Automotive Careers - Is Wyotec a good school?

The reason that I post this is that I have heard some bad things about programs like UTI. They just cram all of the info in your head, and pump you out. I am looking for a deep knowledge on how a car works inside and out. So I am looking for opinions of those gear heads out there who have heard more about it than I. Thanks guys.

Justin

Thanks again for your input guys

to tell the truth i havent heard much about it. ive checked into UTI, looks great. sounds like they would cram it all in and pump ya right out as you said though. I want to know the same about Wyotech so some answers would be appreciatable!

Honestly, I think you're best off learning at a 2yr college at the very least. That way, you'll have some sort of degree and you should learn the same things.
Trade schools just sort of turn me off. I've heard some bad stories and some great success stories.
If Wyotech is like UTI, then they want ALL the money up front. There is also very little free time, but you finish much quicker.
I've got one friend who graduated from a community college who now works at a dealership and has his own bay.
The other friend graduated from UTI and now works at a privately owned garage. They're both doing ok though.

I had an instructor who went to UTI and he also said they just cram it in and pump you out. Also, they would have 80 students in a live lab, which is ridiculous compared to about 8 in my school. Maybe UTI has gotten better in recent years.

I know it's a long way from CA but i go to the State University of New York (SUNY) at Morrisville and they offer several 2 and 4 year automotive degrees. I'm an Auto Management major. It's a good school, great automotive classes.
morrisville.edu if you're interested.

Multimedia?

I have 2 family members who went to Wyotech in Laramie and both have said they should have gone to a regular 2 year college. Thier biggest complaint was the pace of the course. They didnt have the time to get real indepth with the material.

UTI and Wyotech are both pretty weak.. way too fast paced.

I too just noticed this is in multimedia...:jest:

I too just noticed this is in multimedia...:jest:

I didnt know where else to put it. Im probably dumb, but I didnt see a general discussion section when I posted it. Then again I was pretty tired that night.

Anyway, I am having real doubts about it. They want like $25,000 per course.

I am having serious doubts about the school.

I am thinking of going to the Michigan U to get a masters in physics and business. Then go to a smaller college for the auto stuff.

End result, I want to know how to build my own car. From the design of the engine, fabrication of the chassis (including the welding) and the customization of the interior. Basically I want to know how to do EVERYTHING with cars. Both gas and diesel.

Thanks again for your input guys

If I need to move the thread, just let me know. Thx

I think a 4 year school, or atleast a 2 year school is your best bet.
Most of the trade schools want a decent amount of money up front and backing down isn't an option unless you want to throw it all away.
Atleast with a college you can change majors or schools.

The reason that I post this is that I have heard some bad things about programs like UTI. They just cram all of the info in your head, and pump you out. I am looking for a deep knowledge on how a car works inside and out. So I am looking for opinions of those gear heads out there who have heard more about it than I. Thanks guys.

Justin

http://www.deanza.edu/autotech/courses.htm


get your self a degree, certs, and a lot more knowledge from a college.

Plus its so much cheaper and you can get the fin. aid if you need it.


I have wyotech graduates in some of my classes, and they don't know a damn thing, honest to god.

A few years ago in highschool I was planning on going to either Wyotech or Lincoln Tech though after talking to many people that went to Uti since it is basically the same type of school theres not much good going on there. I went to my local community college for two years and I have to say I am pretty sure it was the better decision. There teachers out look was we dont need to get through the book as long as you understand the material and can apply it to the vehicle.

I finished my Associates degree at community college and I just started my Junior year at Southern Il Univeristy and they have the #1 rated automotive program in the country. My current teacher is just a ridiculous amount of information and I can not say anything bad about to program down here. And the job openings to siu graduates are rediculous. I get an email each week with about 10-15 companys looking for interns and grad students to hire.

There is one student in my current class who graduated from Uti about 4-5 years ago and he got a job with lexus right our of school. And he was only making 23k a year working at a dealership. A few other people who work for my grandmother ( One went to lincoln and the other to uti) Dont even work in the field as they can make better money else where unless you get a pretty good gig and get sent out to a Mfg school right out of Wyotech.

So to Sum it up. Save your money . Go to community college get your associates and then see if you want to continue your education from there. Or if it even the field you want to go into. I personally hate working on cars and c.c. taught me that which is why I am going for my Masters to do something more business end of the industry.

I had a few buddies that went to wyo-tech, they claimed they had some great instruters; and some idiots. just depends what you want to focus on. i do know if you want to do machine work S.A.M is a decant school.

