The Art Institute of California-San Francisco

This school is a scam. Most of the teachers & faculties are ignorant and rude. Always blame the students if anything come up. If you call them, nobody pick up. If you email them, nobody bother to reply until a week later. If they decide to take a leave, no voicemail stating who to contact, and nobody in the school know either. So you end up stuck cannot do what you need to do because you must wait for the correct person to reply. SHITTY SERVICES. Do not think they care for you as a student. They only go after your money. And the fact is that sad. The AI systems are closing down one by one, and they are under investigation for fraud.

I’m really glad I read these reviews before moving ahead with the enrollment process. I recently attended an open house for this institution. The presenters/​recruiters were very positive, friendly, and optimistic. They offered coffee, refreshments, and even a light lunch to participants. They gave a tour of the facility, which seemed impressive (except for the outside on Market Street where homeless and other sketchy looking characters congregated around the UN Plaza fountain, where the street had just been washed of the perpetual urine). Two burly security guards stood at the entrance to the building, which gave a sense of protection from the outside world.
We got to visit a «class» (just for us) where an actual instructor gave a lesson in our area of interest. The lesson was interesting. Throughout, the instructor alluded to a high level of employment of AI graduates in local gaming companies and animation studios, and also mentioned that the school provides help to students for a period of 1 year beginning 6 months before graduation. Then the group was led to a room filled with computers, where the tuition and fees were summarily discussed, and promises were made that each prospective enrollee would be assigned a personal financial aid advisor to make the financing easy. We were then invited to apply to the school right there, online. (No physical materials were distributed during this session).
At this point, some of the visitors asked some pointed questions which the presenters deflected, almost defensively. For example, when one person asked if students could take their general education classes at a acommunity college and then transfer to AI (an obvious cost-​saving move), two of the presenters said that they had «no idea» what classes could be transferred, and that each invididual’s transcripts would have to be looked at by a board of «analysts» to determined what classes could be tansferred. They were pointedly not helpful on this point. Another parent asked who they could speak with to know what general ed classes would be transferrable, and again the feigned general ignorance surfaced. It seemed clear to me at this point that AI is not interested in allowing students to save money by transferring units of general educaton from community colleges. This made some of the other Unilocal reviewer’s complaints about AI’s money motivations seem all the more real.
They were also not forthcoming (even when asked) with statistics about how many graduates got industry placements after graduation, or where they were placed. Neither did they elaborate on how the school could help graduates network, over time, to remain employed. They mentioned that graduates could «register» with the career placement office, but presented little understanding of how this would work, or whether there is a fee for this service. After hearing other reviews, I wonder if there is any career placement sevice at all. My overall impression was that of a hard-​sell, front-​loaded marketing effort to get people into the school, but, where the rubber meets the road, I was not convinced of either the utility of the educational program nor the support provided by the school to get graduates employed. Other Unilocal reviews seem to confirm my suspicions.

2 terrific updates: 1) This location is closed, where’s my refund? 2) City College now occupies this space! Yay!

College shouldn’t be attempted in general unless you are serious about completing it and ready to absorb and apply the tools it gives you, and this most definitely applies to this school. Some teachers and faculty here are more concerned about their own agendas and benefits rather than your own education. There are some teachers that do value your education and want you to learn valuable material. You will get the most out your education here if you ask questions, pay attention, and extend your efforts to learn the material and resources given at this school. Finance will mess something up, veterans have money saved up for a few months in case this happens. They will do this with no updates as to when they fix it and no apology for their inconvenience.
however, the computer classes are great if you pay attention and they are useful for a lot of careers. Some courses could be cut out completely and are useless. If you are an independent person its a good school because of the fact that you succeed based on your own choices and efforts. Overall I would say that this school has good resources to build a portfolio, help build the basic writing, art, and good computer skills for a career but it is solely dependent on your own effort and dedication. I would definitely suggest speaking to a student that actually goes here for further details on the course routines and expectations to see if you are ready for the long classes and extensive homework especially if you are working. Miss one class and it could jeopardize your grade if your work isn’t on point.

Great teachers and staff. Price is typical for a private school. Those who could afford it will be sucessful.

