Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/07/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The provider claimed to be a source of education both during and after a certification process. After the certification process, up to and including the CEO's efforts, they either ignored or acknowledged the necessity of struggles faced by entry level students. I am shocked by the flamboyant language used to sell the education and still have seen neither offers nor replies from my success in the program. I passed every exam, and I'm now expected to keep up 150 "continuing education certifications" based on the curriculum that would get me a job. Well, it seems the jobs have dried up. There are 0 remote jobs that have entertained my resume - professionally curated by Intellectual Point staff or contractors. The problem I face now is that when I express struggles with finding employment, they censor me. They censor the ***** chats, they censor the zoom chats, and now they censor the only connection I have to the organization with ******* chats. It is a struggle for me to know what they gain from this. I thought I was going to be part of helping the nation as a veteran continue the fight for freedom and honor my oath to the US Constitution. It seems this was not anyone's goal at all. And I have no evidence otherwise.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/27/2023

  In reference to the Compliant ID: ********, we would like to address the claim filed by ******** *******.  We were initially excited about *** *******'s pursuit of a career in Cyber Security, as we are with all our  students. However, during the first session of our inaugural class, we encountered significant challenges  due to *** *******'s disruptive behavior. As a result, our technical lead at Intellectual Point had to remove  him from the class. Throughout the session, *** ******* consistently expressed negativity, greatly  prolonging the class duration. He made derogatory remarks about the program's feasibility, believing the  assigned tasks to be insurmountable. Despite our professional reassurances and unwavering support, his  negative behavior persisted, leading to his expulsion from the class. Subsequently, our technical lead  engaged in a conversation with *** *******, emphasizing proper classroom etiquette and appropriate  conduct in a **** environment, considering the presence of multiple students. Other students expressed  concerns, prompting us to take appropriate action. 
  Unfortunately, *** ******* demonstrated a lack of professionalism during his tenure at our educational  institution, specifically by repeatedly attempting to engage the class in discussions on sensitive topics such  as politics, equality, and affirmative action. These discussions caused discomfort among fellow students,  who repeatedly requested that such topics not be brought up during class. Consequently, *** ******* was  removed from multiple classrooms and ultimately expelled from our institution. 
  At Intellectual Point, we maintain a strong network of alumni who benefit from ongoing career services  and stay connected through our designated social media platform, *******. *** ******* had access to  these services but violated our established policies governing alumni conduct. These policies explicitly  prohibit the discussion of political matters, the use of profanity, and any form of disrespectful speech or slurs. 
  The final breach occurred when *** ******* initiated a discussion on gender equality and the perceived  discrimination faced by white men in the United States during a **** session in one of our instructor-led  classes. Despite his classmates' efforts to redirect the conversation, *** ******* persisted, leading to his  removal from all alumni-offered services. 

  Our institution is committed to maintaining a respectful and productive learning environment in our  classrooms and across all platforms associated with our school. Discussions regarding race, ethnicity, and  affirmative action are strictly prohibited within the context of our Cyber Security classes, as they are not  covered in our curriculum. 

  While *** ******* is entitled to express his viewpoints comprehensively in a suitable venue, it is crucial to  adhere to our stringent policies regarding the topics covered in our Cyber Security classes. By maintaining  clear boundaries within our curriculum, we ensure that students can focus on the essential subject matter,  fostering a productive learning environment where they can acquire the necessary knowledge and skills  in the field.
  
  Regarding *** *******'s claim of discrimination, we made sincere efforts to assist him by involving multiple  customer support specialists who employed various strategies to address his concerns. Unfortunately,  despite our attempts, *** ******* persisted in his belief that he was being discriminated against. Our  decision to restrict his expression within the classroom environment was in line with our policies and  necessary to ensure a positive learning experience for all students. 

  We made the difficult decision to part ways with *** ******* for the betterment of our student base and  to prevent exposure to his negative remarks. Although we sought to remove him as politely as possible,  we deemed the potential risks associated with his presence worth the action, considering the well-being  of our students. 

  To support our response, we have included screenshots as evidence of some of the conversations that  took place during *** *******'s time with us, as well as screenshots of the dated remarks collected by our  reporting staff members in our Student Management database. 
  

  *** ******* has violated multiple school policies regarding respectful behavior and has caused multiple  disruptions in the classroom. He was given multiple chances to stop the unruly behavior and disrespectful  remarks, but you continued to ignore the same and continued disrupting the class and bringing negativity  and toxicity to our student environment. There is no merit in his claim and we request his case be  dismissed.  
  