I say go to a community school. LOTS of threads on this and the other automotive schools with some good reading.

UTI is the only way to go! I'm attending the campus here in Phoenix and its great so far. The program I'm on lasts 18 months and when I graduate I will also have my associates degree.

Well it sounds like that community college is the way to go. I think that I will stick with that route for now. I am absorbing a lot of material here. Not too fast, not too slow. So its not bad.

To sum it up, I guess that I will stay away from places like UTI, and Wyotec. I was rather curious on Lincoln Tech though. I had a buddy swear by it. Thanks for your inputs guys, keep em coming

If you want to get into the high performance automotive field, check out the School of Automotive Machinists (www.samracing.com). We focus on high performance engine building. From the theory behind everything to the hands on machining and building. We have small classes that are focused on making you the best engine builder you can be. We are not about numbers and pumping out people. Our list of employers that higher our graduates is second to none. Check us out and if you have any questions please feel free to ask here or PM me.
-David

Picking a school all depends what kind of job you want. I am attending wyotech because i want to build high performance chassis. Community colleges do not teach you how to draw up frames on paper and build them. In the chassis shop students build their own lotus super 7 and sandrail frames and more. The school is a lot shorter yes but you go to school for over 40 hours a week. The school may be more expensive yes, but it is a hell of a lot shorter, we could finish in as little as 9 months and be out in the field working, makeing money, and gaining experience which is the best part, while a community college you dink around for atleast 2 years not making money and not gaining in field experience.

hello im currently in wyotech i like it the courses are pretty quick but if u understand the basics it does teach alot i have been working on cars 15 years so i took another type course im in body material and it even challenged me i am in chassis fabrication now and i love it but if u are planing on going to the blairsville pa campus the school is good town hates u u wil be a outcast there are plenty of prostitots to keep u occupied but u are def centered out by the the other townsmen

I went to Wyotech and will tell you not to waste your time like I did. They teach based on theory. There's not much shop time to actually get indepth with how stuff works. You're better off goin to a normal 2 year college that has an auto program. That or just start off in a dealership doing oil changes and working your way up from there cause thats what you'll be doing anyway even if you have that degree that doesn't mean anything to a dealership.

UTI is the exact same way. A friend of mine went there and hated it even more than I hated wyotech.

I plan on going to S.A.M and after visiting their shop in houston i was VERY impressed. im starting there next july straight out of high school, but it all depends on how interested in engines you are.


also, i looked at going to wyotech before i decided to go to S.A.M and i was VERY turned off by how salesman like the reps at wyotech are...

plus, i love engines =D

I was thinking about s.a.m. How long? How much? any experience or school requirements? Thanks

Alot of that info can be found on their website Samracing.com


I'll be going for 18 months since im taking there combo course, which is both their block course and their head course, and want to spread it out, but it can be done in 9 months. they also offer a CNC course (and trust me, there CNC program looks SICK)

tuition prices can be found on their website also.
you have to have a high school diploma or GED, and you have to take the bennet mechanical comp test.

thanks, i tried the website but i couldnt find the information, il try again

Check out UNOH as well fellas. I am attending starting in January.

http://www.unoh.edu/academics/collegetechnologies/high_performance_motorsports_technology.shtml

Check out the video.

http://www.deanza.edu/autotech/courses.htm


get your self a degree, certs, and a lot more knowledge from a college.

Plus its so much cheaper and you can get the fin. aid if you need it.


I have wyotech graduates in some of my classes, and they don't know a damn thing, honest to god.



Thats exactly what I am afraid of. I dont want to come out of a school being a friggin retard. I want to know what I am talking about. Thanks for the I/P

It seems that there are a few more schools that are out there for what I want. SAM is one. The UNOH has come up a couple of times too. I will check them out. Thanks for the input fellas. Let me know how your college experience goes. So far it looks like I am going to get my associates at community college for auto mechanics, but I really want to take some welding and drafting classes to start with chassis fabrication. That is what really interested my with Wyotech. The chassis, and interior fabrication. It all seemed too good to be true. So far I have heard both bad and good things about UTI, and Wyotech. So I guess that I all seems to be hit and miss at these schools. Not to mention that it seems like they kick you out to the wolves. Help you get a job...psst. Whatever. I dont need your help getting a damn job. (sorry, short rant). But it looks like auto is going to stay at community college for now at least, until I find that university that is the right fit. Thanks for the intel guys. Keep it coming

Im currently attending Wyotech Sacramento and its not bad....there is a lot of class time but plenty of time in the shop also. If your mid level knowledge wise itll be great for you. Just learning about cars itll probably be too fast paced, tons of experience too slow. I like the program but they are geard more towards dealership level and getting you a job when you leave. I will be going to UNOH for more in depth classes on the racing side. Looked at SAM since im from Texas, but its a lot of money. Heard great things about them though.

