Institute for Integrative Nutrition Reviews (28)
View Photos
Institute for Integrative Nutrition Rating
Description: SCHOOLS-BUSINESS & VOCATIONAL
Address: 3 East 28th Street 12th Floor, New York, New York, United States, 10016
Phone: |
Show more...
|
Web: |
|
Add contact information for Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Add new contacts
Thank you,
Hayley
I’m happy to say that this matter has been resolved to my satisfaction, and IIN’s team has been extraordinarily helpful and thoughtful in their efforts to make the situation right. I really appreciate their help.
I enrolled with the program back in 2017 and was willing to finish the program until there was a death in the family back in June 2017. So I tried reaching out to their team at first to defer until I reached my limit to defer the payment so I decided to reach out to them again to withdraw: I left numerous voicemails but none of them returned my call so I assumed they got my voice messages and will proceed with withdrawal.
A year later, amerassist collections started contacting me that I owe them the amount of 4910.17, not to mention I already paid them over 1000 dollars so that means I still owe them the full amount even if I did not finish the program and had the desire to withdraw from the program. It’s just not fair.
I emailed them that my desired settlemet is for them to remove me from collections and I’m happy to pay them directly the withdrawal fee. I even emailed Kerry the finance manager and got zero response from her when I asked her to return my call.
I enrolled in the IIN program early this year (2020), and was enrolled in the accelerated program (two modules weekly), but realized soon after that the accelerated program wasn't a good fit for me, and switched to the regular program (one module weekly): lately, I have been experiencing some medical problems (recurrence of breast cancer?) that have made it nearly impossible to keep up with the course work. Except for the changing of the modules, every time I call IIN, I am put on hold, and then left with a voice mail that essentially says, 'we are currently experiencing a high volume of support requests, so leave a detailed message and your telephone number and we will get back to you' the Help Center message states the same thing as the voice mail. I have placed at least two phone calls (7/13 and 8/12) and have yet to receive a call; although I received a message on 7/13/20, to my request on 7/6/20, I sent another email request on 7/23/20 asking for a telephone call as I was looking for clarification on the response that I received on 7/13/20, and yet again, have yet to receive a phone call. My opinion on IIN is this: the majority of their videos are from at least seven years ago, sometimes spliced together and offer no information in terms of how to coach during a pandemic (ie their information is outdated), and it's impossible to get help of any kind (as outlined above), and as such I believe that there is no central office or headquarters, just people answering students' questions when ever they get around to it. I had high hopes for my certificate through them, but I am going to cut my losses and bow out of the program, and if they don't refund my money I will contact the NY BBB. Save yourself the frustration, and enroll at another place - although do your due diligence first.
I initially enrolled to Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) as a student interested in nutrition and holistic nutrition. Upon the first month, I realized the curriculum was made up of numerous prerecorded speeches (webinars) Rosenthal gave. The webinars were random video clips that were collaged together and named a course. I could have gone on to YouTube to research and did the same "studying". IIN has mislead its audience through various marketing as a nutrition based program backed by science, yet in fact they are "just letting their clients talk". There is limited content about nutrition. I am absolutely unsatisfied with this program. Desired settlement: Refund of tuition as per your satisfaction policy and removal from collections.
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and I am happy with the resolution However, I have not been contacted about reimbursement
Sincerely,
*** ***
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) first learned of the student's hardship through the Revdex.com complaint process. Immediately the student was contacted and a full refund made. The State of New York has a strict refund policy for schools that IIN holds to
exactly. However, when students experience unforeseen hardship, the Institute will on a case by case basis go beyond what is agreed to in law. It is unfortunate that the student did not make IIN fully aware of her fiscal challenge or we would have resolved it. But, with thousands of satisfied students every year, it is more important that we learned of the problem rather than how we learned. Thank you
Integrative Nutrition operates with a 100% satisfaction policy. While we vehemently reject the assertion of irrelevance we do stand by our satisfaction guarantee. The full amount of tuition was refunded
The complaint while lodged against IIN the school is actually a complaint against a *** of the school.Nonetheless the complainant was listened to and when I determined that $was the amount in dispute I paid the complainant this amount from personal funds.The gesture was
acknowledged as satisfactory and the issue resolved
We wrote to her on 12/** explaining the charges and amount owed for the withdrawal fee and did not hear
anything back
I had her card refunded
for the last two payments and stopped further processing. We service over students annually and have a clear, understandable, state
regulated withdrawal policy. Occasionally a student will make contact in the wrong place, as did this student, and we cannot make certain a student is completely satisfied unless they communicate with us. We go beyond the letter of regulations to see that students are treated fairly
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved. My hope is that in future, more can be done to emphasize to health coaches the gravity of what they do; teach them ways in which to behave in an ethical manner; to deliver excellence in all aspects; and, that there be auspice(s) to whom they answer, and who hold them accountable.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
Student was contacted immediately. Previous to complaint with Revdex.com she had not attempted resolution of concern with the company. After listening to her concerns her challenges seemed to be more personal difficulty than curricular concerns. She was issued a refund and she commented...
