Highline College

First of all I want to point out I wanted to give this place a 4.5 but because I can’t I rounded up. Now stating that I have never gone to another community college but I have attended two 4-​year university Hawaii Pacific University as well as University of Maryland I feel like I have enough experience with colleges to thoroughly speak of Highline College. I will note that each positive and negative varies completely on how the individual would like to act. For one positive aspect the teacher are well educated, the class size are small so that you don’t have to compete with 100 other students. Given that it makes it as if the class are not as rigorous as a normal university because of the abundance amount of help you receive. Which many will feel as if Highline isn’t preparing them for an actual university, if that is the case don’t take advantage of the teacher while you have the opportunity. Another negative that is constantly brought up is parking, parking is never an issue if you plan accordingly. Come early or have latter classes and bam problem solved. A big plus at Highline is the diversity, being rated as the most diverse school in Washington. Another plus is that Highline is considered one of the top 150 community colleges to attend. Others may believe financial aid as an issue also, regardless of school do plan to wait at least 15min. Actually this applies everywhere, if you don’t have the patience to receive free money learn to be patience. Something is morally wrong with you just saying. Now if you want to be the first one to be served come early, majority of the time the financial aid is completely open with no line. There is much more to add but it’s better to check out the atmosphere yourself.

Terrible service. They still have not sent my transcripts. I repeatedly tried calling to make an inquiry about transcripts no one would pick up the phone. No one would answer emails either. All around awful people. Don’t bother going here if your future employers/​school need to see your transcripts.

Awful parking situation. You’d have to drive to the west or the south parking lot in which you have to circle more than once. Really sad.

Having gone to Bellevue College and a 4-​year university, I feel like I have some pretty good experience with rating schools. Highline didn’t disappoint but I think there are some things they need to do to make it better.
Parking is a mess, with two entrances and one exit at the main lot. Expect 15 minutes to get out of the parking lot if you leave right after class.
The faculty is incredible, full of wit and wisdom. I loved my physics teacher so much. Even if he was forgetful, his passion for the subject and charisma really made learning fun.
The school layout is awful, with dozens of separate buildings and no help desk at any of them. It is very challenging for new students to become acclimated.
The student body is incredibly diverse racially, economically, and educationally. I really enjoyed that coming from Bellevue.
In terms of education, this school is not nearly as rigorous as Bellevue College. It doesn’t prepare you to transfer to a 4-​year as well, hence the low rating.

The previous reviews are true! Absolute worst financial aid office EVER!
My daughter is unfortunately currently enrolled here and has struggled EVERY SINGLE QUARTER with their financial aid office. The current issue, and why I am taking to social media and placing a review is because they are putting their mistakes on my daughter, telling her that she owes THEM money for their over sight and supposed over payment to her. She’s 19 and they want her to pay back OVER $ 5,000. She hasn’t even finished her pre-​requisites yet!
We have even met face to face with the Associate Director of Financial Aid, Kathy Day and my daughters current financial aid advisor and NOTHING! It was honestly like talking to a brick wall. They were disorganized and admitted that they had no idea about what was going on nor did they have answers for us and would need to review everything from our meeting. So what did they do? They reviewed all their OLD paperwork and none of the new information provided. I am confused as to the point of the meeting.
I have written a letter to the Director of Financial Aid in hopes that I can get some answers but it appears that she will be «in and out of the office sporadically over the next few months» WTF?! Who does one go to if they have any questions or concerns about the incompetent staff?
This is infuriating not only for my husband and I, but also for our 19 year old daughter whom this «mistaken» debt is being placed on. She trusted this institution to provide her with true and accurate information on all of the forms requested of her only to be penalized for their incompetent actions.
Furthermore, they keep requesting documents from my husband and I from a time period in which my daughter didn’t even live with us. We told them that we would provide no information to them that would result in them further penalizing our daughter. In response to that, her advisor wrote a letter stating that if we did NOT provide said documents they would in turn FALSIFY information to benefit them and their records! I am confused how it’s ok for them to falsify records to meet their needs. This seems extremely shady and illegal.
It saddens me that my daughter is experiencing such great difficulty with an educational institution that is suppose to be on her side.
Be very wary of this school. Their deceitfulness and disorganization could become YOUR problem.

