Academy of Art University

I have waited four years to write this review, and to be honest, Will probably write another when I graduate. I am enrolled in the BFA program for Photography. I will tell people that are trying to decide whether or not to go here, and they're concerned about reviews, pricing, etc.. You have to take it with a grain of salt. Everyone experiences their time at the Academy differently. There are things that probably effect everyone the same, and those are the "Cons" if you for the school. Here's my experience.



I chose this school because It has been my dream and passion to succeed in photography as a wedding photographer. I served in the US Navy for four years and received a good bit of money to use for school, and wanted to use it for a degree that mattered, I didn't want to just get a BA in whatever, I wanted it in Photography. I searched for schools in San DIego where I was living at the time, and didn't like what I found. I wanted to go to Brookes Institute, to be honest. But I didn't live in Santa Barbara or whereever it is, and could not live there. I found Academy of Art University and started my research.. With great skepticism I almost did not attend. I saw SO many bad reviews and just was affraid to take a risk and invest into my education at a school I didn't even step foot into.



Well I decided that life was full of chances we had to take, that If I wanted this degree I had to do it this way or no way, at least not then. AT the time of enrollment I was a new mother, a military wife and a now full time student. It was hard. I felt like giving up ALOt, and it was alot of discipline, but I've stayed the course and I really have learned so much there. There has been some things I absolutly hated, I'll be honest, I do not like inconsistency when it comes to direction, especially online since its hard to figure it out anyway without being in person to ask questions, but this happens, and i've learned that I have to roll with it and just quickly ask questions asap. This school is not a shortcut to a degree, just because its online. It is going to be what YOU make of it.. Can you get by sometimes without putting all your effort into it, maybe, but do you want to just GET BY at the cost it is per class? (2200ish)... NO! You want to come away a freaking fabulous photographer, artist, whatever your major is. My first instructor, Mr. Spindler, had a lot of bad comments from people on his personality, I was affraid that he was going to drop me sometimes, but he was hard on us and it really helped change me as a photographer. He did not accept crap work, he made us reshoot it. It did make us mad, but we did it and it helped us grow. If it wasn't for him, I would not have stayed at the Academy and I would not be where I am today. You have to accept the challenge, YOU have to put forth the effort, you have to take the quizzes and read the modules, they can't force you. Yes there is problems, like ANY school I'm sure, and sometimes I have wanted to quit... But all in all, I'm thankful and blessed that I, in the end, will have my BFA in Photography, no matter what!