In searching for the best online medical transcription school, one of the most important things you can do for your future is to research your school choices. There are a number of things you should be looking for to ensure your success in your online education, and we’ll explore a few of the more important ones in this article.
How Are They Rated?
First, your research should uncover whether students of any school you’re considering are happy and feel like they’re receiving a quality education. The best way to check that is to check on the school’s history with previous students and graduates, as that is probably the best indicator of the type of future YOU can expect with any particular institution.
It’s important to choose a school with a BBB rating of A+. Here is a link that explains the BBB rating system in detail. A school with an A+ rating means there have been few or no complaints against them, they’ve been in business for a good amount of time, and they are likely to interact with their students and graduates well – all things that mean a big thumbs up in your research. MT School of Canada proudly holds an A+ rating with the BBB under its parent company, MTACC.
Do a Google Search
We also suggest you always do a thorough Google search on the schools you’re considering to see if there are any negative things said about them or a long history of dissatisfied students. Remember, if there is a problem, students will talk! If there are no negative complaints, or if what you find is positive, it’s likely that the school has mostly satisfied and happy students.
Call the School
Your next step, however, is probably the most important: Give each school a call and talk to someone in depth about your career goals, their programs, and how they can help YOU. By talking to the school in-depth, you’ll be able to get a feel for the atmosphere, the depth of customer service, and the responsiveness that you need for a great online education. If they bombard you with sales calls and emails prior to signing up, you can be sure they get paid on commission and you are NOT their highest priority.
When talking to a school on the phone, see if you can discern if the representative is really listening to you or if you feel like they’re reading from a canned transcript – if the latter, chances are you’ll be just another number to them. Instead, make sure the school asks questions about YOU before giving you information about their programs. After all, it’s YOUR education that’s important here.
What Size is the School?
Speaking of talking on the phone, one of the things we’ve found is that the larger the school is, sometimes the smaller the student feels. Instead of being a small fish in a big pond with a school that enrolls hundreds of students each month, consider whether you’d prefer a more personal approach when it comes to asking questions, having things explained, or getting personalized instruction based on YOUR needs. (MT School of Canada gives you your own instructor in our medical transcription program, and your education gets very personal as you get nearer to the end. Read here about how our instruction is one of the highest caliber instruction in the industry and how we train our students.)
What is the School’s Job Placement Rate?
Feel free to ask about the school’s current student base and how many of their graduates are employed. If they don’t employ at least 9.5 out of 10 students (95% job placement rate), you’re taking a chance that you’ll become another statistic. (Note: MT School of Canada currently has a 100% job placement rate for the last 5 years for its Advanced Medical Transcription and Editing program.)
Ask for References
One thing we also suggest is to ask the school to give you the name and contact information of a few graduates near you whom you can call in order to find out how their experience was. Ask if the graduate had a good experience with the school’s Job Placement program (if they have one.) Again, you’re looking for a broad range of opinions so don’t be afraid to ask hard questions.
Compare Curriculum Side by Side
Lastly, print out the curriculums of the schools you’re considering and compare them side by side. Notice how many training modules each one has. Look at how many medical specialties are taught in each one (we have 21).
Now Compare Computer and Software Training
Most schools will have minimal or no computer and software training. But what about if you need a refresher in something that’s related? Make sure the school you choose has plenty of training to choose from, even if you never use it. Plenty of training means that the school has anticipated its students’ needs and is willing to do what it takes to make sure you’re trained properly. (Note: Our school offers over 400 computer and software classes for our students.)
In Summary
School choice is important to your success as you get ready for your new career. You need an online school that produces happy and successful graduates that can pass employment tests and get hired. See our other articles for additional things you should be looking for in high-quality online education.
Be smart, wise, and diligent in your choice for an excellent online training program. Some research now will pay off down the road for you in job prospects, the ability to perform well on the job, and YOUR economic future.
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