Looked at SAM since im from Texas, but its a lot of money. Heard great things about them though.

Our prices are on par with any other votech program out there. Actually, if you calculate the cost per credit hour, we are actually a little less expensive than some of the big name schools out there. We are an accredited school as well, so financial aid is available to those that qualify.

wyotech is fast paced, but the main reason i came is chassis fab, they do help quite a bit with getting a job which is a good thing with the shitty economy, there are a lot of kids that get on with nhra and shit real easy if you have good grades and attendence

Go to UNOH.edu University of Northwestern Ohio or S.A.M. for engines. Those two are great. I went to U.N.O.H

wyotech is fast paced, but the main reason i came is chassis fab, they do help quite a bit with getting a job which is a good thing with the shitty economy, there are a lot of kids that get on with nhra and shit real easy if you have good grades and attendence

Sounds too easy. Get a job with NHRA just for getting good grades and go to class. lol

Don't waste your time or your money going to somewhere like Wyotech or UTI. Are there any other schools that advertise heavily on television that you would be confident in someone with a degree from them? I mean a degree from ECPI or ITT Tech isn't exactly confidence inspiring to most people.

Honestly though, a close buddy of mine works part time at a Honda dealership, and he's always telling me about how guys that worked there would go to UTI, and then come back to the exact same job at pretty much the same pay. They talk about the lucky few who work for NHRA teams and whatnot, but the reality is the bulk of them work at dealerships for reasonable, but not so great money. Having worked at a shop when I was in high school, and hanging around them all the time, the only sure-fire way I have seen to really move up the ranks at a shop is through experience.

I am thinking of going to the Michigan U to get a masters in physics and business.

best idea yet. that way, you can afford to do what you want. knowing how to do it is only part of the battle. quality parts and proper tooling costs money, and you wont make much as a tech new in the field. take some advice from the senior techs at the dealership i worked at. they said the industry has gone downhill and they wouldn't do it if they were starting out now.

keep this as a hobby, lol. unless you really, really love it. yeah, its cool to say i built this, i built that, but in the end, does it really matter who turned the wrench on it when you're driving it? as long as you find people you can trust to do good work, true craftsmen that have invested years into the craft and the business, let them build your cars.

Go to UNOH.edu University of Northwestern Ohio or S.A.M. for engines. Those two are great. I went to U.N.O.H

I 2ND this. UNOH is awesome. Unlike wyotech they teach you ony your major. My friend went to wyotech for hot rod fab, but then he went to BMW step, after that he had to sign a contract with BMW to say his next job will be with them. so now he is sitting with no job because he cant find any BMW delarship hiring.

SAM is the best school around bar none you would want to go there

I am currently attending Penn College for automotive technology and business management (4 year). I considered wyotec and uti but the college is about the same price and you get a degree. Also if you pick a decent sized college there is some fun college life to have.

why a masters degree in physics? i would think a masters degree in engineering would be more suited to engine and chassis building. fwiw, i went to ga tech, got a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, got a good job, saving up money, learning as much as I can about cars as a hobby, then i want to open up my own shop. then you'll be the guy hiring SAM or UTI graduates. if the shop fails, i always have a mechanical engineering degree from a good school to fall back on.

why a masters degree in physics? i would think a masters degree in engineering would be more suited to engine and chassis building. fwiw, i went to ga tech, got a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, got a good job, saving up money, learning as much as I can about cars as a hobby, then i want to open up my own shop. then you'll be the guy hiring SAM or UTI graduates. if the shop fails, i always have a mechanical engineering degree from a good school to fall back on.

Not a bad idea. But this is why I chose physics. Its not just limited to earthly physics, the physics of space have always sparked my interest. So I can always go and work for NASA or some other organization that will pay me a ridiculous amount of money to look up at the sky and propose the question "what if"?

Besides the way I figure it, if I can take a welding class, I should be able to design my own chassis b/c I understand the physics of everything. Obviously I wont know everything, but I should be able to build my own dune buggy or golf cart with a snowmobile engine in it.

