The Art Institute of California-San Diego

I graduated from here in 2007. And like all of my class mates was told how great the interior design program was and they are the only school with the certificates in interior design. I put my mind to it and got my degree done in 3 years. I was promised they would help find me a job which they did NOT do and I found this week that the school DID NOT have regional accreditation. I didn’t know there were different ones. I was attempting to get my credential and now have to start all over again with my bachelors degree because they NEVER disclosed that my degree would not be valid if I tried to continue my education. I am not able to get into a masters program in interior design because of the LIES the art institute told us. I now have a piece of paper that cost me $ 80,000 and that’s it. I feel so deceived by these people. Thank you art institute for ruining my future and any plans I have made. You have been nothing but a pain in my side. DO NOT ATTEND HERE!!! It’s all about money and they do not care about their students!

People wake up if they have harsh reviews it is obviously because they did something wrong. Myself, I got an associates degree from this school and am currently in debt for a large sum of over 30k when I didn’t even receive proper teaching during cake decorating week. We barely had enough time to learn how to build a wedding cake. Just to let you know a baking and pastry degree means nothing unless you have the right experience behind you. Don’t wait until you’re sitting in front of an advisor who researches jobs on craigslist and then emails them to you to make you believe that she is completing her job as a job seeker. You as a student are paying a person to sit in an office with air conditioning (which is pretty expensive in the state of California) to look through job postings on craigslist. You receive absolutely no job placing and ultimately 99% of the time your degree from AI Means nothing. Spend your money wisely Nd go to institutions such as CIA which are most definitely better than AICASD, who by the way have several lawsuits behind them.

I graduated from The Art Institute of San Diego in the Media Arts and Animation program.
It was the worst decision of my entire life and if posting here can save even one person from making the same choice, then it is worth it.
Simply put, attending a for profit school like AISD comes with an unnecessary high degree of risk involved. There is a reason that these schools are currently under investigation by the feds. There is good reason that they are closing down all across the country. Their time is over now that enough students have been swindled by them.
The for-​profit model was always flawed because it allows any person to enter into the program as long as they are willing to sign. Thus, there are no standards to speak of in regards to the people who go there. Some of the teachers there are decent, but they are not paid nearly enough and therefore care little about a career there.
It is well known that the school was falsifying job placement stats as far back as 2000 in order to ease prospective students fears regarding the program. Who wouldn’t sign up, when there is a 94.7% chance to get a job IN the FIELD that you are interested in.
Because the schools allow anyone in (so they can take their money as well as soak up those pell grants) and falsify job stats — they have created a whole sandwich generation of people who dreamed of a better future and took a chance, just to become trapped into an endless debt cycle.
Student loans are the only kind of loan that can not be discharged by bankruptcy. There are no refinancing options available, so borrowers are stuck at the high interest rates that don’t allow them to even touch the principle balance. If you stop paying them, your credit will be destroyed and then they will wage garnish you, or garnish your social security eventually.
Ideally, there needs to be free education in this country, where state and public schools are affordable, as they were from the 1860s to the 1960s. People who are interested in things like art, design, nursing, and technical jobs should not be forced to go to a for profit school in order to learn these jobs. There are numerous alternatives available that do not contain the risk.
Education should be a gateway to a better future, not a trap made by billionaires to enslave the masses. Right now, either you are rich and can have whatever schooling you want –or– you are forced to enter into a high risk situation that could potentially make you a debtor for the rest of your life.
I only became aware of the widespread fraud a few months ago, but I am now trying to share what I know with as many people as possible in an effort to save them from making the same mistake of going there.
Once public education becomes a free public service in our country — and I truly believe that it will — colleges like this one will hopefully quickly be liquidated and be forced to pay pack the students that they lied to.

Ryan O’Malley is the worst employee I have ever spoke to. He was trying to ask me out on dates and even offered to help me get into the school if I went out to dinner with him, what a creep! My information was on my application and he kept sexting me and wouldn’t leave me alone! He also said he likes to party (hinting at drug use) and that he could «hook me up» with «stuff». Stay away!

