The Academy of Art University

Im an international student and I graduated a couple yrs back. I loved almost everything about the school, 99% of my teachers r super professional and talented. It's a private sch and definitely it's quite expensive, esp if you live in dorms, indeed was quite a rip off..however i think the sch has plenty of resources for us to enjoy. We students juz need to find out what they r n make the best use of it. The instructors really pushed your limits, just that it depends on us whether we want to b pushed. U can't go to class but not work hard, instructors can't magically turned u into a famous artist if u didnt work hard yourself.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2000

Useful Schoolwork: A+, Campus Maintenance: B-

Basically, you have to bust your ass at this school, and yes you have to be talented. If your not talented, you will be overwhelmed. And Instructors can only give you tools, not do the work for you. You will have alot of work!! You must be smart and tactful as the school is preparing you for the REAL WORLD, where you may be treated even worse. My advice is to have a vision, use every class to -your- advantage, and if your instructors are slacking, bring it up to the student advocates. Yes the school can seem to be elitist and unhepful, but really, you need to help yourself. You are the one with the vision, you are the one invested in a career, don't expect teachers to baby you along the way. If you can't last at this school, than you won't last in the industry. Yes some teachers are douchebags, there are some issues with resources, and yes the work "nightmare mode".But some teachers there will allow you to leapfrog over the competition in a short perid of time. That's my two cents.

5th Year Male -- Class 2010

Perceived Campus Safety: A+, Extracurricular Activities: F

The Academy of Art accepts any and everyone. That would be its one fault, because if you are going to go to an Art School make sure that you are serious about it and can draw decently. If you struggle with the technical side of things, like how to use computers and programs, don't know your art lingo or can't get things done on time. Don't waste your time, its not an easy school and though they claim they will teach you to draw, the only way you are going to learn is if you want to learn to draw with every fiber of your being and nothing else in this world matters. San Francisco was an amazing place to learn, the school has students from different majors work together to help build your portfolios. If you are thinking about doing graphic design, go New Media, which does graphic design and so much more and the classes are very fun and knowledgeable. The Advertising program was fun, but the first year classes are intense so people will drop like flies or switch to account planning because they can't execute their ideas. The online classes aren't as demanding as the onsite classes, but are convenient if you juggle both and saves you time going downtown to class. I wouldn't recommend the online program, just because living in San Francisco is really such an awesome experience and though it is expensive to live there it is well worth it.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2010

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Extracurricular Activities: C