Probably one of the worst school you could go to. Their main office does not help you with anything and is a mess, for example trying to pay for parking. Their teachers are awful, your better to learn from the book than to go to lecture. And the departments don’t work with each other for class schedules so classes overlap with each other. My car got hit in the parking lot and the security did nothing about it. Overall save yourself the time and money by finding another school

I would give them 3.5 stars, so I’m rounding up. I’m mixed about the school. I’ve actually found the website to have a lot more available online than some other community colleges.
Safety is definitely a concern– be sure to sign up for the text and email alerts, last year there were tons of cell phone robberies on or near campus, usually someone walking with their phone out. Obviously keeping all valuables out of sight is a good idea in their parking lots, or any in the area. The surrounding area is a little sketchy but not scary… it may be good to walk with someone, but I’ve never had a problem walking alone. The parking situation can suck early in the day during the week. Also, I was t-​boned driving to campus last fall, the surrounding areas can be quite chaotic with pedestrians, car traffic, etc. Make sure to get a parking pass if you drive, and don’t park in the nearby business parking lots or you may get towed (hardware store).
Very diverse campus, many international students, bring an open mind and patience as not everyone necessarily shares the same kind of social norms. I found it enlightening but others may find it hard to converse with ESL students (especially online). Some classes are only offered online, it seems more are going this way! You have to be very self-​disciplined so I’d prefer that they not be online-​only, but it does offer flexibility.
Instructors are okay. I was fortunate enough to take Gary Nelson for Illustration and Laura Worthington for Typography in ’11, Gary retired and Laura is a successful typographer. It seems like the good instructors move on, there are a lot of part time instructors and they seem to have a bit of turnover. However, of the instructors I’ve had, they seem to have fairly high standards, which I enjoy. Some are nitpicky to an extreme… others are more like teach yourself the course (who don’t have office hours because they are in a different geographical location than you). So there’s a whole spectrum, be sure to do your research on your professors ahead of time.
The computer lab in Building 30 is particularly awesome, open really long hours and tons of computers offering a great place to study. Building 29 is the CWU building and has a computer lab as well, but the hours are more like 8 am to 8 pm.
A lot of the campus is outdated but they’re doing some renovations, so it seems like they are trying. Better lighting throughout campus, continue to update classrooms/​building exteriors and try to attract better teaching staff would be my biggest complaints.

Having attended several colleges (including 2 community colleges), I’m very impressed with Highline College. My 16 year old is a Running Start student and the resources they have for these kids is AMAZING! I wish I would have had access to ¼ of the services they have available for these students. The staff really wants all the students to be successful and sets them up for success. They also have done a lot of remodeling/​building in the last few years (when you pull up though it is still the crappy old building that greeted the masses 30+ years ago — they really need to redo the main office building — Building 6.

Teachers are friendly and teach well. Highline offers a variety of programs to join in efforts to get your degree quicker. The help desk is quick and efficient. If you plan on going to night school parking is not a problem. I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed this campus.

Worst school I have ever had to deal with. Financial aid and the rest of the registration office and other administration is completely useless. Every time I am told to fill out one form I do it and return it and find out there are twelve more the first person never told me about. To top that off, every time I ask someone (especially financial aid) a question they practically roll their eyes and sigh at me as if it is my job to know every single thing about how their system works. I have never, repeat NEVER been treated with any kindness whatsoever from financial aid or registration and records. I have written a well worded complaint about some members of the Highline staff to the head of the school and gotten nothing back. I honestly don’t think they care about their students whatsoever, I’m really not sure why. They seem to always want to pass you off to another counter and I constantly end up bouncing back and forth before I get a scrawled out post it note listing what I need to do next. Unfortunately this is the only community college within driving distance of me because I don’t have time to drive an extra 40 minutes and work around my work schedule to go to another school so I am stuck dealing with this. Advice: If you have other options, take them. The Highline staff will frustrate and suck the life out of you like it has for me and several friends of mine.

