Full Sail University

Date: May 02 2010
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I am currently doing the Online Game Art program and I'm very happy with it. I really wasn't looking to work my way towards a doctorate but more for a specific education in computer art programs.

I had a very difficult time finding education in the Game Art field which is why I started the online program. Normally I would completely dismiss online school as an option but I was running out of options. Local college courses in Maya and 3DMax were terrible. I have no interest in learning these skills from instructors who need help from the students to run the projectors. I had previous experience with fine arts but I really was struggling trying to get into the digital art world. Full Sail appeared to be the best option. I joined this program and it set me up with all of the software and training I need to get into the field I desire to go into. It has proven to work out better than spending hours watching YouTube tutorials.

I've heard negative reviews on some of the instructors. The last instructor I worked with had worked with Disney for 10 years. That seems like a credited individual to me. It's touch and go. The general education instructors tend to be under qualified but there are some great instructors as well. I've attended classes at well respected schools and I've found that even great colleges have terrible teachers here and there.

In all honesty I wouldn't consider this a real college. It is really a glorified vocational school. It just teaches the basics, the courses focus on the

practical application

of your learning towards your field.

There is also what appears to me an acceptance rate of %100. Of course any school with that sort of acceptance rate is going to be full of kids who really don't care about their education and expect everything to be served to them on a platter. In an environment like this you have to be extremely competitive in order to not be lost in the blur of mediocrity that is the student body.

When they say

real world education

it's true. In the real world you'll have to constantly enter into negotiations with your boss, be tenacious, hunt down supervisors who are hard to get in contact with and don't answer your e-mails, as well as learn how to be extremely self sufficient. If you can't do these things you will most likely not succeed in this school nor in one of the career fields they offer education in.

I'm happy with what I'm learning from Full Sail. I also did not go in expecting a Ivy League education. Artists in any field will have a hell of a time trying to make it. It is fun but you have to be extremely driven.

Basically the advice I have to offer is if you want a good catalyst for a career in digital art go for it. If you want a respected educational institution I would look elsewhere. It's obvious to me now that if you graduate from Full Sail you will have to rely on your skills and not your degree.