The Columbus College of Art and Design

Date: Jan 24 2015
Major: Fine Arts - Painting/Sculpture/Photography/etc (This Major's Salary over time)
I spent my freshman year at CCAD, when I arrived it seemed like a great school with lots of opportunities. By the time May arrived, I couldn't wait to leave and never come back. CCAD did not live up to it's promises and did not make me a better artist. I have always loved to draw and paint, but this nearly destroyed my love for art with all the awful assignments and time wasting projects.

Most the of the teachers are extremely helpful, easy to approach, and really want you to succeed. But there's a few who can't even speak English. I was stuck with an Iranian immigrant who was unintelligible at best. He assigned several projects, only to change his mind on the day they were due. And then yelled at us for following his directions. I don't care how long you've taught there, that is never acceptable. On top of this freshman year is basically high school art classes, only more expensive this time. I learned almost nothing my entire freshman year.

Housing is another story, the dorms themselves are OK. Small, but all you can really expect from a freshman dorms. It's the staff that really suck. I was bullied near constantly for nearly 2 weeks, I couldn't even eat a meal in the dining hall without this person trying to start something. And it was both in person and on Twitter. When Jenn Bermudez finally responded to my emails all she did was have her, myself, another victim of this person, and the bully sit down and "have a mediated discussion." All that came out of it was a bullsh!t contract that we all would get along from that point onward. She let him walk all over us the entire meeting and did nothing about his actions that were in clear violation of the student code of conduct. She even said "we all need to tolerate each other." As in tolerate bullying? That statement appalled me, I should never have to tolerate being bullied, and neither should housing staff who claim they try to create a safe environment. What good are rules if no one enforces them and makes everyone follow the code that they had to sign. This was the main reason I left CCAD, I will not give my money to faculty who allow that behavior to occur.

There's also a lot of cliques on campus, and if you aren't in one you're in for a long year. The cliques monopolized the lounges and public spaces in the dorms, and often across campus. Many were arrogant and looked down on people they didn't like or agree with.

Over all, CCAD was a waste of my time and money. I do not recommend it to anyone, all they care about is getting your money. I chose to leave the art career field, and I am much happier with my college that is costing me a fraction of what CCAD did.