Miami International University of Art & Design

I went to Miami International University of Art and Design for an MFA in film. Waste of time and money. It’s a for-​profit school that steals money from students who cannot afford to go there. They prey on the poor. Seriously. I learned a little. Made a couple films. That knowledge helped me get into a real school.
But there was one professor I had that I absolutely hated and who hated me. It was a known fact by fellow students. He would constantly criticize me, and not constructive. He’d tell me what was wrong with what I was doing, but never actually help me. He was a complete asshole. I made it all the way to Thesis I… sure, I got the green light, but barely. My thesis committee didn’t help me. They were hard to get ahold of, said what to do but not how to do it.
This school was a complete waste of money. They gave me a 90 day extension because I was having an emotional breakdown due to the fact that I was having trouble with the program and with the professor. But the extension didn’t help.
One of my committee members dropped out because he felt he wasn’t helping me because I just didn’t get it.
During my final committee meeting, I was told that I should choose a new career because apparently, film isn’t working for me. They didn’t encourage me. I had to drop out. I moved back to Chicago. Like a week later, I get a letter from the dean saying I could retake Thesis I. Why would I do that? I hated the school. I hated Miami. Don’t go there if you know what’s good for you.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising from this university and I really loved it and still do. It is very expensive so I don’t advise it for people not serious enough to through their all into it. For example, I was very studious and very involved in school and I have even been hired by former professors after graduation. Do not go if you are not serious or if you think you will have problems paying back your loans. If you are dedicated and passionate, this school pays off. The professors are incredible, the curriculum and the wonderful real-​life opportunities and industry connections you can make. If they had a Master’s program for Fashion Merchandising back when I finished my Bachelor’s degree, I would have tried to find the money to do it!

If your planning on attending this school I would advise against it, especially for the photography program. If you believe a degree in photography guarantees you a place in this industry you are sorrily mistaken. And for $ 98,000, that’s a bit extreme for a school that isn’t properly outfitted for a photography or masters program. Go to California, NY, or Savannah. No full frame or medium format systems? And the staff is under manned. Meaning you can’t take certain classes if its not being teached that quarter, leaving graduating students on hold until it becomes available.
MIU has an aggressive administration which does its best to lock you in. They make it a financial struggle for students, and make it incredibly easy for them to be removed from the school with its pathetic attendance policies. If you did a internal survey about 75% of the current students who know what they are doing in they’re respective fields are over the program itself.
With a 34% graduation rate, its evident that its first a business, not a university, which is to be expected if you know the corporate greed backing this university. Save the money, and invest in your equipment before you end up in debt. Like the rest of the students in this nation. A degree is working against students more than it is for them.

I would not recommend anyone attending this school. I graduated a few years ago and recently went to the school to pick up some of my work. I showed my school id, drivers license and diploma. I was told «once you graduate, you’re like everybody else» and would not let me in the school. Are you serious? This school claims help «place you» after graduating. Everything that I have accomplished these past fews years has NOTHING to do with the school offering any assistance. All I know is that even with grants, scholarships, etc, I have a $ 75,000 degree and tons of school loans. This school promises you all the help and assistance, but everyone I know that has graduated would not recommend this school. Art students beware!