that she "looked forward to rejoin the course at a future date."
Review: I started this program Feb. 2014 with an understanding that it would provide me with significant nutritional information to educate my patients with my RN background. I was told that this program offers "personal attention by a coach" and that I "Could" obtain CEU's I feel that there is a lot of false advertising with this program. I am on week 6 and have put much time and commitment into being part of the program and having an open mind, but very disappointed. First, CEU's are additional $495.00. I specificially asked about CEU's which no one person said that it was an additional fee on top of the already $5000.00 for the year. Several students within my program stated the same disappointment when they found out the cost of the CEU's. I had to ask the help info desk 2 times about the CEU's and why there was a charge and why was it not disclosed to me. When I finally got a response, it was "well most of the time CEU's are additional cost". Maybe.... but why not disclose this info? It was like they are hiding it not just from me but other students as well. #2 Personal Attention by a health coach? I have been assigned to a health coach, encouraged to sign up for a [redacted] she started and thats it. I have have several questions without response for my coach. I even included her name in the post. I have complained about this and all I got was that [redacted] postings are not a requirement to graduation. [redacted] is to reach out to your fellow students, that it. I also tried posting to their OEF (online forums) which is also a tool to get you to interact with fellow students. Since it is my first time with an online program... I asked the help desk about this lack of support. They claim they are a different school than most. So no feedback from a health coach or.... [redacted] the main person running the school. I have sent him a message via [redacted] about the lack of follow-up and my concern of getting feedback and questions asked during the modules. He just forwarded my message to his staff, no resolution. I have tried talking via help forum about the lack of education and all I got was the modules would get better and I needed to be patient. But without feedback or the ability to review and ask staff questions about content, its just an expensive way to connect with fellow students with the same interests. That is exactly what they encourage.... talk and interact with your fellow students, ask them questions and hey!!! "No one diet fits everyone!" Thats their claim to fame or trademark.. " bio individuality". This statement or trademark covers them to be very vague about nutritional content. This past module... One speaker talks about how plant base diet slows your metabolism, then the next speak states plant base nutrition speeds up your metabolism. WHAT? So I post the question for discussion on [redacted]. I got "no one can agree on nutrition" by a fellow student. Not being able to ask questions to the speaks or follow up on the differences of studies has me questioning what this program is all about. I am not happy and have put %100 into the program and feel all I am getting is now spending too much time on [redacted] asking my fellow students questions. I can do this without the $5000.00 price tag. I feel very strongly that they have not done their due diligence to provide nutritional education. As most, they very review the different diets out, but provide no instructions on how to get started. They cover it up but stating "we are all differeent." [redacted] lectures are very disturbing. He provides no nutritional education and just repeats his idea of "bio individuality" and how we are all different. That's about as much personal attention you get from this program.Desired Settlement: I would like to be refunded all my money for this course.
Consumer
Response:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and I want to hold off on my compliant at this time.
Sincerely,
Review: I enrolled at integrative nutrition for a nutrition program. I began going through the program and due to a death in the family had dropped behind in course work. I was able to speak to a counselor and she assured me I could continue in the program. I restarted the course work and decided at that time to drop the course. I tried several times to contact their office via emails and phone messages and instead of being contacted back I received advertisement emails about registering in the program. Since I was not able to contact them I waited for them to contact me. They did not. I began getting calls from amerisist collection advising me that I could set up a payment plan to pay the amount I "owe" according to their records. I explained my circumstance and that I had tried to drop the course and was not able to contact anyone despite my attempts. They also had a 100% satisfaction guarantee, I certainly am not satisfied. I have paid already a considerable amount and currently do not have access to the material I've already paid for because they shut off my access to the modules. So not only are they saying I still owe money, I also have nothing to show for the money I've already paid!Desired Settlement: I would like them to cancel the remaining "debt" and remove me from amerisist records. I'm not asking for a refund, I want them to stop harassing me about a bill I feel I wouldn't have had they returned my calls or emails so I could have dropped the course at the appropriate time.
