PREDATORY LENDER IN DISGUISE
Pathrise/Edly is a PREDATORY Loan company. They hide behind a thin disguise of 'career mentors' promising to help you get a job, but in actuality they are preying on desperate people and locking them in to absurd loans. HERE'S THEIR TRICK:While you think you're working with Pathrise, you're actually signing a loan with a DIFFERENT COMPANY. Whatever guarantees or whatever Pathrise tells you that you don't owe is meaningless. It has no bearing on the contract you sign with EDLY the loan company. There is even wording in the contract that says that regardless of what you're outcome with Pathrise is, YOU STILL OWE EDLY the loan balance NO MATTER WHAT.This loan starts at a minimum of $20,000. However, with their high interest and FEES, the amount you owe grows by $500/month. They will deceptively tell you that you don't need to start paying the loan back right away, however they are actually deferring the loan and STILL CHARGING FEES OF $500/month STARTING THE DAY YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT.My son was unfortunately naive and desperate and fell prey to their tactics. The 'services' they provide can easily be found for free elsewhere (check your local library or community group) and are not at all worth the cost even if they did find him a job.WARNING: YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THIS LOANAfter reading through the loan document my son signed, I can't believe it's not criminal. In the loan paperwork, you waive your rights to any legal recourse, and there are clauses to take away all of you ability to fight it. The loan contract accounts for every contingency. After reading the loan terms, it's very clear that they know exactly what they're doing and THIS IS THEIR BUSINESS MODEL.Not only does my son still not have the promised 'high paying' job that they sold him on, but now he's had to take on a second job as a grocery store cashier to pay for the Pathrise/Edly loan.STAY AWAYFAKE REVIEWSAn additional word of caution: I have seen MANY people having the exact same issue. Please be incredibly cautious about any good reviews you see for them. I have no doubt that they spam sites like Trustpilot with fake positive reviews.
John
PATHRISE IS A SCAM/LIE/MANIPULATION — They Lied for a Year, Then Dumped Me With a $20,000 Loan
FYI: If you've been put in a loan by Pathrise and they lied to you about canceling it or helping you and they then told you they're closing down, don't give up! File a thorough complaint with the CFPB!! Take Pathrise, Edly and whoever Edly sold your loan to and put them all in the complaint. Review: Please, please don’t fall for the lies this company tells you. ALL of these 'good' reviews are fake, I promise you, do NOT fall for them. Listen to the people who are telling you the truth about how they got scammed!!!If you’re reading this because you’re worried about your career and hoping Pathrise might help, stop right here. Everything they advertise is a trap. I’m writing this to save you from going through what I did.Pathrise claims to be a program that mentors you into landing a tech job, and that you’ll only pay a small percentage of your salary once you’re hired. Sounds harmless until you realize what’s really going on.The moment you join, they pressure you into taking a loan through a company called Edly. They tell you this loan will help fund your participation, and that if you leave early, they’ll “cancel it for you.” That’s the exact wording they used with me. Over and over, I was told, “Don’t worry about it, we’ll handle it, it’s all taken care of.”That was over a year ago.Every month, I followed up. Every time, I was reassured the cancellation was “in progress.” Then, out of nowhere, after twelve months of false promises, I received this email from them:“Pathrise has been foreclosed on by our lenders and has had to begin winding down operations... Pathrise does not have the authority to unilaterally cancel a third-party IBR Note... Any further steps a fellow wishes to take will need to be initiated by the fellow between themselves and Edly.”In other words: “We lied to you for a year, now it’s your problem.”So now I’m stuck with a $20,000 loan that I never wanted, for a program that gave me nothing of value, just recycled advice you can find for free on YouTube and fake “career mentors” who vanish the moment you ask hard questions.Remember, their own website claims that within the first two weeks, the "free trial" you can cancel your income share at any point in time with no 'strings attached'. Isn't it crazy how blatantly these people will lie? This is exactly what I did. Guess what? Here we are one year later.They had one job: to be honest. Instead, they built their entire business model on exploiting people who are just trying to get their lives together. They prey on fear, they fabricate reviews here on TrustPilot, and when they collapse, they leave their victims buried in debt.If you see their name, run the other way.Don’t believe their polished website or their fake replies to negative reviews. They’re all the same script.I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone. Please do NOT trust Pathrise or their founders Kevin Wu and Derrick Mar. They're twisted liars who are doing everything they can to profit off of the fears of people who don't know any better. Run from any of their initiatives. Pathrise might close down soon but I bet they'll open up something else to try and get a new scam running. Oh Also, they're too ashamed to even link TrustPilot reviews to their website so they make random testimonials that make them look good. Go look at their website and see if any of the REAL reviews pop up. TL DR; They made me take out a loan, they took that money and used it for their business, they then told me they'll 'cancel' the loan for a year, then they said 'sorry we can't do anything, we lied', now my loan got sold from Edly to another loan provider and I have to figure out how to get it off my record since I never used the loan but i'm sure pathrise had a good payday with it.
