Is Full Sail University a scam?
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I graduated from the RA program in 2006 and am currently taking an online BS program at Full Sail. I have to agree with anyone who says Full Sail is a scam. I have had nothing but problems with not only the method of teaching but also the overall lack of accountability by the school when they made mistakes. By my 2nd month of classes, Full Sail mistakenly put me in a wrong class. It took a week for this error to finally reach anyone of importance. For those that don’t know any better, each class lasts a month. In other words, I was 25% done with the class before it reached the ears of of those in charge. In a nut shell, I was put in Class B instead of Class A while receiving books for a Class C. When it was all said and done, I had to volunteer my “one-time only” “leave of absence” to correct the issue. Students are granted a leave of absence option where you can take a break from school for a period of up to 3 months for emergencies. Needless to say, with the stress involved in attending this high paced school, those types of leaves are not only a God send but strategically counted on for various reasons.
I didn’t appreciate having to give up my choices for their mistakes. When it was all said and done, those in charge with writing up my leave of absence wrote it down as though I was sick (which I wasn’t) and didn’t once mention that the school had made a major error in my scheduling and book distribution. In other words, Full Sail completely and falsely exonerated itself from any wrong doing leaving me to pick up the pieces. Their explanation of the matter is even more infuriating. Their excuse for this happening was that they deal with so many students that its hard to keep everyone on the same page all the time. #1. This is never a reason to mess up someone’s education nor a reason to penalize the student for their mistakes. #2. This excuse should never be mentioned to a student, EVER, even if its true. It completely undermines the student’s trust in administration and the student’s educational experience overall.
The second thing I would like to mention is that they use a failed business model. In fact, I am personally shocked that they don’t use an “out of country call center” to handle their complaints. The school practices what most companies practice, which is a method departmentalizing their administration, education, finance, and business departments. This may not seem like a bad thing, but as many people who have fell victim to this type of business model knows, if there is a problem, one department delegates the responsibility to another department. In other words, no body claims responsibility. The FACT is, they run their “Institute of Learning” like a “business” and treat their students as “customers.” This is a huge fundamental error on the part of the school who wants to be treated as a school until it makes an error and then defends their stance as though its a business. For example, they are suppose to have a 24 hour call return policy which is terribly orchestrated and rarely executed. When you question them about why you didn’t receive the call in a timely manner their response will be that in the “real world” aka.. the “working world” … companies may not return a call for weeks. The truth of the matter is, many people go through Full Sail without a hitch, but there are many that have had problems with the school in one way or another only to be ignored by the administration. At one point in time, I decided that the school was not the right place for me and I took the time to search other schools that accepted FS credits. Unfortunately, I never found one school that accepted the credits I have completed. I addressed this to the school and they told me “good luck with that” (Exact Words).
Another small thing I find very disappointing is that most of the books we receive for classes are trade books and not educational books. The program director, Robin Anderson, told me personally that trade books are better to learn from than educational books on the subjects we are learning. I don’t know about you guys, but personally, if I wanted to learn science and technology I wouldn’t subscribe to popular mechanics. Trade books are not intended to be your first introduction to any subject. I believe once a student has been introduced to a subject via educational material and a strong foundation of understanding is developed , then, and only then , can a trade book be deemed educational.
If I would have known any better, I could have skipped taking $60K out in loans and just bought all the trade books on amazon.com and taught myself. Point being, the education I am paying for, I have yet to receive.
When I first started the RA program, which is a sound engineering degree, I originally joined because I wanted to be a producer. Me being the naive, aspiring-to-learn student that I was, I didn’t know the difference between engineers and producers. One can imagine my disappointment when told repeatedly in the first 5 months of the RA program that “no one can learn how to produce” … “producing can not be taught” etc. etc. … It makes sense. After realizing this, I’m sure one can imagine my discomfort in the event of learning that Full Sail is now offering a new program that teaches students how to be producers. This in itself is not only a complete contradiction in regards to what they taught me but also a complete conflict of interests. If they can’t teach students properly or address the needs of a student properly due to the overwhelming student body count, then why would they convince more students to commit to a program or a subject matter , that they know they can’t teach? In other words, their overwhelming work load is only a problem when the student has a problem. But if you are considering going to school at Full Sail they can teach you how to grow money from trees, be producers, and everything else it will take to get you to sign away your future.
