Grrr -- school gripes

THAT'S THE ONE. Yup, he sucks.

Edit: as I said, Ryala. Gank whatever ideas you want from the gallery I linked.

Elvaiz, I'll pass. You can keep your 15 pages.

You bet I will 😉

You bet I will 😉

You guys are going to the Art Institute of _________?

I've been considering going to the AI of Atlanta, but it's a lot of money for me to be unsure about it. Other than this particular class, do you reccomend the school? I've heard mixed reviews.

You guys are going to the Art Institute of _________?

I've been considering going to the AI of Atlanta, but it's a lot of money for me to be unsure about it. Other than this particular class, do you reccomend the school? I've heard mixed reviews.

I dont know how the online courses go...I went to The AI of Dallas. Was the biggest waste of money I've ever spent. You're better off, IMO, taking online courses from a good 4 year university. But again....that's just IMO.

EDIT: Let's just say that the whole group of us that went in together, almost sued the school. The equipment was always broken, which cut down on our render time, but we were still expected to meet the deadlines, with not having enough machines to do the work on. Our "Industry Professionals" were students, for the most part, that had taken the classes a quarter or two before us.

Be sure to do your research before attending AII. They are only acredited within the Art Intstitutes International network. This may have changed since I went, but I doubt it. I'm going to try to finish a degree from a 4 year, and hopefully I can get around some classes with a portfolio I've put together while here at work. 🙂 I dont think my transcript from AII will Xfer over.

I dont know how the online courses go...I went to The AI of Dallas. Was the biggest waste of money I've ever spent. You're better off, IMO, taking online courses from a good 4 year university. But again....that's just IMO.

EDIT: Let's just say that the whole group of us that went in together, almost sued the school. The equipment was always broken, which cut down on our render time, but we were still expected to meet the deadlines, with not having enough machines to do the work on. Our "Industry Professionals" were students, for the most part, that had taken the classes a quarter or two before us.

Be sure to do your research before attending AII. They are only acredited within the Art Intstitutes International network. This may have changed since I went, but I doubt it. I'm going to try to finish a degree from a 4 year, and hopefully I can get around some classes with a portfolio I've put together while here at work. 🙂 I dont think my transcript from AII will Xfer over.

Thank you for the information Rikr.. I've heard such mixed reviews. Either people really enjoyed their time there, or they will curse the school with their dying breath.


Blargh. I'm not even 100% sure graphics is the route I should go. Sometimes I feel like I need someone to sit me down and tell me exactly what career path I should take and which school I need to attend.


How much of a graphic's degree can be done online? I'd much prefer to take that route as there are no 4-year schools within reasonable commuting distance near me. The AI Atlanta seemed like a great answer since it's not *too* far away, but it's just so god damned expensive, especially since I'm still plagued with doubts as to if that's the correct path for me.



(I am sorry to hijack the thread, Erin - but I'm intrested to hear your thoughts on the school as well. Should I just make a new thread?)

Thank you for the information Rikr.. I've heard such mixed reviews. Either people really enjoyed their time there, or they will curse the school with their dying breath.


Blargh. I'm not even 100% sure graphics is the route I should go. Sometimes I feel like I need someone to sit me down and tell me exactly what career path I should take and which school I need to attend.


How much of a graphic's degree can be done online? I'd much prefer to take that route as there are no 4-year schools within reasonable commuting distance near me. The AI Atlanta seemed like a great answer since it's not *too* far away, but it's just so god damned expensive, especially since I'm still plagued with doubts as to if that's the correct path for me.



(I am sorry to hijack the thread, Erin - but I'm intrested to hear your thoughts on the school as well. Should I just make a new thread?)

Erin and I both go to the Art Institute Online which is operated by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I can't speak for Erin, but overall I've been pretty happy.

Unlike in Rikr's case, I'm using my own equipment which is a bit more expensive than using school equipment, but I know it works. No matter what school you attend, you're going to end up with an instructor who you find to be a complete ass. I've attended a 4-year university (and did so for 5 years LOL) and it's the same in either case - you get what you put into it. I'm not knocking anyone here, but that's just been my personal experience. Of course, not having the tools you need will severely hamper your learning.

I did transfer all of my general ed credits so I'm only taking art classes. Some might say you can't get the full experience of an art class online, but most of what I am doing or plan to do requires the use of a computer anyhow.

