Building Your Personal Brand
Review

Ivy League branding insights, steep pricing challenges value proposition

Medium
  • Last updated 15/06/2025
by eCornell

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time analyzing this eCornell offering, and here's what we discovered: Building Your Personal Brand positions itself as a comprehensive blueprint for professionals seeking to craft their career narrative. The course features Anthony Melchiorri, the hospitality expert from "Hotel Impossible," who brings real-world branding insights from his entrepreneurial journey.

The curriculum promises to guide you through defining your unique value proposition, identifying target audiences, and developing activation strategies across various channels. What caught our attention was the blend of theoretical frameworks with practical exercises, all delivered through Cornell's online platform.

However, we noticed something interesting during our research: the course spans 16 weeks with 6-8 hours of weekly commitment, which is significantly more intensive than many competitors in this space. This extended timeframe allows for deeper exploration of brand purpose, positioning strategies, and measurement metrics.

The self-paced format theoretically offers flexibility, though the substantial time investment might challenge busy professionals (we found this particularly relevant given the target audience). The course culminates in a Cornell University certificate, leveraging the institution's Ivy League reputation for career advancement.

Show More

Is this course for you?

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

👉

Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Mid-career professionals seeking Cornell credentials for career advancement, individuals with flexible budgets prioritizing institutional prestige over cost-efficiency, or those requiring structured frameworks for personal brand development

Instructor

eCornell

Cornell University's Professional Education Unit Legitimacy Score: 9/10
eCornell is Cornell University's professional education unit, offering a robust online learning experience for working professionals and organizations worldwide. Led by Paul Krause, Vice Provost for External Education, eCornell collaborates with academic units and faculty to deliver high-quality online professional development programs and blended professional master's degree programs. Their offerings span various fields including marketing, management, hospitality, human resources, and AI, supporting lifelong learning and organizational workforce development.
Established as Cornell's external education arm, eCornell has been at the forefront of online professional education since its inception. Under Paul Krause's leadership since 2014, the organization has driven significant innovation and growth in online learning. eCornell's programs are designed by Cornell faculty and a team of instructional designers, ensuring both academic rigor and practical relevance. The platform has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of professionals and organizations in the digital age.
• Offers over 240 world-renowned certificate programs across various disciplines
• Recognized for providing structure, support, and engagement in online learning
• Developed a unique course facilitation model with industry experts guiding students
• Successfully extended Cornell education to non-traditional students globally
• Implemented innovative strategies for teaching and advancing education for underrepresented groups
• Annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring conferences
• Cornell University's faculty development workshops and seminars
• Online education industry conferences and webinars (specific events not available in the search results)
eCornell exhibits a strong digital footprint across various platforms. They regularly share educational content, program updates, and industry insights on their website and social media channels. The organization's online activity focuses on promoting professional development opportunities and showcasing the expertise of Cornell faculty.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration112
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Yearly
  • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None specified, though professional experience enhances learning outcomes


💻 Requirements

Desktop or laptop computer, reliable high-speed internet, modern web browser


💸 Hidden Costs

No mandatory additional purchases, standard computer and internet required


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Online help desk, limited instructor Q&A (no live coaching or robust peer community reported)

Course content

  • Module 1: Brand Purpose - Define core values and target audience identification
  • Module 2: Brand Strategy - Develop coherent positioning for your market
  • Module 3: Brand Positioning - Create differentiation strategies and unique selling propositions
  • Module 4: Brand Activation - Implementation plans for daily brand communication
  • Module 5: Brand Measurement - Evaluate impact using feedback and metrics
  • Module 6: Online Reputation Management - Digital presence optimization strategies
  • Additional Components: Case studies, practice exams, and real-world application projects

Show More

Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

After analyzing multiple review sources, we found a fascinating divide: students appreciate the structured content but consistently question whether the premium pricing delivers proportional value. The Cornell brand attracts many, yet execution concerns persist.

Praised points

  • Well-researched curriculum structure that provides clear frameworks for personal branding
  • Cornell University credential carries weight in professional settings
  • Practical, career-oriented content applicable to real-world scenarios

Criticisms

  • Excessive pricing ($3,900) compared to content depth and alternatives
  • Inconsistent support quality with reports of slow response times
  • Platform limitations and administrative friction dampening the experience

Testimonials

"I really took this course because of the Cornell name."

"Well researched and well compiled topics. I would like to suggest some case studies of other continents too..."