I have brought all these issues to the school’s attention only to have my concerns fall on deaf ears.
BUYERS BEWARE
Whoever wrote the opening piece is full of shit… How smart you are and how hard you work has nothing to do with advancing at Full Sail..
The school passes you for showing up on time. You have to work really really hard to fail.
So even if you pass , you might not have learned shit… even if you worked really hard.
Full Sail is a scam.
Why was my post deleted?….. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!?!?!
A lot of these people who complain about the schedule are down right lazy. Join the Army. You think Full Sail is tough with 8 hour a day classes 5 days a week, how do you think the thousands in the military feel working weekends and deploying years at a time. Grow up and get a job. Working is 40+ hours a week.
I’ve only been attending two months, but my Art History teacher has been a museum curator and one of my Art Theory studio artists was a Disney Imagineer. Only go to this school if it’s your passion to work in your field and want to play in the major leagues of the media design industry. If you have rich parents and just want to “make beats” or “make splatter effects” then go to a community college.
Oh Fullsail is a JOB SCAM AND DIPLOMA MILL
I was Lied to, Decieved, Threatened, Told I belong in a Think Tank,
Told I did not know what I Learned to fast was mistreated In Every Sense of the word
FULLSAIL IS A SCAM
I went through the Computer Animation program in 2006. My experience was a mixed one. I had some good and bad teachers, but no one was passed for just showing up. The people who passed were the ones who kept working around the clock to make sure they put out their best work. The good experiences I thank for my experience at FullSail was the networking, meeting teachers that inspired you because they were passionate about what they did. Another one was dealing with stress on a whole new level. I was not placed in a job until 9 months after I graduated but that was because I kept working as hard as I did on my personal work to get to where I am at. At my current job I can be asked to work anywhere from 40 hours to never going home pretty much and it doesn’t phase me because of my experience. Looking back I still think going to FullSail was a good and much needed experience for me. I would advise anyone who is thinking about going to FullSail, check out other schools to compare what would best fit you and what you want. If you do still decide to go to FullSail you will have to really, really want what your going in there for and to be successful. Be ready to put your life on hold for the time your there as you need at least in the game design and the computer animation degrees you need more then 100% focus and attention.
Im looking in to goin to full sail to get my bachelors degree in music biz. Im doing research on the school and still am not sure about it. All I want to really do is learn about music biz and either get a job with a record label or open my own label. It really dont matter to me what school I go to Im just looking to get an education with out spending for ever in class or just trying to earn a degree. So is full sail a scam, If you dont advise to go to full sail where else can I go for online class and spend my time and money in the right place. Your advice would be great. Please be very honest and Strait forward and nothing less. Thank you
Edward Rendini is a professer with 5 years of his life invested in Full Sail Univ. I think he should be recognized as an exemplary person. Not only has he committed himself to teaching but also to his wife Karissa. He stood by her and raised his stepdaughter with love and support through the year 2009 which was hell for them. His beautiful wife was diagnosed with cervical cancer, had a hysterectomy and chemo treatments. After that the cancer spread to her breasts resulting in a lumpectomy and more chemo. If that wasn’t enough Karissa was diagnosed with cancerous brain tumors. Her Uncle said she underwent 2 brain surgeries and more chemo. Wow it takes an incredible person like Edward Rendini to support his family and be there through Karissa’s hair loss and time of need! Hats off to Full Sail and their high standards when it comes to hiring the best! Tell Mr. Rendini to keep up the great work, Kudo’s to Full Sail !!!
