The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Date: Aug 05 2014
Major: Art & Design Department (This Major's Salary over time)
I started going to RMCAD when the Steeles (the family who started the school and made it the high ranking educational institute it once was) were still in control. It was incredible. My instructors were both challenging and helpful, the administration was friendly, and my peers were people I could use to challenge myself with. My artistic talent grew and I gained a sense of dedication and work ethic. During my final year (2010) the school was purchased by another school, Full Sail University. The change in atmosphere and educational value was almost instant. The dean stepped down, staff who challenged the degradation of the school were fired, tuition increased, and professor salaries decreased. The incoming students were no longer subject to portfolio reviews upon entrance (if you're trying to get into an art school for fine arts or illustration and cannot pass a portfolio review you should chose a different degree, like business) and the administrative staff seemed more concerned with making money and painting their nails than the reputation of their school or the future successes of its students.

Do not go to RMCAD. It is a waste of your time and student loans. If you are going to school for fine arts or illustration try RISD or MICA instead. If you're going to school for graphic design try a state school. If you're going to school for web design open a book. RMCAD is basically an Art Institute now. If you leave the school as an employable asset to your (or any) community it is because you entered it that way; nothing you learn here wouldn't have been learned in any other environment in less time and costing you less money.