The Academy of Art University

If you think this describes you then you might feel the same...
In high school I was academic, involved in sports, very social, out going and open minded.
My opinion.....
Keep in mind I'm not one of those students who flunked out and am now writing this to smear aau's "good name". This is coming from someone who was entirely open minded the whole time and didn't trust the other negative messages I've read. Sorry if this is long but I want to break down my opinion into topics so I can fully give you the pros and cons of things.

EDUCATION:
In high school I challenged myself with AP and honors courses, so you can see how I was surprised when I found the course work to be lacking at AAU. My art and design classes were good experiences because I had never had courses dedicated to specific areas of an art discipline. The other classes like astrology, math courses, english courses, were JOKES. Absolute jokes. I learned nothing new and felt like I wasted time and money. I understand they might have made those classes more lenient because it's hard for other students to balance it with their intensive art projects.... but still... we were in college.. and it felt very much like I was being babied. If you're someone who likes to learn about all different types of topics and not just focus on one subject for the next 4 years then this school is not for you!

The teachers I can't say entirely too much for because it's honestly hit or miss. My teachers who were good were AMAZING... but my teachers who were bad were HORRIBLE. Sadly there really was no in between...

CAMPUS/ FACILITIES:

The campus doesn't feel like a "campus" at all. It's only a few spread out buildings throughout san francisco that you use aau busses to get to. AAU advertises the feeling of their campus to be "the city is your campus" but in actuality that's a bit of a stretch. It feels like I'm just going to a commuter school and everyone has to take these ridiculously timed and unrealiable buses. The actual facilities themselves are just OKAY. Even though AAU does cost quite the penny, the facilities provide 'most' of what you need to do what your classes assign. This is a shame though, because think of how much better the facilities could be if AAU didn't pool so much money into advertising and other things to boost their vanity.

Yes the 'campus' is in San Francisco and SF is possibly THE greatest city I've ever been to, it has it's cons. Yes the city has a lot to offer to do in your spare time, but one can only afford to go out so much.(Unless you're one of those snooty rich kids who don't have to worry about this) If you're a freshman this is especially true, because there really arent that many parties around so you'll have to go out and spend money or stay in and be bored. (unless you hear from a friend of a friend that their friend is having an apartment party)

So, if you can afford it, then SF is AMAZING.......
SOCIAL LIFE:
I did make a good group of friends at AAU but not as many as I thought I would because I found that a lot of people at the school were really into themselves or really shy and awkward.... AAU doesn't provide a lot of opportunities to meet too many people outside of your dorm besides the events they host at the cafes.. but those in themselves feel awkward and not at all fun. If you want a school with school pride/ spirit - THIS IS NOT THE SCHOOL FOR YOU.

A lot of people who go to AAU are more into being hermits so they can focus on their work... but honestly I go by work hard, play hard and I didn't find anyone who thought the same. Either the people who play hard are dumb or the people who work hard are nonexistent socially.

If you want to meet lots of new people.... this is not the school for you.
Well those are the main things about AAU I'd want to shed some light on. I hoped this helps someone avoid the same mistake I did. I ended up transferring to another school in cali and I absolutely LOVE IT. Even though I wasted a year worth of money and time because AAU did not transfer my credits, I still feel like it was the right choice for me.

If you're the same type of person I am, then please listen to me and AVOID THIS SCHOOL.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Surrounding City: B+, Individual Value: F

I have read all of the comments here and can relate to what most of the students have been stating. I've been attending the Academy since Sept. of 2001 and would like to enlighten those that are considering this school as the path to enter the competitive field of computer graphics. These are my thoughts:

The school does a satisfactory job of trying to keep the level of technology up to par, however, I can't say the same about the education. I feel that the administration does a poor job of screening their candidates for course instruction and many are hired last minute. Students are not notified of their intructors until the first day of classes and it's a lottery on whether you receive a good instructor or not. Most are just thrown into the teaching position to prevent the class from being dropped (an effort by the president of the school so that she can still afford to be limo'd in to guest presentations). It would be unfair for me to say that there aren't any good instructors at the Academy, however, the best are just balanced out by some of the worst. It's either hit or miss. The worst comprise of those who are finding time inbetween projects (contract work) to make a little extra money and others who are recent grads that can't find a job. Don't be surprised to find yourself in another class with your instructor (as I am currently). Am I learning anything from him? Yes. I'm learning that I too can teach a class if I chose to.

Why not voice your concerns with the administration if you are so unhappy with your education? I have sent numerous emails to the board of education about my experience and still to this date have not yet to received a letter of concern or rectification. If you are stuck with a poor instructor you will need to work extra hard outside of class to get the knowledge that you need to move onto the next class and just hope that you aren't dealt the same bad cards. It's a really sad fact that you are paying to be taught and end up teaching yourself but whining about it isn't going to get you anywhere. If you don't want this experience, heed my advice and choose a better school...

Rent... If you are out of state, please take the time to research housing off campus unless you have realy rich parents or like sharing a rat hole with other students. A good place to start your search is www.craigslist.orgNearing graduation in May I can only say that I've spent most of my time working hard outside of class and have taught myself a great deal. Hopefully someone from the administration will read this and find ways to better improve the quality of education provided. Hopefully you won't have the same experience as I did. Bottom line, if I had the choice to attend this school again would I? HELL NO!

4th Year Male -- Class 2006

Campus Aesthetics: A, Education Quality: F

Firstly, I am an online student in the Fashion Design Dept. and this is my second semester attending AAU. I graduated with an associates in business administration two months prior with a 3.89 and thought that I would do the same in this school. Was I wrong!! So far my GPA is 3.525 and my feelings are little hurt. The workload is enormous and lengthy. TIME MANAGEMENT is CRUCIAL!!! At times I resent this school because of the pressure I'm under all the time to produce. However some of the instructors do leave encouraging words such as "great or good effort" after many hours of work, which could be a decent comment.

AAU is definitely an upscale art school and if you cannot draw, they will certainly teach you. I enrolled in this school being able to draw only flat faces but have since learned how to draw faces in many poses in addition to drawing nudes which I would have never attempted on my own..so kudos to AAU for that. On a bad note, you can have no prior knowledge of drawing and they do not take that into consideration when you do a drawing assignment and your work is graded. For example, I drew a room divider with some clothing hanging on it, and the instructor said he or she didn't understand the perspective, well of course not because I do not know anything about perspective yet. You understand what I mean by the above statement?

My personal relationship with the university is love and hate. Students please do not fall behind more than at least two modules because if you do, you will start to sink or have to swim like hell to stay afloat. Also, I take two classes and always find that one class demands more time than the other and I am still trying to strike a happy balance between the two.

My pet peeve is critiquing, not so much from the instructors because I take their comments into account only, unless they happen to agree with a student's comments as well. I have seen countless times where students are critical of others work and theirs look like hell, I mean really bad. Frankly, I do not have the nerve to judge another students work when my work falls short also. Judge not and you will not be judged. Remember, outsiders will have harsh things to say about you being an art major and your art as well, so we as students should uplift one another instead. Additionally why does an artist have to defend his or her artwork, it is ART. PS Please get along with your instructors as best you are able. No point in being on bad terms with them because it will effect your grade and final outcome no matter how well you draw or design.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Scholastic Success: A+, Campus Aesthetics: C