The Academy of Art University

Student Artists should understand that their product is still viewed subjectively and not for what it is. The formality of traditional techniques is appreciated and at times over shadowing creative aptitude. This is a pisser. There in lies the personal challenge... It's easy to lose your original creative vision in a place like AAU due to the expectation of any individual instructors' interpretation of technique and which part is more valuable. Your original vision must be put on hold until you satisfy the terms of AAU instruction. I'm an older student who has sold my own art for years. I came here improve my technique and finish my degree, and I found myself double guessing what I know intuitively. I can look at this as torture or an opportunity to transform... I'm sure it's an ugly combination. I'll keep going, but I'm also sure that any future I have lies in my hands and not AAU.

1st Year Female -- Class 2011

Surrounding City: A, Collaboration/Competitive: F

They should call this place Academy of Smart University, because they do it right. Yes, so we’re artists, but guess what - artists and starving do not have to be synonymous. They teach you how to eat (okay, not really, but they teach you how to make money so you can eat). Now that I’m actually working I feel like I know much more about the hands-on stuff than other some of the people that I work with that were hired as the same time as me. The other good thing is some of the people there have some of the most ridiculous connections….I went to the Spring Show this year just to scout out some of the artwork and I met the Executive Producer of Desperate Housewives….what????

4th Year Female -- Class 2002

I'm glad I withdrew from this school before I started (saved myself the tuition). Dorms suck, especially considering how much you are paying to go to the school in the first place...I shared a room w/2 other girls and we shared a bathroom w/3 other girls (6 total). My impression of this place was a place for rich people to send their kids. Almost all of the girls in my house were in the Fashion program and all they did was go shopping all the time. Seriously, I was hoping for a school that really focused on art and nurturing the creative spirit, but it seemed to be quite the opposite. There were some really nice people too. Just MOST of them were complete snobs. NOT WORTH THE MONEY! They still haven't sent me my housing refund ($7k+)

1st Year Female -- Class 2007

Surrounding City: B+, Individual Value: F