  Regarding his claim about finding employment, *** ******* was not willing to do his part in looking for  jobs. The school does not guarantee any employment. The school provides multiple resources to assist the students in finding employment, which were all provided to *** ******** *******. He did not have the  patience to look for job opportunities and started acting toxic and blaming it all on the school. He would  not participate in job search workshops, he would not show up to interview prep workshops, job fairs etc.  He spent his time being negative and trying to poison other students and veterans in the class. He had to  be censored multiple times since he kept putting derogatory remarks in various student boards. 
  

  We hope these will aid you in your investigation. Should you require any further assistance, please do not  hesitate to contact us. 
  

  Thank you for your attention to this matter. 
  

  Sincerely, 
  President & CEO 
  Intellectual Point 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/27/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because it does nothing to address the original complaint.  It is merely attempt to malign and attack character without proper context.  All of the context was either not documented or removed to present me in the least favorable light rather than explain how the ethically ambiguous "process" that is the cornerstone of the organization adheres to the contracted obligations to the ******** Administration.  It is a shameful attempt to avoid responsibility for failing to provide an ethical means of education.

  Furthermore, I completed the education requirements without exception, and in contradiction to the evidence provided of graduation, they now claim I was "expelled" in an attempt to avoid answering the direct frustrations brought forward.  It would have been wiser to not address the complaint at all if this was the best they had to offer.

  Regards,
  
  *******************************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/09/2023

  July 9, 2023 
  

  To ******** ******* & BBB 
  

  This letter is provided in continuation of the first response to address the additional concerns that were  expressed by the customer and the rejection of original response submitted on June 26th, 2023. 
  

  We are delighted to congratulate you on successfully completing your program and attaining all three  certifications with our invaluable support. Your accomplishment aligns perfectly with the program's  objectives, and we were thrilled to witness your unwavering commitment throughout the entire journey. 
  

  However, we deeply regret to inform you that we are unable to continue offering career service assistance  and alumni benefits within our social media servers. Our primary focus remains on delivering exceptional  career advancement opportunities and ongoing workshops to assist our esteemed Veterans in reaching  their desired objectives. Regrettably, certain conversations, behaviors, and opinions exhibited by you in  our classrooms had a detrimental impact on the comfort levels of fellow students. 
  

  It is essential to emphasize that discussions concerning affirmative action, race, gender, or discrimination  pertaining to employability based on specific ethnicities are strictly prohibited within our educational  platforms. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment necessitates the  enforcement of these guidelines. 
  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and hope you understand our commitment to  creating a safe and respectful space for all individuals to engage in fruitful discussions and pursue their  educational endeavors. 
  

  Consequently, following multiple prior notifications, it became necessary to revoke your access to our  extended community services to curtail those particular discussions and interactions with fellow alumni.  It is important to clarify that this action does not imply a complete exclusion from receiving assistance  from our dedicated team. However, it does entail the discontinuation of your participation in group  activities within our esteemed Alumni portal. 
  

  We remain fully committed to providing you with personalized support in your pursuit of a fulfilling career.  We are more than willing to offer individualized guidance to aid you in this endeavor, on the condition that  you consistently exhibit a professional demeanor, treating all individuals you engage with in a manner  characterized by respect and equality. Our ultimate objective is to assist every graduate in a manner that  upholds the highest standards of professionalism and mutual respect. 
  

  I would like to take a moment to address each concern that you have raised to ensure clarity: 
  

  1) In your initial complaint, you correctly pointed out that we assert ourselves as a reputable  educational institution. It is indeed our primary objective to deliver education of the utmost  quality, and we continuously endeavor to achieve this goal. I believe you would concur that our services have been exemplary, considering your personal success in not only completing your  chosen pathway but also attaining three commendable Information Technology certifications. This  noteworthy accomplishment is no small feat, and you should take pride in your remarkable  achievement. Rest assured, we share in your pride and commend you for your outstanding  dedication and hard work. 
  

  2) In your original complaint, you rightly observed that we employ vibrant language to promote our  services. While this observation holds true to some extent, we believe that utilizing motivational  language is an effective approach to inspire and engage a significant portion of our student body.  We are very proud of the exceptional results we achieve in the solid graduation rate and the job placement rate we achieve with our services. We understand, however, that this particular style  of motivation may not resonate with everyone or align with your personal preferences. We  sincerely apologize if this approach did not resonate with you or seemed incongruous with your  preferred style. Please be assured that our intention is never to cause harm or come across as  pretentious. Rather, our intention is to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and encouragement,  aimed at maximizing our students' potential and facilitating their success to the greatest extent  possible. Over the course of our program, we have witnessed numerous entry-level students  forge remarkable career opportunities in the Information Technology field. We take great pride  in their accomplishments and view them as a testament to the efficacy of our program.  
  