I love FULL SAIL!! It is not a scam, they brainwashed me. Maybe
Like most of the internet generally the people that choose to post are motivated by anger and frustration. Typically everyone knows someone who feels slighted by a system, justified or not. Several posts here seem to be valid arguments, some large praise, and others mindless rants. Fact is the school isn’t for everyone and it certainly isn’t a free ride. I was never lied to but somethings I learned fully only after I graduated. I certainly call that a real world experience. I personally had a great time and so did many of my friends. Like so many other things you will get from it what you put into it. The entertainment industry is hard, very hard to get into. Full Sail isn’t a door pass in, it’s the map to get you there. Walk through on your own feet.
Beyond the philosophical stuff I am saying here there are few facts listed above. There are lots of angry options that need to be read, and tons of accusations without fact to back them up.
I graduated somewhere in the middle of my class. I have been out some six years now and I have worked for free, for beer, and for some pretty weak salary thus far. I’ve been on huge projects and tiny little stupid ones. I did it because it was fun, and while the money sucks what I am doing now is fun too. Money is a problem like always but it’s hard to be mad about anything I just said. I should also say I know several people that failed out of the program and they all blame the school for it. I know just as many that passed the same challenge given to those that failed. Take that for whatever it’s worth to you.
The real reason I am posting:
Someone wanted a legit answer above so here goes:
HS junior right now… Anyone mind giving me a straight answer to a few things?
complete average schedule example:
40 hours a week, 2 classes per month, 8 hours per day
Once you get into the end of the program you can expect to put in more time working on final projects outside of lab and class. Sometimes a lot of hours.
% of classes taken during night hours:
-In a day normally a four hour class, then four hour lab for said class. The next day you take the second class you are taking that month the same way. Typically the classes are during the day, labs are very often at night. Labs are roughly 50%-60% evening/overnight, each degree program is slightly different.
% of teachers you had that were bad:
-Less than 10% in my experience. There were some that I didn’t learn well from but some of those subjects I wasn’t really cut out for either. I might not have done great in every class but I got help when I asked for it, how much more can you demand? Really though, I can only remember two that I thought the effort was weak and I know for a fact that neither of them work there any more due to that very reason.
% of students you saw screwing around:
-My class graduated with only 1/3 of the students that began at the same time I did. To graduate you have to really put your head down and work hard. Some students came with the expectation that it was just another college with a loose schedule with everyone drinking in what amounts to the adult day care that is most university life styles. I believe that some were not ready for it, or just didn’t have their heart into it. Good news is it is pretty easy to spot them early on.
$ spent on essentials over one year while attending:
I honestly can’t remember. I did everything I could to save money and I think I did a pretty lousy job at it but I somehow survived.
Good luck to everyone!
Hey everyone. I’m an international student. I love movies to death, I’ve been looking for a good school to get a film degree on the shortest period of time. I read a lot about the New York film academy, but it’s seems they only have the equipment, and the teaching is bad as hell. and then I read about Full Sail University and so far it seems very reasonable and it may be a great school to attend. However i’m a bit sceptical about it, because you see, I dont have the money at all. My parents are not rich. I’m just very passionate about filmaking. and for that i’m ready to do anything and by that i mean, getting a freaking big student loan to pay for the full program. It’s insane, and i dont even know how i’m gonna pay it back afterwards, but i just need to know that i’m gonna spend money on something worth it.
So everyone hit me up with your comments and let me know what you are thinking ???