I can’t recommend this school for a plethora of reasons including the fact that I drove 3,200 miles to get to the school for the start of the MFA program, only for the school and the program not to be ready yet. I racked up thousands of dollars of debt just to get through the semester waiting for them to get things ready.
I do not feel the education I received there was adequate in preparing me for a job in my field. I spent 4 years in retail upon graduation, during which time I taught MYSELF and eventually obtained an entry level job in a career not pertaining what I went to school with Ai for.
Thats right. I re-​taught myself with new skills for a different focus, and got myself a job. The school didn’t do anything, and they have the audacity to still spam me with mailings encouraging me to go back to school with them.
I struggle to make my student loan payments for the debt this school put me in, and I am exceptionally disappointed that this company is allowed to continue. I will never be able to afford a car, a home, or anything because of this debt, and the inability to find work pertaining to my MFA.
If you’re even considering this school, you can do better finding a school that will actually prepare you for your career– or you can teach yourself with the endless supply of free online resources and much more affordable classes that focus on the aspect of the animation field you want to work in. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do yourself the favor of looking elsewhere. You can do so much better!

TLDR; DO NOT GO HERE.
Loved:
–Teachers–
90% of whom have a SERIOUS passion for the arts, their students, and making sure you are learning and loving it.
–Other students–
Who often times teach you more than you could get out of the class itself.
–The advisers–
My adviser for my major was awesome, and really cared. I didn’t have a close relationship with her, but I know a lot of people who did, and wound up in much better places after AI than I did.
–The Student store staff–
The store itself is slightly over priced, but the staff make up for it. They’re really nice, and helpful, and it was always great to go down and get advice on things from Damian.
HATED:
–Location–
be prepared to be accosted by people if you have a 6−10pm class on the walk to BART! Hell, be prepared to gather the thickest skin possible against ‘have any change’ and ‘got a cigarette’ and that shitty saxophone player.
–Price–
oh god, I owe more in student loans than I did on the first house I bought at the bottom of the housing bubble crash (house was tiny and 72K…7 years after graduating and paying loans on time every month, still owe more than that).
–Hard sell lying assholes–
‘It’ll be 22K a year for tuition, and you’re done in 3 years!
Wow okay that sounds reasonable!‘
They forgot to tell us it was 22K per THEIR year (9 months), as it’s 3 years to do a 4 year degree, going to school year round (no 3 month summer break).
That means it’s 88K, NOT 66K!
–Student Housing–
DO NOT DO STUDENT HOUSING. For fucks sake, I paid $ 800 A MONTH to SHARE A STUDIO IN SHITTY DALY CITY HOUSING. That’s right. SHARE A STUDIO. Found out later on that those studios were renting for basically $ 800 a month on their own. So AI was cramming TWO students into one studio, and basically pocketing the change. Thanks AI!
–Career Services–
Graduated in 2007, immediately set about finding a job. I sent out easily 60 applications in the first month, and called career services half a dozen times. They finally got back to me something like two months later, with jobs I had ALREADY APPLIED FOR MONTHS AGO. Real help there, guys. Thanks. :T
Do not go here. The staff, students, and people in the student store are really awesome. The advisers are stellar, and in general the people here want to see you succeed. But the curriculum isn’t enough, the equipment isn’t enough, it’s just not enough overall.
Don’t go here. Save your money, your talent, your hard work, and go elsewhere.
Seriously.
Don’t become a bitter AI alumni like so many of us.

If you value your time, money and don’t want to contribute to Goldman Sachs who are simply making money off of you via student loans and subpar education, STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL.
Phoenix University or even any local junior college is a 1,000 times better than going to AI. Seriously. You will regret wasting your time by going to AI.
I repeat. DO NOT GO TO AI.

You know, as a student, the whole time you’re here, you learn to hate this place more and more. The ever lasting work, the shitty services, not learning anything from the instructors, the people, the piss fountain, the hobos, the list goes on, but when you graduate, you realize that not everything is perfect and that this school is actually not that bad, especially when you’ve been listening to your mentors throughout the journey, you look back to who you were when you first enrolled and you now as you accept your diploma. You’ve changed dramatically, for the good, and like it or not, this school played a major role for you.
So, go ahead, enroll, but prepare to regret doing so, until you finally get that paper.

I recently came here to accompany my boyfriend for his acceptance interview. Honestly, his admissions counselor is a GREAT sales woman. They really know how to pitch that damn school to you. She knew we were only there for the weekend (we’re from Miami) so she hurried and made my boyfriend apply on the spot to «hurry the admissions process». Mind you, there’s a $ 50 fee due on the spot and a $ 100 fee due in like 10 business days from then, which apparently the $ 100 IS refundable.
He decided to apply and paid $ 50.
When we came back to Miami, he looked into CCA and it seems like he’d rather go there if he’s going to be spending tons of money for art school.
Well, the admissions counselor called him to follow up, and he told her he was interested in CCA and wanted an honest opinion from her about that school. WELL… She ended up saying crap like she «read him wrong» and that «he wasn’t as driven as she thought he was». What kind of shit is that? She basically told him that she was disappointed and made it seem like he was a waste of time. How god damn unprofessional.
I’m talking about you, Fritzie.
PS: Juan, the financial advisor, is top notch. Such a great guy.

