Are the Art Institute schools a fraud?

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I might be going to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2010 for Video Effects and Motion Graphics. Lately however, ive been worried I might be wasting that $60,000+ for tuition.

The only good things about the school I have heard were from the recruiters. Everywhere else I look, its nothing but negative comments. Ive heard things like the education quality is very poor, job placement in the career you studied for is low, and what they do teach you will be outdated in a few years. I have taken a tour of the school and I do like it. Thats the only first hand experience of the school that I have.

What are your thoughts concerning the AI schools? Also, are there any alternatives to AIP for a video effects and motion graphics or motion capturing career?

I wouldn't sya they are a fraud.

Anyone can open a "school" and get "accredited."

The real question is what happens to their graduates and how many of them are working in the fields they trained for.

Even with established colleges and universities, the numbers aren't that promising.

Here's a clue...the more they advertise, the greater the chance you're throwing away your money by going there.

Schools that get results don't need to advertise.

Thats true. Although ive never seen a commerical for the school. I have, however, seen commercials for many other schools.

Out of their graduating class, only 5 people find jobs in the field - everyone else go to work as secretaries and paper work guys. Art schools ARE a fraud, there are not enough jobs for all the graduates and you need a contact person to get into any company.

I know both the school and field are highly competetive, so if im one of the best video effects and motion graphics artists in my class, theres a good chance ill get that job then. Thats not something I want to rely on though. I have almost no experience so I dont know how good I am or how good I could be.

I have to say I visited the Art Institute of Pittsburgh a while ago (I'm from Pittsburgh originally), and I was not impressed. You'd be paying money for things you could easily teach yourself at home, and you'd probably get the same level job if you did so. The students smoking weed outside the entrance wasn't exactly a good sign either. The AI schools, IADT, and American Intercontinental are pretty much all a waste of time and money (I've dealt with them all at one time or another). Beware the recruiters for these schools, they are paid by the number of students they get to sign up, forced to meet admission quotas, and are about as honest as a used car salesman.

If you are looking to get into video and graphics, try searching for a digital media program or such at a university or polytech. You'll get a better education and a more prestigious degree. Oh, and don't be afraid to leave Pittsburgh. As much as I love the 'burgh, exploring the world and getting an education abroad is the best thing I have ever done.

When I went, I did see people smoking, but I dont know if it was weed. There was a smoking deck outside on the other side of the school, so its possible they werent smoking tobacco. I know about this smoking deck because my tour guide (who is also my recruiter) decided that it would be a great place to show me instead of something more useful like the inside of the classrooms or letting me watch part of a class.

I just dont know what to do for a career. I refuse to work for minimum wage my whole life. My standard of living is no where near living in a crappy apartment with old Salvation Army clothes, barely anything to eat, and relying on AOL for my internet. Living with my mom would make things easier and allow me to spend money on more things that I want, but I do want to be on my own eventually. Im not afraid to move away from Pittsburgh. Id rather stay in the area, but if being many hours away from home means eventually getting a job with a $35,000+ salary, ill defenatly do it. It might be hard to get used to, but it will be worth it. I just dont know what to do to get that kind of salary. Id make an excelent police officer, but I dont want to cut my hair...

I looked up reviews for it on www.studentsreview.com. People seemed to complain a lot about the price and the poor education quality. I would recommend looking up some other schools. It doesn't hurt to explore your options.

From what I hear, Pittsburgh doesn't sound like the greatest Art Institute. There are very great art institutes out there! Not all are a fraud or shams. Some of the best I've seen are in MN, CA, and NY. Those 3 states are very strong in the arts. Probably some of the strongest in the US. Though, in NY, the art institutes can be pricey but, it can also be some of the best teaching in the arts you can get! My son wants to attend New York University of Fine Arts for acting after high school and getting his AA degree at the local community college.

I dont know where else to go. I wouldnt be able to handle having to do large essays in only a matter of a few days. I know that sounds like im making excuses, but I dont want to fail out of the school. I could possibly go to a community college, but I dont find anything they offer interesting. Im screwed.

Why not look through what all the colleges around have to offer, and maybe go visit some of them? There are a bazillion colleges in and around Pittsburgh - Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, Carlow, Robert Morris, Duquesne, Point Park, De Vry, Chatham, Cal U, St. Vincent, Seton Hill, CCAC, CCBC...

If you're worried about deadlines and such, talk to the disabilities department.

Even if you're not sure about going to a university, it's worth looking through what's on offer to get an idea of what interests you.

Having at least some degree of accrediting, would you be able to transfer those credits anywhere? There are even legitimate online schools and such that you could be working with. Though I would advise staying away from the University of Phoenix style matchbook schools.

Ive heard AIP doesnt transfer credits, even though it says they do. Actually, I think thats another one of their tricks. They do transfer credits, but their credits arent accepted anywhere else.



I just remembered, I was concidering going to the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics for helicopter flying or something to do with airline travel. I can remember almost tearing up when a representitive came to my high school when he explained all the benefits of being in the air travel industry. I should really concider checking them out, but I hate salesmen. Part of the reason I dont want to visit any school is im expecting them to never take no for an answer. I dont want to get fed up with them and say in a very stern, assertive, angry voice, "I said im not interested and theres nothing you can do to change my mind." Even if ill never see the person again, I hate showing that side of me. It makes me feel as though im comming accross as a misserable jerk. I even scheduled a tour at Bradford when the recruiter wouldnt leave me alone about it. I never went.

-Absurdly high price
-low education quality
-credits only transferable within' the art institute
-for profit institute

Sounds like they're catering to people desperate or unable to get in college, and sacrificing legitimate education for the profit. Get out as soon as possible.

In fact, this sounds exactly like the same game ITT Tech plays. If you search something like "itt tech scam" you'll find a plethora of horror stories on why it's bad to get in a school like this.

Wow, I was thinking about ITT Tech too. The commericials do a pretty good job convincing us how wonderful it is, but I was a bit sceptical. I always am.