OK, this is coming from a student that has learned a whole bunch from this school, but still unhappy. I am in my 12^th qtr about to graduate with my culinary management degree. First, I was enrolled as a associates. I went to academic affairs countless times, changing my degree plan to bachelors. Somehow, FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES, something got misplaced by one of the lazy staff members they have working there. Don’t get me wrong, there are staff members that do a great job, in all departments. But for every one of them there are 3 sacks of sh*t that really just want to collect a paycheck. Financial aid? Sucks. Admin? Sucks.
In culinary, teachers are top of the line. They know what they are doing, they know the answer to your question and they even take their own time to teach you what you are struggling with. They play favorites, but hey who really cares as long as im learning. Once you’re done with your kitchen classes, it is beating a dead horse. They teach and emphasize the SAME MAIN TOPICS as if you never learned them. Literally a entire school year was wasted on doing the same things I did my first 2 years of school. There are students that sleep for 4 hours in a 5 hour class and still get their degrees with ease. Then they go into the field, demonstrating a degree you yourself have as well, and straight pissing on it. The reputation went from, «Oh, you are from the Ai school???» to something along the lines of «oh, you went to THAT school?»
They preach standard, they have no standards. If they did they would encourage their students to learn. They would have faculty that got off their behinds and helped the student body, they would actually help you get a job instead of telling you to go on usajobs. You can find better, trust me.

DON’T! I have over 100K of debt and i graduated in 2010, that’s right and counts extra scholarships i won, Federal grants which i was given yet where has my money gone? How is it possible that i work at a close to minimum wage job?
The job placement is a lie, it counts for even students graduated working at mcdonalds and when i signed up i was told how easy it would be to pay off loans even gave me a fake amount, the recruiters are just hunting for fresh blood so they will call you 184 932 times a day to convince you into their crap school. Felt so pressured but wanted to study Fashion nonetheless but my best advice is that no other makes the same mistakes.
It’s a FRAUD! Look it up, there’s class action lawsuits going on and sooner or later this will only get bigger because it’s not just me, there’s so many actually all people i know from there had massive debts and have such struggle to get by
ART INSTITUTE RUINED MY LIFE!
Do yourself a favor and find a real college that will show you real skills

Jus did a one day class called «The Whole Hog». I thought that it was an amazing experience and the chefs were really knowledgable. It was very hands on and I would highly recommend anyone in SD looking for something to do to sign up. They offer multiple classes so you can find things that you are interested in!

My husband and I went to the «Whole Hog» one-​day class today, which was an incredible experience. The chefs were an «open book», sharing a wealth of information, not only about the class subject, but so many other things too (why is the US referred to as «Uncle Sam»? It has a pork connection!). They patiently answered the barrage of questions we threw at them. I learned so many little tips I will use forever in my home kitchen! If you ever wanted to take a cooking class to improve your skills, try something new in the kitchen, or just do something fun/​meet new people/​eat great food, check out a class with the Art Institute!
P. S. Posting on Monday ³⁄₂ — Just had the pork pot roast with the cheddar garlic mashed potatoes that we cooked together and were sent home with — scrumptious and delectable! I can’t wait for Another class!

I really Enjoy the Pallete restaurant at the Arts Institute. Whoever runs the front end is really doing a great job! Go on in and have a wonderful meal. I like that the menu continually evolves.
Scott Fleming — Fleming’s Auto Detail

I graduated from AISD quite a few years ago and I had a good experience here. The staffs at the time we’re great. Sure there were a few hiccups in general, but if you’ve attended any college at all you would know that minor things like that happened everywhere. They were nothing serious enough to ruin my education experience.
I think people also need to know that jobs are not handed to you. You want one, go fight for it like everybody else. In a perfect world that would be nice, but we are not babies who needs to be fed and clothed still. The only mistake AI might have made in this case is that if they indeed «promised» us a job.

