What you didn't know about Art Schools

I have been receiving a lot of emails from prospective art students looking into going to an art school and decided to do a post to guide those who are planning on attending an art school or just any private college.

As all of you know college is very expensive. I am very fortunate enough to have a very generous grandmother who is paying for my college tuition. However for some, they need to get student loans and a little help from the government to pay for their tuition. I'm sure college tuition varies by school but the average cost of a private school is at least $20,000 a year not including living expenses such as dorm, apartment fee, etc. If you include that, it exceeds way more than $30,000 a year. You multiply that by 4 is $120,000, a price of a house in some states, and a down payment for a house in California.

I currently go to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and before this school I went to a different art school in So Cal and a community college for about years. Honestly, for the past year, I feel like my $30,000 tuition was not well spent. I, and most of the students of my school think the school is just ridiculously expensive. I mean, RIDICULOUSLY expensive. You do not understand how much this school rips you off. They charge you a $170 registration fee that goes up every semester and you have to pay this every single semester to sign up for classes. After charging about $670 per unit(which is going to go up next semester!!!) that equals $8,000 per semester for 4 classes, they charge you a course fee on top of that which varies by class. For an example, I have a computer class that I need to take for my major and they charge students an additional $400 for that class because we need to use the printer which is freaking ridiculous. This school seriously finds every way to rip students off. Last semester they raised the tuition and they are raising the tuition again next semester during this recession. The school knows that during recession people lose jobs therefore, go back to schools. They are taking this opportunity to rip people off and it's just so frustrating because there aren’t much you, as an individual can do. A lot of people who go to my school, and other private schools end up dropping out after their first semester when they realize it is just a waste of money because you really don't learn anything during your first semester. I heard the school does this on purpose to just have people enroll and take their money. For those who stick around, you still don't learn much... Honestly, I feel like I learned way more at the community college than this school. Also I worked as a kitchen and bathroom designer for 2 1/2 years before going to this school and sometimes it's ridiculous how I know more about interior design and the construction law than some of my professors. The AAU is poor at choosing its teachers, which is why students end up having different teachers at the end of the semester (a lot of teachers get fired due to their lack of knowledge in this industry) Out of my 1 + year in this school, for the FIRST time (besides one of my teacher from my last semester) I am finally learning something this semester but I still don't think it is worth the $30,000 I pay. Honestly if I did not need a degree for my profession I would totally quit school and just start from the bottom and work my way up in the industry. However, unless I land a gig in Top Design and win the whole competition, or the law of building construction, etc changes, it is best for me to get a college degree. I’m sure a private art school does give you a more in-depth experience that is related to your major than just a public college since a lot of people transfer from public schools. However when thinking about going to a private school make sure you go to a community college or a public school and get the electives or general courses out of the way. You do not have to pay $2000 for an English class or a Math class at an art school when you can pay almost nothing at a public school. Take as many classes you can then transfer to a private school but know that the cheap Academy of Art only accepts 30 units from other colleges so you still have to pay a crap load of money ($90,000 to be exact) in order to get your degree. Also if you have any questions about the school, don’t ask your counselor or advisor because these people are commissioned based. They will tell you what you want to hear so that you will go to the school. Just look online and ask questions at college forums or ask people who go to the school.
I’m sorry if I am scaring you and if this is all disappointing but I would hate for you to waste your parent’s hard earned money, or soon to be your hard earned money when you can save. If you really want to attend a private school, my best advice to is go to a community college for a year or two and get all the electives/ general courses out of the way. The school, (well my school at least) does not care about you or your education. You just need to be a self starter and have to be willing to learn.
I’m so sorry for this super long post and by no mean am I trying to offend anyone(maybe just the people who own private schools.) I really want everyone to know the truth about art schools (did I mention the owner of my school owns at least 50 vintage cars that are worth millions and millions of dollars? Wonder where our tuition goes to? More cars!) and you really are hardly going to get your money’s worth but because this society demands degrees(remember Kanye West’s College Dropout Album? Lol) and we have no choice but to go along with it.
btw, don't even think about staying at an AAU Dorm.
My first semester I stayed at a shared studio with nasty office carpet on the floor, no AC nor heater, paid around $1,100 a month when I could have gotten a studio on my own for about that price. I told you, this school finds every single way to take your money. I bet they hire people to research on what the best, sneakiest way to steal student's money.