So I’m planning on going to full sail for the game art degree. See I like to draw, and play video games,(As I take both very seriously haha) I also realize that the school is extremely Gun-Ho. To be quite Honest, from the majority of the complaining I see, I feel as if all of them didn’t know what they were getting themselves into. Alot of the complaining has to do with the hours and Money. Which is pretty funny because people act as if this is some kind of secret. When I went to the full sail tour back in march they did say this was no joke, the absentee schedule was also extremely stressed, and they said they weren’t kidding either. So if anyone plans on going I suggest doing tons of research before hand, I have read ALL the bad things and all the good things as well. To be honest, alot of the failure stories you see are from when BEFORE the school even had the title of “University” tied to it. Which I think would be a terrible idea. Also, I would NOT think about going to the school for certain degrees,also another thing that was pointed out, it’s not a regular college in that you’ll have free time. You can’t have a job, kids, a life really. Probably have to move back with mom and dad. Also it’s very expensive, but do you really believe the kids going there are paying for that shit? Hell no. loans and financial aid. at least more that %40 of the students there are on it. So, I guess what I’m really trying to say is don’t be fulled by full sail’s own advertisment deception. Do research and figure out what you want to do there if you really want to go. And I was also wondering if anyone knew any info on the game art degree. I know it’s reletively new but if some if some of you have real critiques about the degree I’d love to hear about it.
I have a friend who “graduated” with a “Bachelor’s Degree” from this “school.” He’s not very smart, he didn’t do too well in high school and he dropped out of community college. So, somehow he ends up with a “Bachelor’s Degree” and he’s very proud of it even though he can’t even find work. All I remember was him talking about the parties he went to and the cocaine he sold while attending this “school.” Then he tries to get masters degree at a real college; that didn’t work out so well.
@Jim’s With Joe: “Whoever wrote the opening piece is full of shit… How smart you are and how hard you work has nothing to do with advancing at Full Sail..
The school passes you for showing up on time. You have to work really really hard to fail.
So even if you pass , you might not have learned shit… even if you worked really hard.
Full Sail is a scam.”
This is not just a Full Sail thing, this is a many colleges thing. Many colleges, you can simply just pass tests and do the required work, and on paper get an A and look like a superstar. I had a African studies class in which I showed up only on test days, 5 total classes out of a 16 week course, crammed the night before and got 100% in the class. Didn’t learn jack.
But this is merely surviving in school. This is not working hard. Working hard is more than just showing up and doing what is required. It is more than just letter grades. It is about busting your ass while the guy next to you complains that this school sucks. And then there is that thing about social relations. You can have all the knowledge and skills in the world, but if you can not communicate and move others with your ideas, it doesn’t mean anything. At least Full Sail is trying to change the college game up. Very expensive, but nonetheless, many other colleges are not even trying to innovate and change like Full Sail is.
And yes, it is a business. Every school is.
I will be graduating in two month and I must say I have learned more at Full Sail than both high school and community college combined! Their programs are up to date and their system is elegant and easy to use. If your thinking about Full Sail, I highly recommend it.
I left Full Sail after 5 months because I found out that the school’s accreditation is not appropriate for teacher education programs. My state department will not renew my certificate because Full Sail is not regionally accredited. There are many Master’s candidates in the program that are in the same boat and stuck because the money is spent. Full Sail maybe a school with great promise, but there is no doubt in my mind that they know that marketing this 12 month masters degree to school teachers will pull in many who have no idea that the degree is useless until the school becomes regionally accredited. The advertisements all over the web is very compelling and I wanted a degree from a school that understood “industry” related technology. What is sad that the school has not done it’s research on advanced degrees for teachers as it relates to accreditation or it simply does not care and enjoys the 30plus thousands of dollars it receives per head. As icing on the cake the school is billing me for the loan money it sent back to the lender. No recertification credit. No degree. And the jokes on me. I was in the Educational Media Design and Technology program.
I’m currently enrolled in the school and doing some research on it and finding nothing but “It’s a scam!” Oh come on, I’ve done some work in Game Art, and I know for a fact that unless you really want to get into it, you won’t. You NEED to have the passion, and the pushing that will get you through the degree program. It takes actual talent for the degree I’m going into, not smarts, but talent and a drive to succeed.