If I could give this school negative stars, I would.
It is a BUSINESS, not an educational institution. The admissions department is good at their job, getting people in by telling you what you want to hear. However, they facts may not be there. I completed a total of 3 weeks of class before I found out that my program, Culinary Management, was NOT what they made it seem. I withdrew, and now I am getting calls from a Collections company telling me I owe them $ 2,000 for the remainder of the quarter I did not complete. There is NO communication between departments, no one knows what is going on, and I don’t think they care about their students besides that they are funding their paychecks. DO NOT support this corporation!
HUGE WASTE OF MY TIME.
AVOID BEFORE YOU ARE TRAPPED WITH DEBT.

An enormous waste of time and money.
My daughter was very interested in transferring to this school. We currently live in Southern California, so this would be a stretch. Spoke to Palka Kumar who is in admissions and was quite polished in her sales pitch for the school. Although some statements made by her seemed untrue, we made arrangements to fly up for a day to review the school and housing.
I should mention that I’m a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious commercial art schools in the world.
Upon arriving at the school, which is in one of the most undesirable sections of the city, we were met with a former student, now focused on admissions. Our tour was underwhelming, to say the least. Facilities were primarily designed to provide the illusion of a useful education, while the whole time I got the impression that this for-​profit institution was far more interested in maximizing profits than providing a true education.
We then took a bus to review the housing facilities. Again, traveling through some of the most undesirable parts of the city characterized by barred windows and barbed wire. We got off the bus in an area guaranteed to make you clutch your belongings closely and move smartly so as not to be mugged. Making our way, via another bus, to a nicer area where their housing was located, we were more impressed with the block leased apartments than the school.
We had a scheduled interview with the head of the department that my daughter was interested in, but he decided to not show up and blew us off. Palka’s comments were seemed more like lies than truth and I was promised a call by the absent department head.
Follow up was non-​existent. No call from admissions; no call from anyone.
And, while my daughter and I had a terrific time in the city, this «school» should be avoided at all costs.

Location: Civic Center, a very convenient school that is near BART. The buildings are not too far from each other as well (there are two, 10UN and Main).
Education: I really like this school, I’m going to have my BA in graphic design by the end of this year. The teachers are generally nice and take interest in your work, training you to improve for the real world. Of course, school and education is what you make of it. The harder you work, using the skills you learn in school, the better the outcome.

Had I the ability to tell myself all that would happen, I’d do everything in my power to stop it. The education was great for the most part, the financial aid system, school principals, and career services not so great. To state it best «There is often a question of competency when it comes to any institution, in this case there is no question of competency for there is none.»
Student Loans
Let’s be honest here there is almost no school that students can attend without taking loans. When I started I signed a tuition lock stating that my tuition per quarter would be locked totaling to 75,000. They explained to me there system of multiple dispersion this way no one takes out a whole chunk to complete school. By the end of my schooling I was told my loans exceed 122,000. My tuition lock was dissolved without notice. I called the dean who said she would look into this, to this day I have not heard back. I also contacted the dean in regards to a notice from the state informing me that I will be not given a certificate to be a substitute teacher because my degree is not accredited. She only replied «well you signed a waiver that any failure of accreditation is not our fault, sorry.»
Career Services
Lowering the benchmarks of the definition industry position does not qualify as a success. To illustrate my point I was told once «It’s a telemarketing job, it has marketing in it.» Further illustration of career services falls under the category of «lack of ability to see a craigslist job scam», hot leads are craigslist ads, and etc. In lou of helping me find a better position than one I found myself, I was forwarded a motivational email instead. You will forgive me if this did not lift my spirits, but instead only cemented my belief that perhaps of advising students on careers they should probably find new ones than lead others.
In short I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS INSTITUTE, I have bore my tears and I have done my best to work with this administration. I have given the benefit of the doubt, and was a great advocate of this school. Today the only thing I would even do to deal with this school is court.

