Academy of Art University

I took one summer semester of classes and not even a quarter semester of fall classes before QUICKLY dropping out. I decided on AOAU because they were the only school to offer online fashion and design classes, that alone should’ve been a red flag, plus I didn’t think to look into student reviews and their 10% graduation rate. Before starting, the teachers each give you a supply list of things they say you need. You don’t actually need them btw. I wasted so much money on things I never once used... Read More and the things I did use could’ve been bought WAY cheaper on sites like SHEIN or even Amazon. Once the classes started, I saw just how quickly they jumped into things with little to no instructions on how to do it other than “check the module” where you’d find a lot of useless videos from old fashion shows or instructional videos from ages ago. Sometimes the teachers would ask us to go on zoom and sometimes they’d even say it was “mandatory” all for us just to sit there and watch them talk about things instead of TEACHING or SHOWING us things. The most interaction you’ll ever get out of it these useless-nobody teachers was their harsh criticism, their constant tagging you in their discussions saying “you didn’t show up for zoom” or whatever, or if you were unlucky like me, you’d get constant emails from really annoying teachers assistants rather than from your actual teacher who was also much younger than the teaching assistant for some reason? Asking these teachers for help only resulted in them saying “it’s in the module” but at the same time always telling us “if you need help, just ask!” By the last final weeks, I was over it. I was so fed up by the low grades for a lot of effort, the harsh criticism of every single thing you turn in, good or bad, the SAME ASSIGNMENTS EVERY WEEK, excessive assignments, basically being gaslit all of the time by teachers for feeling stressed, being basically harassed by the teacher’s assistant who always ended her emails with “respond to me ASAP” or whatever. I failed all of my classes intentionally and still to this day, AOAU still emails me and texts me to come back. AS IF. I BEG ANYONE AND EVERYONE TO SAY NO TO THIS SCHOOL. If the 10% grad rate didn’t do it for you, I hope this will. If this doesn’t do it for you, look into more reviews and the debt of all of the students who have attended this school and the fact that these credits are not transferable to most colleges.

I attended this school for 2 years I watched the cost of tuition increase each year. They made this school seem financially attainable by offering me a income based scholarship to cover out of pocket cost after aid. They then changed the requirements that you had to take more classes in order to keep the scholarship. That seemed fine but there's a catch they will only cover a certain amount leaving me with the choice of taking more classes getting the scholarship and still having to pay $3000 a semester... Read More after aid and scholarship or lose the scholarship take less classes and pay $3000 a semester, make it make sense???? This doesn't help pay for it it no shape or form I did really well at this school for the short time I could afford to attend. when I expressed my concerns I was blown off and ignored. They have had multiple lawsuits from recruiters, teacher, and students. This a rich and powerful women who owns most of the property in San Francisco California. I cut back my work hours made less money put myself into more debt and have no degree to show. I tried transferring to a more legitimate school but surprise surprise there is no school that will take my credit transfers. This was a huge waste of time money and energy and words can't express how angry and disappointed I am.

Yes there are a few bad teachers who phone it in. I only prob had 2 witching the 2 years I was there. I think we could of gotten more than one case example completed in one class. But curriculum has a good overview and skills in web design, coding, motion, critical thinking of which were applicable in the real world. Self accountability. You get what you put in. If you’re looking to finish quick without effort then you wont’t get anything from online course. You need to put in the work for the classes... Read More to be beneficial. Some comments I read are superficial like old campaigns being featured. Maybe it was history of ads. Seek challenge and you will be challenged.

This school is just horrendous. Their new Financial aid system now REJECTS any other expenses other than classes which they have increased by at least $1,000. So even though you ASKED and NEED some assistance from the school because they offered it, it just automatically gets rejected. This school is severally subpar. Not to mention the school has a fraud charge against them for accepting a lard number of under-qualified candidates that are unlikely to graduate and pay back their loans. So, onto... Read More classes, I have had some bad instructors, one of them openly humiliates Asain students for not properly speaking English, Hamilton C. The Web Design and New Media class Masters EXPECTS you to have 6 case studies even though the school only prepares you for 2-3 and the first one isn't going to be good enough so that leaves you with maybe 1-2 so you have to pull 3-4 others out of thin air AND they can ONLY come from the school and NO outside projects... So I'm not really sure how some people do it.

