Anonymous wrote:SCAD has a terrible reputation with career services and helping their graduates find gainful employment. Many grads have to take on several part time jobs just to survive, if they can get a job at all in their industry.

VCUarts is a MUCH better school with a very good track record of career services. I have also heard great things about Kent State's art program.

Agree that VCU’s Arts program is solid. Probably also harder to get accepted to that program than to SCAD.

SCAD has a terrible reputation with career services and helping their graduates find gainful employment. Many grads have to take on several part time jobs just to survive, if they can get a job at all in their industry.

VCUarts is a MUCH better school with a very good track record of career services. I have also heard great things about Kent State's art program.

I have an art kid, so I looked into SCAD.

I wouldn't say it's a total scam. It appears to be provide a solid education in art and most of its graduates are employable. So it might be good for certain kids. For the most part, the art world doesn't care about pedigree; it only cares about your portfolio. And SCAD can help with that.

But, like most art schools, it's very expensive. And, as indicated above, SCAD admits nearly all applicants regardless of ability, which means that some kids may incur a huge debt without the skill/talent to thrive in the industry. There are several articles and posts on the issues with SCAD.

FWIW, we crossed SCAD off DC's list along with other dedicated art schools. They were too expensive and DC still wants the ability to explore other subjects. Still, if we wanted an art college, we'd look at VCUarts, Tyler at Temple, and MICA in terms of quasi-local options. VCU, in particular, has nationally recognized BFA and MFA programs at public school prices.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.ajc.com/news/special-reports/selling-dream/VVfRSVilHliyrTe9LAd5hN/

This is incredible. Harvard has more than double the students, is multiple schools, and a medical center.

"SCAD gives Wallace a salary and a lifestyle unheard of in higher education. Between 2011 and 2015, the school paid her $19.9 million in salary and other compensation. During the same five years, Harvard University paid its president less than one-third as much. Wallace’s pay spiked to $9.6 million in 2014 — more than any other president of a nonprofit or public university in the United States. She made $2.1 million in 2015."

"Wallace and 13 members of her family have worked at SCAD during the past 20 years, with combined earnings of $60 million. Wallace made millions more through a real-estate transaction involving SCAD."

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know who started there concluded it was a waste of time and money before the end of their 3rd semester — and transferred to a much better university. One person commented that it seemed to be an old-fashioned finishing school…YMMV

+1
its way too expensive, seen as a "joke" on resumes... just no.

Everyone I know who started there concluded it was a waste of time and money before the end of their 3rd semester — and transferred to a much better university. One person commented that it seemed to be an old-fashioned finishing school…YMMV

I recently talked to a grad. One of the big issues was that they take just about anyone so there are a lot of kids who are surprised by the amount of time and work that go into college level art classes. Also the amount of extra expenses on art supplies. Lots of rich kids because tuition is expensive too. But the teachers are good and the committed students were a great community. Seems to be respected if you complete the degree but a lot don’t. There’s another recent thread I’d search for too.

Total scam. Don't waste your money.

The city is great.

I have a relative who graduated from there a year or two ago and has had trouble getting a job in his field (video game design). But that industry if under duress right now.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.ajc.com/news/special-reports/selling-dream/VVfRSVilHliyrTe9LAd5hN/

This is all you need to know about SCAD

Anonymous wrote:The only thing that I've heard is as follow:
1) Easy to get, but difficult to stay in.
2) It is prestigious in the art community and I think the school does have many industry connections.
3) I don't believe they have a Greek - not your typical college experience.
4) It is extremely expensive. Even when they give you the top merit, you will still be paying a lot of money.
5) I think if you can get through SCAD, you will be prepared for accounting. My understanding is that the art programs are extremely rigorous which is why many drop out or transfer.
6) It is not a typical campus - where various buildings are spread out through the city of Savannah.

Went on a tour and read up about it a lot. All of the above were our takeaways too. One more: they are not strong on academics (and told us they’re not valued there at all), so if DC changes their major away from art/design, they’d probably have to transfer schools. But the place is utterly charming and they seem to have excellent resources and modern technology and equipment.

My family friend went to SCAD and graduated about five years ago. She has huge student loans and is working two jobs (one as a nanny during the week days, and one on the evenings/weekends at one of those paint and sip places).

The only thing that I've heard is as follow:
1) Easy to get, but difficult to stay in.
2) It is prestigious in the art community and I think the school does have many industry connections.
3) I don't believe they have a Greek - not your typical college experience.
4) It is extremely expensive. Even when they give you the top merit, you will still be paying a lot of money.
5) I think if you can get through SCAD, you will be prepared for accounting. My understanding is that the art programs are extremely rigorous which is why many drop out or transfer.
6) It is not a typical campus - where various buildings are spread out through the city of Savannah.

What are your thoughts on SCAD? (Savannah College of Art and Design)

Is it prestigious?

Does it provide a true college experience (clubs / sports- intramural / greek/ social / Alumni pride)?

Does it prepare them for adulting?