Noor S
Felt like a scam
The program didn't offer me anything I couldn't find elsewhere for free. They then sold my "loan" (after making all required payments monthly) out of the blue. I was pretty sure there was a condition on my contract that if I were to make payments equal to x% of my income, my loan would be forgiven after 2 years. However, because it was sold off, that is no longer the case and I am stuck paying some random third party a portion of my income 2 years later.
Krsto L
Disappointing Experience with Pathrise – Misleading and Unhelpful
I enrolled in Pathrise with high hopes of receiving valuable mentorship and job search support that would help me land a meaningful job. Unfortunately, my experience was far from what was promised.Misleading Promises:The program advertised personalized mentorship from industry professionals, along with a network of referrals and exclusive job opportunities. However, I found that the mentorship was minimal at best. Most of the program’s content consisted of generic materials that were easily accessible elsewhere (including on YouTube), and the "support" phase left me to apply for jobs on my own with very little guidance or follow-up.Financial Burden:Despite not receiving any tangible support in securing a job, I am now saddled with an overwhelming financial obligation of $17,312.63 due to the program’s income share agreement. This feels extremely unfair, especially considering that I ultimately found a job on my own, without any help from Pathrise.Final Thoughts:In retrospect, Pathrise did not deliver the value it promised, and I regret enrolling. The experience left me feeling misled, frustrated, and financially burdened. I strongly caution others considering this program to carefully evaluate whether it will truly help you meet your career goals, especially if you are facing financial difficulties. They will blame everything on the job market and do very little to actually assist you in getting work. They offer no professional network or job offerings so this program feels beyond pointless. I hope this review helps others avoid the same disappointment I faced!
Natalie Kocab
Pathrise = Percent for 3 Years of Your Salary
I’m nearing the end of my first year in the THREE-YEAR Pathrise contract, and I feel it’s important to update my review based on my experience so far.While their resume help and interview prep might benefit some people, the cost is far too high for what you actually get. The contract takes a percentage of your salary for THREE FULL YEARS, and it essentially works like a high-interest loan that locks you in once you start working. It becomes a burden long after the excitement of getting a job wears off. I eventually found a different job after leaving Pathrise, which makes the financial obligation feel even more unreasonable. The main things they push—applying to 10–20 jobs a week and practicing interviews—are things you can easily do yourself using resources like ChatGPT and other job search tools.I strongly encourage anyone considering Pathrise to look at all other options and think carefully about the long-term commitment. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any changes in how their website presents the contract or payment terms.I’ll keep updating this review until I’m finally out of the contract. Please make sure you fully understand what you’re agreeing to. You don’t need to give up a percentage of THREE YEARS of income to find a job.
Ralph Weaver
Pathrise has incredible mentors
I met incredible mentors and had amazing support during my job search.