There is a review left on here from 2017 that someone made about the graduate WNM program and the poor quality of education they received. I can 1,000% agree with that review. My experience at this school and with the WNM program in general has been subpar to say the least. I’ve had more bad instructors than I had good ones. Another point made in that 2017 review was getting worked to death in the portfolio class. Also 1,000% true. Yeah, you should work for the degree and job you want, but it’s as... Read More if whoever wrote the curriculum didn’t consider giving students some time for a work/life balance. And the three project midterm is also absurd. I am currently enrolled in the portfolio class for a second time, yes a second time, because the professor I had previously was one of the worst I’ve had. He was a lot of peoples favorite, but definitely not mine. His idea of feedback was always “look for inspiration,” and “keep pushing your designs.” Like okay? Is that all you have to say every time I ask for feedback? I got so frustrated to the point I couldn’t keep up anymore. I spoke to him privately about how I was struggling, and that didn’t seem to help me out at all. At the end of the portfolio class, you have to submit your work to not only your professor but to the WNM program directors for review as well. My portfolio got approved by the directors, but the professor still failed me and now I’m taking the class (online only) now. So, what is even the point of having the directors review your work if you can still fail anyway? My advice to anyone considering a degree in web design would be to just learn from books and YouTube, or even sign up for a online boot camp like Springboard. That is definitely worth the money since that bootcamp actually helps you prepare and look for a job. And so many web/UX designers with the best portfolios I’ve ever seen were all self-taught. Don’t go to AAU. Just don’t.

I keep seeing really sucky comments about my college, how everyone says it’s a scam and teachers don’t actually provide any real learning information etc etc. They say everyone is set up for failure and that no one graduates because they want you to keep paying. I have had nothing but phenomenal professors. The director of art history took time to basically just chill and talk to me about art for an hour last semester. She cares that much. I have been so impressed by how much I have grown at this... Read More school, how supportive almost every professor has been, and how incredible all of the staff have been regarding disability access, which was granted and paperwork filed in less than three days- a record timing in my book. I don’t know about the other programs, but I’m absolutely in love with everything about this school and I truly have a hard time finding any downsides. The only one I can think of to bring up is the lack of 1st party scholarships, but they do accept 3rd party ones. A lot of people end up dropping out because of the price, and I know that other departments are probably very different, but my experience has been nothing short of perfect all the way through. I have had maybe two professors I disagreed with as far as the way they taught, but that’s not a problem with the school itself and I still finished with As in both classes. Which brings me to my last point, supposedly only 4% of students graduate. Besides the fact that many drop out from cost, I think some of it has to do with the fact that the professors don’t take bull crap. You MUST do the work assigned for you. You MUST show a willingness to learn. You MUST communicate with them if you need extensions. Most will grant them, in my experience. I put in the work and I have some of the highest scores (allegedly) of any student with accessibility. I firmly believe this college is only as good as what you put into it, and to learn you have to actually do what is asked of you. It is fast paced and you have to work ridiculously hard. But as an B+ average student with learning disabilities ... it’s very doable. Anyways, just really mad that people are trying to get upset with this college that is obviously doing something right.

AAU is overall a decent school. I’m doing part time online classes, and I have found the classes to be hit or miss. It’s like that for many universities, however. The majority of instructors have been helpful, especially in the foundational classes. The school is fast paced, and you will have to put in a lot of work like any other school. Sometimes I wish the instructors were a bit more helpful, I had one instructor tell me that my work was just horrid without telling me what to improve. But I’ve... Read More attended schools with similar instructors. The biggest thing to consider is the price of the school. It’s not cheap. It’s a for profit school that requires deep, deep pockets. It’s excellent for part time learning. I’m attending because of the 100% enrollment (I started with no portfolio and no art experience) and because it offers online classes, which work for me since I have chronic health issues. I can also afford the classes. Are there better schools? Yeah. Is AAU a horrid place? Nope. Can you learn everything you need to know from YouTube videos and free tutorials? In a field where portfolio matters more than a degree, you don’t have to attend art school if you have the self discipline to learn. I’ve been doing part time classes since 2017 without any clear goals. I’m in the Personal Enrichment program. My art has definitely improved and some instructors are very very devoted to helping you learn! Another thing is to stand up for yourself if you are struggling in classes. The instructors don’t help unless you explicitly state your problems. They can see that you’re struggling but usually won’t comment unless you communicate clearly.

Reading these reviews, I am thoroughly surprised with the experiences these people have had. I work full time for a stand-alone healthcare facility as the in-house interior architect. To further solidify my position, the masters degree made sense and I have to say that each and every class I have had so far has been increasingly relevant to my career. The instructors are phenomenal and did a wonderful job during the Covid-19 crisis to keep me engaged. I am unsure how the other programs rate; however,... Read More I have taken a multitude of online webinars the school provides from different programs and each one seems to have their act together. I am confused with the negative response to this school - I have been nothing but impressed. For those saying the school is a money scam...all colleges and universities are in some sense a endless "money bag black hole" (welcome to America). Your frustrations should not deter young artists from pursuing these possibilities especially when FAFSA and other programs are there to help momentarily pay for a dream.