Everyone on here is so angry…
So the truth is the school needs some work in the hiring teachers department.
I started here after two years of community college so I’ve had limited general education classes to take thank god. Four hour long math classes? nahh.
I’m in the web design and interactive media program, and I started off with some great teachers. They were in the industry, they knew what they were talking about, they were passionate about the industry, and they made sure we knew networking was a big deal. But a few quarters in on my degree and they started dropping like flies. Suddenly our best web teachers were replaced by designers, or some who didn’t even know how to code. It’s very disappointing to know how much you could’ve learned from someone, and then had them replaced by a teacher that has to google how to answer your question.
In all fairness I have learned a lot here, and I’m sure I’ve learned more than I would’ve at any other big college. Mainly this is because the classes are small, and you can work with other students to learn what they know and help eachother. Networking in any industry is a big deal, and this school has given me so many great connections. I also wouldn’t have the portfolio pieces I have if I was just learning this stuff on my own because midterms and finals pushes you to create something great to show off to your class.
I graduate next quarter and I feel well prepared to start my career. I don’t feel lost or like I wasted money, because in industries like technology, you’ll always be learning.

I started going to this school right after high school back in 2004. Looking back I’m glad I left a couple months in. I was enrolled in their Media/​Animation course and was pretty unimpressed with the classes. I started researching where the jobs were and where the industry was heading and decided it would have been a mistake to stay. I didn’t feel like the school was really preparing to stand out in the industry. The assignments were ridiculously easy, I wasn’t learning anything I couldn’t pick up online, so I made the choice and took off.
Of course they tried to send me on a huge guilt trip for leaving and throwing away my future blah blah blah. THANK GOD I LEFT. I have an awesome career in IT and have never looked back.

Hello! I am a 12^th quarter student graduating next month with my Media Arts & Animation Degree.
Lets be clear. A degree from the Art Institute is not like a CPA certificate. All your degree proves is that you are a well rounded individual who has spent a good amount of time studying your chosen field. It’s a nice entry on a resume, and a pretty neat accomplishment. But in the creative industries, it’s your portfolio, and your networking skills that will get you the job.
That’s what you’re supposed to learn here. Work hard, and make friends who will be doing your same job!
If you have a terrible or non-​existent portfolio, no networking connections, a bad attitude, or a refusal to learn the required skills of your industry, it’s not the school’s fault you can’t get a job.
Yes, they carry some responsibility for admitting people who never should have started, and graduating people who are not ready. The low standards for admission and graduation are my only real criticisms of an otherwise great institution that really looks out for it’s students.
The Art Institute, like most things in life, ends up being what you make it. You can use it as a stepping stone to better yourself, or a punching bag to beat up when things don’t go your way. I’m kind of shocked at all the people blaming their lack of talent and employment on a school that is really good to the people who do the work like they’re supposed to.
If a fast paced results oriented environment is not for you, best to stay clear. Just sign up for digital tutors and Gnomon worskshops, and go at your own pace.
AI cannot guarantee you will get your dream job, this is the truth, But if you work really hard, and use all the tools they give you, the odds of getting what you want are stacked in your favor. Good luck.

I studied fashion design here and have mixed feelings about my experience.
I found that the teachers generally are professional, experienced, and caring.
The classes that are focused on learning a specific skill, such as the sewing/​construction classes, are challenging and well-​organized. However, the business courses and the general education classes are overly-​simplified and seem inane.
This school has little prestige in the fashion industry, but is the same price or more expensive than the top fashion schools.
I wouldn’t have minded any of these issues, except that the exorbitant expense of it didn’t make it seem worthwhile. This school is not all bad, but if community colleges started offering fashion design courses, they would be just as good and far more reasonably priced.