Carmen
Not worth the money or the hastle
Use the free trial if you want, but do not pay anything. Please find independent support if you're concerned about your resume or interviews.🚩 When I started with Pathrise, I had temporary contractor income for which Pathrise wanted to take credit. 🚩 No interviews were ever scheduled by their team that was supposedly applying on my behalf. 🚩 I got a job that I applied for before starting anything with Pathrise. BUT they still take credit. Support through them or the loan company you must use is painful. Support if you lose your job within a year isn't there. I'm stuck now without a job, paying $19,000 for nothing.Please don't end up like me. Even if your experience is better than mine, it won't be worth years of payments.
Chris Grubbs
Stay clear
Stay clear. It's not worth 7-14% of your salary. There are other programs that are up front with cost and dont cost nearly as much. Canceling the program early isn't clear cut and easy either which is really sad. I'm trying to cancel my program due to personal reasons and I'm finding it hard because I mentioned to a mentor before canceling that I had interview/offer (which I ended up not getting in the end anyways) for a job I applied to way before I started using pathrise and they added it to my account with them without my knowledge as if they had a part to play in me getting the interview. Now I'm being told I should have told the manager and they provided documents justifying the action. Totally predatory behavior and I just want to pay my cancellation fee and be done with it. You would think canceling something would be easy but with pathrise it is not. Please stay clear of this program and company there are better alternative options that don't act in this way and are way more understanding/easy to work with.
Eli Beates
I highly recommend Pathrise
I highly recommend Pathrise! Their program made a huge difference when I unexpectedly found myself job hunting after a layoff. I was determined to land a role at a great company, and Pathrise’s approach and support played a key part in helping me get there.Pathrise offers many other valuable features that helped me quickly learn the latest job market strategies. My Career Manager, Troy, kept me on track with regular check-ins and advice, ensuring I stayed focused.For anyone ready to put in the work and take their career to the next level, Pathrise provides the tools and environment to make it happen.
RICK ESTEY
I would join Pathrise again!
I would join Pathrise again! I am deeply grateful that their service exists. When I unexpectedly entered the job market after being laid off, I felt overwhelmed. My goal was to end up at a great company, and I feel the Pathrise team and the setup of the program helped me get there.I chose the pro plan. What I loved about it was the easy access to all types of mentors: mindset coaches, industry mentors, recruiters. I met with them all to refine how I presented myself in job interviews. Their job application specialists brought me back a top-notch resume that reflected well how I wanted to present myself, my skills, and my background. After having paid $300 to a resume site previously and being underwhelmed, the resume Pathrise brought me back was clearly superior—I was impressed because it captured me so well! I also had the benefit of having specialists source additional applications for me. I reached a point where I was putting in 25-30 applications weekly and getting an average of 2 interviews per week just from the applications Pathrise sourced for me. Eventually, I had multiple interviews daily (please note, I was committed full-time to my job search).There are many more features that helped me quickly get up to speed with the best tips to secure a strong position in the job market. My Career Manager also stayed on top of my progress with regular check-ins and guidance.I recommend Pathrise to anyone serious about putting in the work to level up. If you have a vision for your future, Pathrise has the resources and environment to help you achieve it.Results: I landed a great role (competitive compensation, remote work, growth opportunities, great leadership) within about 2 months of being in the program (and within 1 month of heavily applying and interviewing).Thanks, Pathrise!
customer
Everything you need to land your dream job!
Pathrise provides the tools and resources you need to land your dream job. If you put in the work and listen to their guidance, it will pay off. Within 3 months I landed my dream job. Pathrise helped with my resume, interview prep and the negotiation process. Highly recommend!
