The Academy of Art University

AAU is a very good school for the striving professional. Your professors are actually in the industry you are trying to get into, so their honest criticism is needed to make a better student and they are always watching for someone to intern. The technologic support, i.e. computer labs, were great! They work on updating the latest macs all the time so you'll have the newest stuff, but unless you plan on buying your own programs-like Illustrator or Photshop (that can be expensive)for your own comp system, staying in the campus comp labs are mandatory for some projects(having to stay so late to finish projects though had me rushing to BART by 8-9pm sometimes:with the last BART trains pulling through at 10 or 11pm). The courseload was different based on your major, but the amount of hours spent facing a computer monitor or painting can seem to last forever. Perfection and perseverence are traits valued by professors and beneficial to the student. Because the campus isn't really a campus at all (rather big buildings placed all over SF that you have to get shuttled to and from-unless you plan to drive through the city) it is a commuter school and after classes the majority of people are rushing to BART (Bay Area Rapid Trans) to get back to their homes in outlaying cities. If you want to really enjoy the whole AAU experience, dorm or live close so you can experience the city. AAU is very "major defined" in that your gen.ed. is planned directly to your major and most will not be counted as gen.ed. if you transfer into the UC or CSU system, instead they'll be seen as art or elective classes. Also, the materials required for many classes can be EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE, so be prepared to fork over about $300 or so for a color&design class (which is one of the req. gen.ed.). Howoever, in the time of need, major art stores (Utrecht) are near campus locations and have pretty much everything. If you're not that sure on your major, go somewhere less expensive to decide things-even though AAU is actually pretty well priced compared to other art schools. Approximate annual tuition @ AAU (without housing, materials, etc.=$13000-$14000). Above all, if you are CERTAIN on your major and want great quality in education and training, the Academy of Art University has it all.

1st Year Female -- Class 2010

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Social Life: B-

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

I would suggest that you check out a few schools BEFORE making a decicion. I am a Motion PIcture/TV student, and I can say confidantly that the school's strength is the access to equiptment. You get 35mm, 16mm, they have some digital cameras as well, decent lighting kits, dollies, tracks, etc, and they teach how to use most of it.

Most of the teachers are OK. A few great teachers and a handfull of bad ones as well.
This school is for motivated people and not people who expect to be baby-feed info and book info. The more important info you will not find in-class but by working on sets with student and just chatting within the school body.

If you want more of a structured and theory-based film making education, I would suggest checking out a REAL university like USC or UCLA, NYU. The AAU is for people with poor high school grades.

Lastly I would STRONGLY suggest that you stay where you are and attend a community college- take classes that you are going to have to take to achieve your degree anyway. Like basic Mac computer classes, digital design, Art History, sketching. The reason why is because once you attend the school NO transfer credits will be accepted either in or out. In other words once you attend the school you are forced to continue your education at the school and you may not go to other schools carrying the class credits you've already earned. THIS SUCKS! so earn as many credit as possible. Do you wanna pay maybe $100-300 dollars for community college art class, or $1,500 at the AAU?

I would also suggest to save a nice some of money
to invest in some equiptment what ever your major is. You will find more work and friend with your own equiptment.Lastly, if you have no knowledge of the movie making industry I would suggest picking up a book and just getting som ebasic info. The first two years or schooling will seem wastfull. You will not get any good equiptment, yo uwillnot get to shoot the short movie that you have in your head right now. You will be frustrated and broke. from the first year alone, I think maybe only 15% of the students stay. So yuo better know that this is what you wan to invest your time and SOUL to. I owe over $100,ooo in student loans. be wary.

4th Year Male -- Class 2007

Perceived Campus Safety: A, Scholastic Success: D