California Institute of the Arts Top Questions

The worst things about my school, which I believe is most likley the worst thing about every private institure in the United States, is the price of tuition.

Since the entire campus is in one building, it's hard to get enough sunlight when you're in an intensive and rigorous major such as character animation and graphic design. Another would be the foods at the cafe. Although there are some variations in menu, they use the same ingredients, so it feels like you eat the same foods after a while.

To me the worst thing about my school is also a very charming and interesting part about it. I would say it's the lack of online savvy, we still register by standing in lines at tables and racing to get our classes. It's frustrating and very stressful sometimes, but it's also keeps part of the older fashioned atmosphere that the school was built on.

It is very expensive, for degrees in art with which it is going to be hard to make enough money to pay the school back.

The drung use and how all the arts schools dont seem to be very coheasive.

Financial Aid department. My second year, I turned in my FAFSA paperwork to the office the first day, and they lost it, didn't tell me until AFTER paperwork was due, and said I needed more documentation. Because of this, they turned my FAFSA in late and cost me thousands of dollars in aid. My sister was also attending a private school (Woodbury) and turned her FAFSA things in at the same time - her department got stuff done, didn't lose anything or ask for anything more, and she recieved 5 thousands dollars more than me. CalArts assumed no responsibility.

Many of the students do not take their studies seriously at all. I guess they are just rich kids who have come to art school to get out of the house for a few years. In addition, the campus is not attractive and I'm not sure where the tuition money goes because the teachers and student's don't see it. The academic classes offer little to no challenge. You have to take your art seriously and be very self-motivated to succeed.