Business
Response:
Student was contacted, a complete refund arranged after proper program withdrawal.The Health Coach Training Program is an online program. Included in the student's learning platform is a "dashboard" which facilitates contact with the Student Success department. IIN does operate with 100% satisfaction and once we learned of the student's challenges and how those challenges could not be overcome by lesser measures, she was withdrawn from the program, money paid refunded and money owed forgiven.Like all students, we wish her good health and hope that at some future time the circumstances of her life permit her to again enroll and to find success in the program.
Review: I learned of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) through a friend of a family member. As I have a BA degree in Health and Physical Education, an MA in Teaching and a life long interest in health and nutrition, I visited the school's website and participated in a sample class. I am always interested in furthering my knowledge of nutrition and good food choices. Based on the website and sample class I was interested enough to call the number for more information. I spoke with [redacted]. From that conversation, I felt I would increase my knowledge base with fact based nutritional information. I signed up with [redacted] that day, ** March 2015, supplying my credit card number and being told I would be paying $199 as an original fee with the option of paying the remaining $5,800. over time or I could get a discount down to $4500 if I paid the balance in full in 30 days. I choose the 30 day discount plan.
When "classes" began a few days later, based on my own experience and remarks by fellow students on [redacted] (**), I realized there was technical difficulty in delivering the curriculum. The responses from IIN staff on ** lead me to believe it was a glitch that would be reconciled without much ado. However, those technical issues continued.
The first few lectures were entertaining although more opinion based than fact. I assumed that was the plan to start off without a lot of depth to maintain enrollment. However, when we got to the speaker who used profanity throughout her lecture to include the words [redacted] and [redacted], I was reaching the point of great disappointment. Then the founder of the school starts talking politics, reincarnation and getting along with family members now so we don't have to spend the next life with them. At that point I knew I was not paying for a scientific, nutrition based program but rather a politically slanted opinion based program not worth anything to me close to the tuition charged.
I immediately notified [redacted] that I was not at all satisfied with the program and wanted to withdraw immediately. At that time I had only had access to the program for 20 days of the year long term. I assumed I had lost my $199 but was shocked when [redacted] emailed me that I owed IIN $1045.17 as a withdrawal fee. I was also informed that I had signed a contract to that affect when I signed into the website and clicked on the Enrollment Agreement which I did not do until I had already provided my credit card info. Yes, the enrollment agreement contains the withdrawal fees but that information is in no way provided to the prospective student clearly or upfront. [redacted] never mentioned a withdrawal fee to me. I was shocked that a company would try to collect a quarter of the yearly tuition/supplies for only 20 days of availability. When I responded such to [redacted] she sent me an email saying they would reduce the withdrawal fee from $1045.17 to $495.00 and since I had already paid $199.00 I had a balance of $296.00. IIN states that their books/materials have a value of $900. I offered to return them for a credit as I had only opened one book and everything else was in tact. [redacted] told me they did not want them back and if I didn't want them to discard them. As I detest waste, I sent the books/materials back at my expense anyway. IIN refused to withdraw me until they received the $296.00.
I began to research reviews of IIN and found their propensity to turn students over to collection agencies. Since maintaining a good credit score and report are important to me, I mailed IIN a check for $296.00.
Through my research, I discovered that IIN has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I emailed [redacted] stating that the program was nothing that I expected it to be and I respectfully requested a full refund. [redacted] responded that IIN would send me a refund in (5) days after receiving a signed agreement from me which she attached to the email. That agreement said I had paid $4,495.00 and would get a refund for that amount within (5) days of IIN's receipt of the signed agreement. I responded that I had only paid $495.00 and asked that the agreement be corrected.Then I got an agreement which had a sentence stating that $4,495 was due IIN from me. I asked for that to be corrected. The last agreement stated that I had agreed to pay $495.00 on ** March 2015, which was also not true. I then responded that I was not signing their agreement as it had erroneous info and I was not accustomed to such agreements for refunds.