I am pretty much scrapping the UTI, Wyotech idea. I seem to be getting a great deal of knowledge from the Community College anyway. I should be done with my degree from there by the fall semester of this coming year. So I would have gotten my associates in Automotive Technology within a year. After I get my associates, I think that I am going to go to either Michigan U, or Texas U.

Thanks for all of the input guys. Keep it coming!

i'm not sure on this, but i would guess that you wont cover in depth any type of deformable bodies or statics/dynamics type stuff in physics. physics i would guess is going to be extremely theoretical in learning and application. with a mechanical engineering degree, you'll cover in depth deformable bodies (you learn how shit bends (or deforms) under both dynamic and static forces), statics (where you cover the physics side with force being applied while the object doesnt move), and dynamics (where you learn the same as statics, but now the object is moving or accelerating, the 3-D shit gets crazy). you will also take classes like system dynamics where you learn how system interact and react (hydraulics, circuits, spring-mass-damper setups).

basically, i would say go for the mechanical engineering if you want to learn stuff you can apply to chassis or engine building. you'll end up taking a lot of extra stuff with a physics degee, especially a masters (I dont think you could do a chassis build as your thesis) where as with a ME (mechanical engineering) degree, you could definately build a chassis for your thesis. see what I'm saying?

to get back to your original question, i too have heard that the automotive schools are not that good. they use the rare cases of guys going to NHRA and such to get more people to go. its just not a realistic outcome. you'll most likely come out changing oil at jiffy lube for $9 an hour. With a engineering degree from a good school, you'll definitetly come out better. With Ga Tech, just getting through that engineering program, you're pretty much guaranteed to come out making $50k a year ( at least with a ME degree, some are more such as Chemical, Electrical or Aerospace Engineering).

my best friend is at wyotech right now, he was always the lazy one in high school, but knew how everything worked. so far in the 5 months he has been there his grandma and dad has spent at least 38k on his school and living, he wanted me to go, didnt have that kind of money so i went to a community college for machining, will have ass. degree in manufacturing in 2 years and goverment is paying for my whole schooling. we both bought a chevy nova 2 years ago, his is in pieces with a cracked block, mine has all new interior, flowmaster, vinyl top, disc brakes and full suspension and will be painted in a month. he was a ok welder in school, says theres a lot worse ones there, and he says his car will be all narrowed up, i dont trust his welds

smart guy. stay in regular college. either physics or engineering will do you well, and be more fun in the long run. as for me, like i said before, i'd rather own and drive cool cars someone else built than spend all my time making other people's cars better, just to be too tired to want to enjoy my own projects at the end of the day. all your neighbors coming over wanting you to fix their stuff for cheeap/free on your off time, having a tool bill that rivals a modest college tuition, every light switch in your house constantly getting dirty, dehydration in the summer, cold as hell shop in the winter. "F" that. get that degree and get a career you can enjoy and really impact society(other than keeping the wheels moving), and afford your own heated, A/C'd one or two bay home shop and have your fun.

i'm not sure on this, but i would guess that you wont cover in depth any type of deformable bodies or statics/dynamics type stuff in physics. physics i would guess is going to be extremely theoretical in learning and application. with a mechanical engineering degree, you'll cover in depth deformable bodies (you learn how shit bends (or deforms) under both dynamic and static forces), statics (where you cover the physics side with force being applied while the object doesnt move), and dynamics (where you learn the same as statics, but now the object is moving or accelerating, the 3-D shit gets crazy). you will also take classes like system dynamics where you learn how system interact and react (hydraulics, circuits, spring-mass-damper setups).

basically, i would say go for the mechanical engineering if you want to learn stuff you can apply to chassis or engine building. you'll end up taking a lot of extra stuff with a physics degee, especially a masters (I dont think you could do a chassis build as your thesis) where as with a ME (mechanical engineering) degree, you could definately build a chassis for your thesis. see what I'm saying?

to get back to your original question, i too have heard that the automotive schools are not that good. they use the rare cases of guys going to NHRA and such to get more people to go. its just not a realistic outcome. you'll most likely come out changing oil at jiffy lube for $9 an hour. With a engineering degree from a good school, you'll definitetly come out better. With Ga Tech, just getting through that engineering program, you're pretty much guaranteed to come out making $50k a year ( at least with a ME degree, some are more such as Chemical, Electrical or Aerospace Engineering).