I looked at six or seven other art schools, which was basically someone standing up, screaming art, and sitting back down to receive applause. Needless to say I’m not sold. I took the tour of the school twice, and I’m excited, because I know I have what it takes to work, and I’m not worried about money. A school where I can brush up my skills, and in the process meet other people that are in the same boat as I am? I’m sold. I don’t care how much it costs, because passion is priceless. Yeah I could do the same thing by taking countless individual classes, going to a shoddy public school and sitting in a class of 50 people, but I’ll take my chances. If I’m not satisfied, I’m not satisfied, end of the deal.
It sure beats 85 grand for the same degree at the art institute, and yeah, that’s without supplies. Enjoy that.
You can learn a lot from Full Sail if you’re willing to work hard, it’s not all bullshit, but really you can figure this stuff(audio) out on your own if you are so inclined…mostly it’s just a parent appeasing, jerk-off year for rich kid fuck ups who can’t get into a real college. You know what’s funny/tragic? I’ve talked to many Full Sail grads over the years and they all tell the same joke “Full Sail: We Take Your Dreams, Seriously” Bwahhh ha… (fullsailgrad2002)
I work at a real university with a campus, a reputation, a long history, and admissions standards. Do you see Harvard University running adds alongside Jerry Springer etc? If you were going to hire someone for a job would you rather hire someone who graduated from a brick and mortar university with standards, or one who has graduated from an on-line “university” that only requires a pulse and money? Think about it people.
That’s not to say that these so called “universities” do not have some well intentioned and capable instructors. These places often have at least that much. After all, they are paying them good money. Your good money. These institutions exist primarily to exploit people who have neither the time, the will, or the capacity to attend a genuine undergraduate program.
They target the poor because the poor will be most likely to receive funding and loans from institutions and the federal government. As a corporate entity, they don’t care about your ability to pay back these loans, they care about their ability to acquire money from you by virtue of your so called admission to increase their bottom line.
It’s like a miracle weight loss program. Sure some people will lose weight after buying into the program, but it’s no substitute for old fashioned diet and exercise. If you want to get ahead in the world, get an education through reputable institutions. There are plenty of good community colleges where one can begin, and then to a state school to finish it off. Yes, it takes time and hard work, and some money, but that is how it’s done. Either that or you have to be a rich kid living off a trust fund and your daddy’s connections. That works too, but for those of us for whom it is not an option, it’s off to class.
In short, this place has scam written all over it. From their so called “Hall of Fame” (again to the diet analogy – before/after pictures), to their endless videogame/3D front page features preying on the young who are too inexperienced and addicted to television to know any better. Beware, youth of America. Fullsail or any other bogus university on your resume is not an attribute, it’s a red flag that you are gullible, exploitable, delusional, and worst of all, desperate.
I went to Full Sail between 2004- 2005 in the Film Program. For the most part it was great, that’s because I really wanted to be there. I would still go back and do it all over again, however there are things I have since learned to ask about.
1) When going for the loans to make the dream a reality I would find out more about how much money AFTER graduation would be a good start at pursuing my new career. Small things a person from a low income background may not be aware of, like types of programs used most in freelance editing and the best type of computer for said programs. This way the reality of expenses may delay enrollment so that once graduation has passed you’re not dead broke while your buddies’ great idea of sharing a loft in NY or LA isn’t out of reach.
2) Keeping with getting as much insight to after graduation as possible: Understanding that the placement program is run more like a temp service for cruise ships and janitors for all those that made a 3.5 or less because someone in your class is a freaking genius that has all the good offers bombarding them to the point the genius decides to go for broke and win a job (not offered) making the next “Saw” movie. All those offers suddenly disappear when genius denies them. hhmmm.
3) Find out that (at least while I was there) the “textbooks” are not really books, they are workbooks that are Xeroxed, bound and distributed on campus. So what was that charge for books really about in the break down of tuition costs?? Ink???