  3) In your initial complaint, you expressed concerns regarding our staff's alleged disregard for or lack  of acknowledgment towards the challenges faced by entry-level students. We would like to  emphasize that we make every effort to ensure that all students have unfettered access to  recurring career enhancement workshops, which are provided free of charge as a complementary  service. Although providing such workshops is not obligatory, we offer them with the sincere  intention of providing valuable assistance. These workshops are available to all alumni of  Intellectual Point, irrespective of their specific circumstances. We take great pride in our dedicated  staff members, who invest countless hours in addressing the unique needs and challenges faced  by entry-level students seeking to establish themselves in the field of Information Technology.  Among the numerous workshops we offer are Resume workshops, Self-marketing workshops,  ******** workshops, Job Fairs, Networking Events, Federal Employment Workshops, Technical  Workshops, and a host of other events aimed at bolstering the skills and capabilities of our  students who are new to the Information Technology industry. It is worth noting that you have  attended several of these workshops, which were specifically designed to assist students grappling  with the challenges associated with finding employment. The primary objective of these  workshops is to equip our students with the necessary tools and knowledge to overcome obstacles  and secure meaningful employment opportunities in the field of Information Technology. 

  4) In your initial complaint, you rightly pointed out the requirement of obtaining "150 continuing  education credits" to maintain your certifications. This is an accurate reflection of the expectations set forth by the Information Technology industry. It is crucial for IT professionals to stay updated  with the latest advancements in technology. Prospective employers place great importance on  ensuring that their workforce possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to keep pace with  evolving technologies. We strongly encourage you to continue pursuing further education and  professional development opportunities. Doing so will significantly enhance your marketability  within the IT industry. By continually expanding your knowledge and staying abreast of  technological advancements, you will demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and  increase your chances of securing desirable career opportunities. The Continuing Educational credits and other requirements are set forth by certification bodies such as *******, ** ******* etc. There is no mandatory requirements that you have to do them. However, if you feel the  certifications are not worth keeping active, you can forgo the CE requirements and feel free to let  the certifications expire after a period of 3 years from the time you obtained the certifications.  

  5) In your original complaint, you highlighted the lack of remote job opportunities that aligned with  your resume. You also mention that the jobs have dried up and there are zero remote jobs. These  statements are false and misleading. Neither the IT jobs have dried up nor there are zero jobs. In  fact, there are thousands of job and several remote positions out there in the field of Information  Technology and Cyber Security. It takes time and effort to find employment. It is important to  understand that several factors can contribute to this situation, which we extensively address in  our resume and career search workshops. One key recommendation we provide is to tailor your  resume to suit each prospective employer. As part of our complimentary services, we offer  students the opportunity to submit their resumes for professional review and revision by a team  of expert resume writers. Additionally, we strongly advise all students to participate in our resume  workshops, which provide guidance on customizing resumes to match specific job listings.  However, it is crucial to note that obtaining a remote job is not guaranteed, as it depends on  various factors such as your experience, geographical location, the target company, the economy (recession, inflation etc.) and the specific IT role you are seeking. While we emphasize the  existence of remote job opportunities, we cannot guarantee that everyone will qualify for them.  Our Career Services Team diligently populates the job boards with several job listings daily,  categorized by geographical location, to assist our students. Nevertheless, it is important to clarify  that we do not curate jobs specifically for individual students as a professional service. Our role  primarily involves advising and helping when requested. Most of the students who graduate from  our institute put in a sincere consistent effort in looking for employment along with help from our  career services team and they are very successful in finding job positions and wages that they love.  There are some who take a longer time to obtain employment and some who never find  employment. We do not guarantee things that are not in our control and finding remote  employment is not in our hands. We acknowledge the complexities involved in securing remote  employment, and we strive to equip our students with the necessary tools and guidance to  increase their chances of success.
  