Too Skinny Too Tight

These acid wash skinny jeans are sooo tight that it almost took me a couple mins just to pull them up. I had to do some weird lunges to get it pass my thighs. Also, I can't bend down because my butt crack will show.. although I am wearing a pretty thong. teehee

(Mom's Cardigan, Random White T, Vanilla Star Acid Wash Jeans, Ring from Al, F21 accessories, Dirty Laundry Boots)

Blue, White, & Gold

(Vintage DIY sleeveless+new gold button Blazer, F21 top, F21 leggings, Steve Madden Boots, MJ by MJ bracelet)

omg, Adriana

Can anyone be more beautiful than her?

US ELLE March 2009

If I were riding a horse, I'd wear flannel

But I'm going to the Disco,

so I wear Chanel

I miss going to the Disco. lol

(Max Mara Blazer, LA Zipper shirt with pockets, F21 tights, Dirty Laundry Boots, Rings from Al and F21)

When I asked the owner of these gorgeous dogs how much for a photo he said he only accepts donations... Once the photoshoot was over he told us he normally charges $5. I hope he spends that money well on these precious dogs.

Warm weather = Cold Stone

(Vintage Blazer, Urban Outfitters Explor Darfur Shirt, Levis Shorts, Forever 21 Necklace, Ring from Homeless Veteran Al, H&M Tights, Steve Madden Boots)

After a series of depressing rainy days the weather today was beyond beautiful.

I couldn't pass the opportunity to eat my favorite cold stone ice cream. =)

Chloe says "HI"

My first pair of Chloe shoes

These are the most comfortable high heels I have ever owned due to the wooden heels

No wonder people pay a lot of money for these.

(Vintage Fur Jacket, Arden B. top, Angels Skinny Jeans, Chloe Oxford Platform Pumps)

and I desperately need a new camera

Too big for my pants

(Vintage Faux Fur Cropped Jacket, Arden B. Top, Zana Di Jeans, Moschino Heels, Ring from a Veteran named Al)

I bought these some what acid wash skinny jeans on Friday without trying them on and I realized that I cannot zip them up.... I tried them on this morning before school on an empty stomach, sucked my stomach in as much as I could but it still wouldn't zip up.

I can't return it nor exchange it since I took the tag off. Damn it.

Anyone a size 24/25? hehehe

My Blue Valentine

(Headband by me, Vintage Jacket, Dress from mom, H&M tights, Steve Madden Boots)

I had the best Valentines Day I have ever had in my whole life.

Thanks to the love of my life, I get to fly to LA for spring break.

On the other note, I've been contacted by the very sweet Hanna from The Super Melon, a website that talks about anything that is fashion related and features amazing bloggers. It was an honor to be interviewed and featured on their website. You can read the whole interview here.

The 3 Bs: Boring, Busy, Bloated

(Headband by me, Arden B. bomber, F21 Shirt, Levis DIY shorts, $3 F21 fish net tights, Dirty Laundry Boots)

These pictures were taken after my 10pm class and before getting my delicious $10 burrito but for some reason my stomach looks bloated. I need to stop sticking my stomach out when taking pictures. haha

I was so hungry after school that I almost even ate the cooking foil the burrito was wrapped in.

40 degrees and Caramel Frappuccino

(Vintage Blazer, H&M Scarf, Hidden Wet Seal shirt, F21 skirt, Via Spiga Over the Knee socks, Secondhand boots)

Currently Listening to: Asher Roth-College
He sounds so much like Eminem... Go check him out

On Mondays I have an 8:30 class and I have to leave at 7:50 to catch the 8am school shuttle and guess what time I woke up? 7:30. I didn't even get to check the weather outside and just threw whatever was closest to me(My apt is extremely warm. Never goes under 65 degrees)
I thought I was going to freeze to death.

My little Chanel

(Arden B. Bomber Jacket, Random Grey Shirt, Arden B. Skinny Jeans, Dirty Laundry Boots, Chanel Bag that's almost as old as I am)

I think it was when I was 7 or 8(maybe younger), my mom and I were at Chanel and after seeing my mom get herself a nice Chanel bag, I begged her to get me one too. I totally forgot about this tiny bag until few days ago but realized I had left it back in LA. I remember this bag being very old and worn out but my awesome dad had it repaired, waxed/polished or smtg, and sent it to me yesterday. This little bag brings back old happy memories of my childhood. hehe

Remix the Cardigan

Currently Listening to: The Fray's New Album

Weardrobe sent me this twelve by twelve cardigan and asked to remix it and have fun with it.
So last night, after my 10pm class ended, I decided to style it in 3 different ways.
Of course, there are better ways to style this and I wish I had enough time to think about what to do with the cardigan, but once I got home I was just too tired so this is all I got.

Which look is your favorite?

1. Wife Beater, Express Denim, Zigi Heels
2. Wife Beater, Forever 21 Belt, Go Jane Heels
3. Wife Beater, A&F Denim Shorts, Dirty Laundry Boots