DO NOT ATTEND THIS SCHOOL.
It is a scam. I graduated in 2008 (yes, 6 years ago) and have been UNEMPLOYED SINCE. The teachers are industry drop-​outs, the admin are sharks, and you can learn the curriculum on freaking Youtube. I’ve learned more about all the subjects they «taught» after graduation than I ever learned in school. One of the teachers humiliated me by trying to send me to the school psychologist when I asked him repeatedly for help with my exit portfolio, and yelling at me in class that I should just quit. They claim they can help with placement after you graduate: that is bullshit. They dropped me like a sack of shit after I graduated. Even the internships they promise only went to a select few: the asskisser students who hung around with the teachers after school (yes…really…)
I can’t use my Bachelor’s for anything. I now can’t even get a retail job because I am «overqualified» and the majority of the jobs my degree works towards are either unpaid internships in select cities (which with $ 80k+ of debt I can’t afford) or are outsourced to Korea. Simply put, they trained me in a job that doesn’t exist in America. On top of that, my debt ruined my credit and because it’s federal debt, I will be stuck with it for the rest of my life.
If you want to be an artist, take it from me: having a degree is nothing on having an awesome portfolio. Learn it on Youtube, practice it at home, and anyone in the industry will want you. I have no savings, I have shit credit so I can only live in the ghetto, I can’t buy a car or a house or take out a loan when an emergency comes up (and it has… many times in the past.). I can’t even draw anymore without getting massive anxiety. Don’t do it. Just don’t.

Well im a 4^th quarter student and veteran going for my AA in Graphic Design. I havent had a bad experience thus far. In fact the students are friendly and so are the staff. The schedule is year round so you get a week off between 11 week semesters. Besides summer and winter semester its a 2 week break. Im not complaining cause i do learn alot being here constantly. It is tough to work around employment but if you plan it right its possible besides they provide employment options posted in the halls. Theyre are plenty of clubs to choose from and they hold events throughout the semester. Ive been to a fashion show held downtown. It was great to see what other students are accomplishing. As far as the instructors. It has been weird seeing some leave but they mostly are part time instructors. All the learning is hands on. What I mean by that is when you come to class some instructors will teach you techniques but you have to apply them and its not that easy. I think im creative but im not use to adobe so be aware if your more of a pencil and paper person you will have to use a computer sooner or later. I advise buying a laptop.
I do like that they ask the students their opinion about changes. The administration is getting better and the enviroment is becoming more artistic. I hope a few more big changes are made but we are heading in the right direction. Just ask questions thats the best advice i can give you.

Stay away. There is a class action lawsuit for a reason. They tried to steal $ 3000 dollars which I didn’t owe and only backed off when I asked for documentation.

The reviews about AI on here are pretty unfair, and it seems like they are mainly from students who dropped out or were disgruntled. It’s too bad more of the happy students don’t take the time to post a review. It’s actually a good school if you know what you want to study and you take advantage of the resources. And they are regionally accredited, people should do their homework before making baseless accusations. They are expensive, but it’s not like they don’t break down every aspect of the costs and financial aid right when you sign up. They tell you exactly what you’re getting in to financially and then you decide to continue or not. The school is good, do your own research and don’t let a couple of people’s bad experiences deter you from considering it.

This review is based solely on the Ai San Diego’s admissions department.
**BEWARE**
If you contact the school for simple information via their website, you will be called 5, 6, 7 up to 10 times daily with student recruiters. They will call at all hours and they never leave a message. Your home phone will ring. Your mobile phone will ring and your pager will beep. When you call them back to ask to be taken off the list you will be told there is no list and that you requested information and its their job to call you. They will then proceed to hang up on you. On this horrible lack of respect for their potential students alone, I will never go to this school.

This school is total bullshit. Can not recommend to anyone as the entire administration do not know about the fields being taught in this school. Only the teachers who are given horrible schedules by the incompetent people above them know what they are talking about as they are industry professionals. The scheduling is horrible. They have transitioned out one of the highest and most prominent paying degrees while students who signed a contract and are still attending are forced to suffer. Boycott this school!