  6) In your original complaint, you mentioned that you felt censored when expressing your struggles  during *****/****/******* sessions, and that you were censored through your only connection  with us via *******. We sincerely apologize for any confusion caused, but we would like to clarify  that we do not censor students who seek assistance or express their difficulties. On the contrary,  our aim is to provide support and help to those in need. However, it is important to note that we  do enforce measures to maintain a professional and respectful environment within our social  media venues. Students may be subject to censorship if they violate the policies and terms and  conditions governing the use of these platforms. In your case, you were removed from these  venues due to repeated infractions of these policies as well as exhibiting toxic behavior in public  forums. These policies are implemented to ensure professionalism, a standard that is expected in  any reputable business setting. We prioritize fostering a healthy and professional environment  where our students can thrive and succeed. To maintain this environment, we do not tolerate  discussions unrelated to the approved curriculum, such as politics, personal beliefs, harsh  statements, disrespect for the institution or disagreements with specific policies. These topics fall  under personal views and do not align with the expectations of a professional workspace. We  believe that focusing on the approved curriculum and relevant discussions greatly contributes to  the growth and success of our students. We have evidence and screenshots and multiple  witnesses that prove you continued to violate school policies and multiple warnings to cease and  desist. The school has full rights to remove students who violate the school policies, and we have  an agreement on file during the enrollment process that you have signed and agreed to abide by  the school policies and regulations.  

  7) In your original complaint, you expressed concern about our motives for treating you in a certain  manner. We deeply apologize for any mistreatment you may have experienced, as it is never our  intention to exclude, ostracize, or remove a student from our community. Such actions are indeed  painful for us as well. However, we were compelled to make a carefully considered decision in the  best interest of the community, considering the toxic and disrespectful behaviors you exhibited  and your repeated infractions of the social media terms and conditions. We want to assure you  that we do not perceive any gain from such actions, nor do we view it as a favorable outcome. We  genuinely desire to help each student in their journey. However, when attempts to address and  correct the exhibited toxic and disrespectful behaviors prove unsuccessful, we are left with no  alternative but to take the step of removing an individual from our student forumsin line with our  school policies. This decision is made with the goal of upholding a professional environment and  ensuring that our alumni have a safe and conducive space to network and engage. Maintaining a  professional and supportive community is of paramount importance to our institution, and we  deeply regret any distress caused by the necessary actions taken. 
  

  8) Furthermore, I would like to address our commitment to supporting Veterans, which is exemplified  by our employment of many individuals specifically dedicated to effectively engage with our  Veteran student base. While it is not within our scope to directly participate in the defense of freedom or the honoring of individuals' oaths to support the constitution, we wholeheartedly  support the benefits and education of any veteran who has served in our nation's military. We  deeply appreciate the service rendered by all service members, be they active, veteran, or retired.  Our duty, as we perceive it, lies in providing comprehensive education and assistance to Veterans  upon their return from service. We understand the immense sacrifices made by these brave  individuals and consider it our responsibility to extend support and aid in every possible way.  While we leave the physical defense and fulfillment of oaths to our courageous service members,  we take it upon ourselves to assume the role of educators and facilitators for their successful  transition. We are committed to leveraging our resources and expertise to empower Veterans  through education and support, acknowledging the invaluable contributions they have made to  our nation. 
  

  9) Your request for a refund of the test vouchers is completely unreasonable and cannot be  entertained. You paid for test vouchers, and the test vouchers were issued to you by the school as  promised, and you utilized the test vouchers to take the test and you have clearly stated that you  have passed all the tests using those test vouchers and graduated from the school. The test  vouchers once used are non-refundable. If you wanted to get a refund for the test vouchers, you  should have not used them and returned them back to us and we would have gladly refunded the  money. Used/consumed test vouchers are non-refundable.  
  

  We trust that the information provided above offers clarity regarding the circumstances that transpired  during your time with us. Should you have any further inquiries or require additional clarification, please  do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to address any questions or concerns you may have. 
  

  If you ever decide to resume utilizing our career services, we encourage you to contact our dedicated  career services team for assistance. However, we regret to inform you that access to our social media  platform and workshops cannot be reinstated due to the harsh and disrespectful behaviors mentioned  previously as well as violation of the school policies despite multiple warnings. Our decision is based on  the necessity to uphold a professional environment and ensure the comfort and safety of our community  members. Once again, we appreciate your understanding, and we remain available to provide support and  guidance in other capacities. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 
  

  Sincerely, 
  
  President & CEO 
  Intellectual Point 
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/14/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.  The details of my complaint undisputed, while minor, still remain and remain unchanged.  I understand if the expectation appears beyond action by the business, and I consider the matter closed.  I will regard companies supported by VA contracts to be of a high level of suspicion as long as complaints are met with such vitriol and hostility.  The contracted obligations were met, but include failures to a degree never expected on advertised value promised and cannot be ignored.
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************************