The AI Miami International University of Art and Design

Date: Oct 25 2006
Major: Interior Design (This Major's Salary over time)
I was a transfer student to MIU after spending my freshman year at a small private school and then getting my AA degree from UCF. I took a risk by making this drastic change. I had decided that, at 21, I needed to be more focused on my goals and pursue something that truly excited me. I really wanted to study interior design, so I came to this school prepared to be challenged, nurtured in my education, and fully equipped to enter the workforce - in essence, I came to MIU to LEARN and EXCEL. None of my expectations have been met here.

The staff doesn't know basic information about the school's system, so going to an advisor is pointless. The faculty doesn't care about the student's learning, and are unwilling to help and teach. They seem to want the students to fail. My architecture class was full at the beginning of the quarter, and only about 4 people passed. The rest either failed or withdrew. The teachers are demeaning, condescending, and antagonistic. They all seem angry.

One older lady, who was coming back to school since her children were grown, was reduced to tears after being ridiculed for not understanding stair elevations. The teachers genuinely seem like they want us to fail.

Attendance policy is very strict, and I was marked absent on a day when I was actually present. I later approached the teacher, and she refused to adjust the records. I PROVED to her that I had been in class by showing her my notes, explaining what we had done in class, and even reminding her where I had been sitting. It's basically my word against hers - and now my grade will suffer. This woman is an idiot who has absolutely no organization in class, and she calls herself a Dr. when she doesn't even have the degree. She says

If I had stayed in school one more year and done a dissertation, I would have been a Dr. so it's close enough.

Give me a break. Is this woman serious?

I have had one good teacher at this school, and she left. I was attracted to MIU because the admissions advisor, Gerry Cabrera, was excellent. Gerry was friendly, knowledgable, accomodating, welcoming… and she sold me on the school. Once I was actually in, it was all downhill from there. Take my advice and avoid this place if you are really interested in interior design. These people will deflate your bubble and leave you feeling confused, lost in class, and afraid to approach them lest your grade suffer. You are at their mercy - after all they have the gradebook. (By the way, I get As and Bs so I'm not an idiot. Take my advice!)