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... Read More 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 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... Read More 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 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... Read More 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, 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.
