Argosy University Orange County

As a high school student, I planned to work for one of five Graphic Design companies in LA. Each employer required new designers to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited school. At that time, 2014, I asked each employer if they accepted degrees from Art Institute Orange County where I was enrolled. Four of the five said yes. However, when I graduated in 2016, only one of the five employers accepted a degree from the Santa Ana campus of the Art Institute. When I asked why, they all had the same answer, bad reputation, not only from students and the news media, but from the campus's own administrators and faculty. For example, there were audio and video clips on some Ai student blogs with recorded comments. One of the work-study students working in the academic affairs suite made recordings for years. One programs coordinator who is in charge of students with unsatisfactory academic progress said, "These boneheads are failing with all Fs but the school asks me to save them. It's like dumpster diving. They should not be in any school." Another academic director who was the chairman of the admissions committee said, "Not only are some of these students' high school GPAs low, but their personal statements are scary. Not only poor English, but some of these kids clearly have mental problems." Also, one former senior faculty was in a fight with the president about forcing students to buy a useless eBook for a drawing course. They fired him years ago for insubordination. So the school's reputation has sunk so low. I finally had to return to school at UC and I am working toward a fine arts degree. Waste of time and money.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2016

Education Quality: C, Collaboration/Competitive: F