I have heard a lot of negative stuff about the Art Institute of Dallas, but this school is a separate entity. Maybe I'm just biased because of all the money I'm spending *shrug*

Edit: oh, and AiO is accredited by http://www.acics.org/

Erin and I both go to the Art Institute Online which is operated by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I can't speak for Erin, but overall I've been pretty happy.

Unlike in Rikr's case, I'm using my own equipment which is a bit more expensive than using school equipment, but I know it works. No matter what school you attend, you're going to end up with an instructor who you find to be a complete ass. I've attended a 4-year university (and did so for 5 years LOL) and it's the same in either case - you get what you put into it. I'm not knocking anyone here, but that's just been my personal experience. Of course, not having the tools you need will severely hamper your learning.

I did transfer all of my general ed credits so I'm only taking art classes. Some might say you can't get the full experience of an art class online, but most of what I am doing or plan to do requires the use of a computer anyhow.

I have heard a lot of negative stuff about the Art Institute of Dallas, but this school is a separate entity. Maybe I'm just biased because of all the money I'm spending *shrug*

Edit: oh, and AiO is accredited by http://www.acics.org/

Like Ryala, I'm generally happy with my education thus far. Ryala is right that with our program, you definately get out what you put in. The online program with AIO is VERY fast-paced and you have to have a lot of self-motivation. While most of my instructors have been readily available to email questions or even talk to on the phone when needed, it's very much a peer-to-peer learning environment where you don't really have a teacher holding your hand and telling you what to do. If there is a class where you aren't feeling comfortable with the material, it's up to you to do extra research and practice on your own.

You have to be able to pace yourself and budget your time, as you are required to participate in classroom forum discussions at least 4 days a week, and you'll likely have assignments due 3 or 4 days a week. There are a lot of easy written assignments where you answer some questions about the online lecture, your textbook reading assignment, or do a little research online.

Classes are very diverse. Most of the time you'll have a mix of people from a dozen different backgrounds all over the country. You'll have people who have never used Photoshop before, and you'll have people who have worked in the industry before and are in school to get an actual degree under their belt. You'll get moms going to school, young people right out of high school, and even folks in their 40s or 50s who decided it was time for a career change.

It's very important that you have all of the software and hardware required for classes ahead of time. The amount of time you'll required to devote to school work makes it hard to try to do things anywhere other than at home. Every class I take, there is always at least one student who says something like "I'm sorry this assignment is late, I don't have a scanner at home and I had to go to the library, blah blah blah"

There have been projects where I've taken my work to a print shop for professional results, but most of the time I do everything from home.

Things you absolutely need to take design classes online from home:
Decent scanner
Decent printer
Graphic Tablet
CD Burner or USB Drive

Full versions of at least the following software:
Photoshop CS
Illustrator CS
Acrobat Reader Pro (not the free version)
Microsoft Office

The best thing you can do is research each school you're considering. Talk to admissions representatives and keep in mind that they are trying to sell their school to you, so ask them hard questions. Every school is going to have students who absolutely hate it there. If you feel good about a school, trust your gut and go for it. 🙂

Like Ryala, I'm generally happy with my education thus far. Ryala is right that with our program, you definately get out what you put in. The online program with AIO is VERY fast-paced and you have to have a lot of self-motivation. While most of my instructors have been readily available to email questions or even talk to on the phone when needed, it's very much a peer-to-peer learning environment where you don't really have a teacher holding your hand and telling you what to do. If there is a class where you aren't feeling comfortable with the material, it's up to you to do extra research and practice on your own.

You have to be able to pace yourself and budget your time, as you are required to participate in classroom forum discussions at least 4 days a week, and you'll likely have assignments due 3 or 4 days a week. There are a lot of easy written assignments where you answer some questions about the online lecture, your textbook reading assignment, or do a little research online.

Classes are very diverse. Most of the time you'll have a mix of people from a dozen different backgrounds all over the country. You'll have people who have never used Photoshop before, and you'll have people who have worked in the industry before and are in school to get an actual degree under their belt. You'll get moms going to school, young people right out of high school, and even folks in their 40s or 50s who decided it was time for a career change.