Being a graduate from this school I have mixed feelings about this place. I truly believe in the power of education and usually that’s dependent on the quality of instructors (teachers) you get. Classes don’t mean anything unless you’re interested and motivated. Rely on the teachers to get you the education YOU desire.
This school is in a great location with easy accessibility in and out of the city with the Civic Center BART located right downstairs. The school itself doesn’t require a portfolio for acceptance so in that sense this school is for everyone. That wasn’t an attractive part of signing up for this school. If it were my choice I would’ve gone to another college altogether, BUT I did get the education I wanted and made sure to use resources provided by the school and instructors to get it.
Shop around before choosing a school and make sure if has EVERYTHING you want, considering it’s your education and dime.

Graduated in Summer of 2009 with an AS in GD. I learned lots of different things from all my classes & instructors while I was here. All the teachers here are pretty cool. I do miss doing the different projects cause they were fun, different, & challenging. Lots of criticism from certain instructors that can make you cry. Just sayin. But I don’t let the criticism bring me down. ;D
Lots of homeless people around the school.
Bart is sooo nearby. Convenient.
in the heart of downtown.
Pricey.

Curretly at AI for animation, im in my 2^nd year. Not sure how I feel about it other than yes, i feel as though I am being challenged, Some teachers are great like andrew klein, catherine carlson etc. others not so great. overall I am somewhat pleased with the progress I have made. Although I must say that the animation lab seems very small for such a large school only about 10 light tables max and the equipment the have for students to check out like the wacom tablets are old and very crappy. Their system is no updated therefore i cannot use my own wacom tablet. and for paying 100K, i think that really sucks.
Other than that, as far as animation they teach you what you need to know and offer plenty of tutoring.
Glad I am attending but cant wait to graduate!!!

Well I have been attending this school for the past 2.5 years! I LOVE IT!!! I have made so many connections, gotten freelance and received the best feedback for my work. This is a very creative environment with a ton of resources for its students.
To be honest if you didn’t like this school, you didn’t use it resources to its fullest! Or you just suck! The negative people who attend this school have no creative skill, no social skills and most likely cant stand the stress of the work.
This school is fast-​paced and exciting, it is constantly challenging my skills and my sanity. I have come far from my first quarter here. I love it and I intend on using my connections gained from this school to continue on to my masters and to top companies I have already started connecting with.

Stay Away!
Oh if I knew then what I know now… I would not be tens of thousands of dollars in debt for an incompleted, second rate education.
With AI, it’s all about money. Money Money Money. But what do you expect when you go to a school owned by Goldman Sachs?
Sure, they promise you the world to lure you in, but their so called «job placement» program’s numbers are greatly inflated. Say if you are an Game Art student, and they help you get a job at GameStop, they consider that as you working in your industry, and will use that to boost your numbers.
Your monthly tuition payment figures are also changed all the time, AFTER you signed a contract. When I started, I was paying 300 dollars a month or so… by the time I left and gave up on this place I was paying nearly 700 a month.
They don’t care about you or your progress. They just care if you can make the payments or not.
There ARE a few great teachers there… Billy Berger, Trey, Chris, Catherine Carlson, Richard Walsh, etc… but a lot of teachers just don’t care. A lot of them are proffesionals in their field that found themselves underemployed, and decided to teach as a way to pay the bills, so they will show up, not teach anything, collect their paycheck and leave.
Yeah… avoid this place at all costs.

After 4 years here, I’m a little tainted, but I speak the truth.
When I applied, there was still a cap on the amount of people they accepted. You had to have some pretty decent art chops for them to even consider you. I remember getting the acceptance letter in high school and almost loosing my shit.
Now, anyone with money can get in. And that seems to be where their focus has shifted. Your money, and the best way to separate you from it.
The technology here is completely outdated. They use most of their budget towards getting more students packed into the already overcrowded buildings, instead of on teaching tools and upgrading.
They promised us a new building for 2 years. Instead they repainted the 4^th floor, stuck a bunch of plasmas on the wall and called it a day.
The labs were always a mess. Dust all over the 3 year old PC’s. Projectors hanging from the ceiling by one screw on a broken bracket. Entire sections of classroom ceilings missing. The display cases in the hallways literally, no joke had art in them from when I was looking to come to the school.
The internet connection was beyond horrible. It feels like the entire school is plugged into a couple 56k modems duct taped together. As an IMD student we spent the majority of our time watching load bars and basically imagining what the site would look like because the connection was THAT slow. Some of my classes like streaming media were just impossible. Four years and nothing was ever done about it.
The one redeeming factor was the teachers. Many of the teachers here are amazing, and totally had a great impact on me and my learning. I just wish it wasn’t at this school.
Don’t waste your time or your money. Get a Lynda account. Work on your portfolio. Do your own spec work. Start a blog and get your name out. There’s so many better options than this.