Kansas City Art Institute

Date: Aug 17 2010
Major: Undecided (This Major's Salary over time)
KCAI is definitely a commitment, but if you love art and are willing to work extremely hard there is a lot to learn. I went into Foundations year without a lot of experience but teachers were really helpful. Foundations year really helps level the playing field for all students, and takes you through all different media, helping you find the right major. Most of the class ends up switching their major by the end of Foundations year.

Coursework is super demanding. The school has an extremely high drop out rate. At the beginning of the year five hours of studio a night seemed like so long. By the end I was waking up at seven in the morning for class and not making it back from studio from 1-3 am. It is tough but if you love making art it is an extremely rewarding experience. It is a wonderful opportunity to have studio space and be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about their work as you are.

Class sizes are very small. Teachers know their students and their art. Departments are very welcoming. The school is very open to blending different media and crossing over to different departments. There is a major plus option (which is pretty much a double major).

KCAI is REALLY generous with their scholarships (probably due to the fact that they lose quite a few students through foundations year). Communicating with the financial aid office and your admissions counselor early on while applying is a good idea.

My biggest complaint would be the cafeteria food. At most schools you gain the freshman fifteen, KCAI's food is so bad that you lose it.