Absolutely HORRIBLE Financial Aid Office! If you want quality education — DO NOT INVEST YOUR TIME/​MONEY HERE.
My husband has been enrolled here on and off for the past several years completing prerequisites while working full-​time in hopes of getting into either the Nursing or Respiratory Therapy program. We’ve had issues with their Financial Aid Office in the past, but this Quarter — Spring 2014, is the absolute WORST!
I just gave birth to our son last Fall, and my husband had to take a few quarters off because of my very difficult pregnancy and we knew life as new parents was not going to be conducive to continuing with school. Now that our son is several months old, my husband decided earlier this year to return this quarter. He was pro-​active in submitting all of the requisite information/​documents as he was instructed and understood them to be, and beginning a month or so prior to the quarter beginning, had followed-​up with the Financial Aid office 4 times in person and over the phone to confirm that everything was in order in time for Spring Qtr (the reason for the multiple follow-​ups was because of historically horrible customer service and poor knowledge of these representatives). He had been told on conversations #s 2 – 4 that everything was in order. Well, that Friday prior to the qtr beginning, he went in for visit #5 and lo and behold … he was informed by a representative he had not spoken to prior to this meeting that in fact he was not all set for Spring Qtr. He explained the situation to her, and apparently she was able to see on her end that there were 3 visits prior where he was told everything was kosher, so she was able to make a phone call to get the ball rolling on his behalf.
THANK YOU to the incompetent idiots he had spoken to beforehand for the misinformation. I’m glad you are able to sit comfortably behind that desk and sleep well at night knowing that you can interfere with people’s livelihoods, and still get paid for being the epitome of incompetence. I blame Highline’s Administrative entities for allowing this type of precedent to be set. In most institutions/​corporations, these individuals would be F.I.R.E.D. for their uncaring and lack luster performance.
Although the last representative he had spoken to was able to get us past that first hump — we had to be setup on their tuition payment plan because being that it was the day prior to the quarter starting, his loan would not have come in on time — he went in yet again today (visit #6) and we are still unable to get any cooperation from their office as to when his student loan would be coming in, and his next payment plan payment is due tomorrow. Perhaps it’s another eff up cover up? We don’t know. All we know is that we are going to have to literally scrounge up the funds to pay for this next payment if his loan does not come in. After just having paid thousands of dollars for my medical bills, and financially catching up from being only on short-​term disability for approximately 6 months, all we have left to tap into without applying for another loan is OUR 6-​MONTH OLD SON’S SAVINGS ACCOUNT. We are responsible adults who were dealt a financial hiccup and did our due diligence to make sure everything was in order to have things go smoothly for both us and this office.
If he were given correct information from the get-​go, we could have saved time and effort for both parties. What a shame that Highline doesn’t put quality as a priority for their employees and students. At this rate I hope that area institutions are able to open up more programs and make room for increased classroom sizes in order to accommodate individuals who are seeking quality instruction and quality administration and leave this institution in the dust.
Maybe that’s already the case and perhaps why it’s the lesser who are left working here. I hope and pray my husband is accepted into a quality institution and we no longer have to deal with this nightmare.

THE WORST administration I have ever encountered! I’m a Nursing student at South Seattle, and was accepted into Highline CC. I regret the transfer now as the administration offices (Financial Aid, Counseling, etc) are awful! I’ve been to 5 different colleges too. Big thumbs down. I’d be more specific but it’d entail writing a book. It is like waiting at a DMV with rude service and an un-​sympathetic outlook. They forget students are CUSTOMERS. I had to call the VP of Student Services multiple times to have them nudge the appropriate staff to help me in specific matters with my grant. Awful. Rude. Ghetto (there is a security problem where students are getting robbed of their cell phones, hooligans come by afterhours and break windows, etc.).

so I’m taking the compass placement test and walking in to HCC because they offer the test from monday thru friday– and for 10 more dollars you can use the test for any college. I’ve been bouncing on which college to attent
but when I walked into the highline campus I felt in love with its design and greenery and dome auditorium. awesome architecture and being able to see the sound overwhelmed my sense of delight. I Was delighted!!!
I happily approached the woman in the main office.
i told her i wanted to pay for the compass test. she asked for my id. asked for 20.65 took my money gave a receipt then shuffled papers in discomfort.
i was confused but walked away.
could you at least direct me in the right direction. instead of stitting there hoping i leave quickly?
I tried to ignore her so I went to the testing center. and wanted to verify that i was able to take the test tomorrow. the woman ignored for a while shuffling papers. maybe hoping i would figure it out my self and leave. but really how often happens when you make plans and they dont announce their holiday schedules. I just wanted to make sure.
I asked her if the center would be available tomorrow.
she points the door and says. «see it says it right there»
obviously annoyed.
I was kindly asking. there was no reason for her to make me feel like i was bothering.
ugh.
yeah I walked back to my friend who had accompanied me and I told him about the frigid response i keep getting from the staff. he say my expression. and said.
If i was in india. i would come home crying everyday. because all personnel acted like that but worse.
well i was thoroughly demoralize by the time i left the campus.
and NO i will not be attending this demeaning school.
because i don’t live in india. and I do expect people to treat me as I treat them.
courteously!
my butt is going to South SEATTLE!

