American Academy Of Art

The Academy is not like other art schools. If you’re looking for a school where you can slack off, party on the weekends, and have a good time learning «art», this is not the school for you. The Academy takes art seriously as a career, and expects you to as well. As a result, they have a really harsh attendance policy, the teachers are strict on turning in your projects on time, and there is a LOT expected of you. Additionally, this is not the school for those looking to go into modern art or «learn how to express themselves» as the Academy assumes you already know how to express yourself and is there to teach you how to draw.
That being said, if you actually want to be successful as an illustrator/​graphic designer/​fine artist (sadly their 3d and web design departments seemed pretty lacking), you WILL improve by going to this school because they will force you to. I was an illustration major, and it was really amazing to see how some of my friends went from not being able to draw anything to having their own unique style.
The school is small, but it’s really nice because you get way more one on one time with your professors than you would if you went to a university. And for something like art, it’s really nice to have your professor come up behind you and tell you you’re drawing the head too big before you’ve already committed to having a ridiculous sized head on your piece.
And as one of the other reviewers pointed out, you won’t get into your major until your second year. This is because they want to ensure your fundamentals of art – which apply to every field of art – are strong. Just like how a normal college forces you to take GenEds before going into your major.
TL;DR The Academy is a tough school. Most people can’t hack it expecting something similar to the Art Institute’s hands off approach. This is not that. You will work hard, learn, and become a better artist because of it.

The other reviews are spot on. Don’t go here. There are way better schools out there for a much better price. The administration is not on the student’s side, they’re out to make money.

I went to school here for a year and a half. I woke up every morning wanting to shoot someone. Thats sign number one that you need to transfer.
It may have just been the wrong environment for me, but I hated a majority of the time I was there. The teachers to me seemed hit or miss, though I had an amazing life drawing teacher.
I was majoring in graphic design, and I didn’t touch a computer till the second year I was there.
Was this my fault? No. Its just the way the school is set up.
One word: Highschool.
If you go here, your first year will be M-​F 8:30 to 2:00. Your second year will be much the same.
I know people that love this school, and to each his own. I just couldnt stand it.
Also, due to the fact that the school is so small (400 – 600 at a time) the scheduling of classes is VERY limited. Either you can take it the one day and time its offered or, you have to wait. And that can be a problem.
They sell the school as a place where all the «greats» come from, and while this may be true, those people went here back when a degree wasn’t really something that was needed. Most of them didn’t finish, and you wont see them coming back to school!