The Academy of Art University

Date: Jul 24 2006
Major: Art & Design Department (This Major's Salary over time)
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.