"The online format was good and easy to navigate."

"I expected so much more from an accredited Ivy League school."

"After, I questioned the cost-benefit."

Social insights

Reddit discussions reveal skepticism about eCornell's value proposition, with users debating whether the Ivy League association justifies the cost. Quora contributors echo similar concerns, though some defend the structured learning approach. One Reddit user notably stated: "I expected so much more from an accredited Ivy League school."

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The promise to "define and develop your unique value proposition" aligns with delivered content. However, transformational outcomes depend heavily on individual application rather than unique course methodology.

Price History

Consistently priced at $3,900, with occasional bundling discounts through certificate programs

Upsell Practices

Standalone offering with options to bundle into broader certificate programs

Student Success

General testimonials cite career confidence gains, but specific, measurable success metrics tied to this course remain undocumented

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

eCornell's proprietary LMS functions adequately but lacks modern features found on competing platforms

Content Accessibility

One-year access to materials, mix of downloadable resources and stream-only videos

Mobile Compatibility

Functional on mobile devices, though desktop experience preferred

Technical Requirements

Standard computer, modern browser, stable internet connection

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We identified recurring issues with support responsiveness, certification delays, and a perceived gap between Ivy League expectations and actual delivery. Multiple users reported frustration with administrative processes.

😬

Refund policy issues

Official refund policy details remain unclear from public sources, creating uncertainty for prospective students investing $3,900.

😬

Marketing practices

The heavy emphasis on Cornell branding can create misleading expectations. Students anticipating direct instruction from tenured Cornell faculty often discover content delivered by industry practitioners instead.

😬

Community feedback

Consistent feedback points to disappointment with content depth relative to price, though no allegations of outright fraud or deception.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $3,900 for 16 weeks, we calculate approximately $35-40 per hour of engagement, positioning this among the most expensive personal branding courses available. The Cornell certificate adds credibility, but similar content exists at 10-20% of this price.

Conclusion

After thorough analysis, we can confirm Building Your Personal Brand is a legitimate eCornell offering with solid foundational content. Anthony Melchiorri brings genuine expertise, and the curriculum covers essential branding concepts comprehensively.

However, we must address the elephant in the room: the $3,900 price tag creates an almost insurmountable value challenge. Unless the Cornell credential specifically advances your career in ways other certificates cannot, we struggle to justify this investment.

The course delivers what it promises, structured learning with institutional backing, but at Ultra High Ticket pricing that seems disconnected from market realities. For context, entire professional certifications from other reputable institutions cost less than this single course.

We recommend this course only for those who: (1) specifically need Cornell credentials for career advancement, (2) have employer sponsorship, or (3) value the Ivy League association above all other considerations. Everyone else should explore more cost-effective alternatives that deliver similar outcomes.

FAQs about this course

16 weeks with 6-8 hours weekly commitment, totaling approximately 96-128 hours of work, significantly more intensive than initially expected.

Content features Anthony Melchiorri, hospitality entrepreneur from 'Hotel Impossible,' not tenured Cornell faculty, which some students find disappointing given the price.

The certificate carries Ivy League prestige valuable in certain industries and regions, though ROI depends heavily on your specific career context.

Limited to basic discussion forums, no robust alumni network or live interaction typical of premium programs at this price point.

No mandatory additional purchases, though the opportunity cost of 96-128 hours over 16 weeks represents significant time investment.

Official policy remains unclear from public sources, a concerning gap for such a substantial investment, always confirm current terms before enrollment.

Content quality is solid but not unique, with comparable courses from LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or Udemy available at 5-10% of this price.

Review statistics

No reviews yet for this course. Be the first to leave a review!

Building Your Personal Brand screenshot
Building Your Personal Brand Review
$ 3 900
Total score: 6,6/10 ⭐
  • Duration112
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2018
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessYearly
  • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
Show More

Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

Our Process

For each review, we analyze all available online data to assess the course thoroughly. Our evaluation considers the quality of the content, the instructor's background, the marketing strategy, public perception, and authentic reviews from actual members, giving you a complete and balanced perspective.

Are You a Course Creator?

If you're the creator of a course we've reviewed and believe there are any inaccuracies or outdated information in our review, we want to hear from you.

How We Ensure Quality

Thorough Testing:

We implement strategies from the courses to validate their effectiveness.

Long-term Monitoring:

We track course updates and community development over time.

Building Your Personal Brand Review