It's very important that you have all of the software and hardware required for classes ahead of time. The amount of time you'll required to devote to school work makes it hard to try to do things anywhere other than at home. Every class I take, there is always at least one student who says something like "I'm sorry this assignment is late, I don't have a scanner at home and I had to go to the library, blah blah blah"

There have been projects where I've taken my work to a print shop for professional results, but most of the time I do everything from home.

Things you absolutely need to take design classes online from home:
Decent scanner
Decent printer
Graphic Tablet
CD Burner or USB Drive

Full versions of at least the following software:
Photoshop CS
Illustrator CS
Acrobat Reader Pro (not the free version)
Microsoft Office

The best thing you can do is research each school you're considering. Talk to admissions representatives and keep in mind that they are trying to sell their school to you, so ask them hard questions. Every school is going to have students who absolutely hate it there. If you feel good about a school, trust your gut and go for it. 🙂

Well I know how expensive Art Institute is. After my general classes transfered in from A&M, I still had to pay somewhere in the ball park of $30,000 for the just under 2 years of "education". I surely hope that it isn't anywhere near that much online, when you have to buy your own equipment, and software.

I'm about to go to a 4 year school and see if my credits at AID will transfer. The last time I checked, they didn't. Which is a real bummer. I'm also going to take a portfolio of my work done here, to see if I can get out of taking some classes. I'm a 1 or 2 classes shy of being a Junior at a 4 yr school, so wish me luck. After the first of the year I'm going to persue this, and try to get my Bachelors. 🙂

I'm actually glad to hear you two are enjoying and getting something out of the AI program. That's really good to hear. I only have my experience to go by. You should post some of your homework up here, so we can all do the homework with you. 🙂

EDIT: errr CC your work. I don't think anyone really wants "homework" heh

Well I know how expensive Art Institute is. After my general classes transfered in from A&M, I still had to pay somewhere in the ball park of $30,000 for the just under 2 years of "education". I surely hope that it isn't anywhere near that much online, when you have to buy your own equipment, and software.

I'm about to go to a 4 year school and see if my credits at AID will transfer. The last time I checked, they didn't. Which is a real bummer. I'm also going to take a portfolio of my work done here, to see if I can get out of taking some classes. I'm a 1 or 2 classes shy of being a Junior at a 4 yr school, so wish me luck. After the first of the year I'm going to persue this, and try to get my Bachelors. 🙂

I'm actually glad to hear you two are enjoying and getting something out of the AI program. That's really good to hear. I only have my experience to go by. You should post some of your homework up here, so we can all do the homework with you. 🙂

EDIT: errr CC your work. I don't think anyone really wants "homework" heh

Thank you, everyone, for the responses. So the Art Institute Online and the Art Institute of _______ are not affiliated in any way?

I'm interested to check out the AIO - I'd love to be able to take online classes. And you both work full time in addition to the classes, so it is possible to do both?

Thank you, everyone, for the responses. So the Art Institute Online and the Art Institute of _______ are not affiliated in any way?

I'm interested to check out the AIO - I'd love to be able to take online classes. And you both work full time in addition to the classes, so it is possible to do both?

I believe all of the locations in the Art Institutes International are all affiliated with each other. Whether its online or not. Transfering from one Art Institute to another shouldn't be a problem. I think if you want to take those classes and transfer to a 4 year school, is where you will find the problem. They are accredited only within the A.I. International.

Then agian that may have changed...I finished up at AiD in 1996...so I don't know at this point.

I believe all of the locations in the Art Institutes International are all affiliated with each other. Whether its online or not. Transfering from one Art Institute to another shouldn't be a problem. I think if you want to take those classes and transfer to a 4 year school, is where you will find the problem. They are accredited only within the A.I. International.

Then agian that may have changed...I finished up at AiD in 1996...so I don't know at this point.

Well, they are affiliated, but they're actually run separately. AiO is specifically run from AiP. Your degree comes from AiP and that's where your advisors and all are located. I actually asked my advisor prior to enrolling if I could take classes at both Ai Dallas and online and was told no, I could not.

Again, AiO and AiP are accredited by ACICS. Whether or not a school accepts credits from another school is strictly on an individual basis. I have a grip of classes from UNLV which may not necessarily transfer to another state's university. Usually you will be asked for a copy of the course catalog and sometimes even a syballus from the courses you want to transfer credits and the admissions office would determine if they will accept your credits from your other school.

Rik, it's been almost 10 years. I'm betting quite a bit has changed. The online program was not even initiated until 2000.