The Academy of Art University

At first, I loved this school, but now I don't. I wish I had gone elsewhere. In the Computer Arts Department, my field of study, most of the "teachers" are sub-standard. Apparently, the school is now just hiring any Joe off the street who works in the animation field. They're not screening for people who can teach or clearly convey ideas and thoughts or for that matter clearly speak english. I've had many teachers for whom English was not their first language but the quality of teacher has slipped to people you can't understand and who can't understand you or just plan selfish industry people who are come here supposedly to teach but are really here to monopolize the facilites and plagerize student work. Now they are supposed going to raise they're already incredibly high tuition from $1500 a class to $1650 a class for undergrad not including lab fees and supplies. Oh yeah, the rents in San Francisco and surrounding area are unbelievably high. You can get a windowless, bathroomless, kitchenless studio apartment (approx 250 or less sq feet)in the seedy part of town for only $1,000 a month not include $275 for monthly parking if you have a car. Unless you're parents or you yourself are wealthy, I would think twice about attending this school.

5th Year Female -- Class 2003

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Scholastic Success: F

Stay away from this school...You will regret it....
It is not accredited and even if it was somewhat accredited, no one will hire you in the industry...I had a friend that graduated 2 years ago and to this day, still cannot find a job in the advertising industry because most companies said that his portfolio was not impressive, and he graduated #2 in his class...

No one is impressed by this Diploma farm...They give you a worthless diploma and say you have a BFA that only the school will acknowledge...The staff does not give a shit about you...I talked to a teacher, lets just say his initals are M.R. (I don't want to get him in trouble, he's cool) He told me to just take my money and my talents elsewhere...THis is coming from a teacher at the school...The only reason he's working there is to make money and once he sells one of his scripts, he's quitting and moving to Hollywood....

Stay away from this worthless school...I'm not saying this out of spite...I would love to graduate and get a BFA in Motion pictures and TV...but not from this school...

I tried to keep an open mind about this school halfway through the semester, but as soon as I started seeing my classmates dropping out every week of class, I couldnt do it any longer and realized that I was wasting my time and money here...

Do the right thing...go to a Community College and transfer to a state or private college...This school just plain sucks...Especially the acting department...

1st Year Male -- Class 2011

It costs a lot to go here. be ready for that. It's a good school and I don't regret going here. I do think that the student populations are not taught to work together as much as they should. More of a focus and expectation on collaboration should be fostered. I had a hard time finding people who were serious when I attended. I actually hired experienced crew for my projects because i got tired of the run around. The school also seems to foster arrogance and ego in the student body. It's left unchecked and everyone thinks they are the next Tarantino. Post AAU -I have tried very hard to use AAU graduates here in LA in my film projects with no success. I have been burned, let down and lied to by all of them. I have used many, but will no longer employ any AAU students EVER. In the end they are just too arrogant and egotistical. I have better success using USC/UCLA graduates. I also think the Alumni department is snooty and they just don't seem to care. I think this school fosters a lot of hype and pipe dreams at times. They won't help you get a job after you graduate. Not that I expected them to, but many others over the years have cried to me about it.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2007

Surrounding City: A+, Faculty Accessibility: B-