I feel I tried to work with IIN but I also find it very strange that a reputable company would have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and then ask a former student to sign a legal document designed to suppress any negative comment. I have exercised my right to refunds many times in the past but never have I had to sign a gag agreement.
I have all of my email correspondence with IIN to include genuine attempts to work this out with them without filing a complaint. I can provide those if necessary.Desired Settlement: I do not feel that IIN's advertising matches their product. I would like for them to honor their 100% satisfaction policy as they state in their response to other complaints to the Revdex.com and issue a full refund of $495.00 by check in a timely manner.
Business
Response:
With upwards to 10,000 students per year located around the globe it is likely that a small number will not find the instructional program to meet their expectations.The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) does utilize a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The instructional program IIN offers is the Health Coach Training Program (HCTP). Health Coaching is a helping relationship where the coach supports the client in making incremental lifestyle changes. Often, but not always changes involves choices with food. Because of the wide range of coaching needs IIN teaches a unique coaching method and a plethora of both traditional and no-traditional eating beliefs. While considerable misunderstanding and editorializing is contained in the student's complaint, that does not alter IIN's 100% satisfaction guarantee. A full refund of monies paid and a release from monies owed has been ordered. Upon refund IIN does require the student to sign a release that their complaint has been fully satisfied.
Consumer
Response:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved. I am very pleased that IIN will honor their 100% satisfaction policy and refund my payments in full. I will respect their interpretation of my complaint as "misunderstandings and editorializing" but will retain the right to disagree.
Sincerely,
Review: I signed up for the program in February 2014. I have saved all my emails. But NONE explains a fee for withdrawing... they don't explain this.... until you try to leave the program.
I was quite happy with the program, but I am on ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program). They recently took $400 off my monthly allowance. So I tol the school I no longer could afford to continue the program.
That is when they ([redacted]) told me I would have to pay $3,825 to leave the program. They keep pressuring me to pay this. I cannot even pay the $99 they offered to reduce my monthly tuition fees anymore! I am on disability. IF they made the fee know at the beginning of the program - telling you BEFORE you signed. I would not have signed with them!.
I find this practice underhanded!Desired Settlement: I want them to cancel my placement and to stop contacting me
Business
Response:
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) first learned of the student's hardship through the Revdex.com complaint process. Immediately the student was contacted and a full refund made. The State of New York has a strict refund policy for schools that IIN holds to exactly. However, when students experience unforeseen hardship, the Institute will on a case by case basis go beyond what is agreed to in law. It is unfortunate that the student did not make IIN fully aware of her fiscal challenge or we would have resolved it. But, with thousands of satisfied students every year, it is more important that we learned of the problem rather than how we learned. Thank you.
Review: I have a Bachelor's degree in a science-based health care specialty and have worked in the field for 15 years. I have also been successfully running a private practice for almost 10 years. After finishing a science-based nutrition program, I was looking for additional education in order to add health coaching to my business. I enrolled in this school after looking at the information on their website and talking with two admissions representatives (one who was specifically assigned to speak with me by the school). I explained my professional history and education, what I was looking for from the program, and what brought me to consider enrolling in their program. They assured me that this was the right program to meet my needs.
After having spent 1 month in the program (approximately 10% of the program), I feel misled by both the website and the two admissions employees who I spoke with before deciding to enroll at this school for two reasons:
1. Nowhere in the marketing material, on the website, or in my conversations with the admission staff was it ever communicated or explained that this school does not consider itself a science-based program. If I had known this, I would not have enrolled. On the website, it specifically states that the curriculum includes "the science of nutrition". After one month in the program, I became frustrated with the complete lack of any science-based material. I spoke to a representative of the school when I withdrew, and she stated that if I wanted a science-based education or to get in to the "nitty gritty of nutrition", then IIN was not the school for me.
2. On the website, and in their print material, they advertise: "About half of our program is taught by [redacted], the founder and director of Integrative Nutrition. Classes are also taught by experts who are at the forefront of the health and wellness field. Our distinguished speakers are leading doctors, PhDs, researchers and authorities in nutrition today." After one month in the program, I would estimate that all but 85-90% of the lectures were taught by [redacted]. When I brought this up upon withdrawing, I was told that the "experts" appear later in the curriculum. I am not sure that I believe this. The first month (with the exception of 1 or 2 lectures) consisted of [redacted] (who, unless I missed something, is not an "expert" in anything related to nutrition) talking about his personal opinions (some of them quite offensive to me as an educated woman who eats a plant-based diet and has researched this diet extensively).