This campus is a very diverse one. A lot of different people from different cultures and races. It is my first quarter and so far, it’s been really nice. If you are a first timer, you get what’s left of the classes so, it’s tough luck to get into the classes you would like most especially if it’s popular such as the 1^st Aid, CPR Class.
Parking is tough most especially on the hours of 10am — 12nn. So my advise is you get earlier classes or later ones. :)
The professors/​teachers are very helpful if you approach them. They will entertain all your concerns and would advise you well.
Two things I don’t like is that it is hard to gain friends because everyone has classes of their own to attend to and the fact that there’s always bad news from the college news such as someone getting robbed in or around the campus. It is scary. :(

Not the best community college I’ve been to. But, since I’ll be teaching here, and it’s fairly close to my home, I guess i have to make due to it. Students seem pretty good so far, though I look their age… But, the staff has been excellent since I’ve been up here checking things out. There surely needs to be a better usage from the janitorial department, or I guess that would be the parking lot janitors (… or whatever), because each time I’ve came up here it seems to be infused by trash. Inside though looks great, nothing that gives me that wow moment but I’ll make it work for now.

It is true parking is a bit of an issue for day students. If your an evening student you should never really have any issues finding parking. This is my first Quarter and I like it so far. My Paralegal teacher Ms Neilsen is awesome! It’s a smaller campus with a lot of foeign students. The downside is the registration process. If your new to the campus expect to be on a wait list for more popular classes. I also like the system they have for seeing an academic or financial advisor. You basically pull a number to see someone. You know like in the deli line?
Overall, I recommend this campus.

Ugh. This school drove me crazy. The secretary in one office would send me to another office and then I would get sent to another and on and on. The employees were often really rude. I never got answers.
I applied and turned my papers in way before the deadline. Online, it said that all of my paperwork had been turned in. Then right before registration started, all of a sudden it said I hadn’t completed my paperwork. I contacted the school and they never gave me a straight answer.
In addition, I applied for a scholarship and when I hadn’t heard back from them, I figured I hadn’t gotten the scholarship. I had to un-​enroll in classes because I couldn’t pay for them. The day after I unenrolled (and just before classes started), they called to tell me I had won the scholarship. However, it was too late because I was already unenrolled. They lady who called me told me to call her back. I called back three twice and every time I got another rude lady who told me that she was gone.
Oh yeah, and the couple times that I contacted the admissions office via email, I got the most ridiculous responses back. They never answered my questions.
I will say that an advising counselor that I talked to was awesome and really helpful.

My sister is attending here this Fall. We came in for orientation and to check up on some paperwork.
The building # system is pretty easy. Everything is very walkable. The main office could be a little more organized however. We were going around to find out where we could purchase an Orca card, but they sent us on a wild goose chase. We walked from the main office, to the Student building, back to main office, back to the student building, back to the main office. And in the end, we didn’t get it cause they don’t sell it (and we found this out by going online).
Except for that mishap, the campus is very accessible and has great views of the lake!

I’ll be attending classes here in the Winter.
I just wanted to come here and get some information on things that I need to do.
The financial aid lady was very helpful. I wish the area was a bit more private — as I have a lot of questions and I don’t want people rolling their eyes in impatience.
The Medical Assistant instructor was very helpful and polite. She answered all my questions and her politeness gives off a great vibe to new students!

I graduated from HCC in 2005 with an emphasis in geology. Take Eric Baer’s geo classes. ALL of them. He’s adorable, his classes are fascinating and interesting. I’m a geologist today (lucrative and cool profession people!!) because of those classes.
Carla Whittington also offers great courses.
Baby college were the best of my college experience. Enjoy them while you can.