I definately see what you are saying with the ME section. I guess I am really repeled by it because I was just in the navy in the Nuclear Engineering program specializing in electricity. So I really want to steer clear of engineering for a while. I love cars and exploring the unknown. So thats really why I want physics, b/c I can use it with cars, but it is more designed for the type of job that I am interested in having for the rest of my life. I will probably take some ME classes on the side. But not as my major. Thanks for the insight. I really appreciate it. How is campus life like? What I mean by that is, are the classes that you need to take to get the degree easily spelled out, or do you have to figure it out on your own? Just trying to get an idea of what campus life will be like. Thanks

smart guy. stay in regular college. either physics or engineering will do you well, and be more fun in the long run. as for me, like i said before, i'd rather own and drive cool cars someone else built than spend all my time making other people's cars better, just to be too tired to want to enjoy my own projects at the end of the day. all your neighbors coming over wanting you to fix their stuff for cheeap/free on your off time, having a tool bill that rivals a modest college tuition, every light switch in your house constantly getting dirty, dehydration in the summer, cold as hell shop in the winter. "F" that. get that degree and get a career you can enjoy and really impact society(other than keeping the wheels moving), and afford your own heated, A/C'd one or two bay home shop and have your fun.

Very well said. The more that I hear about these major automotive schools, the more that I am repulsed by them. I definately want to keep it a hobby. I just want to know how to keep my car running as long and as fast as possible.

End result, I want to know how to build my own car. From the design of the engine, fabrication of the chassis (including the welding) and the customization of the interior. Basically I want to know how to do EVERYTHING with cars. Both gas and diesel.

Thanks again for your input guys


An automotive engineering degree would fit that description. Get involved with a University with a Formula SAE program.

http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/

as far as the classes go, i believe all universities have cirriculum planned out for all degree paths. I know at Ga Tech they have a sheet that shows you the entire four year plan (most do it in 5 years because the schedule is pretty hard). So it shows you what classes you need to take for your 1st semester, 2nd semester, and so on till the last semester. basically the only thing to worry about is the prerequisite classes. meaning, you cant sign up and take calc 3 without passing calc 2 first. so there is a definite progression through the course work. you do have free choice on your engineering electives (which i took machine design, internal combustion engines, and material selection). i would guess that all degree programs have electives so that you can choose classes that you want to take instead of the basic classes for the degree program.

as far as the classes go, i believe all universities have cirriculum planned out for all degree paths. I know at Ga Tech they have a sheet that shows you the entire four year plan (most do it in 5 years because the schedule is pretty hard). So it shows you what classes you need to take for your 1st semester, 2nd semester, and so on till the last semester. basically the only thing to worry about is the prerequisite classes. meaning, you cant sign up and take calc 3 without passing calc 2 first. so there is a definite progression through the course work. you do have free choice on your engineering electives (which i took machine design, internal combustion engines, and material selection). i would guess that all degree programs have electives so that you can choose classes that you want to take instead of the basic classes for the degree program.

That makes a lot of sense. Thats what I thought that they had. A very well structured 4 year degree plan. And, yes the damn prereq's. If it wouldnt be for a damn prereq, I would be able to graduate with an associates in automotive technology at the end of spring semester. Damn english 101. But its cool though. I will be done by the summer. Besides it gives me an opportunity to take automatic transmissions classes, and a couple of diesel classes as well.

personally i feel that being a mechanic would be great, but good look finding a job. i dont know about where you guys are from but here in Iowa I've got buddies with ASE certifications that cant find work. a good example is a buddy of mine just went to some automotive mechanic school and is now in 20gs in debt, and its not helping that he cant find a job that he majored in...

im not trying to be a downer.... or anything more power to you man. i wanted to be a mechanic in high school i was in a program that was designed for automotive students to help work in a shop.. it was for students that had good grades at the time i got to shadow at KIA :( Cadillac and two ford dealerships. when i was spending my time working there it hit me DAMN i don't want to cross work and play....id eventually get tired of cars hahaha words i never thought id say

Thats exactly why I am thinking of keeping cars as a play thing. I am going to get an associates in automotive technology here in San Diego, and use that toward my own cars. Then get a degree in something that I would love doing for the rest of my life.

I have one more semester left in my GM ASEP class... My two year degree is included. Each Semester is 8 weeks. So My college consists of 32 Weeks of school and Im done :) Auto Class is 50/50 lab n lecture. Strictly GM stuff, no time is wasted. Lots of learning from instructors that were GM Techs.

I went to wyotech. Some classes were pretty good some just tossed in there for fillers it seamed. The high perf. engines and chassis fab when they were combined was a good class. I probly should have went to UNOH or SAM.