I didnt have experience. No one wanted me without experience, and they said it point blank. I had many phone interviews with places all over the US. They said nothing of the school they said nothing of being registered. Then of course I was thinking how can I get expereince if no one wants me?? It was rough.

I wanted to give up many many times when I kept failing the exams, I even went on an interview for medical assistant (my former job) just in case I got fired. But I kept on going because I got closer to the magic number 555 every time.

ThatsMintttt in Staten Island, New York said: Hey Lys, I just read what else you wrote, lol after congratulating you I feel foolish because you wrote that you're not happy where you are. That stinks then. But when you say you started out at $19.00 an hour back when you graduated, was that because you werent a registered ultrasound techncian with the ARDMS? What about taking the CCI's registries? Or is that just for Cardiovascular? Anyway, now that you have the experience you can probably get a job anywhere else because of the experience now with this hospital you are at. So, like you said "a foot in the door".

Its ok, yeah I think its because I didnt have experience and I wanst registered. I only knew of the ARDMS so thats what I was going for, thats what my co workers had. Yep I can go anywhere now, but Im buying my time, I want to try and pass the OB registry before I leave ;).

Yea I hear ya..But either way, it must still feel amazing that when you were probably getting to a point where you were gonna give up, you found that job at that hospital. At least you are working, and under the title for what you went to school for. = o )
Hey in this day and age and this economy, I would be so happy for that too. If you dont mind me asking, you say you got paid $19.00 hourly when you first started, but what are you making now? (hope I'm not getting too personal, if I am,, sorry!) I just like to hear it from the "horses mouths" literally what ultrasound/cardiovascular technicians are making, it's interesting to hear the drastic differenes in some people's pay. But you are so lucky. You passed your registries now, and you've got 4 years under your bealt! That's amazing.

Im making in the mid 20's/hr. My anniversary was on the 18th of Oct, and I got my evaluation and hopefully I got a good raise but I dont know what it is yet. I havent the slightest clue what cardio techs make.

When do you finish your externship, Minttt?