Penn Foster Career School Ad Blitz

It didn't take long for the ad blitz to begin for Penn Foster Career School. Education Direct changed its name on December 19th, and the TV commercials have already begun. I have seen a couple already, and they make no mention of the fact the school used to be ED, they just mention the programs offered by Penn Foster. They seem to place an emphasis on the diploma programs, rather than the associate degrees.

Come to think of it, I NEVER saw a TV commercial for Education Direct, although I have frequently seen ads for PCDI, usually during a late-night movie.

 

Prices seem a little higher than when they were Education Direct.

Their Spanish course looks interestng and not a bad price either (about $300).

 

I don't know about the diploma programs, but the prices for the associate degrees have not changed. Price breaks are offered for those who pay in full, or have the monthly tuition automatically deducted from a credit card or bank account. I do the automatic deduction, and pay $748 per semester, and that includes books and CD-ROMs. Not bad at all.

 

No, the prices are not bad at all considering all the materials are included.

I see now they do credit checks whereas before, they didn't.

 

The Java Programming diploma seems a little lower to me; instead of cash back on completion they are offering it up front.

I received a telemarketing call from them and the voice on the phone kept using "Education Direct" in the script instead of Penn Foster, until I corrected her.

Dave

 

Credit checks? I don't think so. I did pay $25 for a "credit application fee", but was immediately approved after entering my credit/debit card info on my application.

 

Or during daytime television when they figure those watching are unemployed and could use a good certification, diploma or degree so they can get a better job. And the ads are clearly geared toward that market and appeal to those sensibilities.

I'm glad you brought this up. I saw, this very morning, the very first Penn Foster commercial that I've ever seen; and I thought to myself, "Man... they're not even capitalizing on the Education Direct -- or, more specifically, the Thomson -- name. Why throw away all that brand recognition?" And then it hit me that the details of the split may have been such that Penn Foster can no longer make any claims to having once been associated with Thomson. It's Thomson, not "Education Driect" that's got the big dollar name recognition.

I notice that if one pays in advance, the credit application fee -- and the credit check itself -- is waived. And that makes sense. I mean... paying up-front pretty much trumps all creditworthiness concerns.

As for a debit/credit card making the credit check unnecessary: That kind of makes sense, too. As long as they have your card, they know they've got something to which to charge things.

Ha! That's funny.