Quite frankly, I expect more substance when I am paying for educational programs.
When I made the decision to withdraw, I had to ask for assistance to find the school's Withdrawal Policy. In addition to putting in a request through the help desk, I asked several other students for help in locating it, and they were not able to either. The school finally provided me with a copy of the policy. Had I read it before classes started, I would have seen it as a red flag and probably withdrawn then.
While I understand that there are some costs associated with enrollment, I do not think that one month in the IIN program should cost me $1500 (my original $4000 tuition minus the $2500 that they stated will be refunded to me in the next 30 days). I am paying for an entire quarter even though I am participating in 1/3 of it. I essentially participated in 1/10th of the program as a whole.
1. It states that the enrollment fee is $100. That seems reasonable not to be refunded.
2. The books and materials fee is $950. That seems steep for a hardcover book (written by [redacted] and basically identical to all of the "lectures" he gave in the first month), a paperback blank journal, and a paperback workbook (all of which are in new condition, and I am happy to return). In my 20 years of higher education and professional continuing education, I have never been charged
that much for course materials.
3. The software and contact licensing fee is $1500. Considering that I have only had access to 4 modules and cannot save a copy of any of the
available resources now that I am withdrawing, that seems unreasonable not to be refunded.
One additional note: As an experienced health care provider, I am very concerned that IIN is misleading and overcharging their students for the "education" they are receiving. There are no educational requirements for admission, the requirements to "graduate" and become certified by the school as a Health Coach (which is an unregulated term) are not at all rigorous, and the school consistently encourages non-medical people to charge $100+ per hour for their "services", none of which are science-based. There are no continuing education requirements, no requirements to demonstrate continued competence, and no oversight by a qualified credentialing agency to determine initial competence upon completing the program.Desired Settlement: I would assume that IIN considers itself a reputable school and wants to treat its students fairly. While I do accept that I will lose some of my investment since I participated for one month, I do not think that a refund of only 2/3 is reasonable.
I am requesting that my refund be recalculated to reflect the amount of time that I was a student (one month of the one-year program). I am happy to return the course materials as outlined above (all of which are unused).
Business
Response:
Review: I enrolled for a year long nutrition course. What I got was a course that was truly only interested in American politics and nutrition. There was absolutely no Canadian content, or any hint whatsoever that things are different in Canada or elsewhere. I learned nothing about nutrition in Canada - lots about what is wrong with health care in America. There is a world of difference and if you are spinning it that way, you may want to mention that in the course description. I have voiced my dissatisfaction several times - and during the course I was told I could withdraw, but I would still have to pay full course fees.Desired Settlement: I would like them to refund the cost of my tuition.
Business
Response:
Integrative Nutrition operates with a 100% satisfaction policy. While we vehemently reject the assertion of irrelevance we do stand by our satisfaction guarantee. The full amount of tuition was refunded.
Consumer
Response:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and I am happy with the resolution. However, I have not been contacted about reimbursement.
Sincerely,
Review: I signed up in March 2014 for the May 2014 class start date. I paid in full($4,995.00 in March 2014). During the course of my classes, they have quickly gone from informative to business (not covering nutrition). In module 27, the class is about website and making sure the color of the website matches the season (fall; making it warm). This is not what I paid for. My coaching call with [redacted], have been less than what I expected. Per the IIN student dashboard, the Coaching Circles are group-based health coaching calls that provide students with guidance and support throughout the Health Coach Training Program. This was not the case.
I paid for a nutrition program and I am getting a business program. I was told that this program is the only program in its class that studies nutrition but it has quickly become more business based and how to set up business practices and how to try to convince people (guilt trip) to become clients.
I am requesting a refund via check as the credit card I had used is no longer a valid credit card (it is closed).Desired Settlement: I am requesting a refund via check as the credit card I had used is no longer a valid credit card (it is closed).
I would like the school to have a better outline of what is covered PRIOR to enrolling that way student will know what they are truly getting before they commit. The process is not fair.
Business
Response:
Student was contacted immediately. Previous to complaint with Revdex.com she had not attempted resolution of concern with the company. After listening to her concerns her challenges seemed to be more personal difficulty than curricular concerns. She was issued a refund and she commented that she "looked forward to rejoin the course at a future date."