4) All the little things EVERYONE finds out they will need in “the real world” for their craft; heat resistant gloves for lighting, mcguyver like tools for being a grip, slip resistant shoes that don’t scuff the floors or mark up your nicely painted set’s floors, all black clothing, non-reflective coating on your glasses, cases of high energy drinks and emergen-C to help keep you from getting sick & the energy to keep going in the 16mm labs… etc…
So maybe these things strike you as nothing to worry about, your parents (or lottery winnings) will keep you in the money for these things. You are one of the luck ones in this world, money is just there for you or easily found. There are people out there with similar or worse backgrounds them mine that just want to stop being held down by their low income status and learn to earn enough to buy new things not just used or free leftovers.
Full sail is a joke. As mentioned above, how hard you work has nothing to do with whether or not you will be awarded accordingly! its all bout showin up for classes, and then if you fail exams, the teachers will just pass you, but if you are competent and actually take pride in your work, then as mentioned by other posts, you will be subject to threats, ridicule, and being mistreated by being put through the admin’s red tape, and they will fail you, to prove a point. I sincerely hope that one day, the federal government looks long and hard into this school. Its like the teachers feel they own you, and you are not allowed to be original or a free thinker, just so long you do what they say, and help them along with their business ideas. Their graduate level programs don’t even compare to associate level programs elsewhere, and I feel sorry for the students, who think they have graduated college, upon commencement at Full Sail, as the real world will prove otherwise. Full Sail is a great idea, though some of the teachers are amongst the biggest group of nothings and never have beens, specifically in their graduate programs. I believe they deserve to go to jail, for a very long time, away from people’s children.
My son just graduated from high school and really wants to get into the music production business. He wants to work in a recording studio mixing and recording music. We came across Full Sail online and their recording engineering program is EXACTLY what he wants to do. Has anyone been through this program? Is Full Sail a scam? I see that it’s VERY expensive, but I haven’t had much luck finding any other school that teach what he wants to do. PLEASE give me some feedback on whether I should let him pursue his dream at this school or should we look elsewhere? We ARE NOT rich and would have to take out student loans, financial aid, and whatever else we could do to pay for the schooling PLUS having to move and live in an apartment there until he finishes. PLEASE HELP WITH HONEST ANSWERS.
Thanks so much……..a very concerned mom.
Do NOT send ANY ONE to this school! FULL SCAM! I have a hundred classmates that graduated ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS in debt and work at freaking coffee shops and night clubs in whorelando. This school should be shut down for FRAUD! If you had any sense at all you would not go to this “school” after reading any of the info online. How the hell do you pay back that amount of money by going to this place and getting basically a fake degree as this “university” is not regionally accredited. Talk about the worst decision to starting you “career” path.
I’ve spoken to Full Sail grads that work in every level of life. Fact is, you either blaze your own path, or you sit on your ass and wait for something to drop in your lap.
The entertainment industry is fast paced and very, very competitive. This is not a school where a job is guaranteed upon graduation. Many parts of this industry aren’t fair and you’ll probably end up working a couple of crappy jobs at first to pay off the loans.
Also, if you go to class and jerk off until tests come around just to appease the letter scores, why not go get a degree in “Business” that’ll guarantee you a cubicle for the rest of your life where the only thing you’ll need to learn how to do is work a copier and use Microsoft Office.
This school isn’t for everyone, because the careers aren’t for everyone. The passion that drives people like us is different from your hobby of making beats in your basement or photoshopping boobs onto dogs.
Full Sail tells you up front that you will have to WORK your way up to the top. That doesn’t mean getting handed a degree, submitting a resume for 6 months and then raging when you don’t get hired working the boards for Aerosmith.
Well, 1st of all the school is not a scam! People say crap about all the for-profit schools but the truth is a schools a school you dont get hired because of the name of that school you get hired because of the knowledge you learn mainly what im trying to say is college does help you into a entry level postition but you have to work that out yourself thier not going to hold your hand people grow up and stop sitting on computers and trashing on for-profit schools at least thier making something of themselves!