Kim
Transform Your Career with Pathrise: A Comprehensive Review w…
The Pathrise Program has been an extremely beneficial experience for me. While I’m still actively searching in the job market, I’ve had a great experience with the team. The trial phase was smooth, and once onboarded, I had immediate access to all available resources. Any concerns I had were addressed promptly. Right away, I had a job search plan and strategy tailored to my needs, showcasing the team's dedication and hard work.One of the standout features of Pathrise is the access to a network of industry professionals who are more than willing to meet and answer any questions. My career mentor, Niema Mjidimehr, has been phenomenal in every aspect. From setting up appointments to providing insights into in-demand sectors and sharing tips for job searches and websites, Niema has been incredibly supportive. We worked together through multiple iterations to refine my resume and LinkedIn profile, and now they are in the best state they’ve ever been.I am much more confident navigating the job market now, and the system works—I’ve seen a noticeable increase in the number of interview invitations I receive. If you’re looking to take your career to the next level or are having difficulties navigating the current job market, I would highly recommend Pathrise!
Customer
Going from hourly to salary
When I joined Pathrise, I wasn't sure what to expect as I went from an hourly job to a salaried position. The team at Pathrise helped me with breaking through imposter syndrome and landing a salaried position. I'm grateful for the time they took to help me.
Gilberto Rodriguez
Perspective Building in Tech Business
Pathrise has been more than just a career program for me. It's been a journey of self-discovery and growth. Through the program, I've not only learned about different roles but also honed my communication skills, negotiation tactics, and how to present myself effectively in interviews.What really stood out to me was the chance to connect with leaders in the tech industry. Talking to them gave me a whole new perspective on the business side of things, making me realize that a job is more than just ticking off technical boxes—it's about understanding the bigger picture and how I fit into it.The coding classes were also a game-changer. They didn't just teach me how to code; they helped me think more logically and write code that's not just accurate but efficient too.Overall, my time with Pathrise has been eye-opening and empowering. I feel more confident and ready to take on the tech world. Thanks for everything!
Saketh Vutukuru
This Program Works!
The Pathrise Program is invaluable for someone who is looking to take their career to the next level. They walk you through every step of the process. My Admissions Manager, Christopher, provided a great introduction to the program during the trial period in which he set me up with appointments to meet various mentors that would be available to me. Many had impressive credentials and expertise. Once I became a Pathrise Fellow, I was fortunate enough to get what I can say with confidence has to be one of their best Career Mentors, Candice. My resume and LinkedIn were perfected. I learned about methods to improve my job search, job search websites that were not known to me, as well as ways to contact recruiters. I met with some amazing mentors during my job search. Pathrise mentor Koyuki's knowledge and passion for AI was evident when I met with her. Pathrise mentor Clifton helped me with a last second interview game plan session. My Career Mentor, Candice, was there every step of the way. Last but certainly not least, Natalie, the Head of Customer Operations could not have been a better person to close out the program with once I found a role. She walked me through the process with my loan and was able to address any concerns I had. This program does work. I got far more interviews than I did searching on my own. They taught me things that I'll be able to implement in future job searches for years to come.
Michael
Nice beautiful
Nice beautiful
Ahmad Raees
Pathrise was a great investment in…
Pathrise was a great investment in myself. My mentor was amazing, she offered practical advice and supported me throughout the process. The job search can be tough, but having her in my corner made a huge difference.
Gabriel Adams
Pathrise is a great program for finding the right job and for personal development
Pathrise is a great program for those who are willing to work strategically to get a job. They have a lot of great resources and training material that really does help in one's job search plan. There is a dedicated career mentor who will meet with you frequently to asses your job search plan and make sure there is proper mentorship. This program is not JUST about job search its in fact more than that. We get resources like mindset coaching and things that are required for personal development which is beyond just job search. I strongly recommend Pathrise and so far it has been a great journey for me.
pooja
This program won't get you a job…
This program won't get you a job overnight. I had to put in the work, and there were times when I felt frustrated. However, their process made me a more prepared candidate overall. The salary negotiation sessions were especially helpful!
Gavin Diaz
If you're the type who thrives with…
If you're the type who thrives with independent learning, this program might not be your cup of tea. They provide a lot of structure, deadlines, and check ins designed to force you out of procrastination. Honestly, I wouldn't have done half the work without that push. There were times the communication wasn't seamless, but overall, I ended up with a great offer in my chosen field. I highly recommend them if you're willing to commit to the process.
Gavin Diaz