So I said I was going to point out the reasons for not going to Art Center. My visit on new student night was quite pleasant. On campus, it had a lot of foliage, something that I admire in a school, quite a big campus — although I was only in one area. They had 2 separate campuses and a lot of parking space…  Students drive here all the time because there is no dorming. The admissions wrote that they would offer help in searching for apartments nearby. There was a city down the hills. On the drive there, I saw many residential homes that were on the hills. Art Center is elevated pretty high. The homes I drove by, looked like rich homes, probably very expensive? I don’t know the region, but considering it’s so close to LA, yeah, it’s going to be expensive.

During the introduction, they were explaning some things and doing a presentation, showing us pictures from several departments. I liked the idea about how they were going to teach students. Many art schools offer foundation classes, but this is where Art Center differs from other art schools. They don’t have foundation classes, that’s why it’s important that you pick a major as soon as you enroll so that you can jump right into the action. Some people can finish in 2 to 3 years, they have a year-round program I think. I’m not sure how they work. A lot of the work they give you is pretty much hands on. Going to school is 5 days a week. It’s right next to LA so they keep up with modern technologies and art in everyday, etc. Classes will most likely be close knit because you’ll be sticking to your department.

At AAU is different. My decision in going here, I can say, was a good choice. I’m going to have to be picky with them though. The office is old school and sometimes they’ll make you incredibly confused. I just think sometimes that they admissions counselor was an idiot for making me take intro to computers for macs. It was a waste, it was like I was taking computer graphics in high school all over again except we were using macs. The nice thing about art schools is the discount on computers and programs, AAU has discounts with Apple and also with Adobe programs.

AAU has good teachers as any art school because the only reason I love it here so much is that I’m learning so much from them. College really is a business, you might as well milk all you can because of the large sum your paying. This year I have loaded up on so much loans, I’m not telling how much but I can say, it’s been a pain with money. That’s the only problem, all my stress pimples come up because of my financial instability. Even online is a good learning experience, even though the instructors teach less, the assignments that they give you is pretty good. I’ve had some fun doing my stuff even though I get lazy now and then. The whole learning experience online is dependent on you, the student, so if you want to get good, that means putting in the hours, it’s the same in class. I see a lot of students how turn in mediocre work. I often wonder why when they are paying so much.

Some updates on this subject: I do agree that the technology is a little outdated, I’ve been taking online courses all summer long and up to this point — 17 Oct 2008. It’s been okay but I’m more prone to loose thinking and feeling pity for myself. It’s not especially healthy.

And because of money issues and the recession, I’m reluctant to go dorm in San Fran. It’s such a lovely city, which is why the Academy has a strong allure, but San Francisco is an expensive city to live in. I don’t have a job yet so it makes it a little difficult to find a place to live. I’ve been living with my parents for the duration of summer and fall this year. It was so difficult to get myself to wake up early and get started on my assignments starting fall. Summer was fast paced so I had to keep up no matter what. But taking online classes can get reallly boring. I’m lonely without other aspiring art students and I’m incredibly cautious when critiquing people. I don’t like offending people but it’s just so… They don’t suck, I’m just very critical.

I try to compare my own skills to what an Art Center might have to do. I’ve heard stories when Keith was there as a student so they would step on your art if it wasn’t up to par. Maybe that was figurative of him to do… haha… Last Spring I had the best instructors on site. But now… I’ve got some okay instructors. They’re nothing I can be proud up except for the english/history teachers. Their enthusiasm is commendable and that’s why I like my english and history class so far.

This is a personal experience from me and if my thoughts are not coherent as Jake (the Flamer — I like that! hahaha.. I deleted his comment from here and posted it elsewhere) said then I apologize and hope you still understand.